Dancing with the Stars has been a stalwart of ABC’s programming for 33 seasons. Throughout its history, the series has paired professional ballroom dancers with celebrities to teach them complicated techniques to score judge points. But has the show drifted too far from its roots to be called a ballroom dance competition series? ‘Dancing with the Stars’ was once a strict ballroom competition series Upon the series’ debut in 2005, season 1 featured only six celebrities and pros, and the dances were strictly ballroom.
The series focused on six styles of traditional ballroom dancing: cha-cha, waltz, rumba, quickstep, jive, tango, and salsa. As the series progressed, it added Argentine tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, paso doble, Latin, and samba. Judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli held the pros to a high standard.
Inaba was the only judge who had no formal ballroom training. But, as the series progressed, it appeared to veer away from its traditional ballroom roots. Goodman was highly critical of the pros for straying from the formal steps of a dance and integrating more modern moves.
Tonioli also kept correcting the pros and celebrities to remain in frame. He ensured their feet stayed in position throughout the dance. Subsequently, as the show grew in popularity, tweaks were made to make it less strict and more viewer-friendly.
Although most pros were trained in some form of ballroom dance, not all were trained in every type. So, the series strayed f.
