DWTS Season 19 Ending Essay And Rewind – Blog By Lois
As she promised, here is Lois with a rewind of Dancing With The Stars Season 19…
My Season 19 Ending Essay – DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 19 R-E-W-I-N-D
DANCING WITH THE STARS has reached Season 19 already! Glory be, how can it be! A stunning milestone for sure! Season 19 was ripe for change. Changes were in the wind in the DANCING WITH THE STARS production offices. As I wind along I will bring those changes into my commentary.
On September 4, 2014, the new cast announcement was featured on GOOD MORNING AMERICA. I always get a rush from seeing who the new cast will be. Even though there are always cast leaks, we get all warm and fuzzy seeing them appear before our very eyes.
Season 19 Cast:
TOMMY CHONG AND PETA MURGATROYD
RANDY COUTURE AND KARINA SMIRNOFF
TAVIS SMILEY AND SHARNA BURGESS
ALFONSO RIBIERO AND WITNEY CARSON
JONATHAN BENNETT AND ALLISON HOLKER
MICHAEL WALTRIP AND EMMA SLATER
ANTONIO SABATO JR AND CHERYL BURKEBETHANY MOTA AND DEREk HOUGH
SADIE ROBERTSON AND MARK BALLAS
BETSEY JOHNSON AND TONY DOVOLANI
JANEL PARRISH AND VALENTIN CHMERKOVSKIY
LEA THOMPSON AND ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV
LOLO JONES AND KEO MOTSEPEEach season brings an eclectic bunch of stars together. I am going to address an issue that arises each season. Why aren’t there bigger stars? Why are there people we can’t really call stars? What constitutes a star? I call everyone a star, whether a more well-known personality or an up and coming. They are all stars to me who agree to get out there in front of millions of people. They take on the challenge and I say more power to them! The stars live up to the show’s name.
Returning was Ray Chew as Musical Conductor of his band. For Season 18 I thought it was foolish to trade Harold Wheeler for Ray Chew. But, it has been a seamless transition. I am happy we still have a live band, no matter who is conducting, no matter the type of band.
The Host With The Most, Tom Bergeron graced the ballroom as usual. Erin Andrews returned for her second season. Filling in for a week was a former contestant, Leah Remini. Remini was a big hit as a substitute. I like both Erin and Leah, so the transition went as smooth as silk for me.
Joining Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonoili and Len Goodman was Julianne Hough as the fourth full-time judge. I must admit to feeling skeptical at first about her appointment as judge. I had my eye on another choice that was not to be. But, she was a fine choice. Yes, she could be harsh and dish out tough love. But, as a seasoned professional, and a former pro, she knows the judging ropes.
Len Goodman took several weeks off. Guest judges were procured again. Those who sat at the judges table were Jesse J, Kevin Hart, and Pitbull. I believe they were procured for the entertainment value more than anything. I feel a better guest judge would be a former pro. They could offer more constructive commentary due to being in the dancing position before. Actually, if a full-time judge is absent for a week or so , it wouldn’t matter to go with just three judges. We shall see what Season 20 will bring in this regard.
Theme weeks were the rule again. Themes were Movies, Dynamic Duos, Halloween, Partner Switch Up, America’s Choice, Plugged/Unplugged, Judge’s Choice/Freestyle, Most Memorable Year, My Jam Monday. I was hoping for another Disney Theme Night because I loved the theme so much in Season 18. Perhaps it will return for Season 20. I always love the Team Dances. And a favorite returned for Season 19 – The Trio Dances! I hope to see them included in Season 20.
The most important change was the man at the helm of the Juggernaut Ship. Conrad Green vacated the Ship last season. Rob Wade was chosen to steer the Ship. He had a tough act to follow. But, he became the Steering Wheel the show needed. Ratings for the show ended up strong! All the better to secure the show’s position as a juggernaut of ABC! And, to secure more seasons of this magnificent show! We want it to succeed, don’t we! Well then, keep putting on those DANCING WITH THE STARS glasses and keep viewing the show! No matter the cast, no matter the changes, there is always something to love on this show!
The journeys of the casts always suck me in. I love how they become close. I love how they develop lasting friendships for life, stars and pros! I love how they are seen together doing all kinds of things!
I love this show for what it is – SIMPLY THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT SHOW ON THE PLANET!
I wish for several things. How about dancing specials between seasons. Holiday specials. Exhibitions of the pros. Celebrities dancing together in exhibitions. Any combination would do. No judging. But, how about a pro competition show. How about that idea? To see the pros we love so much go under the judging wire.
I definitely want ABC to release the seasons on DVD. I know they would be best sellers.
The most important wish I have is for the return of The Results Show. It returned for the first two weeks of Season 19. But that only whetted our appetites for more. The Results Show allows more features, encore performances, more sparkling pro dances, more musical guests, etc. Perhaps ABC will restore this tasty morsel on their Tenth Anniversary, Season 20 plate!
This essay wraps up my writing for Season 19 for puredwts.com. All tied up with a DANCING WITH THE STARS bow! Lord willing I will be writing more words for Season 20! I am as excited as I can be for Season 20 coming in March 2015. I am sure ABC has many exciting things planned for the celebration! I would love to see as many pros and celebrities return as can be included in some way in the celebration.
I thank anyone associated with DANCING WITH THE STARS for bringing this show into our homes each week. This juggernaut is a well-oiled, precision perfect, machine! I salute everyone who brings us the dazzling costumes, hair, make-up, set changers, too many people to mention. Thanks to ABC for continuing this ship-shape show!
Thanks for reading what I have had to offer. I am thankful for anyone who has read my work.
See you around the DANCING WITH THE STARS bend!
Written By Lois A Troutman, November 29, 2014
MAY YOU ALL HAVE HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
