Dancing with the Stars returns for 8th season

By: Lakeysha Bogan

Posted: 3/10/09

The highly anticipated eighth season of "Dancing with the Stars" returns with more cast members, bigger celebrities, and a new twist for this season's viewers.

According to Nielsen Sound scan, "Dancing with the Stars" is an ABC hit, receiving an average of 24 million viewers each night. Those ratings are second only to "American Idol." Major publicity is already underway for this season and the show's cast members.

The 13 new cast members for the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars" are: a football legend, television host, country singer, rodeo athlete, rapper, gold medalist, comedian, reality star, three singers, and a bond girl. This season will definitely have new and old viewers tuning in.

Out of all the shows seasons, this one has the most twists. For the first time, a celebrity husband and a celebrity wife will be competing against each other. Last season a father and son were dancers on the show, but not celebrity contestants.

Two-time dance champion Julianne Hough is partnering up with her real life boyfriend, county singer Chuck Wicks.

Last season, the show was plagued by injuries, multiple contestants and their partners were out for weeks at a time. According to "Access Hollywood," the shows producers are keeping their fingers crossed to make sure that does not occur as frequently.

A question to be asked is can a male competitor win the crystal ball trophy? For the past two seasons, both winners have been females, Olympic Gold Medalist, Kristi Yamaguichi and Reality TV star Brooke Burke. Critics are saying if any male contestant can win rodeo star, Ty Murray would be the frontrunner to dethrone the female reign.

Olympic Gold Medalist, Shawn Johnson is considered the heavy favorite to win the competition. All the winners with the exception of two of the show's seasons are from the sports world, so her chances of winning are pretty good.

Lawrence Taylor, a NFL Hall of Famer, is receiving a buzz by the entertainment media. Apple co- founder Steve Bozcinick, is expected to be one of the first competitors to become voted off the show. Everyone will just have to watch to see what happens.

On this season of "Dancing with the Stars," the rules remain the same as the past few seasons. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tunoili, and Lynn Goodman will give 50 percent of the contestant's final score, along with the viewers at home who will give the other 50 percent by voting after each show for their favorite competitor. The total two scores will be combined to decide which celebrity leaves the show.

The reviews for this season are positive. With many contestants covering every base of the entertainment world everyone should be pleased with this season's selection of celebrity participants.
However, the show has received its fair share of criticism, one being that most of the contestants are not really celebrities because they are not easily recognizable.

When an average person thinks of a celebrity, they also thinks of prominence, meaning how well known is the person. Most of the celebrity contestants on the show are under the radar, hence forth the shows only negative criticism.

Many people are tuning in every night. Who knew a show with celebrities' ballroom dancing would become such a phenomon? Every week something is going to happen. People love the drama, suspense, and laughter the show brings. This is the type of show teenagers can enjoy.

Today people obsessed with celebrity, anytime someone can have fame mixed with entertainment viewers will tune in to watch the show.

The ABC Network is banking on the show to once again help the network continue to be dominant on weekdays. Even with "American Idol" still garnering all the major age groups when it pertains to viewership.

"Dancing with the Stars" aired Mar.4 at 8p.m. Check your local ABC Network for listings. This season is definitely hyped up to be the biggest season yet.