They say success breeds success. On TV it breeds a horde of wish-I’d-thought-of-that producers scrambling to recreate a hit without getting sued for intellectual property theft. Most recently, ABC’s surprise summer hit Dancing With the Stars had other networks punching their dance cards after it drew a weekly audience of 15 million viewers. Who knew America was so eager to see former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield do the cha-cha? The show came back in January for another run, once again pairing competing B-list celebs with professional dance instructors.
Truth be told, Dancing is a mix of reality-show staples. Contestants get voted off each week, and one of the judges is an opinionated Brit. But the series also showcases a refreshingly simple concept: Keep the focus on the dance floor. As expected, there’s the made-for-TV melodrama of celebrities having just one week to learn a new dance (not to mention an entire routine) from their whip-cracking partners. The pairs’ performances, however, remain the show’s centerpiece. Skimpy outfits and occasional mild language notwithstanding, Dancing maintains a degree of class and style reminiscent of past generations. It also spotlights dedication and the ability to overcome obstacles.
“I believe we can entertain America without having to fire people and eat worms,” said Season 1 celebrity contestant John O’Hurley (Seinfeld’s J. Peterman). “There are grandparents, parents and kids watching this in the same room all over the country. How rare is that for great television?”
Other networks keep cutting in on Dancing’s family-friendly niche. Fox has launched So You Think You Can Dance (in the works prior to Dancing’s explosion), which also garnered solid ratings, and Skating With Celebrities. Combine this with NBC’s upcoming I’m a Celebrity But I Want to Be a Pop Star (featuring celebs, competition, singing and hoofing) and The Learning Channel’s Ballroom Bootcamp and it seems America has developed dance fever all over again.
As the trendsetter, Dancing has been criticized for everything from its corniness to its lack of ballroom- dancing basics. Time’s James Poniewozik labeled it a show “you wouldn’t be surprised to see if you turned on the TV in your hotel room in, say, Bulgaria. In 1983.” But while the outrageous attire and Olympic ice-skating atmosphere may add to the glittery, fantastical tone, it by no means qualifies as a reality-TV low.
