Anyone else bored with this already?

There is no conflict really - The judges have their vote which is based on dance technique (head) and audience vote based on a mixture of entertainment/ likeability/ dance talent etc etc (heart). You combine the 2 and that's the result. For gawd's sake its series 6!

The point of the combined vote is that it offsets the problem of having 60 year olds competing against 17year olds etc and generally evens out the playing field - especially at the beginning of the series. Without this structure, the whole show falls apart. The potential for "conflict" or disagreement between the head/heart, judges/public is the point.

Every year we have a "John situation"....Kate/Fiona/ Julian/Christopher - someone who isn't great but hangs on longer than expected because they have a good partnership +some charisma ...then at some point, controversially, a "good dancer" goes or finds themselves in the bottom 2. Within a week or so "the lovable couple" usually gets the boot. (In the end none of these folk win - the partnerships with good technique combined with genuine chemistry on the floor do.)

I'm sick of the judges whining about the public. I'm sick of hearing celebs moan about their scores/the judge’s comments. "What can you I do to please them?" The simple answer is - Get better - or if you can't get better then just enjoy the ride and learning a new skill…and hope for the best.

(I'm sick of endless waffling on about but how harsh the comments are and how difficult it all is..... PLEASE it's so boring and we've been through it all before.....You could almost forget dancing is a joyous thing. I wish there was more focus on that… especially on ITT… more about the dances, the training and some silly fun stuff AND much less “soap opera” and the constant rehashing of Saturday night’s results throughout the entire week.)

The Judges have been doing this show for a long time and know the scoring system…. so why all the moaning??? They can now at least save one person, who knows perhaps Rachel could have gone on Sat without the dance off……

There’s always been room for entertainment and good dancing - and usually in the winning couple these elements are combined....everybody else just has to take their chances.

I’m sorry I know this is a bit of a rant but it really feels like controversy for the sake of it and as predictable as the sunrise. I don't want SCD to descend into Xfactor style overly constructed/overly played/ overly discussed/ predetermined dramatics flogged to death.

The real drama of simply allowing us to observe folk learning a difficult skill and slowly forging dance partnerships then watching them sink or swim each Saturday night on live telly..… well isn’t that enough ?

The "predictable" outrage is just that....and now in series 6 I feel like we've heard the script too many times.

Or am I just getting old?

Why can't you (and many others) respect the decision of a 70 years old lady? Just because they are old doesn't mean that you can strip their basic right to vote. The more I hear about it, the more sense it makes that John is still in the competition, he's there because there's an army of supporters who are ignored by others and they want to voice their view. I'm not John supporter but I don't think it's wrong for anyone to vote for anyone, this is fairer than letting the biased judges making all th decisions.

But that disenfranchisement is exactly what the judges and people here are advocating - you're only allowed to vote if it's for the favourite they specify. Otherwise we have to endure no end of tantrums.
It really is sad but the only pair I have any anticipation for on Saturdays is John and Kristina. It wasn't like that last year when much of the show got my attention. It's the same with ITT the program is so bad I notice what Claudia is wearing.

I do hope she's a rich 70 year old lady, because that will have cost her quite a bit, and yet she's entitled to vote as many times as she likes for whomsoever she likes, whether she's 9 (with parental approval, obviously!) or 90 (where parental or friends approval are not a)available or b) necessary).

Well the standard of dance may be higher this year,but when it comes to the personalitys of the celebs,it's mediocre and bland this year..Think of the judges final 4 Austin,Tom,Cherie and Lisa,very predictable,very boring,if that's what we're left with.Not one dance has wowed me and it isn't that exciting a series very lacklustre..and I guess that's why John is still there ,personally I don't have a problem with that so why is the poor bloke being villified for having a personality and supporters?I like Christine think she's lovely and will continue to vote for her and Matt regardless, she's doing her very best and I like the partnership.
There is no way I could pick up the phone and vote for the top 4 dancers Austin,Tom,Cherie,and Lisa,the word arrogant comes to mind,herein lies the problem your top dancers aren't that likeable.I can take Austin if pushed , he can be funny at times,but they do seem to take it as read that they will be the final 4...The show is a hybrid dancing/personality,if you wanted pure dance then they'd have brought back the old Come Dancing.
What if John was in the final?Life will still carry on,no one's hurt,and at least there'd be a smile on people's faces as he strutted his stuff with Cherie,Lisa etc.The celebs will have showcased their talents..or not...and let's face it none of them are going to become professional dancers,that's not why they're there.
I know Christine isn't the best dancer,as yet, would love to see her in the final 4 though, with Jodie and Rachel.
As for John I've really enjoyed watching him and Kristina,I genuinely think he's doing his very best,a man who's totally out of his comfort zone and actually enjoying himself, great entertainment.I really don't like it when people try to bully and manipulate voting,so to all of John's fans keep supporting your man.

Ellie

I really don't see it as bullying if I, like many others, say that we adore John, but he's a bit poo when it comes to dancing! I adore Josie, too, but she's not the best dancer, is she? Why can't people seperate their liking for individual when it comes to deciding whether they are good at a particular discipline? Brendan would be shitey at news reporting, Olla may be rubbish at cooking. John is not good at dancing. Life goes on!

