As ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Celebrates 500 Episodes With Record-Breaking Numbers, Producers Break Down How Casting Has Changed and the Return of ‘Appointment TV’

As a long-time fan of “Dancing with the Stars”, I must say that this season has been quite captivating. The show, which started as a lighthearted competition, seems to have evolved into a cultural phenomenon that transcends generations and brings people together during these divided times.


Achieving record-breaking success in the 33rd season of a series is no simple feat. Yet, “Dancing With the Stars” has managed to accomplish this remarkable task not just once, but three times this very season. On November 12th, this reality competition series will reach an impressive milestone of 500 episodes.

Ever since its debut in 2005, this show has showcased 51 professional dancers and 394 celebrities, winning a total of 21 Emmys. Yet, it continues to set new achievements. In Season 33 alone, the program has smashed voting records on three separate occasions, with the latest episode garnering over 19 million votes. Currently, it stands as the top entertainment program on broadcast for adults aged 18-49, earning a 0.69 rating in Live+Same Day. Interestingly, the show has seen a substantial increase when viewed in Live+35, with this season’s premiere currently boasting 8.1 million viewers and a 1.54 rating. This represents an over 60% rise in total viewers and more than a doubling (100%) in the key demo compared to its initial Live+Same Day ratings.

According to Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, the magic that made the show popular in its prime has returned. The message from this season mirrors the lesson from the first – the secret ingredient that makes the show special is the cast. The goal is to bring people in, and then keep them engaged. It’s about finding either well-known personalities that viewers are eager to see or discovering someone whose talent will become clear two weeks down the line, making us realize why they were chosen.

In the realm of casting, Deena Katz plays a significant role as co-executive producer. This job involves striking a delicate balance between celebrities who can draw in viewers and those who genuinely wish to participate and have a compelling narrative. In Season 32, Barry Williams embodied the latter, as at 69 years old, he had long aspired to appear on this series, winning over audiences’ hearts. Conversely, Anna Delvey, a divisive cast member with a criminal background, represented the former category. She was the first to be eliminated, and when asked about her takeaway from the show, she simply stated, “nothing.

Mills believes that most of the crowd eager to attend would be you. Previously, we approached Danny Amendola, soon after his Super Bowl win, but he might not have been fully prepared yet. If he had agreed then, when he wasn’t ready, it could have affected his performance negatively. However, now he seems determined to participate in order to win. Mills suggests that you should be interested, to understand the significance for them. On a similar note, figures like Anna Delvey were crucial in Season 2. Watching Master P, who stubbornly refused ballroom shoes and was scolded by Len Goodman for not taking it seriously, was an unmissable spectacle.

As ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Celebrates 500 Episodes With Record-Breaking Numbers, Producers Break Down How Casting Has Changed and the Return of ‘Appointment TV’

Mill’s opinion is that Delvey’s “nothing” response became quite popular online, but the truly explosive moment was the remarkable leg move shared between Amendola and Witney Carson. This dance step has been replicated countless times on TikTok since then. He further notes, “It’s all about finding that balance.

TikTok has significantly influenced the success of the series, possibly contributing to its recent surge in popularity.

Showrunner Conrad Green shares with EbMaster that not only does Deena’s talented cast, but also our dance crew, are quite active on social media. He believes TikTok aligns well with this production, as it allows for those viral moments to occur naturally. Green added that Gen Z is likely discovering the show, which was popular among adults in the early 2000s, through their parents.

Katz explains, “It’s crucial to strike a balance between staying relevant to Gen Z and maintaining our traditional appeal. We need to be part of their cultural moment, but we must also cater to our long-time audience’s preferences. Many shows veer too far in one direction or the other. The challenge is to keep our original fans satisfied while updating the content for a wider audience.

As a movie connoisseur, I wholeheartedly agree: a captivating narrative needs relatable characters who evoke strong emotions. In this series, we’re introduced to individuals that we instantly want to cheer for, or perhaps even sympathize with, like Anna Delvey. However, what keeps us engaged throughout the season is not just these central figures but the unexpected connections and relationships that develop along the way. These characters become our companions on this cinematic journey, making each episode more compelling than the last.

As a dedicated fan of “Dancing With the Stars,” I’ve witnessed quite a few transformations over the years, particularly in recent times. Just before Season 29, the dynamic duo Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were replaced by Tyra Banks at the helm. Fast forward to Season 31, the show made a big leap from ABC to Disney+, marking its first live broadcast on this streaming platform. Alongside Tyra, Alfonso Ribeiro, a former winner, joined as co-host. However, for Season 32, we found ourselves back on ABC, and Tyra was replaced by Julianne Hough.

