WASHINGTON, March 18, 2013 — Tonight, “Dancing With The Stars” is back with season 16. But, with ratings dropping each year, will people continue to watch? Since the height of the show’s popularity back in 2006 when Emmitt Smith won, DWTS has lost over 10 million viewers.
To be fair, TV audiences are fickle. But this alarming drop may be due to the questionable celebrity of the dancers who are chosen. Just how many people had to say no before the DWTS producers decided to give Andy Dick a shot at the title?
SEE RELATED: Preview, predictions: Who will win Dancing With The Stars 2013?
Andy Dick’s notoriety should help the show pull in viewers, but is this the direction the producers really want to take? If so, why not go all the way with the concept and start inviting people like Lance Armstrong and Lindsay Lohan. Who knows? Maybe they were called and said no. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see the original list of potential contestants who were actually invited but chose to decline?
The other surprising Season 16 choice has to be comedian D.L. Hughley. Flirting with pop culture fame is the last thing you’d expect from an edgy comedian like Hughley, but DWTS is a good gig for broadening a base audience, so he can hardly be blamed for choosing to do the show. Maybe Hughley plans to mine his stint on the show to gather fresh new material for his stand-up act. If so, his next routine will likely be one we won’t want to miss.
Come to think of it, maybe the producers of DWTS have hit on a winning concept by having Dick and Hughley on the show. Normally I wouldn’t watch the show. But the sight of these unlikely characters in their dancing shoes is intriguing enough for me to tune in tonight. Whether Dick experiences a drug-induced meltdown or Hughley stops in mid-stride and starts dropping one-liners, both potential scenarios sound entertaining enough to make me want to watch.
For those DWTS fans that want company while watching the show tonight, resident DWTS expert Gayle Falkenthal will be hosting a live online chat right here at Washington Times Communities. Gayle has watched this show faithfully since its very first season, gathering extensive insights into the history and evolution of the show. She also knows a lot about ballroom dancing and makes a great color commentator for the competition as it unfolds.
SEE RELATED: LIVE CHAT: Dancing With The Stars starts Monday, 8 p.m. Eastern
Whether you watch DWTS for the possibility of a celebrity train wreck moment or if you just love dancing, enhance your entire experience by watching the show and chatting with fans across the globe. Short of being in the audience, the best way to watch DWTS is in the Washington Times Community’s virtual ballroom starting at 8 p.m. tonight. See you there!
Tonight’s viewing:
All times are EST:
8 p.m.
ABC: Dancing with the Stars: (New) The couples perform for the judges.
CBS: How I Met Your Mother: (New) After Robin asks Barney to sell his bachelor pad so they can build a home together; Barney is reluctant and drives away potential buyers. Meanwhile, Lily’s commitment to her job as The Captain’s (Kyle MacLachlan) art consultant strains her relationship with Marshall.
FOX: Bones: (New) The Jeffersonian team investigates doomsday preppers.
NBC: The Biggest Loser: (Live) The three remaining finalists compete in the live finale to determine who will be crowned this season’s Biggest Loser.
CW: The Carrie Diaries: (Repeat) Carrie turns 17 and is unsure how to celebrate her birthday: with a hip city crowd or with her pals. Meanwhile, Mouse goes out of her way to impress an Ivy Leaguer; Walt’s responsible side emerges; and Dorrit hunts for a special present for Carrie.
8:30 p.m.
CBS: Rules of Engagement: (New) Jeff plots to get into a popular restaurant that he promised to take Audrey to, after he fails to make a reservation. Meanwhile, Liz and Russell attend a meeting for sex addicts.
9 p.m.
CBS: 2 Broke Girls: (New) When the girls take office temp jobs, Max finds herself being hit on by the boss, while Caroline tries to climb the corporate ladder.
FOX: The Following: (New) Joe Carroll executes a plan to be reunited with his wife.
CW: Hart of Dixie: (Repeat) Tansy’s dog goes missing while under George’s care. Elsewhere, Wade feels like Zoe is not prioritizing their relationship; Brick’s daughters plot to sabotage his romance with Shelby; and Lavon prepares to move on with his love life.
9:30 p.m.
CBS: Mike and Molly: (New) Carl and Samuel host a St. Patrick’s Day party in hopes of meeting women. Meanwhile, Molly reveals juicy secrets from her previous St. Patrick’s Day excursions to Mike.
10 p.m.
ABC: Castle: (New) Castle and Beckett tackle one of their creepiest cases yet when a woman appears to have been scared to death by a “haunted” DVD; Castle fears for his life after he accidentally watches the video.
CBS: Hawaii Five-0: (New) When a murder victim falls onto Dog the Bounty Hunter’s SUV, Five-0 sends Catherine in undercover at the local roller derby to find the culprit.
NBC: Deception: (New) As Samantha’s life hangs in the balance, Edward seeks revenge - and Vivian’s murderer is finally revealed!
Basic cable:
New episodes of:
Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout? at 8 p.m. on NGC
Continuum at 8 p.m. on Syfy
Fast ‘N Loud at 8 and 9 p.m. on DSC
Gypsy Sisters: Extra Bling at 8 and 9:10 and 10:18 p.m. on TLC
Dallas at 9 p.m. on TNT
Bizarre Foods America at 9 p.m. on Travel Channel
Top Gear at 9 p.m. on BBC
Love it or List it at 9 p.m. on HGTV
Bomb Squad NYC at 9 p.m. on NGC
Being Human at 9 p.m. on Syfy
Storage Wars at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on A&E
Bates Motel at 10 p.m. on A&E
LA Shrinks at 10 p.m. on BRAVO
The Devils Ride at 10 p.m. on DSC
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives at 10 p.m. on Food Channel
House Hunters at 10 p.m. on HGTV
Teen Mom 2 at 10 p.m. on MTV
Inside Combat Rescue at 10 p.m. on NGC
Monday Mornings at 10 p.m. on TNT
Hotel Impossible at 10 p.m. on Travel Channel
Lizard Lick Towing at 10 p.m. on truTV
House Hunters International at 10:30 p.m. on HGTV
For movie lovers:
8 p.m.
Road House on CINEMAX
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 on ENC
The Rock on FLIX
Seven Pounds on FMC
Signs on IFC
Desire Me on TCM
The Iron Lady on TMC
9 p.m.
Top of the Lake on SUND
A Thousand Words on HBO
American Winter on HBO
You Again on ABCFAM
Later tonight:
Mars Attacks! At 9:15 p.m. on MOMAX
The Five Year Engagement at 9:30 p.m. on HBO
The Specialist at 10 p.m. on ENC
My Left Foot at 10 p.m. on TMC
The Terminal at 10:30 p.m. on HBO
Traffic at 10:30 p.m. on FLIX
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