Putting a Non-Star on Dancing with the Stars
In the many years since I first created Pure DWTS, there is one message I get on the Pure DWTS “Contact Us” form (Note: Many people confuse us as the show or the producers of the show even though it clearly states that we’re not either and have no affiliation with the show) than any other. That message is that some “normal” person (That’s the term they usually use, not me) would like to be on the show even though they’re not a star. It often is stated as a groundbreaking idea and includes some story of why being able to be on the show would be an extraordinary thing for that person.
Here’s a sample of one from Mandi that she said I could share. It illustrates how passionate and excited people are just thinking about what it would be like to be a contestant on DWTS.
Hi my name is Mandi I am from Louisiana. I am a huge fan of the show and the thought of sending this is the most terrifying and exciting thing I’ve ever done, I know I am taking a HUGE shot in the dark and no one will probably ever read this but here goes. I am a person who never takes chances because of fear, but not today, today I’ll be brave and take a chance! I have watched the show over the years and I’ve noticed over the past couple of seasons that DWTS has taken some amazing chances in putting people on the show that may not be your typical dancer or “star” for that matter and turning them into amazing dancers while helping them grow as people. I am not a star by any means, most of my days are spent in carpool and running around after my two rambunctious boys ? I figure that if your pros can teach an army veteran with one arm and leg to dance or a completely deaf person can win the mirror ball or even a little person who has the cards stacked against her to succeed in this kind of competition then they can certainly teach a regular ordinary stay at home mom to dance.
August 2016 was a month I’ll never forget! As I stood in my living room with the water rising in my home I felt like I was in a dream, everything my husband worked so hard to give us was about to be destroyed and there wasn’t anything he or I could do about it. We climbed out of my youngest son’s bedroom window into our fishing boat and drove around our neighborhood in total shock, we couldn’t believe what was happening it was all too much! If I have learned anything through this it’s that my life can change in a second! Don’t waste time! So this is my step of faith, I want to be on dancing with the stars to prove that anyone can overcome whatever is happening in theirs lives and to prove to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to! It’s so easy to get lost in life, feeling like “just a mom” or “just a wife” especially being a stay at home mom like me and not getting that gratification from your job or the social interaction with someone other than a 5 year old 🙂 Like I said before I don’t even know if anyone will read this but had to try!
Louisiana Strong!!
(Note: I love that Mandi took this risk even if it was to us and not the producers of the show. I hope she keeps taking risks.)
Why This Is A Longshot
Let’s all be honest. Most of us “normal” people would love to be on the show. How incredible would it be to have an opportunity to learn from all of the incredible pros on the show? For most people in the world, it would be the experience of a lifetime. I also think it’s unlikely to happen and that’s too bad.
I say that it’s unlikely because it would cause some serious challenges for the producers of the show. First, the show is literally called Dancing with the Stars. If they bring someone who isn’t a star, then it kind of goes against the whole premise of the show.
Plus, would anyone be surprised if some of the stars that are selected for the show might be upset if the cast wasn’t full of stars? I could see some of the arrogant ones getting really pissed if a show called Dancing with the Stars included a contestant that wasn’t a star. As if some of these B, C, D … list stars are really a huge draw for the show themselves, but I digress. I could see some stars egos having a problem with a non-star being on the show. That’s not something the producers likely want to deal when casting the show.
I think the show also benefits from many of the stars bringing their fan base to the show which can help ratings. Of course, a normal person wouldn’t bring a fan base that would do anything for ratings. Although, it would be quite a story that many media outlets would want to cover if the show to put a normal person in the cast.
How It Could Work
While I think it’s unlikely that they’ll put a regular person on DWTS, that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t do it. I don’t think you’d want to do it every season, but to do it for one season could be a tremendous boost for the show. So many people would be interested in how this regular person did on the show.
We already saw this once. Alek Skarlatos was about as non-star as you can find. Notice that I didn’t call him a regular person. He’s an extraordinary person, but before the show very few people knew him. They knew of his act of heroism, but they really didn’t know him. It’s not like he brought a big fan base to the show. The analogy isn’t perfect since so many people in the US are fans of the military and heroism. However, Alek is the closest to a “normal” person being on the show that they’ve come and he did tremendously well.
