DWTS Media Thread

[TiaMaria62]

I get what they are saying regarding #4. Although DWTS gets about 20MM viewers, most of them don't vote at all, in fact, I would guess it is a very small percentage who do. If every single one of those 20MM viewers voted even just the requisite amount allowed on one phone line each week, likely there would be enough votes accumulated for the other (better) contestants to match or exceed the rabid and single-minded power voting that is no doubt going on for Bristol, regardless of the quality of her (or anyone else's) dancing.

I also interpret Tom Bergeron's insinuation that people aren't voting to counteract Bristol's votes as further indication that the number of overall votes for the rest of the contestants has remained relatively constant this season vs. previous seasons, with an influx of new votes for Bristol (coming from the campaign for her IMO) making the primary difference this season.

I believe it's simply that time of the season that we quit "throwing a few votes" to more than one contestant. Vote your favorite at this point plain and simple. Or vote for whomever is the best dancer on the remaining nights. Or you could look at it as voting against the person you don't want there any longer. For the love of all things holy, do not vote on the curve. Voting because someone doesn't suck as bad as usual on any particular night just makes the show a bigger joke.

Look at it this way:

Contestant A, B, C and D remain. Say you believe Contestant A and Contestant B are really good and should be in the final 2. You like Contestant C, and think they are maybe final 3 material, but shouldn't win - however, you want them to stay over Contestant D at all costs.

You vote 75% of your votes for Contestant A - your favorite and "throw" 25% to Contestant C so they hopefully stay over Contestant D.

Problem with this is, say that Contestant D has a very devoted fanbase also. Say that that fanbase will ONLY vote Contestant D and no one else.

So if 100 people were watching and half of them split their votes 2 ways, some for A and B, some for A and C, some for B and C, but the other half of them only voted for Contestant D, well Contestant D will win the fan vote.

If the judges bunch the scores on their end, Contestant D will end up winning.

The voting audience are the only ones left to take care of the business that the judges won't/can't. Assuming, of course, that the producers don't decide to "clean" the vote again a la Shawn.

ETA: Math has never been my thing, so technically my numbers could be way, way off, but you get my drift! LOL!

[Tilden]

I'm going to ask what's possibly a very stupid question, but I'm not a dancer, and I thought someone here could enlighten me.

I have no problem with the possibility of a same sex couple (actually, I'd care more about whether the pair were good dancers than about their gender), but if the same sex couple happens to be two women, does that pose more of a problem for the pro half of the couple? I'm assuming the pro would be primarily used to teaching men to take the lead position in the dance. Would the pro simply do the same thing with a female partner, or would she chose to take the lead, which would be a less familiar position for her but would, potentially, give the "star" a less stressful position, since she would be able to follow rather than lead? Or doesn't it really matter one way or another, when you're teaching, who's leading? Or does the option open up more possibilities for the pro as opposed to creating potential difficulties?

I guess I don't see the same issue if the same sex couple were two men, since the pro would normally lead anyway and could easily justify assuming the less experienced "star" should be the one following his lead.

[veg_out]

I'm going to ask what's possibly a very stupid question, but I'm not a dancer, and I thought someone here could enlighten me.

I have no problem with the possibility of a same sex couple (actually, I'd care more about whether the pair were good dancers than about their gender), but if the same sex couple happens to be two women, does that pose more of a problem for the pro half of the couple? I'm assuming the pro would be primarily used to teaching men to take the lead position in the dance. Would the pro simply do the same thing with a female partner, or would she chose to take the lead, which would be a less familiar position for her but would, potentially, give the "star" a less stressful position, since she would be able to follow rather than lead? Or doesn't it really matter one way or another, when you're teaching, who's leading? Or does the option open up more possibilities for the pro as opposed to creating potential difficulties?

I guess I don't see the same issue if the same sex couple were two men, since the pro would normally lead anyway and could easily justify assuming the less experienced "star" should be the one following his lead.

Yeah, I wonder how they'd pull that off, too. On Ellen the other day, Kelly Osbourne asked if Portia DiRossi planned on doing DWTS 12, so I'm curious if they'd attempt to introduce it next season. The challenge--and the genius behind the Israeli trial--is that partner-dancing is conventionally an extension of the heterosexual relationship, mostly the male or the female seducing the opposite sex. Since dance is a mixture of contrasts or opposites--adagio (slow movements) and allegro (quick movements), extension and plies, crisp lines and fluidity--the dancers also reflect this ying-and-yang to create, in essence, a balance. The male's masculinity and strength should balance the female's delicateness and grace. The male, as you wrote, leads, and the woman follows. So, yes, if they're same sex, it opens the door for a host of variations. Unlike, the current show, where, say, Anna teaches Kurt to lead, or Maks leads Brandy, a same-sex couple would potentially be able to alternate the heretofore rigid ballroom roles. I'm not sure if that would be easier or harder! (Here's a cool hint that I learned in salsa class: whichever partner has his/her palm facing up is leading the dance. The follower has his/her hand facing down. So, check back to the cha-chas or sambas of the male celebs to see if they were leading or if their dance partner was leading!)

The thing that I wonder is if America is ready for it. The rhumba, the tango, the AT (particularly the lifts) would be interesting, to say the least. I, for one, think it might actually be good for America....

