Okay, so I see a thread for the Aussie version of this show, but not one for the upcoming U.S. version that starts on Wednesday, June 1st at 9 PM EST/8 PM CST. Hope this is okay to start a new thread.

They've been promoting the hell out of this show, especially during the season finales of Lost and Alias last night. And I must say, it looks deliciously craptastic. ABC has the official website for the show up here. I am unnaturally excited to see Joey McIntyre get his dancing groove on for this show.

I know! I had no intention of watching it but then I saw the commercials with Joey in them and thought: Oh crap! Now I have to watch!

Here's hoping for many people falling on their asses!

Oh, dear. Trista (Rehn) Sutter really doesn't look so good in the picture. She needs to lighten her hair again.

Triscuit is one of the "celebrities." I love that they list her occupation as "reality star" - it's funny 'cause it's true.

I love John O'Hurley, and everyone else is stone cold crapsicle on a stick. So I'm committed to the first ep and I'll decide from there. Could be fun even if I don't trust the network to make it so for all it's worth.

I don't know whether to feel superior because the Australian version had 10 "celebrities" or insecure because, although I've only heard of 4 of yours, you wouldn't have heard of any of ours.

The OZ version has been a massive hit, to the point that they're starting to cast for a 3rd series, with the retiring Miss Universe Hawko as a contestant.

Expect the craptastic to remain in week after week, because it's only 50% a dancing competition. Popularity with the audience makes up the other 50%, so your dancing could be arse but you'll be there week after week. Which means if Trista can't dance, you'd hope she'd be out after Wk1 because surely you guys have seen enough of her on your TV's now.

Expect bitchiness between female contestants. Expect good snarky fun.

Two of our contestants you MAY have heard of. The pillock who played Colin on DOOL who everyone hated, and if you remember the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, there was a little girl who was central to the performace who flew through the air and wore a pink dress. Well she grew up and was snarktacular.

Oh, and there was the chick who is now engaged to Lleyton Hewitt.

But who is hosting and sidekicking on your version?

If you are feeling slightly sceptical about this show, I strongly suggest that you give it a go. If its anything like the Aussie version, its an hour of turn-off-your-brain hilarious TV viewing.

Heres to hoping you too have a dancing dromedary.

ETA: You learn something every day. He owns a dancing studio?

Dancing With the Stars: Because everyone needs to see Trista Rehn on her fourth TV show. Geez, what a famewhore.

She must get to spend a lot of quality time with her husband since she spends all her time trying to figure out new ways to get back on television. I will be crossing my fingers that she falls on her butt on the first show and get heckled by the audience.

If Evander wins, maybe he can do a combined fight/dance off with one of the guys from The Contender.

I'm one of the rare Trista likers 'round these parts, so I think I'm going to greatly enjoy this show.

And Ryan, if you're bored while Trista's away, call me, mkay?

Damn, so much crappy reality this summer. I can hardly contain my joy!

Uh . . . <yawn>?

Actually, I predict this will be one of the biggest hits of the summer, but the very idea of a dancing show--even one with plenty to snark about--just absolutely bores the hell out of me.

What I don't like about this show is the pairing of professional dancers with "celebrities". What, aren't ordinary people beautiful enough or talented enough to dance too? I guess I needn't worry: if this show is a big hit, every other network will clone it and surely some of those clones will have ordinary folks in them.

I'm looking forward ot this show as I really like DanceSport. I think I'll be rooting for Kelly Monaco or Joey McIntyre.

Ditto! I love dance of any kind, but my university was big into DanceSport, and my greatest disappointment was being too tall to try out for the team. I love watching dance competitions as well as reality tv, so the combination makes me a happy happy girl.

I love watching people dance and this show looks deliciously (and unconciously) campy, so I'm there for the first episode at least. While I recognize Evander Holyfield, and that guy with the eyebrows looks familiar, for the most part I haven't the slightest idea who these people are. This whole show looks like an accident waiting to happen, but who knows?

Count me in!

I wonder if they will air this in Australia considering the hit our version was? And we do know most of the stars.

So hoping Joey wins. Can't help it, I'm such an NKOTB fangirl.

Hee! Same here. Just seeing him dance in the commercials is bringing back memories of NKOTB's Wildest Dreams special.

Every time I see Evander Holyfield in a promo, I think about how he lost part of his ear because it was savagely eaten by Mike Tyson in that boxing match.

I bet that Seinfeld dude with the eyebrows is a pretty good dancer.

Me too, me too! I can't wait to watch him shake his NKOTB fanny! Or since this is actual dancing perhaps sashay is the better word.

I don't know if he can dance but he looks great in the tux.

I've been so excited for this show since I first heard about it. My former roommate and I had our guilty pleasure of watching ballroom dancing competitions on cable whenever we could find them. (That and cheerleading competitions on ESPN!) So we were psyched when we heard about this. I admit I was a bit disappointed when I heard it was going to be a celeb-reality show but I realize that it probably wouldn't get much of an audience without the celebs.

So I'll take what I can get. But hopefully this doesn't suck.

