Sept. 23, 2013
Alexander Nedd
[email protected]
“Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat!” is an acceptable response from me in regards to watching laugh-track laced sitcoms with classes starting up, study habits to adopt and a 40-plus hour work week.
However, that doesn’t stop me from staying up on current events including all things pop culture, and when the cast for season 17 of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” was announced, it did more than spark my interest – it ignited it.
For one thing, I knew of most of the cast. That’s pretty relevant for a show with ratings on the decline among college kids. (Who doesn’t want to see their favorite stars battle it out with hot professional dancers?)
The show’s contestants include Super Bowl champ Keyshawn Johnson, “Jersey Shore” starlet Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, actor Brant Daugherty (secret crush) and comedian Bill Engvall.
Controversy has already surrounded those in the cast with dancing skills, such as Corbin Bleu and Amber Riley, with some believing they have an unfair advantage.
But dancing alone won’t help your favorite star; it’s also a popularity test. And with pressure mounting, anything can happen on live television.
Hot dances and hotter competition lit up the stage for the season opener Sept. 16, featuring songs and choreography one can only hope to pull off during homecoming night.
It was a sizzling night for Snooki and her partner Sasha Farber, the pair taking the top spot and earning a score of 23 out of 30 from the judges.
What many believe to be the show’s must-watch contestant just happens to have a bit of history at UCCS himself. Contestant Bill Nye, who spoke on campus last year, has been added to the season’s lineup.
The 58-year-old is a surprise to many, and I, for one, cannot wait to see him shuffle from beakers to break dancing. Unfortunately, Nye saw the night’s lowest score at 14 after his attempt at the cha-cha with partner Tyne Stecklein.
For an older gentleman, I won’t say he did badly. However, one judge did suggest he’d rather have a “wax job” than watch his performance again. America likes the Science Guy, but is it enough to keep him on the show?
To capitalize on the drama, a new setup has the performance and elimination round held on the same night in one two-hour special. The couple with the lowest combined score with votes will go home.
Mondays just got a little easier. Tune in as DWTS returns to ABC Monday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. for the first night of eliminations.