I think the format of voting for the couple you want to save in combination with the judges votes of the week before is utterly ludicrous. Who my favourite person is changes week to week based on who danced best or who entertained me the most. I want to save them based on THAT week's dance.

Exactly.
And also this voting fiasco is a big mess. Maybe what they should do is not eliminate a couple next week and then do a double elimination on week 7 ??? And have another double elimination on week 9 ??? Unless it's going to be a four couple finale this year

Corbin has fans? Those of us from the High School Musical generation have grown up and with that introduced to Jersey Shore. I'm more fun positive Snooki has a bigger fanbase than Corbin. She is 100% more relevant of the two. Corbin hasn't done anything noteworthy since HSM and the show skews older so it is doubtful that most of the viewership even knows who he is. Snooki has become a pop culture phenomenon so it is more likely for a 40+ working mom to know who she is threw passing than it would be for them to know a guy who was part of a big franchise which ended five years ago.

The other big thing I've noticed on DWTS over SCD is just how little actual dance content some of the routines have and how little time they spend in hold. If they did half the things they do on this show on SCD Len would be going ballistic!

PS: I loved Jack's waltz and I love that Len actually commented on them being "in hold"

I agree. I don't even think that 10% of the Dwts audience knows what to look for in a dance. Its more of an entertainment show instead of an entertainment/dancing show.
It's kind of funny because I watched Dwts longer than I watched strictly but I know a lot more about dance from watching SCD/ITT. I just don't think that you learn a lot about dancing (the rules, history..) from watching Dwts and all these non-ballroom/latin dances that they keep introducing when most of the pros and some of the judges don't even know anything about them.
2 very different shows obviously and different approaches lol.
And they think that Len is very harsh ? Can you guys imagine Craig as a judge on Dwts ???

I think the audience would have a collective heart attack! Either that or pelt him with rotten fruit and veg

deleted.

From the press release.

Episode 1706” – Eight remaining couples hit the dance floor and face an exciting new challenge on “Dancing with the Stars,” MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET).Each couple will compete in an individual dance style they have not yet done as well as take part in the first ever “Switch-Up Challenge.” In this fresh take on a dance marathon, couples will compete side by side, in two rounds, with no prior knowledge of dance style or musical accompaniment. One by one, the judges will select couples to be tapped-off removed from the dance floor. Extra judges' points will be awarded to couples based on longevity. The show will also feature a spectacular opening numberwith the entire cast, choreographed by Lacey and Benji Schwimmer. Additionally, musical guest Ariana Grande and Mika will perform their hit duet “Popular.” At the end of the night, one couple will face elimination.

Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning host Tom Bergeron (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”) and Brooke Burke-Charvet (“Dancing with the Stars” Season 7 Champion), “Dancing with the Stars” is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.



Viewers may cast their votes for their favorite teams via phone on Monday nights during and up to 60 minutes after the end of the “Dancing With the Stars."

Do they do anything like that on Strictly?

Lol no they don't. None of those " weird " challenges. Strictly sticks with dancing and no gimmicks

They've done the marathon thing (swing?? ) where all the couples are on the floor together and I think they've done it with a VW.

I'm not imagining that, am I?

Thanks. Ooops sorry I forgot but it's still not as bad as all these " challenges " on dwts .

I wonder if this to garner more viewer votes for the dancers with experience because obviously they will pick up a dance they have never trained in much quicker than the those already struggling with a week's practice. I have to believe that Corbin and Elizabeth will come out on top of this challenge.

Exactly this is what I thought as well. A clear manipulation to keep the judges favorites on top . I don't think that Corbin or Amber need help with judges scores because they're very popular with the public. This is more designed to help someone like Elizabeth who from what I've seen/noticed struggles with the public vote.
Poor bill , brant, jack, snooki, and especially leah will struggle with this challenge even though they MAY be popular with the public, they will suffer with judges points here.
Did I already say how much I hate this new system ? Ugh !!! Most of my favorites will suffer with this challenge

That was my first thought, the novices will be at a disadvantage, it smacks of tinkering. Think if none of the pairs had a clue what was coming, it could be a bit car crash tv.

Think they must have an inkling what's in store, if someone like Gleb says the troupe rehearse their routine just before going to air and then dance it live and they can mess it up and they are professionals, what would happen with the celebs? What about camera blocking etc, not really buying this idea, they are selling to us, call me cynical

They did have prior practice though, don't think it went over that well with the public, so hope it's died a death

I think it is beyond ludicrous, what genious came up with it, doesn't make me think it is a fair voting system, whether it is or not. Glad I haven't bothered voting this year, can't say I can be ar@ed to with this system.

I have felt this year they are pimping Elizabeth and I am not one to get on the grassy knoll.

Lol

Not being familiar enough with the celebs, it's hard for me to judge, but they do seem to rave about her. What reason do you think they might have? (Was she very expensive?!! )



I find her really hard to watch. Her dancing is fine (very good although I don't 'feel it' with her), but it's all the other stuff that has me watching from behind a cushion

Thank you; yes they are .
Even Val fans thought that she was pimped a bit too much last week; his own fans .

She is not as popular as the other contestants; People have a hard time warming up to her ; She struggles with votes.
Yes sometimes when TPTB put you in jeopardy it is for " drama " but she has been there 2 times in 5 weeks. Coincidence ? I dont think so .

I wasn't so much disputing the pimping taking place (tho' I wouldn't know ), but asking why they would be motivated to help her out. Do they think she is too good a booking to allow things to take their own course? If so, why? Did she cost them a lot of cash? Have they been trying to get her for years? Do they want Val to have a win for some reason? Is she a megastar and I just didn't notice? Does she have some ABC connection they want to protect? Has she got some compromising pics of Conrad Green? You know, that kind of thing....

Lmao. No she isnt really a " megastar " or else she wouldn't be on this show . I suppose that she is there to revive her career (like most of the celebrities who take part in this show ). I dont really see what they would gain by pimping her either or maybe she is working on a project with ABC . But its not surprising though, I mean every season TPTB & the judges usually have some contestants (good dancers for example Chelsea Kane..... ) or average dancers (Maria, Aly, .......) that they try to " protect " because they dont necessarily have the fanbase or because they want them to be in the semi or finale.

Lol Im done trying to figure out what could be their motivations, whatever ....Shrug......

BIB Maybe

One thing that I am happy about is that Bill said he is developing a comedy routine based on his experience of learning to dance and being on DWTS. His humour is observational of the mundane in life, marriage, kids, dogs, getting older,differences between men and women, etc. The first bit I ever listened to on YT was the story about having to buy "pads" for his daughter (every dad's dreaded trip to the store) and I thought it was hysterical and also his bit about getting a massage.

I am sure he will be funny and tell the audience what it is like to be schlubby middle aged male celeb partnered with a 23 year old beautiful pro from England and what that is like, the kind of tweets he is getting (they are zingers), the trials and tribulations of learning to dance in front of 15 million people, what his guy friends are busting his cahunas over etc. I am hoping someone gets it on YT . I don't know how much longer he will be on the show but he has got plenty of funny material.

The thing that makes it so interesting is that while he is on the show he is not joking around but taking it very seriously and putting in the practice time and working well with Emma.