Dancing With The Stars Fall 2008
New Season, New Stars, Old Trends
It’s hard to believe that “Dancing With the Stars” is currently in its seventh season, but it’s true. The show has come a long way, from starting off as a surprise summer hit, to becoming one of the most popular reality shows on television. While the first season only had six contestants, the cast has consistently grown each season since then, now typically featuring about twelve or thirteen celebrities each cycle.
Surprising the Viewers
Each season, at least one member the cast impresses viewers with surprising skill and/or remarkable chemistry with his/her professional partner (i.e. Melanie “Scary Spice” Brown and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy or Kristi Yamaguchi and her partner Mark Ballas). And of course, there is always an underdog who surprises everyone by improving significantly (for example, Kelly Monaco in Season One and Billy Ray Cyrus in Season Three).
Controversy
Like many reality shows, “Dancing With The Stars” has had its share of controversial moments. In the very first season, many people were shocked when Kelly Monaco beat John O’Hurley, who most people believed to be the better dancer. However, when it came down to the final freestyle dance, Monaco wowed the judges and viewers more than O’Hurley, racking up the scores needed to win.
What This Season Has to Offer
Season Seven just premiered a week ago, but the controversy and surprises have already begun. On the first night of competition, Judge Carrie Ann Inaba made a comment about daytime queen Susan Lucci’s figure saying that it was amazing, but then suggesting that she gain a little weight because she looked “frail.”
Legendary actress Cloris Leachman stirred up some controversy of her own with her antics after her first performance. From sitting on Carrie Ann’s lap, to putting her leg up on the judges’ table, to uttering a few phrases that had to be bleeped out, she managed to be one of the most talked about contestants, winning the hearts of many viewers already.
Aside from the Controversy…
All in all, the competition is on among the contestants. Those who have already started off strong, Lance Bass, Toni Braxton, Brooke Burke, and Misty May-Treanor all turned out entertaining performances. The other remaining contestants, however, also seem prepared to give these four a run for their money. Football legend Warren Sapp surprised the judges and viewers with how well he can move across the floor and Susan Lucci is already improving.
The Verdict
If history repeats itself, there will be even more surprises to come during this season of “Dancing With The Stars.” Though it’s too early to determine who will be in the finale, it’s almost a sure bet that the viewers will be exercising their right to vote in order to keep their favorite contestants in the game. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell.
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