(Update) It was refreshing to see some of the changes this past season and that may have helped the declining audience ratings. The always pleasant Dereck (good job) Hough is a,well, pleasant replacement for “grumpy” Len. But we will miss him. Tom Bergeron is funny and good at what he does, but after several years on the show his “shtick” gets to be predictable. The strident and out of place Erin Andrews is no loss, and Tyra Banks had a good “rookie” season. It remains to be seen now if the changes can turn the declining ratings around.
(Original Start) Currently one of the top rated television shows, DWTS had a humble beginning with a list of mostly unknown B actors or celebs from different professions. It caught on with the public immediately and has soared to the heights of television lore. Now an overhyped and super sensationalized hit, it is a good reflection of the taste of current American society.
A deeper analysis of the sub numbers of the show provided the delving numerologist with an early clue of what might come. Embedded are numbers typical of Hollywood indulgence and the art of putting on appearances.
Behind the touching human sympathy stories and personal tidbits lies the fact that it is a huge money maker, and money and ratings rule. The production is typically depending more upon graphics, light shows and increasingly glitzy scenery to exaggerate performances. The commercial time pro routines have essentially the same herky jerky repeats, and look a lot like all of the NBA team dancers styling.
In today’s entertainment market one of the biggest profit makers is sex, and DWTS has certainly gone the way of the market. The dancers wear less and less every season and you must shake your booty or be gone. In a lovely moment with young gymnast Laurie Hernandez, when implored to put more sex into her salsa, she replied something to the effect of, ”why can’t it just be joyful and fun”?
With no changes in the judges since the beginning, you can anticipate most of what they are going to say.
Carrie Ann (the good hearted) Inaba, “I was so glad to see you come out of your shell, and boy did you shake that booty”. Or “boy I am steaming from seeing that athletic bod, whew! ” Oh, and by the way, I think I saw a lift”.
Len (grumpy) Goodman, “Well, you know, I would just like to see more fundamental figures that I recognize and some good footwork”.
Bruno (diarrhea mouth) Tonioli, “Oh, my darling, I just couldn’t wait to hear what astute and self-gratifying words were going to roll off of my slippery sliver tongue. I don’t know why they even have other judges, since my insights are so overwhelmingly superior and you get everything you need to know. OH. Sorry. This is supposed to about you. Nice dance.”
The idea of letting the public vote is a teaser and hopes to boost viewers. However, giving the public the same weight as the judges promotes popularity contests and not necessarily good dancers. Competition among gender, ethic bias, recognition level and public stupidity outweighs the recognition of good dancing. Just witness this season (fall of 2017).
Update (fall season 2018): Watching the best dancer being eliminated in the semi-finals just reinforces the above observations. The show is dying.
Using the shows debut of June 1, 2005 as the date of birth (6+ 1+ 2+0+0+5=1+4=5) as the life number, it is clear to see the influence of the number 5 (for better or worse) in regards to the show. The year 2017 being an 8 individual year, the suggestion is that it has reached its peak of popularity and profit, and will most likely descend further down the road of decline. Having already experienced falling ratings, by the end of this year it may be worse, and next year it could well turn into an avalanche. (See update above).
