DWTS Exec Producer Conrad Green Talks to Entertainment Weekly on New Format
And it sounds very much like he’s been reading PureDWTS again. 🙂 Check it, from EW.com (click the link to read the whole thing):
How clued-in are the judges to the popular vote?
The judges have never known those figures. They’ve never seen a single vote. There’s two voting documents — one comes from the phone company and one comes from ABC.com, which includes the Facebook votes. We get those numbers and put them into a grid and determine the results from the control room, on the spot. It’s only me and [a representative of ABC’s] Broadcast & Standards who see them. No one, even the upper execs on the show, ever see that document. And so while the judges might have the same opinion that anyone else has as to how popular certain couples are — they don’t know.In practice, it’s kind of difficult for the judges because no matter what they do, they seem to get lambasted. Look, don’t get me wrong, all of us as viewers have our own opinion about scores that are given. Sometimes you go, “Really?” But then again, I’m not a dancer. They are from dance and they know this. And I kind of think you’re never gonna be able to give a score that everyone can agree on. You can tell that just by reading the comments below the line. People are furious that it was either too high or too low.
And the judging on this show is very difficult — we’re the only show where they have to hold up a number and be accountable for it. You could be fake, or damning, or warm — but you don’t have to be consistent. Our judges can say what they want. But then they have to hold up a paddle. So sometimes they’ll be trying to say something encouraging — they feel someone’s having a tough time, so they’ll say something quite nice… but then they’ll hold up a 7. And people say “Well why would you do that?” Well, because they don’t want to beat the guy up! The next week, they might give him an 8 but be more critical. It’s really tricky, because you also want to be able to encourage, give notes, plan improvement. And then there’s the question: Do you judge people relative to each other? Do you judge on just, that feels like an 8 to me? Or do you judge it relative to the contestant’s improvement?
I suppose it may always seem to angry viewers like the judges are “in on it” and orchestrating results.
The problem is, you can’t ever convince people that’s not the case because people just choose to believe that. It’s not the case. The whole point of this show — and it obviously is easier when the public votes after the judges instead of the public vote carrying over — but the point of the show is that the public along with the judges are picking the winner. So it’s kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy for us. You want the voters to be involved in that process. This is why, when people say, “Well, the judges’ scores should carry more weight; it’s crazy if someone like Elizabeth goes” — well yeah, I get it. I’d have liked to see Elizabeth in the final, I must admit, because she’s great as a dancer. But then if the public really want other people there, I’m kind of fine with that.
Okay, Conrad – but you never give them hints?? I suppose those three might be smart enough to figure out who’s doing well and who to protect all on their own. But I can’t believe there is NO manipulation going on.
Love the bit of insight on how the Eastern and Central time zone make up most of the voting. Very interesting…
Discuss.
The eastern and central counting more is interesting and even more why I do not buy Zendaya was robbed when online votes were thrown out. Not that I think zendaya was robbed. She lost with that lackluster freestyle. Those same fans forgot the voting snafu for all stars and they never acknowledged it and we know now that ended. They were being fair especially to the time zones who vote a lot.
I also like Conrad mentioning the wtf cha cha though seriously it did seem like fixing to get Chelsea to the finals. I hope abc considers moving the show. It used to be on Thursdays. It skews to old for the advertisers for that night but Sunday night, away from The Voice, would be a good option.
Hmm. This is all very intriguing. I read this and thought he was reading Pure as well! haha
For the Tuesday finale results it will be viewer votes from Monday night, but for judges scores will it be just the one instant dance on Tuesday or the dances from Monday and the instant dance Tuesday? Guess thats my only question at this point, which I’m sure we won’t find an answer to until it gets closer.
Heidi, I bet you are right how he’s been reading here again. Anyway, it’s fascinating that he’s decided to comment on the format, the judging, and defending the show like this. I have a hard time believing there isn’t some manipulating going on too. Whatever the case, I just hope next season they go to a Tuesday’s results show again and go back to the way they use to tally it…even if it’s just for a half hour.
At least he explained tonight’s votes and next Monday’s scores will eliminate a couple, with only 3 surviving to do a freestyle on Tuesday. So the final 3 will only have the judges’ scores for the freestyle counting for half of their scores…wow.
As for the meat of the article. Sure Conrad. The judges get no hints about the viewer vote totals and the show doesn’t try to manipulate things to keep certain people around.
Sunday night is an awful idea. I already watch at least five shows on Sunday night – that’s the biggest night of TV of the week. And I have to say, DWTS would NOT be my first choice if it moved to Sunday.
Note he said that the judges never “see” the voting documents. Doesn’t mean they don’t get whispered about or hinted at.
If the winner is really determined on one dance plus votes?? Wow indeed.
Also found it very interesting about how many votes come from the East-coast/Midwest.
I don’t necessarily think there is manipulation going on with voting, but it does seem odd how the judges can go from hot or cold on a contestant from week to week. So of course it looks like they’re trying to manipulate who stays and who goes. So if they really want us to think they aren’t privy to the phone/internet votes and don’t adjust their scores accordingly, then MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH THEIR CRITIQUES AND SCORES. 😉
I find it ludicrous in the extreme that we’re expected to believe the judges have no knowledge of the votes. Especially with the totally whacked scoring this season!
Ditto jimmbboe, we aren’t that stupid.
Hasn’t Tom tweeted about “surprise results” and things like that before the show is aired. How did he get that information if he hasn’t seen the document? Ok, maybe he hasn’t seen the document, but has seen the results. Is there a difference?
I do think the show has strict compliance policies. So, I’d be surprised if there’s any major funny business going on.
John, I definitely agree with you about Tom knowing. During the all-star season when Sabrina went home and the put the top scoring couples in jeopardy he knew then. And I remember him tweeting, maybe back in season 12?, about how the person who would be going home has been switching all night.
Well, Tom has always been the only person on the live show who knows the results before showtime on Tuesday. This was in prior seasons when the results were complete before the show started.
Tom may have known the final verdict, but that does not mean he knew the voting results – two different things.