14 DAY TRIAL // Producers on ABC’s hit dance competition Dancing With the Stars are looking to boost ratings of the show by no longer having contestants only some loyal fans know of. For the upcoming season, they want to bring A-listers on board.
Earlier reports had it that producers were in talks with reality star Snooki of “Jersey Shore,” but, if this is true, the diminutive reality star would probably not make the cut for the brand new season.
TMZ says that show bosses want to put “stars” back in Dancing With the Stars, so they’re looking to bring the biggest names in the industry on board.
Even more, they’re willing to make serious concessions for this to happen.
“Say goodbye to the likes of Ralph Macchio and Kendra Wilkinson on Dancing With the Stars, TMZ has learned producers are on the hunt for more ‘high profile’ celebs next season, in the hopes of cutting down on the gimmicky stars they’ve booked in the past,” TMZ reports.
Orders for the change come from high above, from network bosses, it seems.
“Producers are under direct orders to find ‘more high profile’ people than in the past seasons, after booking a string of D-listers like The Situation, Kate Gosselin, Audrina Patridge, Jake Pavelka and Holly Madison,” the e-zine says.
On the other hand, it would be ridiculous to claim that said D-listers did not generate good ratings: millions tuned in to see The Sitch, Gosselin or Kendra.
Arguably, their number would have been far greater if big name celebrities were in their stead.
“In order to lock down the BIG names, we’re told producers are offering A-listers complete control over their rehearsal schedule – telling them there’s NO minimum rehearsal requirements... and they can practice as little or as much as they want,” TMZ writes.
As if that wasn’t enough, producers are also offering stars the final say in the selection of the music or of the stage outfits, including colors and design.