• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, Today

Many have remarked on the sedentary lives of Americans who remain seated all day in their homes, offices and cars staring at a TV, computers and iPhones.

It is a slovenly citizenry, say many, based on the attire and evident lack of physical fitness they see in some of their fellow Americans.

This is why the new edition of “Dancing With the Stars,” starting Monday on ABC, is so welcome.

The show, titled “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” represents the first expansion of the “DWTS” franchise in its history.

In this new show, the contestants are all professional dancers competing to become a new dance pro on the show. 

Premiering in 2005, “Dancing With the Stars” has cycled through 34 seasons of mostly amateur celebrities partnering up with dance pros to compete in pursuit of a coveted Mirrorball Trophy (now known as the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in honor of the long-time judge who died in 2023).

It has been a great series -- upbeat, inspirational and hugely entertaining. Throughout its 21-year run, it has served as a whirling, twirling antidote to the sitting-around lifestyle practiced by many.

But now, “The Next Pro” takes it up a notch. While it has been fun to watch the celebrity non-dancers receiving coaching and support from the “DWTS” pros and then perform for the judges, the quality of the dancing on “The Next Pro” raises the bar.

This is a show in which a group of very accomplished and ambitious young people apply their youthful energy and physicality to winning a contest that has the potential to take their careers to a whole new level. 

As entertaining as the bumbling amateurs can be, the pros competing for a coveted starring role as a pro and mentor on “DWTS” are not only entertaining, but also electrifying.

The contestants are six men and six women, all of whom have a background in dance both professionally and competitively.

Some are veterans of international ballroom-dance competitions and others have danced in troupes in support of major music stars such as Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez. Some have experience in both realms.

The show is a great idea: Take advantage of what fans of “Dancing With the Stars” love most -- the dancing -- and then give them more of it.

The host of the show is Aussie Robert Irwin, 22 -- the son of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. Robert Irwin was the winner of the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 34 of “DWTS.”

The show has two judges -- Mark Ballas, a former “DWTS” pro and winner of three Mirrorballs, and his mother, Shirley Ballas, who is internationally famous in the world of Latin ballroom dancing.

A third guest judge will join the panel each week, starting with “DWTS” veteran Derek Hough in Episode One.

Hough will be seen coaching the contestants in advance of their first dance-off, after which, two men and two women will be eliminated at the end of the episode.

The original “DWTS” continues this coming season with Season 35. “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” is playing in the summer season, perhaps as a tryout.

“Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” premieres Monday (July 13) at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Hulu.