First I have to say that I am well and truly “pissed” that this very popular reality show is not screened over here by my country’s free TV networks. There, I said it. If anyone from my country’s official television stations is reading my article right now, please submit my request to the “powers that be” and have it rectified “pronto”. Thank you very much.

Now to the more important aspects of “Dancing With The Stars”. Season 12 is upon us this year and perhaps, I will go online to view it since we have none other than our “original” “Karate Kid” among the contestants if for no other reason. Thank God for online streaming!!

I had caught a few clips of Jennifer Grey and her partner Derek Hough who went on to win the championship last year on “Dancing With The Stars” during Season 11. She has certainly grown up to become a graceful dancer. I could still remember her looking so young and “impish” when she played opposite her leading man, the late Patrick Swayze in “Dirty Dancing”. I of course cried “buckets of teams” (my trademark) when memories came flooding back due to the recent demise of Patrick Swayze.

Jennifer Grey was also reported to have been pretty “emotional” when she was rehearsing her dance steps. I guess all of us ladies who had followed Patrick Swayze’s fight against his illness throughout his last television series’ screening had more reason to be tearful when hearing Jennifer Grey reminisce about her old dancing partner. I guess you can say that Jennifer Grey single-handedly made me want to view “Dancing With The Stars” and so I shall, beginning with Season 12. Let the countdown begin…

Before I forget, it has just been broadcasted over the web that Ralph Macchio will be teamed up with professional dancer Karina Smirnoff.

Now back to the reason why I’m writing this article and the sudden interest in Ralph Macchio all of a sudden. He is of course well-known for many years as the original “Karate Kid” which span 3 movies - two sequels which followed the success of the first movie released some time in 1984. As he took on the role of Daniel LaRusso, the world watched as he painstakingly went about his daily practice under the watchful eye of his mentor cum “karate master”
Mr Miyagi, played very convincingly by Pat Morita who also became a household name. Those “chopsticks” scenes sure was a winner back then. It is a pity that Pat Morita passed away in 2005 because he would have been “tickled pink” to see his old “student” putting on his dancing shoes after more than two and a half decades. Yes I bet he would have, no doubt about it.

Back to Ralph Macchio. We must not forget that a year before the emergence of the first “Karate Kid” movie, he had appeared on “The Outsiders” as Johnny Cade together with many young stars who went on to become major major (the double “major” is intended for some of the names mentioned) stars. They are Patrick Swayze (most memorable movies being “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost”), Emilio Estevez (son of Martin Sheen and brother of the “infamous” Charlie Sheen), Rob Lowe (brother of Chad Lowe – coincidentally, Chad was once married to Hilary Swank who also made a female-version Karate Kid movie with Pat Morita who reprised his role a decade on after the “original” movie), Tom Cruise (everyone knows this “mega star” and his top movies – dare I say “Top Gun??), Matt Dillon and C.Thomas Howell.

Okay, I’ve wandered off again. So, let’s get back on track with Ralph Macchio. I hadn’t recognised him when he played a local politician by the name of Archie Rodriguez in “Ugly Betty”. Only when I checked out who was the actor appearing semi-regularly as the love interest of Betty’s sister, Hilda did I realise that it was little “Ralph” who had grown up to become such a “hottie”. Did I mention earlier that we don’t get to see all the American hit dramas in our country? That would clearly explain why I had not seen him as a gorgeous adult in any movie/drama after all this time, yes??

In interview segments leading to this season’s opening episode of “Dancing With The Stars”, Ralph had remarked that he thinks that those who had grown up watching his “Karate Kid” movies would “push for him to do well on ABS’s hit ballroom dancing series”. I hope he’s right because I think it is time for his “star” to “shine” once more. It’s been a long time coming, I say.

So, I await in anticipation. If not for Ralph Macchio’s appearance, then also for another old favorite television star of mine - Kirstie Alley. Yes Kirstie, I will also root for you. Go girl, go!!!