Every Tuesday night at 8 pm ET, a star-studded group of celebrities and ballroom dancers hit the dance floor to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Dancing with the Stars is a competition-style television show where famous personalities pair up with dance professionals to learn and explore the art form. Now airing its 34th season, the show has been home to 51 pros, a rotation of judges, and 408 different celebrities. Dancing with the Stars is a creative way to bring awareness to dance and to reveal hidden talents.
As a dancer of 14 years, I have always been fascinated by how dance brings people together. There are many styles of dance that I don’t even take, most of which are seen on this show. I have been a fan of this show for four seasons, and my enjoyment grows each year.
Dancing with the Stars has its flaws, as does every TV show. Though it possesses many qualities that make it enjoyable, I judged Dancing with the Stars based on entertainment value, accessibility, and relatability.
Entertainment Value: 4/5
The entertaining and exciting groups of stars know how to captivate an audience. The costumes are always on point, each having a palatable color scheme and creative embellishments. Each week has a different theme, highlighting fresh ideas and utilizing new music. There are a variety of dance styles performed, such as those with Spanish flair, like the Argentine Tango, and those with an oldies feel, like the Quickstep. The only things that distract from the entertainment are the long periods of commentary, and advertisements are common.
Accessibility: 4/5
Those who want to watch Dancing with the Stars have to be Hulu or Disney+ subscribers. If a person does not subscribe to one, he or she can simply watch the dances on YouTube or social media. The actual TV show isn’t available to everyone, which makes it less accessible overall. Also, while the show streams live once a week, the season lasts from September to November, making it a once-a-year affair.
Relatability: 5/5
Dancing with the Stars is for all ages. The dances are relatively family-friendly with the exception of a few sensual rumbas. The celebrities on the show span a variety of professions. A few of this season’s stars are The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reality star Whitney Leavitt, Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, and social media influencer Dylan Efron. People can expect to see and root for their favorite stars each week.
Despite large moments of downtime and only airing for a short period of time, Dancing with the Stars is a four and a half out of five stars on my scale. This show captivates audiences and hearts around the world with its never-ending charm. If you are a fan of pop culture and dance, this show is definitely worth watching.
