Back in the early summer of 2009, America and the world keyed in on British popular television like never before. During those months, the fortunes of yet another Simon Cowell production, "Britain's Got Talent," rose right along with the temperatures on our thermometers. The angelic voice that piqued our interest belonged to perhaps the most unlikely of budding superstars, the unassuming 48-year-old Susan Boyle, who made it OK to subordinate glamour to the forces of sheer talent. Although Boyle somehow lost the season finale, she has reigned as the undisputed victor on the charts and in the hearts of fans everywhere in the years since.
Now, Boyle is set to bring her golden cords to American reality television with an Oct. 15 guest spot on "Dancing With the Stars" and an accompaniment by Donnie Osmond. Could Boyle's appearance in the ballroom portend more air time in the States?
An extended stateside tour certainly seems like a possibility, as Boyle is on the cusp of a promotional campaign for her new album, "Standing Ovation," which is scheduled for a Nov. 13 release. She is taking to "Dancing With the Stars" just as the All-Stars edition is really getting interesting, and old pal Cowell is in the middle of a new season of his American version of "THe X Factor." A really intriguing marriage of star and show would see Boyle belting out tunes as a guest on "The Voice." After all, "The Voice" rightly describes Boyle in a lot of ways, and it's not inconceivable to think that her success played an inspirational role in the the conception of NBC's hit series. It's safe to say that all four judges would have spun their chairs around to get a chance at working with this siren.
But in regards to her stint on "Dancing With the Stars," is it possible that proximity to the on-floor gyrations might awaken the dancing bug for Boyle? The ABC hit has a long history of making participants out of spectators (Donnie Osmond, Harry Hamlin, etc.), and producers are always looking for a hook to beef up their audiences. Boyle's fairy tale story seems to be a great fit for the ballroom, and she appeals strongly to the parent-aged demographic that drives so much advertising power. "Dancing With the Stars" also has a reputation for effecting physical transformations in its contestants, and such a "makeover" would fall right in line with the amazing ability that Boyle has shown to blossom before our eyes.
Whether or not Boyle makes a strong push on American reality television, her new tunes will keep us singing for months. If she delivers them as part of our favorite shows, then all the better.
