Why Woz Could Win 'Dancing With the Stars'

He Co-Founded Apple and Invented the PC; How Hard Can It Be?

Posted by Beth Snyder Bulik on 02.11.09 @ 12:18 PM

Who wants to see the grandpa of the geeks get up and dance? ABC for starters, as it chose 58-year-old Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, usually just called "Woz," for the 2009 season of "Dancing With the Stars."

The real reason Woz could win is his fans.

His qualifications? His 2006 biography is titled "iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon: How I Invented the Personal Computer, Co-founded Apple, and Had Fun Doing it." Pretty much says it all.

Light on his feet? While Mr. Wozniak may be a top-notch geek, he lacks the stereotypical skinny build. That is, he's a tank with facial hair. Also described as a "teddy-bear physique."

Athletic ability? He's a founding member of the Segway Polo team called the Silicon Valley Aftershocks.

Romantic appeal? He's been married four times. Between his third and fourth, he also dated comedian Kathy Griffin and appeared several times on her show "My Life on the D List." Then he later announced their breakup on "The Howard Stern Show." OK, never mind.

No, the real reason Woz could win is his fans. Every engineer, software developer, technorati and digerati will be rooting for and, more importantly, voting for the beloved engineer. In fact, since the announcement earlier this week, they've been blogging about how to make it happen, starting with "How can we geeks unite to sway the vote?" posted by Al Lucklow on Woz.org.

Mike Cassidy of the San Jose Mercury News, wrote: "Look, Woz has been good to the valley -- his innovation, his philanthropy, his laid-back style. Now it's time for us to be good to him. When the show begins early next month be sure to tune in. And then vote for Woz -- early and often."

A suggestion on Digg: "Someone should write a vote for Woz app for the iPhone."

And this final rallying cry from Chicago Sun-Times columnist Andy Ihnatko: "I'm determined to use and abuse every resource at my disposal to propel Steve Wozniak -- the Geek Nation's own Falstaff ... into the finals of the competition. Why? Payback, baby. Payback. ... But it's up to our Tribe to grab the ball and run with it. Geeks, nerds, anoraks, and wonks of all faiths and callings: this is our moment! I am absolutely confident when I say that if Woz gets into the finals of 'Dancing With The Stars,' it gives all of us license to actually walk up to a human of the appropriate target gender and talk to him or her. And if he wins ... we might even be able to take the Boba Fett helmet off first."

4 Comments

By tamarw | Bronx, NY February 12, 2009 12:41:50 am:

"No, the real reason Woz could win is his fans. Every engineer, software developer, technorati and digerati will be rooting for and, more importantly, voting for the beloved engineer."

We hope so, but the truth of the matter is that most of his fans wouldn't be caught dead watching the show. There's barely any demographic overlap.

Granted, if they knew what phone number to call, he still can be rooted for, but I'm not sure that they'd remember.

Who knows, though. Maybe I'll be surprised.

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By amymclarty | Dallas, TX February 12, 2009 11:25:03 am:

Gross!

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By deezzer | San Jose, CA February 12, 2009 01:23:04 pm:

They've always said they were opposites, but this is a bit much. While one Steve is fighting for his life, the other is dancing with the stars.

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By Flashinpan | Ben Lomond, CA February 12, 2009 01:42:04 pm:

True. Most of Woz' fans have never seen, "Dancing with the Stars". I know I haven't. I think though, along with me, they will watch it this one time, and make their mark.

Having the courage to do this in front of millions of viewers says something to many of us. In a way it changes the dynamic of the show.

No, Woz has never thrown or caught a winning touchdown pass. He's doesn't sing any rap songs. I think he was in a play once at his kids' school, but other than that he hasn't acted much. Yet, there he is.

He has made some major technological contributions to the human race though. Too numerous to mention. Maybe that's what it takes to truly, "be different"? Pursuing a dream regardless of what everybody says about you. In 1976 HP all but laughed at his little invention. He wasn't discouraged then, and he's not now.

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