re: #170 wheat-dogghazi

People who are into real dance probably don’t watch DWTS, unless it’s to laugh at how bad it is. It’s entertainment for the masses — folks who can barely put one foot in front of the other without tripping. (No offense intended if anyone here likes this show.) They are a cheap vehicle to fill air time (no scripts, no plots, no dialog — so no writers), and a way to get somewhat washed-up stars back in front of national audiences.

American Idol, The Voice and the plethora of other talent shows are a similar TV product. Most of the performers are achingly bad, but people watch them in part to see amateurs be humiliated on air, and in part to root for the top performers who might make it to the big time, baby.

Such shows are regretfully very popular in China.

Bread and circuses work everywhere.