As an advertising professional I have gotten sick of "reality" shows. At least ones like this avoid bugs, slime, and hyperinsults while giving us likable celebrities who look like they're having a good time on the dance floor.
Similar to the US original DANCING WITH THE STARS, BAILANDO POR UN SUENO pairs everyday people with celebrity dance partners and they train to compete at two different dances each week. Because the show is Mexican-based, there are some different dances in the competition such as rumba flamenca, cumbia, and quebriditas in addition to mambo, swing, salsa, and -- por supuesto -- the tango. Starting in the second program one couple is eliminated per week by popular phone vote in Mexico (The show aired live in Mexico and on tape 5 months later in the US). Rather than the promise of a large cash prize, the winner gets a previously stated wish granted.
The dancing varies from good to excellent and generally improves each week. Latin Lover and Adrian Uribe were the stand-out male celebrities in the first edition; their partners were very lucky women. I suspect that either or both of them will be asked back to a later edition of this show.
The costumes are excellently themed to each dance. My two criticisms: (1) The elimination ceremony is unnecessarily long and melodramatic, as are the occasional remarks by the judges. (2) The "filler" in between dances should be minimized in later episodes and the contestant couples should perform more numbers. In spite of that, it's a great show. Bring on more leading men from the novelas!