I think if DWTS did want to include a normal person, they’d just need to create a process where the person who gets selected to do the show essentially becomes a star in the process. It’s a pretty amazing concept if you think about it. If you create some sort of contest and exposure for the people in the running to be on the show, you could access the stories of millions of ordinary people and out of that contest could create a star. At least as much of a star as Alek or any of The Bachelors.
Can’t you just see the 10 finalists on GMA telling their story of why they want to be on DWTS? It could get really cheesy if they’re not careful, but it could also be incredible TV with everyday heroes like Mandi above who spends her days in carpool and raising 2 kids.
One of the amazing things that reality TV like Survivor, Amazing Race, and even shows like America’s Got Talent, American Idol, etc have tapped into is that those watching at home can sit back and dream about being on the show themselves. There’s an incredible power in that which makes watching the show even better for the viewer. Having a regular person on DWTS would do the same for the show.
Like I said, I’ll be surprised if the show actually did this, but I also think it would be a great thing if they did. Can you imagine how many people would apply to be on the show if they opened one slot up for a non-star? I know a blogger that would be interested. I won’t even be picky about which pro I get, but if they want feedback I think Edyta or Emma would be best for me 😉
Until then, at least I now can point people to this post when they send me their “great idea” of having a regular person be on DWTS.
Perhaps the best time to do this would be as a summer show using the same time frame as the tour would. It wouldn’t pull in as much money but it would keep the show and the pros in the public eye just as well maybe even more.
It’s a shame DWTS in the US doesn’t have any one off shows like a Christmas Special for example. That sort of show would be perfect if there was to be a competition between non-stars. Allow people to apply and select six non stars to compete in a one off show, and have the judges scores combined with an studio audience vote decide the winner.
Personally, I think it would be a great idea! Let’s face it, a lot of long time viewers, like myself, are feeling quite disenchanted with the show! I’ve already said, I don’t know if I have the heart (or stomach) to tune in next season. Something like this might pique people’s interest, especially if they had a say on who the “non-star” would be. Maybe do it in conjunction with GMA? The logistics might be the hang-up as well as getting some pros on board with it (although if he were to come back, I bet Derek would do it as he loves the challenge). I doubt it would happen but it could be interesting for sure!
Personally, I’d have absolutely no interest in watching a “normal person” perform on DWTS. Heck, I don’t even want to see reality stars such as the bachelors or housewives. (Not that some of them haven’t turned out OK.) But I would definitely be less inclined to watch Susie’s soccer mom trying to learn how to Tango or Foxtrot, as opposed to watching a celebrity. Maybe DWTS could hold a “Fantasy Camp” for fans who want to be on the show, like baseball teams do. But I wouldn’t want to see it on the air & wouldn’t watch it if it was.
Love that idea. Strictly did a whole special episode of regular people and it was pretty awesome…if I’m correct the person who won that was on a Christmas special as well. Would be all for a regular viewer to be on the show in a future season…heck sign me up 🙂
I’d definitely be less interested in a whole season of regular people, but I could be compelled to watch an episode or two. The only reason I’d even entertain it is because of the “star” status that many of the pros have achieved.
Love the idea and I nominate me as a contestant! ?
I agree that a shorter summer or holiday season would work, much like The Great British Bake Off is spun off on this side of the pond with a short Christmas American version. Which isn’t near as fantastic as the original, but it’s still fun and they’ve brought over Mary Berry too.
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I love the idea, John! I say bring it on…..mainly because I loved the Vets when they’ve danced (which are close to a non famous person). Vin and M8, I love the idea doing something at Christmas too like what SCD did.
I love the idea but it would have to be done just right. I think doing it just how you laid it out would be perfect. Let people submit themselves, producers pick the finalists, then let America vote on them and the winner gets to be a contestant. I agree that you would only want to do it once, otherwise it loses its appeal.
The main problem I see with it is that you would want someone who would be able to go far in the competition (You wouldn’t want to go through the whole hassle of picking the “normal” only to have them voted off right away) so there would have to be a way of figuring out who already has some sort of ability, and then you get in the argument of “Well they have dance experience they shouldn’t be allowed on!”
Plus you’d also have some viewers complaining that it’s supposed to be Dancing with the STARS so heaven forbid a non-star be on the show. I think it’s a great idea and I’d love to see it done, but people will find reasons to complain because people are terrible.
