During ABC’s upfronts on Tuesday, they announced a pair of spinoffs for tentpole reality shows The Bachelor and Dancing With The Stars (which were renewed last week, along with Shark Tank).
The Bachelor’s spinoff is called The Bachelor Winter Games, and sounds like some sort of ripoff of The Challenge, mixed with co-promotion for the Winter Olympics.
“The Bachelor Winter Games” will feature former participants from past seasons of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” from arch rivals to villains. Described by ABC as “an ode to the Winter Olympic Games” that will “take competitive dating to a chilling new level,” the spinoff will reunite the all-stars at a luxurious winter resort where they will go head-to-head in winter-themed athletic challenges, including the toughest sport of all – love.
It’ll premiere in February during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics from Pyeongchang. Whatever. It’s harmless, and sports Twitter will eat it up.
And then there’s this shit – Dancing With the Stars Junior, featuring the children of celebrities (and child stars, provided they don’t have anything better to do with their young careers) and “professional junior ballroom dancers”, which is apparently a real profession.
“Dancing With the Stars Junior” will pair celebrity kids and kids of celebrities with professional junior ballroom dancers to perform choreographed routines, which will be judged by a panel of renowned ballroom experts, just like the flagship series. The cast on the panel will be announced at a later date.
That’ll air next spring, so at least we have nearly a year to prepare for the chaos.
I don’t know who thought this was a good idea, but there has to be a screw loose in their head. Who wants to watch celebrity children dancing? Are they going to dress in fancy suits and gowns? Are they going to have to master complicated dance routines before working on algebra homework?
Now I’m curious which sad, D-list celebrity is going to offer up their child as tribute first. Here’s hoping that none do, and this show dies a quick death.
[Variety]
