Celebrity Sway

It was 2005 when we began to hear rumblings about the latest Brit to sail across the pond. Reality series Strictly Come Dancing had been given a new name that left no room for stupid American misinterpretation -- Dancing with the Stars -- and packaged for our pleasure. What was this? Seinfeld character J. Peterman shaking his bonbon? Evander Holyfield cha-cha-ing across a lacquered wood floor? “Eh,” we shrugged. Then the show premiered and America was hooked. Three seasons later, B, C, and D-list celebs are still prancing alongside some of the nation’s top professional dancers, and America is still hooked. Who knew that watching semifallen stars attempt the lost art of ballroom dancing would be so fun?

But it takes two to tango, and one woman who led a couple of amateurs to the winner’s circle is Cheryl Burke, partner of Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith. So how were they? “Drew was more of a technical dancer; Emmitt is more natural,” Burke said. We knew it! “Drew is more my height, and Emmitt was definitely a bigger guy.” Aha! “Emmitt really loved MC Hammer, and Drew loved Michael Jackson.” Figures. Want more insider information? Head to the American Airlines Arena tonight for Dancing with the Stars: The Tour. Professional hoofers Kym Johnson, Edyta Sliwinska, Alec Mazo, Louis Van Amstel, and Burke herself will be dancing with famous faces like Joey Fatone, Drew Lachey, Joey "Whoa" Lawrence, and Joey McIntyre. There will be no camera cutaways or backroom editing.
Tue., June 26