NTA's Austin & Erin - Biased?

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Spinaker5

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by katie_p:
“If the BBC did have an input, I'd have thought they might see the benefit of using this series to get more people watching it? And Austin and Erin are probably the strongest couple at the moment, so they give viewers who haven't tuned in before the impression that it's worth watching to catch some really good performances.”

By having the same couple showcased both live and in the VT the BBC failed to show the wealth of talent on the show. Cherie's average score is (just) higher than Austin's.

SCD-Observer

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by Wiskas:
“As the dancers - pros and celebs - are under contract to the BBC for the series, any appearances, especially one on another TV channel, would have to be OK'd by the BBC first. The BBC would also have to agree the use of footage from their programmes. That would have been the opportunity for the BBC to send either pro dancers for the performance bit, or to decline to allow any of the current dancers to perform. They didn't do that which would suggest that they were happy for Austin Healey to be showcased in this way rather than be even handed and show all the competitors.”

That's a conjecture, though a logical one.

Perhaps BBC approved several clips for them to show and the producers of NTA chose to cut the final VT? Who is to know?

Could they have asked: could we have footages of your two reps (whom I agree BBC should have chosen Alesha and Matt), and BBC agreed and approved them?

In any case, I believe it's just a case of lazy logistical arrangement (from both sides, BBC as well as the NTA reps).

BBC could be 'blamed' for simply picking Austin and Erin because they happened to be the top of the leaderboard.

Had Cherie and James or Lisa and Brendan top the leaderboard, they would have been picked to present the award, methinks.

My conjecture, of course.

Spinaker5

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“That's a conjecture, though a logical one.

Perhaps BBC approved several clips for them to show and the producers of NTA chose to cut the final VT? Who is to know?

Could they have asked: could we have footages of your two reps (whom I agree BBC should have chosen either Alesha and Matt), and BBC agreed and approved them?

In any case, I believe it's just a case of lazy logistical arrangement (from both sides, BBC as well as the NTA reps).

BBC could be 'blamed' for simply because that week Austin and Erin happened to be the top of the leaderboard, they (BBC) just conveniently picked them to present the awards.

Had Cherie and James or Lisa and Brendan top the leaderboard, they would have been picked to present the award.

My conjecture, of course.”

Of course we all have our own conjectures on this matter. The fact remains that some of people who are already watching the show will, like me have thought, when Austin's jive came on and then continued going on...,'Not him again!' This hasn't done Austin & Erin any good and together with their desire for a '10' may have harmed their chances.

ArtyAttack

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by Fudd:
“In fairness, people aren't turning on Austin. It's not him who they have the problem with, it's the perceived bias of the producer's towards Austin and Erin.

Two pro dancers could've done the main dance and announced the nominations (Karen and Anton for example, or Darren and Lilia, as they're two of the better known pros, and both are out which'd nullify more claims of bias), and then Tess could've given a speech which was praising the production as a whole and not singling out specific dances. The clips should've at least shown the remaining ten dancers if they were going to focus on this series. It wouldn't be hard to do, just a bit of cutting.

It's not Austin's fault, but he seems to be being blamed for it - as another FM mentioned, it's the Emma Bunton affect all over again.

EDIT: I do think it'd be up to SCD which clips to give to the NTA producers to show, though, otherwise there'd be claims of copyright.”

Well stated. I have loved some of the dances from Austin and Erin though they are not my favourites and Austin can come across as a little cocky at times imo. I do know that they deserve the plaudits they get but it seems there is now some bias for them and this sort of thing doesnt help matters. It is still a competition and singling out one couple in this way is unfair. I believe it is up to SCD over what clips are shown so ITV are not to blame.

Servalan

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by ArtyAttack:
“Well stated. I have loved some of the dances from Austin and Erin though they are not my favourites and Austin can come across as a little cocky at times imo. I do know that they deserve the plaudits they get but it seems there is now some bias for them and this sort of thing doesnt help matters. It is still a competition and singling out one couple in this way is unfair. I believe it is up to SCD over what clips are shown so ITV are not to blame.”

Not entirely true. The BBC offers up a selection of clips and the NTA producers choose what they want. It would be impossible for the BBC to demand editorial control over an ITV show in the way you suggest. And it's hardly in the interest of the BBC to showcase any one of this year's contestants over the others.

I'm not normally one to defend the SCD producers - they make so many gaffes it's not true - but I think you'll find this wasn't one of them. They want to preserve the idea that anyone could win for as long as possible - they get more juice out of the show that way. If they showcased A&E - or, indeed, any couple - in such a way as to imply they would obviously win, it would blow rather a large hole in the programme's credibility ... which is why this smells of ITV shenanigans.

Spinaker5

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by Servalan:
“Not entirely true. The BBC offers up a selection of clips and the NTA producers choose what they want. It would be impossible for the BBC to demand editorial control over an ITV show in the way you suggest. And it's hardly in the interest of the BBC to showcase any one of this year's contestants over the others.

I'm not normally one to defend the SCD producers - they make so many gaffes it's not true - but I think you'll find this wasn't one of them. They want to preserve the idea that anyone could win for as long as possible - they get more juice out of the show that way. If they showcased A&E - or, indeed, any couple - in such a way as to imply they would obviously win, it would blow rather a large hole in the programme's credibility ... which is why this smells of ITV shenanigans.”

An interesting point and you could well be right. I don't think ITV expected SCD to win, especially with a vote during the programme which they would expect to favour ITV over BBC programmes. The presenting spot was probably offered as a consolation prize. In the event it was Simon Cowell who got that!

kaycee

01-11-2008

Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“She was there in the audience with Matt and went up stage to receive the award. There were quite a few current Strictly couples there as well.”

Oh, ok, so my theory is wrong!

scorpio20080

01-11-2008

I just rewatched the NTA's (it was on ITV 2) now and im surprised at how they could show Austin and Erin's clip (& nearly the whole clip) instead of Alesha and Matt.

Looking back, when they were showing clips from Britain's Got Talent and Dancing on Ice they showed clips from George Sampson and Suzanne Shaw (who were both winners).

Why didnt they show clips from a dance which Alesha and Matthew did (who were also winners?)

And, Tess going on about Austin's 'guns' was just cringeworthy!!

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