Just to answer Doghouse briefly, before getting back to valid points, Emma is about my 4th favourite at the moment I would say, yes, I do think she cares about people supporting her, as they all do, and I would defend even those I do not enjoy watching, like Jan and Claire from unfair criticism.

But to get back to a sensible discussion, rather than infantile wrangling, generally, if we watch the programme over the weeks, the usual pattern is that the first couple on are marked fairly middle-range,6s,7s sometimes an 8, as there is nothing to compare to. This applies to whichever couple goes first. The first set of marks should set the benchmark. You may argue whether others who follow should be higher or lower than the first couple, but that is a different point. Having judged competitions myself, I know how difficult it is to set a level, particularly if, on past form, the ones to come are likely to be weaker. If Emma had been given 5s for instance, some of the others would have been given 1s,2s,and 3s, which would have caused a different problem for their supporters.

I can't see a problem with using the lower 'forgotten' scores to be honest, as long as they are consistent. At this stage, the high marks are devalued for me anyway - and there is no natural progression for each pairing. For me, the scoring should start low and then increase as the dancers improve - even the 6's and 7's are too high at this point!

Don't disagree with that, but the point I was making was that if you start the show with really low marks, it could well produce a problem if say 5 or 6 others are vaying degrees of worse, unless you can award minus marks.

I think that's another reason they could move to marking with points - if you see what I mean (like 5.5, 5.6 or whatever). It gives them a bit for flexibility when they have backed themselves into an inappropriately high scoring corner.

I totally feel like I'm repeating myself but it's true, Emma makes clear mistakes that do not get marked down, (looked at how harshly Spoony was marked down for so minor an error) its like theres a pact with the producers to give her no less than a 7 because she's Emma Bunton and they consider it a coup to have got her to participate, every single week there are couples better than them but they always seem to be top or near top over the leaderboard, Carol and Mark were the best this week it's so unfair, no wonder Brendan kicked off, I'd say there's quite a growing animosity towards Emma and Darren backstage despite all the 'were such great friends' official line, particularly among the professional dancers (remember Erin vs Zoe last year?)

I hope Claudia reads this thread and brings it up to Craig or Len
Last edited by Mrs Harman : 30-10-2006 at 11:28

I don't agree about the animosity towards Emma and Darren personally, from the other professionals at all. Towards the judges is a differerent thing entirely, and that is the problem some of them have, but none of them would blame Emma and Darren.

I also feel like I am repeating myself, but I will say one more time that the four judges look at different things, depending on their background. Technically, Len marked them down because of the footwork, that is his speciality and background. Craig marked them up on choreography, style and performance, that is his speciality, and the routine was well choreographed. Arlene marked them down for the footwork, although god only know what her speciality is now apart from drooling over the men, and Bruno marked them up on showmanship and performance, which is supposedly his speciality, although he just gets on my nerves now. If you want technique marked uniformly you would have to have four judges with a similar background to Len's. Fairer, maybe, but less interesting and contravertial TV, and they are in a ratings war for the Saturday night audience, the vast majority of whom will have no dance knowledge or background. It is a light entertainment show.

I think I’d be quite worried if I could understand exactly why the judges mark like they do!
I think the perception of Emma was that she would be a good dancer and brilliant straight away – favourite before the series started – but in reality she is just slightly better some of the others. To me, the judges are marking what they want to see, not what they do see.
I understand that she is the ‘face’ of CIN this year, and so the longer she remains in the better – but really they are doing her no favours by the constant over-hype. They seem to say to her, well, we know you made a total pigs ear of the feet, but you looked so stylish and elegant doing it that it doesn’t matter! Whereas Carol who allegedly did the best foxtrot of the night, was marked below her – and then they wonder why people think – hang on, how can that be right?

None of this is Emma’s fault – but by making her what seems to be teachers pet, the judges are eroding her popularity with the public - and they could end up shooting themselves in the foot and have her actually go sooner than she would if they had come across as a little less biased.

Like I said before, if they are now saying it is the function of each judge to mark a different aspect, and so the marks will vary wildly accordingly – then this should have been made clear from the start and not be a convenient get out when people do actually question the discrepancies.
Last edited by mindyann : 30-10-2006 at 11:59

Totally agree with your post mindyann. They should make it clear where they are coming from when they mark, and if they have favourites, which I expect everyone does, they should not make it obvious in the remarks they make. It doesn't do the celebs any favours at all, and it is not their fault. I don't imagine Louisa want people to think Bruno is giving her high marks because she is the youngest, any more than Mark wants peoople to think Arlene marks him up for his body and exposing his chest. I really don't want a final without any of these in it because of a reaction of the public to the judges, and that could happen.

The celebs and dancers should not be penialised (sp) for what the judges say or do! I totally agree, one couple is marked down for a small mistake and yet another couple isnt its silly! I personally think Darren and Emma are doing really well! They have such potential but perhaps what might work well for them is that there are things they can improve on which will show progression! I love them!

I think one or two are losing the plot on this thread.

"Let's have a reality check"

The judges are selected so that there is a bit of controversy.
How many programmes have there been where there's a "nasty judge?" The whole judging exercise is a bit of a pantomime. At least two of the judges are more intent on promoting their own personality. Both Arlene and Bruno have pre-prepared little speeches for most competitors which they use regardless of the performances. They aren't bright enough to think them up on the spur of the moment. I've never seen so much "partisan voting."

