Occasionally the world of soaps and reality shows cross, but that came to an end this season on “Dancing with the Stars.” Even if there are no performers on the program from the daytime or nighttime serial genre, I still watch DWTS.
This week Aiden Turner who played Aidan Devane on All My Children was voted off the show. So far this season, DWTS has been beating the juggernaut that is American Idol in the ratings. Of all the people from daytime who have appeared on the show, this was the earliest departure outside of Ashley Hamilton that had been on Sunset Beach for a short time in the 1990s. To note, Ashley was eliminated the first week, also paired with Edyta and not seen as a hot soap guy on the program.
This year, the first eliminated dancer was a Beverly Hills 90210 alumnus, Shannen Doherty. Before this season, the other BV90210 alumni Ian Ziering and Jennie Garth made it to the top five in the voting. Perhaps the audience watching and voting on DWTS this year just doesn’t care for soap operas, their performers or maybe it was just Shannen’s turbulent past in the press that caused her to be sent home so early in the competition. The only other angle beyond people enjoyed other performers before goes back to nervousness. Both Shannen and Aiden suffered from stage fright. Shannen broke out in hives during the competition and Aiden vomited. Neither one of those reactions inspires voters.
Just from looking around the web, it seemed like Aiden had some disadvantages as a contestant on the show. As Aiden wasn’t on All My Children for many years, and now is no longer on the show it is possible that soap fans that don’t watch AMC weren’t very familiar with him. Some may vote for a person based on where they come from (i.e. the football fan voting for the former NFL star), but usually that goodwill only lasts for so long. Last week, Aiden improved compared to his first two performances, but his fourth performance was not as strong at least per the judges’ scores and comments. The low ranking was detrimental even if the percentages were not that far apart. Also Aiden was not the only “hot guy”, and cast as the eye candy next to much older men. Some may crush on former “bachelor” Jake, Evan the gold medalist ice skater or on NFL player Chad.
Another factor is based upon Dancing with the Stars being on for so many seasons, the professional dancers have fan bases of their own. When Aiden got into an argument with his partner and teacher Edyta who has been on the show since the first season, some were very unhappy. It was funny hearing the advice Aiden received from fans at the Rock the Soap Cruise; as they are the keys to being successful on the show and at times help to open more doors in their career after the show.
The contestants usually don’t make it to the top five or six based solely on the fans they brought with them to the show. They created fans due to their time on the program. The way to stay many weeks on the show seems to be based on more than just dance talent. If someone is memorable, respectful to their partner and the judges, a good sport, and humble, they tend to stay awhile in the competition. A good example of this is retired bull-rider Ty Murray. Before being on DWTS the only reason I had heard of Ty was due to his marriage to the singer Jewel. Even though he was not a trained dancer, he endeared himself to the audience due to how he respected those involved with the show.
When it comes to who tends to win, it isn’t soap performers. Yes Kelly Monaco won, and soap alumnus John O’Hurley (though known best for Seinfeld) was second in the first season. The people who tend to last the longest on DWTS are in sports. Over the years, an NFL legend, a speed skater, a racecar driver, an ice skater, and a gymnast have won the competition. The rest of the winners were a member of a defunct boy band, a television host whom now co-host of DWTS, and former child star Donny Osmond. The other group that lasts a long time is what some may call “ringers” as they are cast members who have a dance background, before coming on DWTS. They tend to be controversial contestants and seldom win the mirror ball trophy. During last season, Donny Osmond beat Mya, and some believe that was due to her being too good of a dancer from the beginning of the season.
I enjoyed seeing Aiden on DWTS and hope that he will be prepared for his performance on finale night. The audience showed him a lot of love with a standing ovation, which seldom happens this early in the competition. I hope that Aiden’s premature departure doesn’t mean that the show won’t cast any other daytime alumni on their program. It was great seeing him, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up next in his career.
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