Variety: 'DWTS' Spicing Up Fan Base in Red States

It is no random casting quirk.

The decision to bring former White House press secretary Sean Spicer on "Dancing With the Stars" is aimed straight at its biggest audience — red-state America, according to Variety.

The competition has taken a hit in the ratings over the past two cycles, falling 32% among adults 18-49 last season, Variety reported. Its last season finished airing in November 2018.

But in the East Central territory, the show posted its best figures; Nielsen defines that region as containing Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan — all of which voted for Trump.

Nielsen data also shows "Dancing with the Stars" registers a stronger performance in suburban and rural counties, and a weaker one in urban counties, Variety reported. It also does better with white viewers than it does with African American viewers, the outlet reported. 

According to Variety, of the 10 markets around the country in which "Dancing with the Stars" performed best last season, eight are located in states that voted for Trump. And the market in which it performed strongest last season was West Palm Beach, Florida, where Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence is located.

Spicer is the latest of GOP contestants on the show, including Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.

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