Dancing With the Stars Buzz Meter

We Are Citizens, Hear Us Roar

For years, political pundits have been wringing their hands over dismal voter turnout. Now, with the most energized Democratic presidential primary race in decades, they've been nagging the candidates to wrap up their show, for the good of the party.

Well, the voters aren't ready to stop voting. In poll after poll, citizens are saying that they want their say. If the record turnouts haven't clued in political observers, this might: Searches for "register to vote" this year have more than doubled those in 2006 and 2007 combined.

People love their suffrage, whether it's choosing a president or anointing a celebrity. Speaking of which, two reality shows wrapping up this week have built their success on supersizing the democratic process. Forget the milquetoasty appeal of "one person, one vote."'ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and FOX's "American Idol" welcome ballot-box stuffing with the glee of a penny-ante dictator.

Yes, the ABC ballroom competition does temper voters' passions with the judges' more measured expertise, like a pop-culture echo chamber of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The FOX singing contest, on the other hand, injects steroids into its audience's voting muscle—although unlike its creative progenitor, "Pop Idol," the judges winnow the hopefuls down to 12 before America gets to dial in.

That these two shows dominate this week's voting-related queries doesn't speak less of people's more sober civic duties, not even the negative campaigning that occupies the number one slot below. Instead, as the recent spike for "clinton supporters count too" underscores, it shows that the impulse to stand up and be counted shouldn't be counted out too soon.

DWTS: Who's Taking the Lead

A test of wills, pirouettes, and groin-first slides across a slippery dance floor marks this sixth outing of "Dancing with the Stars." The Baltimore Sun went so far as to call the ABC series "one of the two largest and most influential stages in American pop culture," thanks to its sex appeal, broad outreach, and built-in diversity.

Weighty words, but the sentiment is echoed in Search. Every single state in the union except one checked out “DWTS” online. The exception? North Dakota, which perhaps has been preoccupied by a mummified dinosaur.

Fans clearly enjoy watching their old favorites return to the spotlight, as well. Take Steve Guttenberg. Among the 12 competitors, the Police Academy actor's searches spiked the fastest. Fans of the show also sought the scoop on "jason taylor divorce," "how old is priscilla presley," "priscilla presley plastic surgery" (a query that first surfaced after her startling appearance on "American Idol"), "kristi yamaguchi brett hadican," "shannon elizabeth american pie," and "marlee matlin biography."

Here are top 12 competitors ranked by their performance in Search. Expect a shuffle soon when talent trumps nostalgia.

Dance Like the World is Watching

The time has come for a new crop of celebrities to don the sequins, lacquer their hair, loosen their hips, and revitalize their careers (and bodies) in the process. ABC announced the cast for the spring season of "Dancing with the Stars" on the "Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann" finale, and searchers pounced all over the news. Monday night searches focused on "new dancing with the stars cast," "dancing with the stars 2008 lineup," and, of course, the stars themselves.

We know the drill—and the addictive thrills—that come when a star dares to mambo, waltz, and rumba on live television. No one can quite predict the energy and quirks each celebrity will reveal, but searchers (especially women 35-64) have their dance cards and DVRs ready. Whose buzz will top 2007 moments like Marie Osmond's faint or dancer Julianne Hough's backstage toot? Which star will show their nerves a la Jennie Garth? Which couple's chemistry will set tongues wagging a la Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas? And will Monica Seles, Kristi Yamaguchi, or Jason Taylor dominate in the athletic tradition of champions Emmitt Smith, Apolo Anton Ohno, and Helio Castroneves?

Two ladies, in particular, enter the ballroom draped in pre-DWTS buzz. Search reveals that Oscar winner Marlee Matlin turned heads when she appeared on "The L Word" ("jennifer beals and marlee matlin" and "marlee matlin l word"). And some web surfers make a hobby of comparing and contrasting the changing appearance of Priscilla Presley ("priscilla presley plastic surgery," "young priscilla presley," and "recent photo of priscilla presley").

Here's how all the celebs rank in Buzz before they bravely step onto the dance floor in March:

Romancing with the Stars

Has "Dancing with the Stars" become a bigger phenomenon than "American Idol"? We can't say for certain, but one thing is for sure—thanks to Helio Castroneves, "Dancing" is gaining ground.

As album sales of last season's "Idol" winner, Jordin Sparks, tanked, searches on Helio, the recent "Dancing" champ, surged 467%. Helio's rhythm and charisma played a part, but searchers were most interested in his love life.

To wit, queries on his dance partner, the fetching Julianne Hough, surged 456%. Queries on "helio and julianne dating" and "helio julianne girlfriend" also posted big gains. Clearly, fans are wondering if the pair are more than just platonic partners.

But let's not forget about Aliette Vazquez, Helio's ex-fiancee. Less than 24 hours after Helio won the Dancing trophy, his longtime lady called off their engagement. Is Julianne the reason? We have no idea, but the rumors have been good for Dancing's buzz.

The Mystery Men of Dancing

This season's "Dancing with the Stars" cast announcement had us worried. Five minutes after checking out the supposed "stars," we could barely remember half their names.

However, that's no longer a problem—for us or for the show's many fans. Searches on the dancing celebs are soaring despite the lack of household names on the men's side. Below, we check in with three buzzworthy mystery men who are still boogying.