It isn’t any secret that Americans are living in a “reality television” world! In fact, when television producers can’t come up with any wacky ideas of their own they just borrow from their friends over in England. Everyone knows that Simon Cowell brought American Idol to America, which is based on the British sensation, Pop Idol. Another show that came from Britain originally is Dancing with the Stars. Is this ballroom dancing television show a new kind of reality?
You are probably wondering what makes Dancing with the Stars any different from shows like Date My Mom and Nanny 911? First look at the similarities. To begin with, much like American Idol, this show came from England and was first called, “Strictly Come Dancing” and it showed up during a time when television was all about using film, T.V. and sports stars for their reality shows, therefore it fit right in. America was also interested in the concept of ballroom dancing. The show is set up just like any other reality show where popularity plays a huge roll, allowing fans to vote who will stay and who will go.
A dancing show like So You Think You Can Dance helps to illustrate what sets Dancing with the Stars apart. The contestants on So You Think You Can Dance are trying to live a dream, as they are competing for so much that in the end, the reason that they dance in the first place is lost. Very differently, the Stars show focuses on the dances and the beauty of them. They aren’t competing for money so it takes all of the pressure out of the game. They are simply there for the fun of ballroom dancing and nothing more.
Dancing with the Stars takes place in a dance theatre and has introduced ballroom dancing to adults and children all over the world. Recently, they have promoted children who take part in ballroom dancing. The show also promotes good health, and they don’t even do it purposefully. So many of the contestants, past and present, have lost weight and gotten into shape by ballroom dancing alone! They all credit the show for these wonderful transformations. So next time you turn on your television, ask your self what you would rather watch, a crushed dream or a football player doing the tango?
