Originally Posted by Lili27:
“Derek has said he is "Ready for Betty" meaning he is ready for the challenge of someone who might be less than fit. Most of Derek's partners have been young and fit, unlike some of the other pros. It doesn't mean the other challenges are not there but being young and fit is a good start in this competition. He is extremely talented both in teaching and choreography, so I would never question that. I don't know why you would say making it look easy means that I wouldn't think he wasn't talented. I think he will do a terrific job with whomever he is partnered with.
Edited to say that I would also like to see Maks and Mark have a partner with a different set of challenges also.”
I think Derek said he was "ready for Betty" because people asked him about her and because it rhymes and he thought it was funny. I also think he thought if she were really on the show it could be a fun, memorable partnership because she is so funny and such a character. I don't think he said it because he was thinking he needed the challenge of an older, less fit partner. Seriously, does anyone think that Betty White on the show would really be doing much dancing of any substance? Anyway, most of the regular pros haven't had older or less fit partners. Derek hasn't had the oldest partners, but he has never had any of the young ones either. Nicole was his youngest partner I think and she was 32. He's never had an athlete either, who are arguably the most fit and best suited for the show. At least that's what the pros say; they say athletes make the best partners. Most of the pros have had at least one athlete. Not Derek, but yes, most of his partners have been reasonably fit, though Shannon couldn't walk across the room without gasping for breath.