I only ever saw one episode of Fame Academy so don't know how sucessful their way of voting was, but what about having the rest of the couples also vote?

I guess it could be argued that is too cruel to the other couples and that they may be concentrating on their own performance too much to be able to give enough attention to other performances. I just thought I would suggest it to see what you all think.

Altho it would be a great palaver. I think having maybe an alternative panel of say a 12-20 of the public sitting in judgement of the final two. If they like they can either pick a member or two from the various RFB's or pick people who are totally ignorant of pop culture (e.g. I loathe soaps so had no idea who Louisa or Ray were....likewise I don't have a great deal of time for cricket so ihad no idea who Mark was....but was bowled over by their performances). The final two couples would dance again like how they do on SDF and the alternative judges would decide will decide....just my tuppence
Last edited by Diamondlife : 25-10-2006 at 15:13

It might work - but some of the celebs probably know each other, so might feel bad about marking down a pal. The pros also know each other very, very well. It might cause bad feeling - which isn't to say it wouldn't be entertaining!
Last edited by The Swampster : 25-10-2006 at 15:07

Remembers the night James Fox was voted off

There were 'issues' there too

Goes to stick a plaster over the freshly opened wound...

One simple little change that could be made is in the event of a tie the judges score has more weight than the public's...That could have saved Spoony on Saturday and wouldn't have really effected the public vote or the way the show works.

I don't quite get what you mean Swampster. I was suggesting a panel of the public sitting in judgement of the final two. Were you perahps suggest an alternative panel of celebs? ...just wondering

Err sorry Swampster. Just had to re-edit my post from "alternative couple" to alternative judges....sorry for confusion

My fault for not quoting who I was responding to. I was answering Shadow 70's suggestion of getting the slebs and pros to vote - you just got in between us!

I think the show should be left as it is. I wouldn't like to think that the 4 judges had the last say - especially with the favouritism that they show. 6 million people watch every week and have the chance to vote and they should be left this privilege. After all, they have only 50% of the votes. They are the ones who make the show a success and it has worked so far. Craig calling the viewing public stupid isn't exactly the best way to express his disappointment. Without the public, he wouldn't be on TV or in the press to the extent he is - if at all.
There will always be surprises and people voted out who should really have stayed. However, it isn't the world championship and people's careers don't depend on it. Of course Spoony was upset, rejection always hurts. But I would still rather the public decides and would personally vote for the entertainment value as well as dancing ability. I prefer a mix of skilled celebrities and entertaining celebrities - a show with only the former wouldn't be so enjoyable for me. Surprise results like that on Saturday are part of the show and always will be.

The difference between SCD and Maria and indeed X Factor is that the people competing aren't doing it to gain a professional career. They are doing it to learn to dance and to raise money for the charity. Sure, they get kudos when they win, but it's not life changing for them nor is anybody going to be losing money if somebody the judges deem "unworthy" wins. ALW and Syco are both going to invest a lot of money into the winner and therefore it makes sense that they would have a say (up to the last few weeks) as to who goes out.
I think the 50/50 system they have at present is fine. Sure, more talented dancers are always going to leave before some others, but this has happened throughout the series; think Chris Parker or Julian Clary. That in effect is the nature of the show. People will vote for who they want to vote for and generally they will only vote for one act. Therefore, the ones that stick in their heads are either the spectacularly good or the spectacularly bad who will get the sympathy vote after the harsh comments from the judges.
Generally though remember how good the eventual winners are. What order people go out in is forgotten compared with who actually wins.

Totally agree. It's about entertainment and that's as much about people trying their best as it is about watching natural born dancers and a little surprise now and then is what it's all about.

