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The Magic and Wonder of Costuming
02 June 2005 - 12:01 am
In case you didn't watch this show, as I suggested in a previous entry, I'll give you my take on it. I know y'all are on the edge of your seat waiting. The premise is based on a BBC program. In the US version six celebrities are paired with six professional ballroom dancers and they learn various ballroom dances. During the weekly LIVE show the couples show off the steps they've learned that week. There is an audience, two hosts, and a panel of 3 judges. I can only assume the format is similar to that of the UK version and that they producers have prompted the audience to participate by calls and "boos" for the judges when they give unpopular commentary on the dancers' performances. I'm not up on the current Ballroom scene, but it appears that these judges are real and have some credibility. In other words, they know about what they speak. I told the hubby from the start (yes, he actually watched part of it with me) that, if these judges are anywhere close to what real teachers/judges of dance dish out, that it wasn't gonna be pretty. And, thankfully, they were pretty honest in their commentary on the performances. I agreed with almost all of what they said. I'd've been harder on them but I guess you have to cut them some slack they're not pros. I was pleasantly surprised it wasn't all platitudes for the celebs. Speaking of celebs, they are Trista Sutter, Rachel Hunter, Kelly Monaco, Joey McIntyre, Evander Holyfield and John O'Hurley. When they announced these people I didn't know half of them. I still have only cursorily heard of that half. The other half? I just have to laugh. Evander Holyfield?!?! Come on. His performance was less than thrilling but I'll give him kudos for even showing up and trying this stuff on national, live TV. They must've paid him well. And I had to laugh at the score they gave him and his partner. I guess they didn't want to be pounded to a pulp in the green room when the show was over. The pros? Never really heard of any of them, as I'm not familiar with the Ballroom scene. What I can tell you is that those guys are so cocky, and so self-absorbed it isn't even funny. WHAT egos!!! I knew male dancers were rather on the conceited side but these dudes are beyond conceited. I'm surprised their heads fit in the rehearsal studios. Good grief! And just in case you did watch and you have no dance background, let me clue you in. The celeb girls pretty much sucked. It just goes to show you that a nice, flowy, colorful, glittery, eyecatching dress can do wonders for the untrained eye at covering up what isn't there. As for the guy celebs, bless their little hearts, they tried. Most male dancer roles call for just standing there and holding the girl and allowing her take the spotlight, but Ballroom involves more than just standing and looking good. The guys tried very hard but they'll never be professionals. My vote is for John O'Hurley for the guys and...none of them for the girls. I will be watching next week, just because it's dance stuff and just because it'll probably be the first and last of this series in the US. I simply can't fathom that it will have the ratings to sustain a new season. The American viewing public will not like it....unfortunately. I think the show is a riot myself. But I'm strange.
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