Stepping Out Of Line

Newcastle Herald

Monday April 16, 2007

HE SAID SHE SAID WITH DAVID AND TANYA OF KO-FM 102.9

HE SAID

LAST week we were in Melbourne as part of the studio audience to watch the No. 1 show on Australian television being made. It's not hard to see why Dancing With The Stars rates its socks off.

The format was successfully imported from the UK, given an Aussie flavour and it's all good, clean, wholesome, family entertainment. Whether you're three or 93, there's something to please everyone and its success shows no sign of letting up, even well into its sixth series.

However, there's one aspect of the show that still sits very awkwardly with me: the SMS votes sent in by home viewers which allegedly make up half of the total score for each competing couple. We have never been privy to the number of SMS votes each couple gets. Is this a dancing competition or a popularity poll?

Surely the esteemed judges' comments and scores should have more clout than they do. How can, as happened a couple of weeks ago, one dancer get a total of four points from ALL judges and still remain in the contest?

Thank heavens for Todd McKenney and Paul Mercurio. Their honesty and in-fighting keep this show from being entirely squeaky clean and love 'em or loathe 'em, they've both got more than enough credibility to say exactly what they like. Now if we could just save the SMS votes for inane kiddie candy like Big Brother.

SHE SAID

YOU don't go into the studio audience of Dancing With The Stars to whinge about what has been, and will remain, an integral element of its worldwide smash-hit formula. You go to see what REALLY goes on behind the scenes, and it doesn't disappoint.

The first thing that strikes you is how small everything is from the dance floor to the twin sweeping staircases, Jamie Durie and the ever-shrinking Kate Ceberano.

Then the lights start flashing, the floor manager orders "clap" and that familiar music heralds the out-of-step arrival of Daryl, or should that be MISTER Somers because that's what the crew must call him.

Sonia Kruger floats effortlessly into view, more toned and honed in real life and able to do what Daryl doesn't; let one liners rip WITHOUT the aid of a cue card.

Two hours fly by. During ads when you wobbled off for a quick bathroom break we sat transfixed as an entire dance floor was hammered and drilled into place in less than three minutes for Tim and Nat's dazzling performance. Though we held our breath when they were still colouring in screw-heads black and we were back live in five, four, three . . . phew, just in time.

Yep, it's a lot of fun and I love the opportunity to go against the judges and vote by text. I also love coming away knowing who else is gay and who wears a toupee but don't bother asking because what goes on set, stays on set.

David and Tanya can be heard on KO-FM 102.9 from 5.30am to 9am Monday to Friday. Email davidandtanya@kofm.com.au.

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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