America's Ballroom Challenge is a Public Broadcasting System production that is beginning its third season. This is a five-week series covering the four main categories of ballroom dance: American Smooth, American Rhythm, International Standard, and International Latin. After the judging in each show, the couple with the lowest overall score wins the title of the “Champion” in that particular style of dance. The “Grand Finale” has the Champions of each of the previous weeks competing for the title of “America’s Best Ballroom Couple.”

During the weeks preceding each show, hundreds of couples compete for the six slots in the dance category in which they specialize. Per the ballroom competition rules, if two couples receive identical scores during the competition, both must move forward to become finalists. This episode was unusual because seven couples won the right to be on the show (rather than six).

The six finalists (or in tonight’s case, seven) in each style compete in the dances of their specialty as a group. They are ranked on their performance by expert judges. After the group competition, each couple performs a “show” dance where they are able to dance their own style to their own music in order to show off their talent. They are judged on this dance as well. The show is hosted by Jasmine Guy, an actress and dancer, and Ron Montez, a seven-time U.S. National Latin Dance Champion.

Tonight’s competition was for the title of "Champion of American Smooth." American Smooth is comprised of four dances: waltz, tango, foxtrot, and Viennese waltz. These dances were adapted from the traditional European dances but, unlike the International dance, the couples may break apart and perform independent moves before touching again. The open position allows for more creativity and expression. The traditional closed position, where ribcages meet and the upper torsos form a V is what most people think of when they think about ballroom dance. International Standard will be shown on February 13, 2008 for those purists.

The waltz started out as a folk dance in the 1600s in southern Europe. It came to England in the 1800s, and had a difficult time finding ground due to being considered the dirty dancing of its time because of the physical closeness of the couples.  The tango began in the 1800s in Argentina. It is a dance that resembles both seduction and anger. I once heard that it was a dance between a hooker and pimp and have absolutely no trouble believing that.