DwtS In-Season Update: Scenes from a DwtS Taping

One of our MOIB special operatives went undercover to report on what really happens at a live taping of Dancing with the Stars. Imee DuBose, a friend of Cheryl Burke’s and webmaster of Cheryl’s official website, StrictlyCheryl.com, was in the audience at Tuesday night’s Performance Show. She graciously agreed to write about the experience, on the condition that we post an adorable photo of Cheryl’s biggest fans, who also happen to be Imee’s kids. Okay, twist our arms.

Tinseltown Meets Vegas…
by Imee DuBose

My Tuesday Night Ballroom Dance experience actually started in the middle of the afternoon. VIPs (the invited guests of the pro dancers and celebs) are encouraged to show up at 3 p.m. PST for this ABC show, which is shot at CBS Studios, Hollywood -- in an example of network collaboration.

My husband, Tony, and I arrived dressed in our “ballroom” attire: a suit and tie for him, and a fancy spaghetti-strapped dress for me. We joined a number of other VIPs in line, waiting to go through the security checkpoint to enter the studio. Members of the general public, who get their tickets from On Camera Audiences, are in line by around 1 p.m. and enter through a separate door.

Studio security differed from airport security in that all the VIP ladies, dressed to kill from head to toe, got to keep their lipstick (and any other gels) in their purses. On the other hand, the DwtS security folks confiscated cameras, cell phones, and PDAs until after the show was over. Instead of the old “coat check,” we now have “cell check.”

As we entered the studio, I saw Jerry Springer in his “Evil Puffy Shirt.” He was modest and apologetic (for his shirt) as I said hello and told him what a wonderful Waltz he’d performed last week. Honestly, I wasn’t one for Jerry Springer, pre-DwtS. However, I have quite a different impression of him now.

Looking around the made-for-TV ballroom studio, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Las Vegas. There are no windows or natural light. And the studio is tastefully decked out in red curtains, countless little lights, huge chandeliers, and an enormous mirror ball.

Inside the studio, there was a lot going on. Production assistants/staffers dashed around hurriedly with communication headsets on, as the audience members filed in. There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air long before the show started.

We took our seats, opposite the Judges’ Table and underneath a red curtain. Cheryl’s mom, Sherri, sat next to us. Also in the audience were some recognizable faces: Disney Channel stars Zac Efron, Ashleigh Tisdale, and Kim Rhodes; DwtS alumnae Tia Carrere (who has lost the baby weight) and the ubiquitous Lisa Rinna; and, for the guys, former NBA player John Salley.

The show is live for the East Coast, so we started warming up at 4:45 PST. An emcee got the audience ready for the show to air, and he entertained us when those watching the show on TV were sent to commercial break.

During the warm-up and breaks, the emcee brought audience members to the dance floor -- which is a lot smaller than it appears on TV -- and had them do various moves to the fun music playing. (Recorded music, giving the DwtS Band a break.)

This week, one such audience member was part of an enthusiastic bunch of high schoolers from Pomona Valley. The emcee teased them about missing school to come see the show. And he pointed out that the students get to wear their formal attire twice in one week: first to DwtS, and then to their Homecoming dance.

Soon, it was time to introduce the judges, as they took their seats: lovely Carrie Ann, debonair Len, and fun-loving Bruno. The audience gave them a warm welcome. Then Samantha was introduced, and finally, another warm greeting from the audience for Tom.

The countdown began for the show to air live. Five, four, three, and “Begin clapping…” Spotlights started to swirl, and about ten cameras were moving strategically to capture their shots.

The crowd went wild as all the celebrities and dancers worked their way from the trademark staircases to the dance floor. They all looked fabulous, and many of them are much thinner than they look on TV. The colors of the outfits are much more radiant in person, too. The competition then began with the first couple: Joey & Edyta.

At the commercial break, the emcee found out more about the audience members. This time, it was a group of ladies who drove from Palm Springs and are avid fans of DwtS, having watched it since Day One, Season One.

A noteworthy moment occurred after one of the Rumba performances, when a lively Bruno needed to let off some steam. While the TV audience watched commercials, he got up and did a playful Hip Hop dance to the music.

The competition ended on a high-energy note, with Emmitt & Cheryl bringing the entire audience to its feet. It was a wonderful last performance for the evening. There was lots of clapping and yelling for all the performers, as they returned to the dance floor to end the show.

Dancing with the Stars includes all the key ingredients of Vegas allure: excitement, entertainment, anticipation, and suspense. Will your number -- or, in this case, your celebrity and professional dancer -- come up a winner? Stay tuned!

Editor's Note: Here's the promised pic of Cheryl's biggest fans, dialing on the Barney phone to vote for Cheryl & Emmitt: