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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Lure of the dance

By Bridget Byrne
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The dance floor glitters with the refracted light from the sparkles and spangles decorating the women's gowns and surrounding set.

Contestants Adam Lazo and Kelly Monaco compete in "Dancing with the Stars," ABC's battle of the ballroom.

ABC

The studio audience "oohs" and "aahs" as the competitors (couples include a celebrity and a professional dancer) prance and posture, swoop and glide, shimmy and shake. And when the music stops, either groans or shouts of glee greet the decisions of three judges sitting just offstage.

Live from Hollywood, it's "Dancing with the Stars," ABC's battle of the ballroom — and a hit, debuting a few weeks ago at No. 1 and holding as Kelly Monaco, John O'Hurley and their partners take their "last dance," and a champion is crowned tonight.

Going "live" has been vital to the success of the show, says co-producer Conrad Green.

"There's not really anywhere to hide. If they fall ... they fall. ... It definitely ups the stakes," Green says. "If you know you can't retake something ... it really keeps everyone on their toes."

For example, two weeks ago, "General Hospital" star Kelly Monaco's bodice strap snapped, forcing her to complete her samba while struggling to hold her scanty green outfit in place.

"Dancing With the Stars"

finale, 8 tonight

ABC

Actually, there's a brief delay in the transmission of "Dancing with the Stars," as with many other live telecasts since Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction," so nothing unseemly is in danger of being revealed on nationwide TV. But the studio audience of 300 — dressed for the cocktail hour, yet advised to behave like they were watching a sporting event — gasped and leaned forward expectantly when the mishap occurred.

Last week, Joey McIntyre went the way of previous celebrity losers Trista ("Bachelorette") Sutter, former heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield and model Rachel Hunter.

The show is derived from a BBC production in Britain, where ballroom dancing has long been a prime-time mainstay. Although a big success there and in many parts of the world, the concept wasn't an easy sell to an American network.

The set design on the Television City soundstage is almost identical to the British version, with the audience on three sides of a dance floor, a staircase for grand entrances, a raised podium for the three judges and an orchestra. Ten cameras cover the action.

Learn more:

abc.go.com/prime
time/dancing

Green believes celebrities, whose prize is merely "a little trophy," respond to the challenge because it fulfills their secret dreams. Judging by the emotion in the celebrities' eyes as they await the voting verdicts, it's clear they're hooked.

"John O'Hurley's quite an easygoing, bright, funny, relaxed guy most of the time, but when you say, 'Your fox-trot is going to be judged, and if you're not good enough you are going home,' he works like fury," says Green, noting the stars have been spending 20 to 30 hours each week learning the routines.

Attracting 15.5 million viewers last week, the show is a hit in all key demographics. John Cassese, whose Dance Doctor Studio in Santa Monica has been used by McIntyre, has also seen an upturn in interest, especially with the young.

"A No. 1 hit show like this influences people to want to participate in this romantic physical activity that is exercise and fun and improves social skills at the same time," says Cassese.

"Nothing is more beautiful than seeing two people dancing together — it's like a relationship filled with respect and trust," says Jorgensen, who, besides teaching O'Hurley his moves, also tutored Richard Gere for the movie "Shall We Dance."

"I'm not surprised the show's a success. The format is so good. It's more like a variety show, not like a reality show," says Len Goodman, the British judge.

He tries to keep his criticism balanced — encouraging the stars, because they are amateurs trying their hardest, but also "hopefully giving the audience some guidance" on how the dances should really be performed.