I have been watching Dancing with the Stars and I havent hated it. Actually, I've kind of liked it. I used to make fun of my parents who dutifiully watched the show each week. My dad, who's appreciation of dance is less ballroom and more disco, called in every week to vote for Ty the Bullrider who bless his heart was not a dancer but was endearing and southern. I'm not sure when DWTS became an acutal show I watched, it just sort of creeped up on me. Really I think it all started with a few seasons ago when Evan Lysacek was on. I watched because he was Olympian and I LOVE the Olympics.
A simultaneous awesome Olympic and STYLE moment.
Where this love of all things Olympics began I'm not sure but it might have been the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. For some reason I begged for a stuffed Izzy, the mascot of the games, and must have subconsciously chanellled my disappointment into an obsession whenever the Olympics are on. I wanted to be one of the girls on the gymnastics team that took gold with Kerri Strugg's vault. I also wanted to be a dolphin trainer around this time and we see how well that went. But I secretely really love the Winter Olympics because of the ice skating. I actually have an autograph from Nancy Kerrigan and used to have a giant Kristi Yamaguchi poster in my room. Fun fact: for at least 5 years I asked for a pair of ice skates for Christmas despite the fact that a. it never snows in SC b. the only ice we get in ice on the road and c. we don't have an ice rink in our town.
The Izzy in Question.
One of my favorite interpretive dance/ ice skating/ bride dress up costumes.
Despite not being an ice skater or a gymnast, I still love the Olympics. I will stay up all night watching the Opening Ceremonies just to see Team USA walk in (although I think the OCD part of me just really enjoys all the matching). I love the spectacle of it - like the insanity of the Bejing Olympics and that giant bird's nest and my utter confusion during Toronto. I cheer on my favorite athletes and will watch even the most obscure sports with enthusiasm. I could SO be a trampoliner- London 2012 anyone? I will constatnly check NBCOlympics.com to keep up with the medal count and I just love when the underdog wins.
This is all a way of saying that I love the Olympics and I love when Olympians are on TV.
So when Evan (we're on a first name basis) was going to be on DWTS I was so excited. I would even watch a show like DWTS to cheer him on. He was the Golden Boy of the Olympics after beating out perma-winner Evgeni Plushenko (who is also mildly terrifying). How could I not cheer on Team USA?
What I didn't intend was getting so invested in the show. I ended up actually caring and, be still my heart, voting. And I was so irritated when one of the Pussycat Dolls beat him out for the champ title. Because really she was already a quasi dancer and that's sort of like winning American Idol with autotune. I thought after Evan's season I would surely be over my actual enjoyment of the show since there are only Olympians every 2 years. Ummm no. I ended up caring even more. I loved Romeo (or 'Lil as I call him cause we're friends like that) and his incessant twitter promotion. I was irritated when Kirstie Alley came in 2nd. Basically I cared. A lot. And that? Was weird.
Evan being awesome. One time he dressed like Prince Eric- bonus points!
So this season things have definitely been amped up. Since I can't acutally watch them live in watch them on Hulu. This means I am volutnarily watching while I study. Oh dear. I'm one step away from being my dad and calling in and voting. I've fallen in love with Carson and his flamboyancy and even Rob Kardashian who really seems like a nice guy who's probably sick of being on reality shows with his sisters. I even don't hate Nancy Grace. I'm actually quite terrified of her (mostly its the hair) but I keep wanting her to come back because her partner is adorable and Irish and I think he should just talk for the whole show. Apparently my affinity for Irish accents far outweighs my fear of helmet hair. And how do you not love JR? I mean he's a veteran, a burn surivior AND a balling dancer. Team USA indeed. I have come to love Len's persnickety old man routine and Bruno's utter ridiculousness when he just needs to tone.it.down. Carrie Anne is less exciting to me given her lack of awesome accent.
So I guess I owe my parents an apology. It is not a stupid reality show. Well, maybe it is but its one that has sucked me in and made me like it. And that, in the words of Bruno, is AHHHMAZING.
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