One thing which we in the UK don't see (thank God!) are the US adverts. Apparently DWTS has been one of the most targetted TV shows for carrying political adverts during their recent election campaign. I found this on TIME magazine:
"The show, which draws more than 15 million viewers a week, was among the most targeted shows for political ads this season, with a combined 1,773 spots. That's 591 minutes of DWTS campaign ads for the 2010 election. The Times found that the ads for Dancing With The Stars were split nearly 50-50 between the two parties.
"Robert Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University, says this political balance is notable: 'Apparently, Dancing With The Stars is the one place where we can just get along. It's a good old-fashioned broadcast-era show.'
"This season of Dancing has perhaps been its silliest yet. Presented with the presence of Bristol Palin, a non-singing, non-dancing political scion, the show's producers have not tried to hide her, but instead have ramped up the ridiculousness surrounding her. The absurd apex of this effort came in a minute-and-a-half segment in week six: Palin, stumbling through the theme song from The Monkees, looking completely lost, all while wearing a gorilla suit. It was the highlight of the season, perhaps the 90 strangest seconds of television to be aired this year."
TIME also mentions that DWTS is one of the few TV programs that people want to watch live, rather than recorded, and that the diversity of those taking part gives the program a very broad appeal:
"Given the universal appeal of the cast, and the viral spread of its influence, it's little surprise then that campaigns chose to spend money right here, where they can reach just about any demographic."