Only this wasn't a "little suprise" but a thunderbolt from the sky. Unlike last week where Mica Paris was voted out. She was only just better than Georgina and was in the bottom 2 as far as placings went anyway. There was clear blue water between Spoony and Georgina both in terms of dancing talent and placings. And I was entertained by Spoony faaar more than I was by Georgina (that is just my genuine criticism and shouldn't be looked at as "hatred" for Georgina). I only started watching SCD last year so I don't know about the 1st two previous series where apparently total no-hopers got into the final. But there is no denying that there is a strong batch of celeb dancers this year and would hate to see any more of them go out to the sympathy vote

Entirely agree with this.

Totally agree with you. Trouble is, there are so many series addicts who are voting on 'how nice that pro dancer was in series one', that what's happening on the dance floor seems pretty irrelevant.

This is frustrating for people who don't have favourite pro dancers, don't know who half the celebs are anyway and who tuned in expecting a dance competition in which talent was rewarded. I'm sorry I've come to SCD a bit late as, judging by the comments on this forum, the show seems to be getting rather stale. People are assuming their expected roles - "bad boy", "gentleman" - and the public are getting behind them in the same way they'd support the local football team - irrespective of merit. I'm staring at the TV thinking, "How could those two possibly still be in?", then I come to this forum and all becomes clear.

I wonder what the future of SCD will? Will the big stars refuse to take part unless they have a partner with a big fan base? Will we have a SCD apartheid? If so, the fans have only themselves to blame...
Last edited by The Swampster : 25-10-2006 at 17:18

Let the audience having voting or clap ometer thingys and then the couple with the lowest votes will go.

So many good suggestions and ideas, my trouble is every one I read I think "wow, that would work" then two posts later someone disagrees and I think "oh, I didn't think of that".

So be kind, here's my suggestion. Change the structure of the judges panel.

I would definitely get rid of the panels that seem to have one ballroom expert and upto three performance experts. The balance is just wrong and then gets even more unbalanced when the audience vote is added.

SCD is a world-wide franchise and could easily recruit ballroom and latin qualified judges from around the world. (maybe pro-am judges). They would gain lots of experience and know exactly what was expected of them on this type of show. BUT, their brief would be to score consistently with a weighting 75% technical 25% performance.

Having been given a peek into their world, I have absolutely know doubt that there are enough judges of all levels who would come over very well on an entertainment show.

Additionally, SCD/DWTS dancers could be judges on overseas shows (I'm thinking Brendon on NZ show as a judge).


OK, ready, aim ..............................fire

I don't think the dancer's fan bases are as big as we perceive... we are the obsessed bunch on the forums... the majority of the audience are judging on the celebrities... even my dance students and families are voting the way you are supposed to.. for the best celebrity.. not because they think Brendan is great and we want to see more of him In fairness to myself.. I will say that I vote for several couples and not just one In fact week one I voted for about half the couples! Children in Need will do well for me!

Well, Lady Peach if the phone bill gets too big we'll have a 'Peachy in Need'

Dear Lady Boz,

I'm quoting you on that one! hehehe

Love
Peach
x

They do - their total votes for each couple are put in descending order, and awarded a number of points dependant on how many couples are dancing that week. Same system for the public votes - couple with the most votes get the most points.


The public rapidly learnt their lesson (though did slip up slightly by chucking out Aled Jones instead of Julian Clary) and the sacks of potatoes are usually binned by half-way through the competition now. Not necessarily in the order most of us would expect, but gone nevertheless.

Good point well made, yes we are all b****y frustrated that Spoony (and Ola ) went and that Georgina stayed.

BUT this is not as 'important' or life changing as the likes X Factor, Fame Academy or Pop Idol.

And despite protestations otherwise, Nick has gone on reading the news, Mica is still presenting WNTW and Spoony is back on his 'decks' again (if that is not too old a word for what a DJ does).

And heck if this result shakes the viewers in a stupor to vote to make sure that Mark, Ray, Carol or Claire DON'T get the push instead of slumped on their sofas moaning when things like this happen, therefore donate money to Children in Need, then maybe this 'shocking injustice' and 'evidence the voting needs an overhaul' can only be a good thing.
Last edited by Hamlet77 : 26-10-2006 at 08:39