5/16 Show Discussion Thread **Spoilers**

[Debb70]

Someone chime in if they know the answer to this. I thought that the only way a viewer's home tv could be counted for "ratings" purposes is that you are have been selected for the Neilson ratings program.

I recall that my family received a request to do this many years ago, but you had to write down what you watched and mail it in. I think now days they connect your tv to a sensor that records what you watch. Aren't they the only ones who get counted? How else would know who is watching and who isn't?

I found this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_ratings

[northernviewer]

When the explanation was made for the reasoning behind the instant cha-cha, and the remark was made that people had left "before their time" (or very close to that meaning) with specific examples given, and then the further reasoning was given that this way the judges could insure THAT COUPLE didn't go home ( again very close in meaning), then they in essence said they were assuring that Mark and Chelsea stayed.

That is what is implied because Mark and Chelsea are technically the best dancers, and Mark and Chelsea have been in the bottom 2 and have also gotten some bad edits.

Also,Tom said several times that one couple would get the bonus points that might provide the boost they need to make it. Hines and Kym have been really strong, and I think it was obvious that as much as they admire what Kirstie has been able to do, she wasn't going to outdance the other couples. They weren't giving Ralph even the respect he deserved, let alone any extra....

It is obvious from reading the message boards, seeing the bottom 2 and 3 and listening closely to the way that Tom words it that Mark and Chelsea don't have a very strong fanbase.


I think that insta-dance was to insure that Mark and Chelsea make it into the F3.

I don't think anybody ever thought otherwise. I have to admit though, for a few minutes I thought they might give the dance some legitimacy and give the points to Hines.....but nope, they do what was expected, and what they were told to do, and award the points to Mark and Chelsea **gag**

[Gina28]

It's obvious Kirstie will be 3rd, like Kelly Osborne last year, who also lost alot of weight dancing.

So, the only hope is that Hines can beat Mark for 1st, regardless of the obvious manipulation of the judges and the b/s with the 'bonus' points. I feel bad for Ralph, he started with alot of promise and that knee cyst put him behind and it's tough to catch up this late in the show.

I've always felt there should be a male and a female winner. It's totally different skill set for men and women in these dances. Which is more difficult..to lead a talented pro and let her shake her booty, or to follow, learn the booty shaking and keep up with a talented pro? I don't know.

[ironcat]

It's obvious Kirstie will be 3rd, like Kelly Osborne last year, who also lost alot of weight dancing.

So, the only hope is that Hines can beat Mark for 1st, regardless of the obvious manipulation of the judges and the b/s with the 'bonus' points. I feel bad for Ralph, he started with alot of promise and that knee cyst put him behind and it's tough to catch up this late in the show.

I've always felt there should be a male and a female winner. It's totally different skill set for men and women in these dances. Which is more difficult..to lead a talented pro and let her shake her booty, or to follow, learn the booty shaking and keep up with a talented pro? I don't know.

Personally I have always thought it was harder to disguise the female celeb's bad dancing than to disguise the male celeb's, as one's eye seems to be naturally drawn to the woman in any pair not including Mark. Along these same lines, the woman usually seems to have to execute the flashier moves (spins, splits, death drops, etc) in, say it with me, every pair not including Mark.

I would bet that, despite everyone's current outrage about last night, Hines will still win next week, and the judges won't try to manipulate that but will just let his fan base give him the victory. Why they felt so obligated to massively change the rules to allow Mark into the finals this season (as opposed to in other seasons, where there was actually a lot of criticism/buzz about people lasting too long prior to the semifinals; didn't really hear much about that this season) is puzzling.

[moflan]

The ONLY ways the bonus 15 points would sit right with me would be the following:

1. Let viewer votes count for 60-75 percent and judges' scores for 40-25%.

2. Eliminate the judges-only points being awarded on the finale night.

Not going to happen, of course, but I do not like that rules appear to be randomly made up to lead to the conclusion the show wants.

[anders332]

Thing is they never reveal the voters tally - so they easily could've just advanced Mark and Chelsea without the bonus pts - it's not like the Accounting Firm of Rig and Marole are in the back making sure the results reflect the numbers that were accumulated.

[moflan]

Thing is they never reveal the voters tally - so they easily could've just advanced Mark and Chelsea without the bonus pts - it's not like the Accounting Firm of Rig and Marole are in the back making sure the results reflect the numbers that were accumulated.

Good one. Sounds kind of like the law firm of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.

[ironcat]

Thing is they never reveal the voters tally - so they easily could've just advanced Mark and Chelsea without the bonus pts - it's not like the Accounting Firm of Rig and Marole are in the back making sure the results reflect the numbers that were accumulated.

This is true, but I suppose if it ever was able to be proven that they fudged the outcome (and I think there has been enough speculation that Chelsea's fanbase doesn't match up with that of a football hero, and two extremely popular and nostalgically iconic older celebs to cause some eyebrows to raise if she advanced despite tight scoring), they would be in deeper legal doodoo than this blatant but "within their rights" new twist is causing.

[anders332]

IDK - they managed to 'clean up the numbers' to give Shawn the win over Gilles. And let's not forget who Shawn danced with too.

[Florimel]

I see little difference between this and the rigged game show scandals of the fifties where the FCC came down hard on the networks and set down a lot of rules to prevent cheating. I suspect the only reason ABC is getting away with this is that there is no prize money involved, but the principle is just the same.

I wrote to ABC just as many other here did. I think it might also be time to voice our displeasure to the sponsors.