[Tilden]

The thing that I wonder is if America is ready for it. The rhumba, the tango, the AT (particularly the lifts) would be interesting, to say the least. I, for one, think it might actually be good for America....[/QUOTE] I have no idea how ready America is for it, but I suppose that might be reflected in the voting. I'd vote for a same sex couple if I thought they were any good, but I wouldn't feel obligated not to criticize their dancing for fear of being called homophobic or insensitive if they weren't. Nor would I feel bad about disliking the "star" if he/she were temperamental or whiny or whatever. I do worry about the peculiar judging comments that might occur, however, given that even without altering the traditional male/female pairings of ballroom, the comments are sometimes loopy enough already. I did think about the lifts too, but I was thinking more in terms of whether that would put a same sex couple at a disadvantage, should they make it to the finals, since they'd be more likely to be similar in weight and height. It wouldn't be exactly like Mark flinging Shawn or Kristi around, particularly since female ballroom dancers aren't typically accustomed to doing lifts, instead of being lifted, at all. Even the male dancers who are accustomed to lifting could be trying to lift partners who are heavier than those they normally lift. Seems to me the only way this would be entirely fair is if they brought in a pro who had danced in a same sex couple before (assuming such a pro could be found who'd be willing to do the show). Otherwise the pro who would be put in that position would have to be seriously rethinking how she/he normally choreographs, because he/she would have both more options and more potential difficulties to face. Hey, I know. They go on and on about what a brilliant choreographer Derek is. Put him in the same sex couple and give him a real challenge. I had also thought about costuming. If the same sex couple is female and they were both in ball gowns for something like the VW, does that create any problems for the dancers, since they wouldn't necessarily be used to dealing with all that chiffon flipping around in all possible directions? Or would one half of the couple simply have to wear pants of some sort? Of course, that would be simple enough, since you can do an evening wear look for a woman with pants.

[jelle]

IMO they should have a make and a female dance together - really their sexuality doesn't matter. Why would you have two men or two women dance together?

[karalott]

Since ABC is owned by Disney, that might be the one snag they hit. They're no doubt get hit from both sides with praise and calls of boycotts. I don't think it'd be considered the same as the playboy playmates and former troubled celebs that have been on this show. That's my bigger worry, is they'll turn it into one big publicity stunt and media circus that rivals Bristol. Rather than just act as if it's any ordinary couple. My guess is it would alienate a section of DWTS audience, but definitely get watercooler buzz and perhaps draw in a ton of new viewers, which for the time being would be great. But in the end would be whether it was worth it or not, and whether risking any calls of being homophobic from judges comments/scores or them getting voted off is worth the black eye. I'd be confident they'd probably put someone on with potential, if not a ringer, so the stunt casting aspect of it wouldn't backfire, and the person wouldn't be made a joke of, with calls they're only getting through just because of their partnership. Honestly, I just want the show to go back to basics, and quit looking for what's controversial and the 'it' factor that just leads to backlash.

I thought it was interesting that Ellen thought it would be weird, but it could be that's what she's worried about. And since Portia's her wife, she's probably feeling protective. I've always wanted to see Portia, and Ellen for that matter, do the show, whether as a same sex duo or not. In terms of costuming and taking on the more masculine role in the dances, I guess that'd be up the couples/show how they'd tackle that, if they did it in a traditional way or if they wanted to make a statement. I don't see what the problem would be letting them both wear ballgowns, or one a pant suit One thing I do know, I don't want Derek being the male in a duo like that. That's all I'd need from the golden pet of the producers

Here are two clips from Israel's same sex duo of their first two dances (the cha cha and the rumba) for anyone who's interested:

YouTube - Same Sex Pair on Israel's Dancing With the Stars (Live Show 1)

YouTube - Same Sex Pair on Israel's Dancing With the Stars (Live Show 2)

Pamela and Damian guest judged during the second episode. Glad those two are still friends. Pamela guest judged Australia's DWTS over the summer, and was supposed to take part in Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special, but got replaced.

[stcroix1]

I don't understand the big deal. Isn't Louis gay and open about it? He dances with women. Why can't Portia dance with a man? Am I missing something? Or are they just wanting the 'drama' of two same sex people dancing. Boring. Why do they have to keep throwing gimmicks at us?

[IrishGal]

But why do same sex people dancing together imply gay is what I want to know? Haven't men danced with men and women danced with women in ballet, chorus lines, cirque du soleil, etc., for eons? No big deal in my opinion. I'd love to see it. I thought the Israel dances were fun. LOL...If it's really a concern about the lifts, ABC could have a transgender pro be the partner. Anyway, I doubt America is ready for it sadly. We haven't had a gay Bachelor (or even a minority Bach) on ABC yet. Ain't happening but it's a cool concept.

[karalott]

I don't understand the big deal. Isn't Louis gay and open about it? He dances with women. Why can't Portia dance with a man? Am I missing something? Or are they just wanting the 'drama' of two same sex people dancing. Boring. Why do they have to keep throwing gimmicks at us?

He is, and there have been gay celebs who have danced on the show before. Lance Bass was on during season 7, and I remember him turning down the suggestion that he should dance with a male pro because he was gay. To me, it just reeks of a media stunt. That's the only reason I'm against it, and this show has enough gimmicks and favoritism it deals with.

[TiaMaria62]

Anyway, I doubt America is ready for it sadly. We haven't had a gay Bachelor (or even a minority Bach) on ABC yet. Ain't happening but it's a cool concept.

Sure we did - remember Fake Jake? LOL!