Dancing with the Stars

June 29, 2005

Let the ridicule begin. Dancing with the Stars is my summer guilty pleasure.

I can’t believe I’m admitting this in print, but I can’t get enough of this simple, yet endearing show. It all started when I was channel surfing and caught Seinfeld’s Mr. Peterman, John O’Hurley, waltzing gracefully across the dance floor. Who knew the guy could dance like that? (If only he could have helped poor Elaine with her dreadful dance moves.)

Besides O’Hurley, boxer Evander “Twinkle Toes” Holyfield, supermodel Rachel Hunter, and General Hospital star Kelly Monaco are some of the other celebrities who have been shaking their booties to the Tango, the Samba, and the Jive.

The dancing is fabulous. And the judges aren’t cruel, simply critical, as they offer advice on how contestants can improve.

The celebrity dancers are paired with a professional dance partner and have a week to learn two new dances. Then, each couple performs their version of the dances. It’s live television, so anything can happen. Monaco had a wardrobe malfunction last week, and still managed to complete her dance.

I’m not sure why I’m enjoying this show. I don’t normally like reality television. But, this one isn’t mean spirited. And the dancing is great.

Apparently, I’m not the only one mesmerized by this quirky show. It was the number one program two weeks ago, with 15.1 million viewers tuning in, according to Nielsen Media Research. More people watched the dancing celebrities than watched games one and two of the NBA finals. (The games ranked as the ninth and 10th most-watched programs that week.)

Catch Dancing with the Stars tonight at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Originally published 6-29-05 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.

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