Dancing With The Stars has long captivated audiences, earning its place as a top-tier competition show. This reputation is built not just on the glitz and glamour, but also on the raw emotion and genuine feedback from the judging panel. For many years, the judges were known for their unvarnished opinions and critical eyes, setting a high bar for contestants. However, some viewers are wondering if the judging has softened in recent seasons, potentially diluting the impact of the scores.
In the show’s earlier days, particularly when Len Goodman was at the helm, the judges were notoriously tough. Scores in the initial weeks, especially for celebrities new to dance, typically hovered in the 3-5 range. This created a clear sense of progression as contestants improved. In contrast, recent seasons have seen judges handing out 7s and 8s much earlier in the competition. This shift in scoring raises questions about whether scores still accurately reflect performance and improvement. It begs the question: should higher scores be something that celebrities truly earn, rather than receive early on? Distributing elevated scores in the opening weeks can diminish the excitement and surprise that should come with achieving high scores later in the season, when performances should ideally peak. It appears the judges might be creating a scoring plateau, making it harder to show meaningful progress through scores as the competition progresses.
Joey’s Journey and the Scoring Discrepancy
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson in a Collider interview discussing Dancing With The Stars journey and judge scores.
The journey of Joey Graziadei with his partner Jenna Johnson perfectly illustrates this scoring dilemma. Joey, known from The Bachelor, entered the competition with no prior dance background. His progress throughout the season has been undeniable, leading many to see him as a potential winner. Despite his clear improvement and standout performances, particularly his Disney Night routine, Joey consistently receives scores in the 8-9 range. Notably, Carrie Ann Inaba has even lauded some of his dances as the best of the season. However, the scores remain static. If performances deemed “the best of the season” are scoring similarly to routines from the initial weeks, it questions the significance of the “best” label. The reluctance of judges to award a 10, especially after handing out high scores early on, creates a sense of stalled progress, despite evident improvements from couples like Joey and Jenna.
Are Scores Reflecting Performance or Popularity?
Reginald and Emma waving and smiling on Dancing With The Stars, highlighting celebrity personality impact on judge scores.
Dwight Howard, another contestant, brings a vibrant energy to the show. His infectious personality and constant smile are undeniable assets. While Dwight’s charisma is a highlight of the season, his technical dance ability doesn’t quite match some of his competitors. Despite this, and occasional missteps on the dance floor, Dwight consistently earns 7s and 8s. While his popularity is clear, this raises the question of fairness in scoring. Should Dwight receive similar scores to technically stronger dancers like Chandler Kinney and Stephen Nedoroscik? When contestants with varying levels of dance proficiency receive comparable scores, it suggests a potential disconnect between scoring and technical merit. Ideally, judges should prioritize technical skill and dance quality in their evaluations.
The appeal of Dancing With The Stars has always been rooted in the drama of scoring and the anticipation of seeing scores evolve alongside the dancers’ skills. Recently, however, there’s a growing sense that the scores aren’t fully aligning with the judges’ commentary. When judges acknowledge “greatest dances,” yet the scores mirror early-week performances, it undermines the sense of progression and achievement. Delaying the distribution of top scores until later stages of the competition would not only heighten excitement but also restore a sense of authenticity to the judging process. Ultimately, consistent and performance-based scoring is crucial to maintaining the integrity and excitement that Dancing With The Stars is known for.
