Judge's scores will count for 2/3 for finals?!

[smooth_dancer]

I heard from someone who talked to Anna that the judge's scores will count for 2/3 of the overall score in the finals. Instead of having a Friday awards show, they will wait until Sunday, where the finalists will dance and be scored by the judges again. So, they'll be adding two scores based on judges votes and one scored by based on viewer votes. This would definitely eliminate Jerry as a contender. Can anyone confirm this rule change? I couldn't find it stated anywhere the DWTS website. In some ways, the rule change can be seen as a way for ABC to capitalize on the popularity of the show with one more contest, but it could also be seen as a way for them to avoid the controversy of Jerry winning on pure popularity!

[mamboqueen]

Yeah, I have to say, it doesn't look good that they're changing the rules....it can really only be viewed as their way to assure that Jerry doesn't win. I hope this isn't really true....

[smooth_dancer]

So, no one heard anything about this rule change? I'd like to confirm this information. It changes the game completely. I guess we'll find out Thursday.

[twnkltoz]

I'm sorry, but I think it's a good idea. This isn't supposed to be a popularity contest...it's supposed to be a dance contest, yes?

[Laura]

No, it's supposed to be a popularity contest. If they wanted it to be a contest based on dance skills, they would have never let the audience vote at all. As soon as the vote of a large mass of non-dancers (i.e., a television audience) comes into play, it is is no longer a skills contest.

[mamboqueen]

My problem with the change, if it's true, is strictly the timing of it....to effect the outcome of one day (the most important) of the competition.

[musicchica86]

It's also no longer a skills contest when you have people on the show judging the dancers that aren't actual ballroom judges...

[moother]

I always thought it was a dance contest, at least I assumed that's how most people would vote. I can understand leaning towards your favorite couple when there are minor differences, but not when someone just isn't even close to being the best.
Whatever happens I hope that many more people band with me to help someone win that really can simulate ballroom dancing.
Of course I say this meaning that in my opinion Jerry can't even pretend to be a great dancer.

[Bradamant]

I am really getting dstressed that over on the ABC messageboards people are saying "Jerry rice is not a dancer" "He just doesn't have what it takes to be a dancer" "He is BAd BAD BAD" or even "He can't even simulate ballroom dancing."

For an absolute, rank beginner he is doing well. The show and interviews are pushing the idea that "He'll just never be a dancer, unlike the "natural" Stacy."

Because of my special fondness for beginners and my concern for the future of dancing, it is REALLY bothering me.

And it STINKS that they are changing the rules. The cowards.

[waltzgirl]

I wouldn't take the ABC messageboard very seriously. Unlike our wonderful DF, it seems to be populated mostly by cranks, and their favorite sport is attacking anyone other than their chosen favorite. Last year, pro-John posters were trashing Kelly and vice versa, both of them saying the other couldn't dance. I don't think the posters there are probably very typical of the show's audience as a whole, or likely to influence many people's opinions about ballroom.

[Bradamant]

SOmeone posted this over at ABC. Reportedly from the NY Post.

On Thursday, all three remaining teams will dance, but no one will be eliminated.
In the first hour, we'll have a surprise dance, and we're going to concentrate on each of the final three teams with interviews, and they'll talk us through their dances," said "Dancing" executive producer Conrad Green.
"At 9 p.m., the competitive part kicks in, with each team doing two dances, including repeating what they think is their best dance of the season and a freestyle."
Thursday will also be the last time for the audience to vote. Their vote will count for 50 percent in Sunday's finale, and will be combined with the judges' 50 percent vote (25 percent on Thursday, 25 percent on Sunday).
"In the first hour of [Sunday's] show, the teams will do a brand-new dance based on their favorite discipline," Green said. "The judges will mark them on that.
"At the end of that hour, we'll announce the third-place finisher."
During Sunday's show, all of the "Dancing" stars from this season will return - Tatum O'Neal, Master P, George Hamilton and Bruce Jenner, among others - and will perform their favorite dances.
"We'll also have Mary J. Blige in the studio as a special guest, and she'll perform two numbers," Green said. "It's yet to be confirmed who will dance to that.

"Then we'll have the winner."

[waltzgirl]

During Sunday's show, all of the "Dancing" stars from this season will return - Tatum O'Neal, Master P, George Hamilton and Bruce Jenner, among others - and will perform their favorite dances.
"[/I]

Bruce Jenner wasn't on the show! (He was on Skating with Celebrities.)

[SDsalsaguy]

"At the end of that hour, we'll announce the third-place finisher."
During Sunday's show, all of the "Dancing" stars from this season will return - Tatum O'Neal, Master P, George Hamilton and Bruce Jenner, among others - and will perform their favorite dances.
Doesn't the dude even know who was on the show he executive produces??? :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[moother]

That tells you something about their knowledge of progams.
Bruce Jenner was one of the worst skaters on Celebrity Skating but he was one of those that didn't skate well IMO but was kept around anyway. Maybe that is what had the guy confused.

[smooth_dancer]

Interesting... Well, I would object less to counting the judges scores so that they total to 50% of the overall score. In that case, Jerry can still win! In fact, it'd be hard for him to finish anything less than second if he gets the most votes.

I agree that Jerry is doing very well on his routines for a beginner. Stacey and Drew are not typical dance students!

[Bradamant]

Bruce Jenner wasn't on the show! (He was on Skating with Celebrities.)

Funny! I didn't even read that part. (I was interested in the tallying of scores.)

