Irrespective of one's views, it was refreshing to see such honesty being displayed by both Brendan and Craig yesterday.

Most weeks the judging has been fine. Indeed, we often try to predict the scores and are usually close to the judges. It is reasonable to focus on different things, provided that they don't lose sight of the overall impression. This should mean that the marks are all within one point of eachother.

But last week the plot was certainly lost. Arlene viciously undermarked Brendan and Clare for personal reasons; Bruno overmarked Louisa - her age is irrelevant. Craig was overly harsh towards Peter; and I wonder if Len's bizarre marking might have been an attempt to compensate for the others so that the overall score was a true reflection of the abilities?

We like consistency and we don't like bias.

Problem is of course is that SCD DS forum is supposed to be a happy pink (VERY pink) and fluffy place, doesn't help us to keep it nice and friendly as one long thread asked at the start of this year's SCD, when we have all out war between judges and contestants and only little Claudia to keep the peace.

it needs to be addressed, SCD is strong billed as a family show if there is obvious tension it will undermine this.

I think the judges are to blame all (except Len) are get a little to big for their dancing boots they are embarrassing themselves are their profession with some of their scores!

I hope it continues to get pointed out to the judges that the majority of the public agree with Brendan and think there is favouritism going on..perhaps that will give them the wake up call they so obviously need. I hope the producers have a few words as well.

How do you know the majority of the public agree with Brendan? Apart from judging by the reaction on this forum which is hardly a random sample group.

You're right, that was a bit of a generalisation. Based on what I've read and people who I know who watch the programme I got the feeling that it was a general feeling, but you're right to point out that maybe it's not. I take that bit back, but still maintain there is evidence in the judges marking for favouritism and someone needs to point that out to the judges and try to stop it.
Last edited by Erinfan : 31-10-2006 at 11:16

I don't get this "except Len" thing - Len was rude to Brendan & Claire on Saturday with the comments about leaving elegance to the others and behaved like an arse during the results show (telling Brendan to shut up iirc).

I about as far from being a fan of Brendan as you could be, and I don't want talking back to the judges to become something that happens every week on SCD; however, someone had to tell the judges that they are not infallible.
Last edited by CaptainSensible : 31-10-2006 at 11:28

I bet if we take into account how the judges have scored the couples over the past few weeks we the FM's could predict the outcome of this series , or at least who will be in the final ... with always a chance of a bolt from the blue like spoony...this week Anton and Jan next week the Great Dane etc and all because of the silly marking by the judges,
Last edited by Seymour : 31-10-2006 at 11:28

It will be interesting to see what happens with the votes on Saturday. I'd say it was fairly obvious that the judges would deny any jiggery pokery with the marking - and Craig is hardly likely to sit on ITT and says something like 'Brendon, you and the other dancers are completely correct - we have been marking wrongly - thank you for showing us the error of our ways. We humbly apologise and promise never to do it again!'
But if the marking system is explained better - 4 judges, 4 seperate areas of marks/expertise and the scores more consistent then it will be obvious that whatever is said in public, that in private comments have been taken on board.

I think Craig is quite fair with the marks, he hated Matt and Lilia the first week and gave them 2 but gave them an 8 the show after

I think he will mark Brendan highly to prove a point - arlene I suspect will continue with her vendetta!

I hope not - that's exactly what Brendan's been gunning for. I hope Craig continues to mark solely on performance.

I agree with you. During this series Len has been as bad as some of the other judges. I think overall Craig has been the fairest score wise with the exception of Peter who I thought although the worst on the night deserved a bit more than a 2. He has been very unkind with some of his comments though.

I have a feeling that Arlene will carry on her personal vendetta against Brendan

I do hope Craig doesn't mark Brendan highly just to prove a point, I also hope that the judges don't mark Louisa and Emma down just to make a point to Brendan. I don't think Craig will to be honest, and probably not Len. Not so sure about the other two though! It would be a great pity if someone like Brendan had an effect on the judges opinions and marks just because they felt they had something to prove to him.

I'm more confident of craig giving performance scores than Arlene and Bruno (who can appear like a petulant child!)

I don't envy claire this week bet brendan is working her like crazy!

Craig's marks for Brendan have been quite fair anyway (7 for his foxtrot etc.); apart from his style/impact overriding technique attitude (which is a tangible/understandable thing, even if you don't agree with it), I don't think his comments/marks are that controversial. Don't get me started on the other three though...

I too am more confident of Craig giving a fair score than any of the others. I think Bruno will also be fair but I don't hold out as much hope for Len and Arlene as far as Brendan and Claire are concerned.

Do you think Arlene has been knocked back by Brendan and is now bitter? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...

Or perhaps it's a love/hate relationship - they fight on the dancefloor and then go and have hot sizzling horizonal loving backstage....

But don't you think as the bust up was very public Len and Arlene giving low scores will only reflect badly on them and more likely encourage the audiance to vote for Claire to hit back at the judges?

I think it depends how well they do on Saturday. If they give low marks and the public think they deserved a higher score then they would get the publics backing. If they don't perform well then its fair that the marks reflect that. Saturday is going to be a very interesting show

Anyone got a vomit smiley they can lend me?!

Remember as Arlene said " I could have had him in week 1" - Maybe she's peed as Brendan looked horrified!

Well it would certainly be nice if they marked Louisa and Emma more realistically: they both seem to be averaging several points more than other competitors for comparable performances.

Without wanting to throw myself into the fire here, I am also concerned from reading the brendan coel thread that people are now voting just to keep him and Clair in which just makes them as bad as the judges as they are now voting for their favourites and not on the standard of the dancing or the improvement of the celebrity. This is supposed to be what this show is all about but it seems it is becoming just a popularity contest and a "keep in your favourite dance/celebrity" competition which is really sad.

I think the BBC need to look really carefully at the way the show is degenerating or it will lose all credence.

Vote for the quality of the dancing not for who you like as a personality. Keep this real.

Heading for cover now.

Hear, hear - though Brendan and Claire are currently far from being the worst, and I imagine that by the time they are the weakest dancers on the show, this kerfuffle will mostly have blown over.

She actually said that she could have had him in SERIES 1! As if Brendan would look twice at her!! In her dreams maybe

What, as a threesome with Nat?

Camilla's had a lucky escape.