My bet is on Evander to take it all! Man is light on his feet. And if he gets voted off, he can beat the shit out everyone.

Must See TV!

Just because it's something different and has nothing to do with being 'ripped from the headlines', I think I'll be there.

Different is a good thing.

God, this show looks so cheesy! But I am a big fat ballroom dancing nerd, so I will be glued to my tv set. And now that Survivor, Amazing Race, and the Apprentice are gone, what else am I going to watch?

Oh, I'm in on this one!!! Hee!!! Looks fantastically cheesy...in the spirit of Strictly Ballroom! Can't wait...

Although, really, Rob Mariano should be on this show. Anyone who watched The Wedding knows how much rhythm he's got & how much he loves to dance! Then TPTB could have called the show "Dancing with the Stahs".

I too, am a big fat ballroom dancing nerd. Mr Pixel and I have taken lessons for years. Of course I've got this on season pass on the Tivo.

I can't believe they had to settle for Trista. That's hilarious. That said, she'll probably be good. Wasn't she a professional cheerleader, or something?



Me, too! He's totally the reason I'm watching. Although I think it's sad that he agreed to do this show, but wouldn't do Bands Reunited.

Oh boy, like I really needed something to amp up my 15-year Joe Mac crush.

This morning, a local radio DJ called the show "a dance competition featuring D-list celebrities". I tried to take some offence on behalf of the competitors, but all I could come up with was "Well, now that I think about it..."

And then I felt bad. ::hugs Joey:: Donnie is so kicking your post-NKOTB ass, but you're at least a C-plus.

I can't believe I'm watching this and my eyes aren't bleeding. Hell, I can't believe I'm watching it while I have a pulse.

Rachel Hunter looks huge.

And what happened to Trista's baby voice? Now that she's married, was she able to ditch it? (I did think they were good, though--better than the scores they got.)

I wish the judges would give out a few different scores. I mean, come on. Or change the scoring to a 100 point system so there isn't a total tie.

We Aussies are hanging to get a mini-recap and scoring! And who's hosting!

WORD on the Strictly Ballroom feel to the show. Two of our judges and the co-compere were all in the movie. Paul Mercurio, Todd McKenney & Miss Tina Sparkle herself, Sonia Kruger.

Damn. Did Kelly Monaco tell the judges to get fucked before the competition? She and her partner got hosed in my opinion.

Also, Ashley del Grosso - New Kid on the Block's partner - is my new TV girlfriend.

I think I've found a new guilty pleasure.

There is no shame in that, because I am hoping for the same thing. Though I'm wondering if Donnie is watching this and shaking his head.

I admit, I'm hooked. Seinfeld man kicked some ass and I was surprised his score wasn't higher. And I'm surprised that Kelly was so low...I didn't think it was that bad.

Evander? This isn't Soul Train. He tried, but he won't be lasting long.

Rachel was pretty good, but let's face it: I'm here for Joey and his ass. And seeing him boogie down takes me back 15 years. Ah, those were the days. Seeing his partner admit to having a crush on Joey too? Hell yes I'm voting for them.

And finally, they found Lisa from Entertainment Tonight. She's alive!

How much fun was that.

Loved Joey M. and Trista the best. I have to say I laughed my ass off at Evander. He wasn't that terrible but he just looked so silly.

I missed Joey. :-(


I thought Evander sucked rocks. He didn't really DO anything. And I agree that Kelly got ripped off. I thought she was definitely better than Evander.

Oh, Lord, that was fun! I loved J. Peterman and thought he did a great job, and Joey was a close second. Evander gave it the old college try, but it looked like he was scared spitless.

The waltzes? Kinda blah - I don't think I ever really saw an actual waltz step. But then again, I don't think I ever saw an actual cha-cha step for that matter.

After the joy of Kept and the not-nearly-so-bad-as-I-thought Strip Search, I was hoping for another good light cheesy show. But boy did they ruin it.

First the music. I realize they are pandering. But the songs just make it way too Solid Gold Dancer for me. At least don't have the words being sung if they have to have the mainstream pop tune. The audience needs to get a grip already. Or shown the door. Along with that Trista thing. Loved how they cut to show her famewhore bitch, I mean husband. Did they ever cut to anyone else's significant other? And I know "star" is subjective. But the term "reality show star" is an oxymoron. And despite the guy who played J Peterman being the least of the other five in terms of fame, he was on one of the most popular shows on television. I don't care if ABC paid for her wedding and they are making hr work it off, I want her gone next week. Even if Holyfield sits in a chair and lets his partner flutter around him like Isadora Duncan on cold medication. And her partner with that dildo-ponytail? A perfect matching for Reyn.

Tom Bergeron as host? Who is blowing at ABC to get even more hosting duties? Or does he pay them to be on the air?

Rachel Hunter has gotten a bit..big. Sprawling on the floor like that was not wise. Had a bit too much of the bitch face going too. Someone should tell Hunter after her last reality stint with Lorenzo Lamas, she is lucky to have a camera on her that isn't working for a "Where Are They Now?" type show.

