ABC is dancing its way into TV history books.
Marking the biggest summer TV bow since “Survivor” made Richard Hatch the poster child in 2000, “Dancing With the Stars” premiered two weeks ago with impressive ratings–13.5 million total viewers–and saw those numbers grow to 14.9 million viewers its second week, making it the top-rated show in all of prime time last Wednesday, Nielsen Media Research reported. New episodes air at 8 p.m. each Wednesday.
Quite a surprise, considering the premise: The variety-style talent competition pairs celebrities with professional ballroom dancers who prepare the stars to battle it out on the dancer floor. And the “stars” aren’t exactly on fire. Among them are model Rachel Hunter, boxer Evander Holyfield, former New Kids on the Block member Joey McIntyre and actor John O’Hurley (J. Peterman on “Seinfeld”).
“Dancing” was the top show last Wednesday night–when Trista Sutter from “The Bachelorette” was ousted–across all demographic categories, including the advertiser-coveted 18- to 49-year-olds. Of the total audience, 6.1 million were in that category, 74 percent of whom were women.
“Astonishing isn’t it?” executive producer Conrad Green said. “My logical side says that the ratings should go up as the competition builds because you invest in the characters more, you understand them more, and you get involved in the relationships between the dancers and the stars. But that said, the numbers are astonishing.”
“Dancing’s” victory owes much to what it has borrowed from Fox’s “American Idol.” Like “Idol,” viewers vote for their favorite performers. Unlike “Idol,” however, these amateurs don’t expect to be hoofing it professionally any time soon. They aren’t playing for money, contracts or a big prize; they’re just learning a new skill. Also, seeing these stars embarrass themselves on TV gives hope to the millions of other amateur dancers watching that they, too, could learn some fancy footwork of their own.
Created by the BBC in England two years ago, the series was a ratings bonanza there too. “Dancing With the Stars,” as a concept, though, takes most people by surprise, Green said. “It’s never a good idea on paper, this one,” he said. “But what people forget is just how wonderfully entertaining it is to watch dancing and watch people that you care about trying really hard.”
Green, who is hoping for a second season, also hopes its success will prompt a lot more celebrities to come forward and try out.
“The celebrities are all having a wonderful time,” Green said. “They’re not being picked on. They’re not eating bugs. You don’t feel sullied after watching it. You feel like you’ve got a smile on your face.”
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Edited by Curt Wagner (cwwagner@tribune.com) and Kris Karnopp (kkarnopp@tribune.com)