I forgot to add in my earlier post that I am also sick of my own moaning

Personally I want the best dancers to stay in till the end and find great dancing more entertaining than rubbish.

BUT an engaging partnership coupled with clever choreography can be more enjoyable to watch than a couple where the dancing is average and improvement has plateaued etc.....there are a million variations of these positions in the mud of the SCD middle ground....and I'm sure the public vote reflects these considerations just as much as whether they like or don't like someone's "personality".

The key to scd, from me anyway, is harsh technical/dance related marking from the judges, combined with a public vote that can offset the early rubbishness of celebs who might have the potential to grow, improve and entertain.

The formula has worked well so far, hasn't it?

I don't think it is fair to say that John doesn't make any effort. He does, he is just not very good. Apparently he trains very hard. Kristina is amazing!

Anyway it isn't John's fault if people are daft enough to vote for him. There's usually one who isn't much good who stays in quite a while. The difference this year is that we don't hear John saying it is a rollercoaster or that he is on a journey! He seems quite laid back about the whole thing and that in itself is funny.

I haven't voted for anyone this year - don't feel wowed by any of the belebs, that said there is something charming about their partnership. He knows his limitations and his partner wisely works with them. They have total respect for each other. Actually, I think if he is doing an American Smooth this week, he'lll be great, lift aside. The judges will be awful, full of scripted put downs eg. rough as old boots etc., If anyone is doing the humilating its the judges not the voters. Bring it on John and Kristina.

Actually, have to say, our pros with the exception of the newies, are looking alittle jaded. Time for a injection of new dancers?

I agree about some of the pros.

And you're quite right about the judges doing the "humiliating". Craig's comments on ITT yesterday just made him (Craig) look like a twerp.

Go John !

Craig was horrible on ITT and I'm glad John put him in his place

I have always supported the good dancers but this year me and hubby are voting for John and Jodie because they are the only ones with any personality at all!!

the rest are totally bland - austin, rachel, tom, cherie, lisa - yawnsville!

Julian Clary got to the final.

No harm came of it (although there are still one or two FMs that bear a grudge )

i completely disagree!!
john is just annoying me know, he knows exactly what hes doing, hes very snide and sneaky and i personally dont like it!!!!

jodie is great i agree with you on that one, however austin, christine, tom, lisa have all got characters and personality cherie has ish i just dont particulary like her.

i completely diasagree with this aswell!! the pros are what makes the show imo. it definately wouldnt be the same without them!!

If its a competition there should be more of a level playing field with the contestants at the beginning,

You cannot call a show where youngish stage school graduates (or pop princesses or ageing drama queens with lots of ballet experience) who have done lots of dance classes during their training go up against ageing overweight political correspondents (or sportsmen or TV presenters) who have never done a dance class in their lives a proper competition.

The starting point and level of ability is too diverse, and while you can get some of the second group who are naturals (Austin Healy/ Denise / Lewis/ Colin Jackson/ Mark Ramprakash) most of these provide the comedy or cannon fodder for the early weeks of the show. Also - with the honourable exception of Cherie - we have never had a really good "older " contestant on the show.

Because of the diversity of age, skill and experience among those who are asked to take part, it is not and never will be a proper competition - it is very definitely a light entertainment show first and foremost and a "competition" second.

If it is to be classed as a competition, it also needs to be judge by proper qualified judges who can comment properly on what they are seeing. Performance glitz and glamour may be vital in a West End show, but in a proper dancing competition technique and footwork are far more important, and it takes YEARS of hard work to reach any sort of standard, not the few weeks the celebs have on SCD. Most of them have a hard enough time learning the steps of their dances in the right order - never mind learning how to put on a show. So what if it looks like they are counting during the routine - that's what is needed to keep in step and in time. Better that than a complete disarster (sic) on the dancefloor.

It is unrealistic for Craig and Arlene to keep saying "at this stage in the competition you should be...." as given the limited time they have available MOST of the celebrities actually do VERY well, and are actually quite amazing in what they have achieved. In fairness though - they do only learn a ROUTINE for a particular dance as opposed to learning the dance itself and be able to dance several different versions of the Waltz/ Tango/ Paso etc to different music.

So short answer - its a light entertainment show and if it is going to be regarded as a competition, you need contestants all at a similar starting point and proper judges (which puts the three stooges off the panel for a start)

Best post I've read to date on DS.

Fancy dinner?

That wasn't the original point though and its not the same thing. Neither Christine or Jodie will last to the end or has a chance of winning. Its perfectly possible to argue Jodie has more to offer in the interim or vice versa. Its even possible to argue that either could do very well with the right dance and you might argue that effort deserves a week even if someone slightly better goes.

John isn't entertaining on the 8th rerun and is deliberately building his anti-judge vote . He isn't trying to dance (act possibly) or improving. He is far worse than anyone else. His presence is removing better people who are trying harder and improving .He isn't interested in controversy for teh show either - I suspect he is keener on advertising his new controversial chat show.

You keep going on about his new chat show, to the extent that I'm wondering if you are cunningly and knowingly advertising it yourself?

No its on constantly on some sky channels and is very annoying.........

I suppose they are trying to attract people who like being annoyed........

John is a big oaf and should voted out immediatley.