the buzz log

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.