An investigation into audiences' televisual experience of Strictly Come Dancing.

This paper explores ten participants’ viewing experience of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC, 2009b) through personal, reflective diary writing. The main aim of the research was to investigate the concept of kinesthetic empathy and to see how this central concern in dance spectatorship might be theorised in relation to the active/passive debate in media audience research. Viewers’ motivation and commitment in how they watch Strictly will be explored to try and understand the range of viewing strategies adopted. From the research, areas that have been highlighted for particular attention are spectacle, emotional connection, admiration of skill and aspiration to dance. The conclusion will draw together discussion of moments of passivity, kinesthetic experience and active or passive engagement in relation to the concept of intuitive spectatorship.