DWTS 14 End-of-Season Award Winners: What Was the Biggest Controversy?
Other responses:
All of the above/any combination of the above answers – 17 (Sorry guys, too many different combos to list them individually!)
Derek & Maria’s kiss – 1
William & that stupid running & sliding move in every single dance – 1 (Annoying, yes, but is it really a “controversy”, per se?)
Katherine’s “injury” – 1
Derek’s behavior – 1
Cheryl’s Emmy-worthy creativity *sarcasm* – 1
None – 1
Rock & Roll Week – 1
Overstating Maria’s injuries, ribs NOT broken…hurt, yes, but not broken – 1
William wearing the same shirt in many different colors – 1 (Again, it’s annoying, but is it really controversial?)
Dance marathon – 1
Courtney: Again, it looks like we have several different interpretations of the term “controversy” here. I guess the way I interpret it within the context of the show, a “controversy” is something that occured that caused a great deal of debate and dissenting opinions on the issue – but maybe some other people interpret it as something that just really bugged them personally. I guess I need to be a bit more specific in my explanation of next season’s awards, perhaps along with eliminating the write-in category 😛 Anywho! I think the results are about right on the money – I found the most prolonged, contentious, polarizing issue of the season was the question of whether or not William was getting unfairly favored by the judges and/or the TPTB, and just the judges being highly subjective in their scoring across the board. I don’t think we’ve ever had a precedent for a situation like the one that unfolded this past season – I can’t recall a time in a past season where the judges were so blatantly displaying favoritism towards a certain contestant. Granted, there is always some degree of subjectivity, and the judges do tend to pick favorites each season, but I don’t think we’ve seen it before to the degree that we did this season. As for Jaleel’s behavior, the dance duel, & Cheryl’s behavior – yes, they all generated a great deal of debate and polarity in opinions, but perhaps weren’t as prolonged as the William/judges controversy. As for the trio dance – I know some of you are probably balking at the notion of it being “controversial”, but I seem to recall quite a few debates about which couples would pick which pros and how it would be advantageous to some and a disadvantage for others, so there was at least a bit of controversy there. Especially on the topic of who would get Tristan 😛
Vogue: I think this poll was spot on as well. As much as I loved William himself and his dancing too, the pimping was over the top. I was patient about it at first and could understand the interest in him being he was a new sexy Latin star to hit the Hollywood scene, but, the hype and the manipulation from the producers and the judges scoring and then Cheryl herself out of control took it’s toll on a great many of fans. Sadder yet, was that William himself could see it too and it wasn’t something he welcomed. I really admired his humbleness through out it all which made me a fan. I wish I could say the same for Cheryl. I’ve lost a lot of respect for her that I once had. I was also outraged with Jaleel’s behavior. I was so glad when he was finally picked to go.
Heidi: I think the top three were the only real controversies – and they were doozies. The rest? Nah. And the write ins?? Some people need a little reality check. 🙂 Although I did snicker at the “emmy worthy creativity” one. 🙂 Every season there is someone who is the judges favorite – but it’s usually someone who is the best dancer. Not this season. This season they had their favorite….and he was also pimped to high hell at every opportunity by the show itself. It was quite ridiculous. Now can we go to my favorite moment of the season? Carrie Ann’s mouth falling open when said controversial dude took THIRD place. 🙂 Anyway, after a while it seemed to be a highly orchestrated dance (pardon the expression) between production and judges to make sure this guy went to the finals. Of course, they seemed determined to get Katherine there as well (and keep Donald away), but it was at a much higher level with Willy…and Katherine could really DANCE. Madness.
*photo courtesy ABC/Adam Taylor