Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere Struggles
· coffee
The Fading Dance Floor: What’s Behind Dancing With the Stars’ Struggling Viewership?
The season 35 premiere of Dancing With the Stars had a familiar feel, but beneath the surface, a stark reality emerged: the show’s viewership is in decline. According to various reports, website voting was down for Tuesday night’s premiere, prompting host Julianne Hough to remind viewers to cast their votes via text.
This trend has been building over several seasons. A possible explanation lies in the show’s decision to split its premiere episodes by gender. While this may have given each celebrity and partner more time to shine, it also resulted in a lackluster viewing experience for some fans. The Tuesday night episode, featuring male celebrities, felt watered down compared to what Dancing With the Stars has always stood for: excitement, drama, and genuine competition.
The judges’ scores told a different story. Ezra Frech’s performances earned him 20/30, but Harry Shum Jr.’s routine with Jenna Johnson stole the night. Their 21/30 score was well-deserved, yet it highlighted the problem of relying too heavily on past experience and fame to carry contestants through the competition.
Conner Leavitt’s elimination was a disappointment, not just because he didn’t get to continue his journey but also because his storyline was quietly erased from the narrative. This season’s theme of “new beginnings” feels hollow when you consider the number of contestants forced out before they could shine.
The Hollywood Reporter spoke with several contestants about their experiences on the show so far. While both Ezra and Harry were gracious in defeat, it was clear that the pressure to perform was taking its toll. Guillermo Rodriguez acknowledged the need for improvement despite his 10/30 score.
Dancing With the Stars’ glory days are behind us now, but it’s not too late for the show to course-correct. By focusing on fresh faces, innovative choreography, and genuine storytelling, Dancing With the Stars can reclaim its place as one of the top dance competitions in the country.
This season’s premiere may have been underwhelming, but past seasons offer a glimmer of hope. In 2016, the show saw its lowest ratings in years, with a 12% decline in viewership compared to the previous season. However, by adapting to changing viewer habits and incorporating fresh ideas, Dancing With the Stars managed to regain its footing.
The answer lies in innovation – not just gimmicks but genuine attempts to push the medium forward. By incorporating diverse contestants, innovative choreography, and fresh faces, Dancing With the Stars can reclaim its place as one of the top dance competitions in the country. Producers must take a step back, reassess their priorities, and focus on creating shows that truly engage audiences.
The clock is ticking for Dancing With the Stars. Will this season mark a turning point for the show, or will it continue down its current path? If the show doesn’t adapt to changing viewer habits soon, it may find itself dancing on borrowed time – and perhaps even into extinction.
Reader Views
- BOBeth O. · barista trainer
The Dancing With the Stars formula is starting to show its age. Viewers are tuning out, and I think I know why: lack of genuine competition. By splitting premiere episodes by gender, the producers have inadvertently created a watered-down experience that fails to deliver on the drama we crave. The judges' scores don't lie – talent only gets you so far. It's time for Dancing With the Stars to shake up its format and bring back the unpredictability that made us fall in love with the show in the first place.
- RVRohan V. · home roaster
Dancing With the Stars' dwindling viewership is less surprising given its current format. While splitting premiere episodes by gender was intended to give each celebrity and partner more time in the spotlight, it effectively created two subpar shows rather than one captivating event. By not pairing male and female contestants from the start, the producers missed an opportunity to infuse a fresh dynamic into the competition. The result is a predictable, formulaic beginning that fails to entice new viewers and underwhelm existing ones.
- TCThe Cafe Desk · editorial
Dancing With the Stars' decline in viewership shouldn't be a surprise given the format changes that prioritize novelty over consistency. By splitting premiere episodes by gender, the show loses its trademark electric atmosphere and sacrifices genuine competition for more palatable pairings. The article mentions the judges' scores as a problem, but what's really at issue is the lack of meaningful elimination episodes early on. These episodes allow viewers to connect with contestants who often get cut prematurely, only to have their storylines conveniently erased from the narrative. It's this disjointed viewing experience that ultimately drives away fans, not just the show's attempt to freshen up its format.