Green mentioned that moving to Disney+ was beneficial since it attracted a larger audience and engaged those accustomed to streaming. This shift in strategy allowed them to connect with viewers regardless of their TV viewing habits, given the significant transformation in television consumption patterns. Moreover, he suggested that going to Disney+ acted as a sort of refresh or reboot, as when the show returned, it featured two new hosts – Alfonso and Julianne – for those who hadn’t watched it on Disney+.

After the pandemic, the live audience returned to the ballroom once more. “The return brought about a significantly changed show compared to its predecessor,” he remarked. “I believe it added a new lease of life to the series on Disney+,” he added, expressing that it revitalized the show.

As ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Celebrates 500 Episodes With Record-Breaking Numbers, Producers Break Down How Casting Has Changed and the Return of ‘Appointment TV’

But, “DWTS” only remained on Disney+ for one season. “The operation maybe wasn’t a success, but the patient lived,” says Mills. That season, during which influencer Charli D’Amelio took home the mirrorball trophy, not only lowered the median age range. D’Amelio’s casting was “very important,” according to Green, since she has both a huge following and a passion for dance. “When you see the quality of what she did, I think those people stayed and watched the next season.”

In the past, individuals in their twenties didn’t prefer network television, but they’ve become interested and now watch shows on ABC, as Katz points out. Due to platforms like TikTok and being more accessible through social media feeds, I’m discovering that these young adults are hosting watch parties. We’re back to being must-see TV again.

On Tuesday evening, I’ll be part of the six remaining duos who will pay tribute to standout routines spanning the past 32 seasons. Moreover, the opening performance, skillfully choreographed by Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach, is a nod to the song that kicked off Season 1’s premiere. Anticipation builds as several beloved figures from our dance journey are slated to make special appearances.

Reaching the milestone of a 500th episode is quite extraordinary in today’s television landscape. For the past 19 years, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has been crafting an unmatched legacy, providing joy and magic to millions as it stands strong as a powerful force in pop culture. It consistently breaks voting records among fans and ignites trending topics on social media, captivating new generations. BBC Studios’ executive vice president of entertainment and music, Ryan O’Dowd, expresses his excitement about this journey that started when we collaborated with Disney to introduce ‘Dancing with the Stars’ to America. We are delighted to join forces once again with Disney’s exceptional team who share our vision as we aim to elevate this cherished and iconic brand even higher.

So, how does that success continue?

Mills suggests we strive to find ways to maintain healthy competition without becoming overly serious ourselves,” he says. “It’s about staying engaged with the contest and grounded in our narratives, but also continuously exploring the more unusual or unconventional elements of it.

This year, one approach he took was proposing a Hair Metal Night, featuring guest judge Gene Simmons. However, Simmons faced some criticism as it seemed his judgments were more focused on the attractiveness of the women rather than their dance skills. Nevertheless, even if Simmons doesn’t come back, this theme certainly could!

Mills found it wonderful when a discussion turned out to be what others might call a pleasant controversy. He believes indifference is detrimental to any of our shows. Seeing that viewers had some reaction, especially regarding Gene Simmons, he thought was fantastic,” Mills chuckles. “However, I’m looking forward to potentially creating episodes centered around hair metal next year and perhaps finding a new judge. Yet, I appreciate the fact people were stirred up about Gene.

As ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Celebrates 500 Episodes With Record-Breaking Numbers, Producers Break Down How Casting Has Changed and the Return of ‘Appointment TV’

The trio of judges, consisting of Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba, work together harmoniously. However, some viewers have voiced concerns about Carrie Ann Inaba’s scoring this season, questioning whether she is evaluating each pair using the same standard and suggesting that perhaps a mechanism might be needed to balance out the scores for varying performances.

According to Green, making judgments isn’t as straightforward as it seems. The spectator’s vote plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, and it offers daily support. Voting isn’t merely about popularity; it requires deliberation. The audience’s participation is essential for transforming the competition from solely being based on the judges’ scores to a platform where factors like experience and dedication can be acknowledged and appreciated, or where beginners who are eager to learn can be recognized and rewarded.

He points out that there isn’t “a significant gap” between an 8 and a 9, and in the end, when a celebrity is highlighted, it frequently results in a large number of votes. This is far more crucial than the difference of just one point on the judges’ leaderboard and the final position.

According to Katz, “The audience really does have the power. The audience will always win.”

Despite pairs being removed weekly, the number of audience votes keeps increasing – but why is this happening? One possible explanation could be a reflection of current trends.

Green praises the show as consistently uplifting. It’s inspiring, aiming high and fostering unity in times when our nation seems so divided. It’s refreshing to have something that highlights our shared goals and cooperation. The show serves as a reminder of how America functions at its best, rather than focusing on its flaws. On a cultural level, it’s a comforting program, reaffirming the good we can achieve together.

On Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, you can catch ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on ABC, or if you prefer streaming, on Disney+. The following day, it becomes available for streaming on Hulu as well.

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2024-11-12 21:20