I have a silly complaint about Dancing with the Stars
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
April 15, 2009 9:44am CST
I like to watch it. I record it and skip all the commercials and narratives and just watch the dancing. It's really entertaining and I enjoy seeing the progress of some of the novice dancers.
But do they have to dress the women in the barest of clothing? I'm really NOT a prude but come on, put on some clothes! It is distracting when you're trying to watch the male celebrity and the pro is whirling about with just a couple of hankies on. I'm female and not attracted in that way to women, but they are so prominent that they detract from their pupils' performance.
Last night that very young gymnast was wearing next to nothing and I thought the dance would have been enhanced if she was wearing a dress that came about mid-thigh with a scoop or v neck and full back coverage. A couple weeks ago a few of the couples did the Viennese Waltz, a lovely and romantic dance but the women's dresses were backless and they were barely covered in other places sometimes. This really doesn't enhance the dance and I don't understand why they want the dancers to show as much skin as they can get away with without breaking the law. It really, really detracts from the performances.
Do you have any opinions on this issue?
3 people like this
7 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
16 Apr 09
Yes I totally agree with you it can be very distracting. Next week Lawrence Taylor is suppose to be dressing is partner which will be quite interesting because he also said he wants her covered up because his mother is coming to the show. I would like to add another complaint. When they are doing a certain type of dance (lets say a tango) why can't they have the correct music that goes with the dance. Some times they do but alot of times they don't so the dance and the music doesn't jive for me. Regardless I still love the show!
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Apr 09
I know what you mean! They try to put contemporary music like a psuedo-rap song to a dance like the Tango and it's like a huge mess of tangled yarn. In trying to appeal to everyone, they are really lessening the impact and enjoyment of the show.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Apr 09
Another thing that bothers me is that teen gymnast that is competing--they dress her like a streetwalker. This week Carrie Ann complimented her for her--I think it was the tango or some other passionate dance--and she said that although the emotion wasn't familiar to her she somehow dredged some of it up. She shouldn't have to! She's a child! 
1 person likes this
@ladyluna (7004)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Hello Dragon,
I don't watch reality shows, though I do love ballroom dancing. I took it one quarter in college as an elective. There is little more romantic, or sensual!
Anyway, I agree with what you have reported about The People wanting less skin. There is a reason why 'G' rated films go mega blockbuster much more often than 'R' or 'X', if that's even imaginable!
I know several pro-circuit dancers, one world-class Flamingo and two ballroom. They each specifically choose the dress to enhance the visual effects of movement on the floor. This consideration is that much more important for Ballroom, because there is that much more dramatic flow over the whole floor. As such, I have to imagine that the 'skin' thing is perhaps promulgated by the t.v. aspect of the competition. Flowing cloth is much more visually dramatic than bare skin.
Perhaps you should write to the show? Maybe they care about public sentiment. I know that it's hit or miss about whether anyone in Hollywood gives a hoot, but hey it can't hurt to try, right?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Maybe I will do that. I have an episode recorded but not watched yet where the amateurs will be dressing the pros and at least one of them said he was going to put some clothes on his pro partner! 
1 person likes this
@ChaJudLeoBit (1656)
• United States
16 Apr 09
The dancing coach is the one who designs the costumes. Did you see that they said next week the Star will get to dress teh professional? Sound COOL!! It was funny how Lawrence Taylor said that his partner is allergic to clothes, so he plans to cover her more next week.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Apr 09
That's great! I like Mr. Taylor, he's doing very well. I'm sure he'll dress her tastefully and really add some class to their dance, whatever it is!
1 person likes this
@LuvBr0wn13s (765)
• United States
16 Apr 09
Yes, I agree with you. Why don't they just have them all dance naked and put it on the Playboy channel? It seems that since the show is about ballroom dancing--something that embodies class and professionalism--there really should be some sort of dress code. It is much easier to focus on the dance if you aren't wondering when Edyta's boob is going to slip from behind the napkin she is wearing as a blouse.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Apr 09
Exactly. And speaking of Edyta, she's a very pretty girl and I'd like to see her and Cheryl tastefully dressed. The men aren't much better with the tight pants and open shirts. I would enjoy the show so much more if it wasn't so tacky.
1 person likes this
@mira91 (985)
• Singapore
16 Apr 09
lol...Well i guess a dancing constume could have been more covered if they wnated it to. So i think that it depends on the dancers who wears them...Some of them loves showing skin or maybe it's just that the costume is much more comfortable if it's less 'fabric-ky' haha. well you get what i mean, they'll get hot and sweaty dancing around and it'll distract them or something. But then i think if they wanted to, they could have put on a much more decent costume..guess they just DON'T want to...They'll probably use excuses like it gets hots and all and probably shoot me and say you don't know what it's like dancing and that's probably true...lol.. ^_^
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
16 Apr 09
I know it must be VERY hot, especially under those brutal lights! But the men are mostly covered and the male pros are working just as hard as the female pros. Oh no, wait...I hope they don't see this and start dressing them in g-strings!! 
@GreenMoo (11834)
•
21 Apr 09
I don't know the program you are talking about, but it seems to be fairly common to forget to dress the girls and I agree with you that it doesn't add anything to the program. Sometimes less is more, but I don't think that's a lesson that's been absorbed by TV executives!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Apr 09
When polls are taken, people say they want less skin and more quality both in movies and television. But the execs don't listen. Well, I'll enjoy the dancing and try to ignore the bare backs. Too bad a TV can't apply a layer of clothing at the touch of a button! I think some nice dresses with backs, sleeves and a skirt to at least mid thigh would be very attractive.
1 person likes this