Every time I hear someone scream about wanting to get rid of the viewer votes on DWTS because the judges would let people advance on merit alone, I remember the one episode of Skating I watched when the judges there sabotaged a better couple to keep Jenner another week. Heh. That's entertainment!

[cornutt]

So, no one heard anything about this rule change? I'd like to confirm this information. It changes the game completely. I guess we'll find out Thursday.

Somewhat OT, but it appears that we weren't the only ones kept in the dark. Last week, our studio contacted the local station about running an ad during this week's results show. They were told there wasn't enough time to shoot and edit the commercial for a Friday slot. Then, yesterday, they found out that the results show is on Sunday. If the station's sales person had known that last week, they would have had enough time to produce the ad.

[Vince A]

Yea, I've heard of some of the rule changes, if only what you read or wrote.

The rules are the pits. I'm a big fan of Jerry Rice, but the man just cannot dance. He looks like an absolute rookie compared to the rest . . . and you cannot include what "he used to be, and how far he came." It's dancing, not football, muchless, a popularity contest.

I teach mainly beginners, and that is the look that he has . . .

My wife was so pissed that Lisa was kicked off before Jerry, that she said she won't watch the rest of the shows, saying, "They (I assume the producers) already know who will win," and . . . [she said] because it's turned into a popularity contest that makes them BIG $$$.

I rarely watch the show, as the last show/contest left a bad taste in my pallet . . . Kelly won, but they "had" to appease John's followers, and "give him a win."

Just turned me off . . .

[chachachacat]

Hiya Vince!
Your palate is in your mouth, your pallet is something to sleep on.
Hope you don't mind my speller-bee buzzing you! :)

[Vince A]

Hiya Vince!
Your palate is in your mouth, your pallet is something to sleep on.
Hope you don't mind my speller-bee buzzing you! :)
Er, um . . . thanks cat:oops: . . . oops, and I write for a living???

Nah, I appreciate it . . . actually, I've been home for three days with a nasty head cold, but no excuses, I should have caught that!!!

[chachachacat]

Hope you feel better, Vincenzo!

[Vince A]

Grazie. . . molto amore. . .

[Bradamant]

I may be the only one, but I don't have a problem with it being partly a popularity contest. That's what gets people invested and brings the ratings. I've never thought of it as a real competition -- because if I did, there are dozens of things about it beyond the popular vote aspect that would have absolutely driven me over the edge.

Personally, I would have had more fun, and I think it would have been a better "contest" if the celebs had come in with more equal dance experience. The way it has been stacked this season, though (especially with Bruno constantly saying in interviews that Stacy is a "natural") I have no problem with the voters muck with the system.

Power to the people! :p

[Joe]

Hiya Vince!
Your palate is in your mouth, your pallet is something to sleep on.
Or something you stack your shipment of goods on. ;)

[pygmalion]

Personally, I would have had more fun, and I think it would have been a better "contest" if the celebs had come in with more equal dance experience. The way it has been stacked this season, though (especially with Bruno constantly saying in interviews that Stacy is a "natural") I have no problem with the voters muck with the system.



The voters muck. I like the way you put that. :cool:

I also have to say I agree with your assessment. The "contest" piece of this was pretty much blown out of the water, IMO, the minute the casting folks picked Stacy Kiebler and Master P, and everybody in between, to compete against each other. Get real! If they wanted a dance contest, then there should have been at least the appearance of a somewhat even playing field.

So eh. The viewers decided to turn it into a popularity contest. Whatever. *shrug*

[DancePoet]

I heard from someone who talked to Anna that the judge's scores will count for 2/3 of the overall score in the finals. Instead of having a Friday awards show, they will wait until Sunday, where the finalists will dance and be scored by the judges again. So, they'll be adding two scores based on judges votes and one scored by based on viewer votes. This would definitely eliminate Jerry as a contender. Can anyone confirm this rule change? I couldn't find it stated anywhere the DWTS website. In some ways, the rule change can be seen as a way for ABC to capitalize on the popularity of the show with one more contest, but it could also be seen as a way for them to avoid the controversy of Jerry winning on pure popularity!
Why am I not surprised? :lol:

Let's face it ... DWTS is a way for the network to make money, and they make more money on advertising when more people watch the show. Changing the rules creates controversy which could increase the likelihood more people watch the show which could increase the advertising. ;)

Perahps this whole concept will be difficult to keep fresh year after year, people will get tired of the show, ratings will fall, and the network will find something else to entertain the throngs of people who can't find anything else better to do then watch T.V.

Hmmm ... maybe they can join us for some dancing? ;) :lol:

[DancePoet]

I'm sorry, but I think it's a good idea. This isn't supposed to be a popularity contest...it's supposed to be a dance contest, yes?
It seems it could be a bit of both.

[DancePoet]

It's also no longer a skills contest when you have people on the show judging the dancers that aren't actual ballroom judges...
Likely a good point.

Hmmm ... I wonder what this says about the American Idol judges? :lol:

[musicchica86]

Paula's a fluffball, that's what it says LOL...Simon, though an idiot, DOES work in the music industry, and so does Randy.

[pygmalion]

DWTS could have taken a card out of AI's deck, though, and had elimination rounds before the actual "contest" began. May two or three students per pro? Then ABC could have a couple two hour shows before the season started, featuring the eliminations. And they could achieve a more even playing field, during the real contest.

Of course, they might not be able to get away with it, since they're dealing with celebrity egos, even if they are B-list celebs.