American show “Dancing with the Stars” is yet another combination of reality-show with live, on-stage entertainment, a type of series that had been proven to be very successful – especially if you tell the audience that they decide who stays and who goes. The original format was British and it was called “Strictly Come Dancing”.

Many other countries have borrowed the concept and made their local version, staying true, however, to the original format of the show.

The idea of the show is pretty simple and basic – upon first hearing about it, you may not even find it appealing. What happens is that the producers pair-up celebrities with professional ballroom dancers. Each week, they perform dance after dance, fiercely competing to stay in the game – and the dances are truly spectacular and worth every second of your free time. A panel of judges is entrusted with giving them grades. Afterwards, viewers can vote for their favorite couple, either by phone or online. The judges’ and the viewers’ scores are combined, and the couple with the lowest score is sent home.

This week on “Dancing with the Stars”, things have been frantic – for both those who are still on the show and past contestants. First of all, Cloris Leachman had a severe cough, which is believed to have been pneumonia. Then, Mark Cuban was charged with insider trading. Cody Linley was eliminated, despite his army of squeaky fangirls.

Next week, this season will end and we will finally know the results. The competition is tough, as we have a clockwork Lance, a technically precise Brooke and a very popular Warren.