Dancing with the Stars is all about dancing, isn't it? After all, the programme is known as Dancing with the Stars. However, if you think about it, dancing is only one aspect of the performance. One thing that is crucial is impressing the judges faviourably, because what the judges say about a couple will have an effect on millions of viewers, many of whom will cast a vote in favour of one set of dancers or the other.
This naturally affects the fate of both couples, one will go home with long faces while the other will celebrate and maybe kick start a flailing career. It is hard to impress millions of people but a lot easier to manipulate the three judges, who will then speak on your behalf and sway millions of viewers for you, because people listen to the opinion of experts even if they do not always agree with them.
So, how do you go about influencing the judges to have a favourable opinion |about you assuming naturally that you can dance reasonably well or you would not get on the programme in the first place?
Appearance is paramount, after dancing ability. The dancers have to look the part. That involves tight-fitting clothing for the men and skimpy, revealing garments for the women - no matter how old or overweight they are. Within reason naturally. Looking sexy never does any damage and two of the judges are men.
However, balancing that is the public perception that the third judge, the woman on Dancing with the Stars judging panel, has a reputation for over-criticizing the women. This may give younger men an advantage. So, stunning costumes are a card to be played, but it is not a high trump.
Elegance and poise are vital and that involves knowing the dance routines backwards. You have to have practiced so much that every step is automatic; the routines have to flow on from each other like water out of a jug.
A captivating smile is a big help.The contestants have to appear as if they are enjoying themselves even if they are agonizing inside. This should not be difficult to most of the contestants as most of them are stage performers like actors and singers anyway, but sports personalities do not have to smile in their professional lives, so it might come less easily to them.
There are several theories concerning whether the participants in Dancing with the Stars are judged equally, that is whether they are judged on their dancing skills alone or whether there is more to it than that.
Playing up to the judges can be pushed too far and sycophantism might be penalized. Having said that, smiling at the judges and being friendly should get you a couple of brownie points.
If you would like to join the discussion on whether the dancers are judged solely on their dancing ability, go on over to the message boards on the official Dancing with the Stars web site.
This naturally affects the fate of both couples, one will go home with long faces while the other will celebrate and maybe kick start a flailing career. It is hard to impress millions of people but a lot easier to manipulate the three judges, who will then speak on your behalf and sway millions of viewers for you, because people listen to the opinion of experts even if they do not always agree with them.
So, how do you go about influencing the judges to have a favourable opinion |about you assuming naturally that you can dance reasonably well or you would not get on the programme in the first place?
Appearance is paramount, after dancing ability. The dancers have to look the part. That involves tight-fitting clothing for the men and skimpy, revealing garments for the women - no matter how old or overweight they are. Within reason naturally. Looking sexy never does any damage and two of the judges are men.
However, balancing that is the public perception that the third judge, the woman on Dancing with the Stars judging panel, has a reputation for over-criticizing the women. This may give younger men an advantage. So, stunning costumes are a card to be played, but it is not a high trump.
Elegance and poise are vital and that involves knowing the dance routines backwards. You have to have practiced so much that every step is automatic; the routines have to flow on from each other like water out of a jug.
A captivating smile is a big help.The contestants have to appear as if they are enjoying themselves even if they are agonizing inside. This should not be difficult to most of the contestants as most of them are stage performers like actors and singers anyway, but sports personalities do not have to smile in their professional lives, so it might come less easily to them.
There are several theories concerning whether the participants in Dancing with the Stars are judged equally, that is whether they are judged on their dancing skills alone or whether there is more to it than that.
Playing up to the judges can be pushed too far and sycophantism might be penalized. Having said that, smiling at the judges and being friendly should get you a couple of brownie points.
If you would like to join the discussion on whether the dancers are judged solely on their dancing ability, go on over to the message boards on the official Dancing with the Stars web site.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on quite a lot of subjects, but is currently concerned with the host of Dancing with the the Stars. If you want to know more go to our web site at DWTS Pictures.