COLUMN: Needed diversity found in dancing, showdown of stars

So a Spice Girl, a deaf Oscar-winner, a one-legged Briton, Elvis' ex-wife and Jerry Springer walk into a room - and dance beautifully. There's no punch line.

ABC's Dancing With the Stars continues to embrace widespread diversity in its casting lineup, and I couldn't be more pleased.

For those somehow not in the know, this reality show features past and current "stars" from the worlds of music, television, film, sports and more, coupled with professional ballroom dancers and pitted against each other in a showdown for a sparkling mirror-ball trophy.

Some stars are relatively expected (Marie Osmond, Joey Fatone) and some are not (Emmitt Smith, Jennie Garth); some are a resurrection (Drew Lachey, Jane Seymour) and some are, frankly, completely out of left field (Master P, Josie Maran).

But what these stars truly are is a group that is surprisingly un-representative of the rest of the entertainment industry.

Where the large majority of actors seen on the small screen are Caucasian Americans, six of the 12 contestants this season alone clearly are not.

Where the large majority of idolized stars are disability-free, Marlee Matlin (who is deaf) and Heather Mills (who has a prosthetic leg) prove that one can do just as well as (or better than) those without physical limitations.

Where the large majority of "beautiful" people in our society are tall and slender, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Sabrina Bryan demonstrate that the average-statured, full-figured woman can be incredibly sexy, even when dancing next to supermodels.

Dancing With the Stars has featured men and women who are Asian-American, over the age of 60, magicians, award-winning, happily married, Jewish, social activists, well-educated, comedians, proud parents and Olympians.

And while ABC's dancing darlings help promote healthy lifestyles (more than once contestants have referred to their training as the "best diet ever"), in its six seasons, Dancing With the Stars has demonstrated that diversity is not only acceptable, but entirely desirable.

And that is no lame one-liner.

Angie Smith is the Accent Editor for the University Journal. She can be reached at asmith@suujournal.com.

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