Len "I'll give it foive" no that’s wrong, he likes to give everyone at least six.
Craig "the Mr Nasty" is the only one who's reasonably objective.

If this were a serious competition rather than a bit of entertaining nonsense, they'd have at least six unseen judges, with the highest and lowest marks being discarded, similar to the system in gymnastics.

But don't mind me, carry on "knocking yourselves out" over the inconsistencies of the voting.

I know what you mean, and to a certain extent I agree, but Len,Craig and Arlene are well known, and their opinions are respected by most people. I totally disagree with some of the previous stuff said in this thread. You were totally out of order to Dancingles. I thought this was a forum where we are all allowed to have our own opinions, but it now seems like a free for all, on who can slate a celebrity the most, then when some of us try to stick up for her, we get slated everytime. Its not right. Every celebrity has work commitments and they don't keep going on about them, just like Mica didn't keep going on about having a baby.

I think everyone just needs to cool it, and stop arguing over the tinyest things. Just give your personal opinion, and not try to personally attack other members, as at the moment i know I haven't posted here much, but thats what it looks like is happening. Sorry if thats harsh but as I said its my personal opinion.

I agree totally, Nikie x

I'm always amused when I make a general comment (and all celebrities I consider are "fair game") when another contributor "rushes to their defence" and has a go at me.

If I respond and critice them for doing so, they get "all huffy".
If you're gonna quote someone's post and say it's nonsense because it is opposite to your own views, why think because you "have a go" at them that they'll change their mind?
I think "name calling" and deliberate mis-interpreting someone's post, by taking things to extremes, just devalues any other content of the response

I was not meaning it in the way you've taken it. I just personally thought some of the content of your posts were particularly personal and not about the subject in hand thats all. I was not 'digging' at you at all. It was a personal opinion, which we are all entitled to express. I did find your post extremely patronising, by the way
I'm not trying to change anyone's mind, this is a forum where everyone should be able to have their own opinions so changing minds is the last thing I want to do.
I just think that this forum has got way too personal now, and that everyone seems to be misinterupting(sp) each others posts. Its got way too far out of hand, and for once we are not actually talking about Emma and Darren, which is silly as this is what the thread is about! If people really want to keep having 'digs' at each other then fine, its your decision, but it must look awful to new members coming on and reading this... This is yet again a personal opinion, something which I'm sure someone will have a 'dig' at me for
Last edited by *Nikie* : 30-10-2006 at 21:07

Back to Doghouse Riley's comments, do you not think its a bit strange that someone seems to take offence at everything you write? I think its a simple question of you vs the rest of the world but I'm in no doubt that yet again you'll think you're the one in the right and everyone else is "having a go" at you for being so rude and insensitive about a cetrtain couple.

And look, whats this? ANOTHER Darren and Emma bashing thread! I'm not going to dignify it with a comment!

I'm going to not comment either, for the fact that I stated my opinion on the first page of this thread I think, yet I am still having to explain why I think it, which I thought would have been obvous by now.

Amytigger I agree with practically everything you've just said. It seems like a lot of people think like that in this forum.

And that all that there is to be said. ANOTHER thread. Why can't we just stick to one, bash them all you like them. What bugs me is when someone enters a praise thread to have a bash.

I'll repeat what I said.
I'll post my opinion on this board regardless of anyone else's views.
As long as I conform to the board's rules then they will stay on. It isn't for any other poster to tell me what or what I should not say. Neither do I do any "name calling" of other posters.
I've never criticised anyone else for having an opinion it's their right.

I wish people wouldn't assume that this is 'sposed to be a "cosy love in" for fans of particular people in the public eye.

Don't like my posts? Then ignore them.
I can manage to ignore some of other contributors, it isn't difficult.
Last edited by Doghouse Riley : 30-10-2006 at 21:33

I agree with Amytigger, I think its a shame you have to bring the board down with demeaning (sp) comments!
I haven't ever noticed you post anything nice about ANYONE. I think you post tobe purposely contraversial in the hope you'll start a row.
Last edited by fat_wee_grill : 30-10-2006 at 21:34

Not true, because I don't "attack" other posters in the first place.
Why is it some people think they have the right to dictate to other people who comment on a thread, what they should or shouldn't say?
That's a failure to observe the first rule of message boards. I don't sollicit responses, so why do some people think they have to do it?

I'm totally fine about that, I just think there's no need to patronise people that have different views to you. I'll repeat the fact that I thought that this forum was a place where we could all voice our own opinion freely, without having people patronising and making nasty comments. I did not assume this was a "cosy love in" but I had thought there was some respect to people who like different couples in the competition.
I have to say i was not in anyway trying to tell you what to say, I was just commenting that I thought you was out of order with some of the previous comments you had posted, and it irrupted into this. I'm fairly new to this board and I hadn't noticed anything else bad you had posted. I think in future I may ignore any nasty posts as its just causing hassle isn't it?

Is this a praise thread?!?

oh well ill jsut say this they really didnt come acrosswell tonight!!

They so think they have it in the bag

and they prob have

but not through talent but through favoritism

They still have to win over the public vote and if this forums poll is anything to go by they have a long way to go yet

Very true, just because the judges love them doesn't give them an easy ride so to speak. It most probably makes it harder to win over the public if the judges, like Craig, like them. I just think that the judges only make 49/50% of the score so they don't really make that much of a difference... I just hope that they don't have another Spoony and Ola incident. I don't think they think they have it in the bag though, they're not that stupid.
Last edited by *Nikie* : 31-10-2006 at 20:59