The Joey-love I had as a 13-year-old has come back with a vengeance. Plus, his partner is adorable. I am rooting for them, but am a little torn. I also loved J. Peterman and even Trista!

I can't believe I am hooked on this show. "Strictly Ballroom" is one of my favorite movies, but I didn't think this sounded so hot. I am pleasantly surprised.

I thought the Seinfeld guy came closer to a cha-cha than Evander did. And I liked the Seinfeld guy's song, too. He was pretty good, just needs to work on facial expressions.

Kelly got completely hosed. I've seen professional ballroom dancers with that same expression hundreds of times. They never commented on her steps, just her face - but then she's been hosed in the promos leading up to the show as well, I hardly remember seeing her at all.

Trista must not win. I will wear my dialing finger out before I let that happen.

Speaking of dialing, the website is down and I can't get through on the phone lines at all. Great job ABC.

Recap: they introduced the stars and then the partners they were dancing with. People danced. The host made horrible horrible jokes and a couple of the professional dancers made fools of themselves, notably Rachel and Evander's partners ("I make any woman look good- I am every woman's dream partner." and "I am a paaattttnnneerrr and sexual [think she was trying to say "panther"] and animalistic." etc.) After dancing, they go into a back room to wait for their scores. Many couples tied. (I'm still watching the end of the show so need to get back to you on final scores).

The hosts are Tom Bergaron (sp??) who hosts several terrible shows (Hollywood Squares, and America's Funniest Videos) and some lady who used to do quick segments on Entertainment Tonight.

The live band isn't too terrible. I really hate when they have "generic soulful singers" covering classic songs, which they have on this show, but it's nice to see some upbeat, popular songs. Whenever I watch ice skating or gymnastics, I always wish they could use better music, so it's a nice change... in the Aussie version, did they have a live band?

Kelly and partner got completely hosed. They were a world of better than Evander and Panthergirl. I'm off to vote, and I NEVER vote for this kind of stuff, but I cannot let her get booted before Evander.

I enjoyed it somewhat. However, I think that the female celebrities have a disadvantage. They have to do harder (well, definitely more showy) steps! There seems to be more ways for a female amateur to mess up than a male one.

I missed Rachel Hunter's, but saw the rest. J. Peterman cracked me up! (I don't remember him in anything else, so I can't even tell you the actor's name right now.) Trista was OK. (Did you guys see Ryan in the audience?)

I too am a former NKOTB fan (I even had a shirt). He was also Fiyero for a time in "Wicked." So I'm rooting for him too.

Oh dear. It wasn't really like a train wreck...more like two kids on tricycles crashing into each other. And yet, I still had to watch -- despite Daniel's warnings in the Lost recap.

The saving grace, IMO, is Tom Bergeron, who is the only decent all-purpose host we've got these days. Little bits of sarcasm thrown in here and there are always welcome. (I see I'm in the minority. I just think everyone else I see doing hosting chores is worse!)

The judges are stymied by the format -- they all wanted to say more, be teachers. No chance.

So all the couples in which the celebs were men did the cha-cha, with the men moving their feet sluggishly and the women doing 500% more work. And all the couples in which the celebs were women did the waltz, with the man doing lots of leading, and the women doing more posing than dancing. Worst example of the former was Evander (though I thought he was adorable trying) and worst example of the latter was Rachel Hunter, who has decided to be normal sized -- good for her.

Loved the male ballroom dancers, all of whom think that they, themselves, are fabulous. "I'm the best looking dancer there is." "I am a living legend." No, really, tell us how you really feel!

I'd place John Hurley and partner first, and Trista and partner second* -- and I'd put Kelly Monaco's pair in third. She looked the most like the women I see at the actual competitions, in posture and facial expression.

I can't believe I just scored that. I'm not voting.

*and yes, Trista needs to be off our televisions as soon as possible.

That was cheesy fun. But is it possible to kick Tom Bergeron (or whatever his name is) off the dancefloor? Ugh.

Joey & Ashly - liked them the most. He was quite good and they looked good together.

Rachel & Jonathan - they were okay, but I thought she was kind of clunky and not super graceful. Plus she's too tall for him. Couldn't they have found her a taller, bigger partner? She's slim and she looked huge in comparison to his tiny self.

Evander & Edyta - she was very good, but he was basically the pole to her pole dancer. He didn't do anything. He stood around, shook his ass, moved his arms and that's about it. I cannot believe they got 18/30.

Kelly & Alec - they got screwed. I kind of liked her style, it was more traditional. I thought she did well. The judges were too harsh.

John & Charlotte - they were the 2nd best team I think. He was a bit off in his foot work but he was charismatic, as was she. They make a good team.

Trista & Louis - pretty good, but I expected her to be a bit more relaxed. Plus, she was smiling too much for me. I also didn't think their dance suited the music.

Speaking of the music, I hate it. I hate the crap ass cover versions. I would prefer instrumental.

Andrew's Mommy, you had PM, TM and SK as judges in the Aussie one? Wow. That makes me want to watch Strictly Ballroom for the umpteenth time. Love that movie.