Ward back on ‘Dancing With Stars’
This was Hines Ward’s return to wearing black and gold; just not the Steelers’ kind.
As part of the 10th anniversary special for ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” the former Super Bowl MVP and season 12 winner marched out with six other football players to perform a passably good paso doble Tuesday night.
Who knew it was even possible to dance to NFL theme music? Kurt Warner, Jacoby Jones, Michael Irvin, Donald Driver, Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith gave it a go, however, dressed in black with shiny gold jackets.
Mr. Ward, who took home the Mirror Ball Trophy with professional partner Kym Johnson in 2011, was joined by two other “DWTS” champions: Mr. Smith (season three) and Mr. Driver (season 14). They performed as a group and with three pro dancers, including Emma Slater.
‘First Dates’
Well, it seems as if their hearts are in the right place. NBC and Ellen DeGeneres are producing a U.S. version of the British show, “First Dates.” Young, single Americans ages 18-65 and beyond are encouraged to apply at Firstdatescasting.com. Casting is for the East Coast area.
Unlike programs such as “The Bachelor,” “First Dates” promises to take a kinder, gentler approach to finding love. A tagline for the show reads: “No competition, no eliminations — just a ‘First Date.’ Where it goes from there is up to you.”
‘Labor Games’
Lights! Camera! Baby! TLC’s “Labor Games” is described as a “race against nature,” where soon-to-be moms and dads take part in a delivery room game show.
In a clip provided by Lighthearted Entertainment, host Lisa Arch asks the somewhat distracted parents multiple choice questions on a monitor. They can win prizes and money, including a $10,000 scholarship for the unborn child.
Once the baby arrives, of course, the Apgar score is the only one that counts. Two episodes of “Labor Games” debut starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday, with more scheduled for later in the year. The show was taped at a hospital in Pomona, Calif.
‘The Seven Year Switch’
Kinetic Content, producers of FYI’s “Married at First Sight,” are working on eight, one-hour episodes of “The Seven Year Switch.” It is scheduled to premiere this summer.
Press materials describe it thus: “Four couples at a crossroads in their relationship will get the chance to live with a stranger for two weeks, in an experimental marriage, to help determine what traits and characteristics in a mate could make their marriage stronger.”
After they re-unite, couples will decide whether to divorce or renew their vows. Your enjoyment of this will depend on whether “Wife Swap” was absorbing television or an affront to the sanctity of marriage.
‘The Voice’
When Kiski Area sophomore Mia Zanotti was eliminated on NBC’s “The Voice” several weeks ago, turns out she wasn’t the only Pittsburgh connection on the show.
Joshua David, a Traverse City, Mich., father of two, has proud relatives living in the area. His grandmother, Ella Weiss Shriman, grew up on a dairy farm in Elizabeth and recently celebrated her 100th birthday. His mother, Pamela Shriman, said she spent many summer visits on the farm as a kid.
Mr. Davis was originally a member of Team Blake Shelton but was “stolen” by Adam Levine. Monday, he’ll try to make it into “The Voice” top five.