But Some Contestants Complain He's A Bit Too Light On His Feet

ANN April 1st Special Edition: Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin is holding his own on "Dancing With The Stars", which has some contestants grumbling that his time on the moon might give the octogenarian hoofer an unfair advantage.

"How do you compete with someone who's REALLY done the moon walk?" asked Shannen Doherty after her early elimination. "I mean c'mon, he's had a chance to practice in 1/6th G in a pressure suit. How is that fair? The rest of us had to just copy Michael Jackson."

"She's right," said contestant Chad Ochocinco, who's end-zone dances and other antics have become legendary. "Here's a guy who's had the U.S. Government spend billions of dollars to teach him how to be light on his feet. We've all seen the video of them skipping across the surface of moon. If there was ever a reason to have a league protest, this is it."

But former contestant Jerry Springer is solidly in Aldrin's camp. "Buzz is creating a Buzz, and if there's one thing I know, it's Buzz," he said. "Besides, I'm glad I'm no longer known as the oldest guy to be on "Dancing With The Stars". My final thought? You go, Buzz ... Old Guys Rule!"

For his part, Aldrin said his time spent on the moon could really be seen as a hindrance, not a help. "I loved it on the moon," Aldrin said. "I never felt so unencumbered, even in the moonsuit. So to now be at full gravity, even after 40 years ... it always feels like there's lead in my shoes. That's even more difficult than backwards and in high heels ... not that I would know."

The producers of "Dancing" say that Aldrin is a natural dancer who has as good a chance as anyone to win the competition. "He's an American icon, and we're proud to have him on the show. And, he's really launched ratings over the moon ... if you catch my meaning."

FMI: www.hoofinonthemoon.com