They should try it out for like a half season, with half the number of contestants – that way you’d get to know the people better and you wouldn’t have to commit to 10 or 11 weeks.
They could also give some of the pro slots to troupe members and the others to past pros. That way you’re giving the troupe a shot, while bringing back some missing in action former pros.
I would only request that any troupe members given the shot have actual ballroom experience.
Casey Neistat. He is a utube vloger who just stopped doing daily clogs after one and half years. This would be great
I think it is a very cool idea, but I don’t think the actual execution of it would go quite as some of the people who would be most enthusiastic about the idea would hope it would. First of all, I think they’d probably only pick normal people who had something that made them unique. It seems like these reality competition shows like “normal” people who have special stories, circumstances, etc., not people who are truly ordinary. Additionally, I think it is highly unlikely that they would pick people who are super fans of the show already. I think Marilu and her problem of being scared of disappointing Derek showed the producers the problems that can arise when a super fan is a participant, and she probably doesn’t have nearly the problems that a normal person would because at least she’s a celebrity who is used to being around other celebrities. I think the producers would worry (and probably rightfully so) that a super fan would psych himself/herself out about being on the show, being partnered with whichever pro, getting to meet everybody, etc. and it would be hard to get things accomplished. Additionally, that would probably make for tv that was almost painfully awkward to watch.
Long story short, I think it is a really cool idea, but I think that if it ever happened, super fans of the show might be disappointed to see that no super fans got picked.
The only way I could see non stars is if they would do a rseparate competition show sometime. I don’t think mixing stars with regular people would work on DWTS.
I would love a Christmas special and any other number of possibilities of specials between seasons.
But I love seeing the stars and their journeys. I think the original concept should stay the same. Any other possibilities could be a series of specials/a separate competition.
Interesting ideas and feedback. I don’t think it would be a good idea to do a show of all non-stars. That would be a different show. A show like that might work, but it would not be Dancing with the Stars. However, they could have 1 non-star on 1 season and I think it could be a lot of fun. You’d still get the rest of the stars like a normal season, but with the added intrigue of a non-star.
I’d do it! While I’m not a Star, I have saved several lives as an RN of 20 years! Lol
I agree with John-one non-star during a regular season. It could be like a “Wild card entry” person. Let the public send in videos of themselves, basically showing why they should be on the show-let the producers or whoever I guess decide. Who knows? Maybe this non-star would actually get far enough in the competition based on dance level and sympathy votes to beat the crap out of some of the celebrity contestants? Maybe not far enough to win the season but maybe far enough to get to week 8/9. You never know. Worth a shot. Thought I read somewhere that Rob Wade reads this site? Hopefully he’ll check out this column and these ideas!!
I do like this idea…. Summer, or even in place of The Bachelor or Bachelorette. And since the Troupe is supposed to be a training ground to make them into pros to teach the celebrities to dance, something like this COULD get the troupe-pros in front of an audience before they leave the troupe and have a partner on DWTS. I’d really like to see the troupe members and see how they interact with a student, and see them actually teaching, and see what they’re like when not dancing. Yes, they’re amazing dancers. How are they with choreography and teaching?
Yes, a short season is fine, 4 or 5 weeks would be enough.
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I would even like to see different producers, let the producers for DWTS keep working on DWTS, and give others the chance to produce. Julianne’s got a production company, and I think Derek would love to host….
I would do the show if my pro were the one with the initials Karina Smirnoff! LOL
Derek and Julianne both have production companies – or they have one together, can’t remember. But usually those companies are set up so that the person can do all sorts of things. I don’t think Derek is actually interested in production, whereas Julianne clearly is, since she was executive producer on that Disney thing.
I LOVE this idea John! And it wouldn’t shock me if DWTS was to do this in some way. As you say, the Bachelors and Housewives are relatively close to “regular” people although Alek S. was who came to my mind immediately.
And didn’t Live (with Kelly) just have some kind of a contest and she had a “regular” guy as a co-host?
Colleen,
That’s cool of Kelly to do that. I’ll have to find that episode. I bet it was pretty interesting. There are so many “normal” people that have great stories that I think it could work to do every few seasons.
I volunteer as tribute :p
I always had this idea of perhaps bringing a live spinoff competition dance show featuring normal people would bring interest during the summertime on ABC. Disney has always had this thing about brand extension and they have stopped short with DWTS, though I do know they tried out Dance Wars and Skating with the Stars in the past with low results.
As previous posters have said, they can utilize the dance troupe and intern other professionals for this show as a breeding ground to get into DWTS. I would also utilize other judges just to give the DWTS judges a much needed break during the summer, perhaps they can utilize DWTS alums both stars and former pros.
Adding elements from other reality shows like Big Brother and Biggest Loser, contestants would be staying together in a dance academy over the summer and cameras could chronicle their lives though thick and thin.
ABC has so much hours to fill in the summer, so they have the opportunity to fill 3 hours a week for a couple months dedicated to this show, 2 hour live competition and a results show the day after. Bring in other elements from the now retired DWTS Results show like Macy’s Stars of Dance and summer concerts taking place in the Grove and they would have enough fluff to make this work.
Ugh if I had to stay in a house with a bunch of other people with a camera in my face 24/7 just to dance with a troupe member? You could count me out. LOL I think the whole purpose would be to be treated like a celebrity would-to be able to dance with a Derek or a Mark or a Val or a Gleb and not exactly feel like a dance student in a college dorm lol. And no way would the fans stand to watch an entire season, even in the summer, of regular people dancing with the troupe members judged by who-Maks? LOL
If that’s the case, let some of the pros showcase their students from their own students on the show-I know Karina, Cheryl, the C-bros, maybe Mark? all have their own studios-make it like a friendly competition or exhibition.
I still like John’s original idea;)
Haha Anonymous,
The academy element would essentially be a mansion on the coast of Pacific Palisades or in the suburbs of Beverly Hills (think Bachelor mansion) and would make the illusion that the contestants are getting the star treatment during their stay in Los Angeles…this beats Jane Doe from South Carolina staying at a 3 Star motel tower on Sunset Blvd.
And instead of a 24/7 surveillance camera feed, every so often contestants could go live on FB and chat with fans of the show from the pool, the kitchen or the dance studios at the mansion.
And people like to watch “regular people” succeed, that’s why America’s Got Talent has been a hit each summer.
Yeah Spandex America’s Got Talent is a hit and SYTYCD did very well this past summer but neither show went the reality TV route-just saying;)
Anonymous, both of those shows are reality programs and air segment packages that chronicles a contestant’s evolution in the competition process, just saying. ?
Ok if you’re seriously going to compare AGT and DWTS and SYTYCD to shows like Big Brother or The Biggest Loser or even The Bachelor series, then you need some help buddy lol. You’re comparing live entertainment shows to reality TV: apples to oranges in my opinion.
Anonymous, I really don’t need help, I’m allowed to have my opinion on television programming, and I believe that live competition shows are reality shows. Shows like AGT, DWTS and SYTYCD have elements of scriptedness and exaggeration just as The Biggest Loser and The Bachelor have thrived in. We’ve seen it many times on DWTS when couples are disappointed with their weekly packages from time-to-time showing them in a negative light from a 5 minute argument that producers decide craft a dramatic narrative upon.
You’re missing the point on my idea of an academy/mansion as an outside location, it would pretty much replace the DWTS studio for this program as a way to create a ‘summer rental’ or ‘summer camp’ vibe, a getaway vacation to live like a star while gaining confidence and cultivating positive life experiences. Over and over we’ve heard contestants on DWTS say that this is the best show to be part of, like it’s a family backstage and it’s a life altering experience, so why not bring this experience to the masses: seniors, stay-at-home parents, high-schoolers, widowers, cancer survivors, those that just want to loose weight…there are so many personal stories that deserve the limelight. It would be a very positive reality/live competition show.
I think I just need an agent and pitch this show to ABC/BBC. haha
Alright Spandex you go for it! Good luck!! I’ll watch it!! ?
If it’s all non-stars, then the show isn’t Dancing with the Stars. It would be a totally different show. The closest that’s been done is called Chance to Dance. Although, that was with dancers.
That disclaimer, a new show that trains regular people to dance could be interesting. However, it would be closer to The Biggest Loser than Dancing with the Stars. It would be about their interaction and their struggle more than it would be about the dancing. I still think it would need some other element to really make it pop. Otherwise, I don’t think it would do that well. The big reason that DWTS works is because they are stars.
Watch your tone, kids. Especially you, Anonymous. The “you need help” line is uncalled for and would be cause for putting you on moderation during the season.