From scammers and ‘biased’ judges to awkward instant challenges: Why this season of ‘DWTS’ was a dud

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The cast of this season’s “Dancing With the Stars” seemed to dive headfirst into an instant challenge that was a bit overwhelming, so much so that the question must be asked whether the show’s producers missed a opportunity or made a huge misstep. A snap challenge – one that requires quick choreography and execution – can be exciting, but such a routine requires a certain level of skill, which this particular group just doesn’t really seem to possess.

This season’s cast just doesn’t have the depth of dancing skills that other seasons had. Some of them have potential, but overall the performance has been poor.

Last season we welcomed a wide range of talented dancers, able to adapt easily and thrive under pressure. Competitors like Ariana, Jason, and champion Xochitl would have done very well in instant challenges and would have raised the bar on the competition level. This year, however, with so few individual artists like Chandler and Joey, the others seem at a disadvantage.

At this point, an instant challenge seems out of place. While many contestants are still trying to find their feet, added pressure for a high-stakes challenge will only lead to mediocre performances that will frustrate not only the dancers, but the audience as well. You can’t really expect spectacular choreography from those who are still learning their skills, and this could lead to disappointment.

A better way to achieve this would have been to gradually increase the level of challenges, ensuring that competitors grow and improve over the course of the season.

Returning to the trio format, in which an experienced professional dancer is paired with contestants, would have facilitated conditions to balance skill levels and at the same time, learning and fun went hand in hand. In retrospect, DWTS’ instant challenge this season might have been a miscalculation.

Producers should analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the cast and plan challenges accordingly in order to keep the competition interesting and allow contestants to feel empowered and not overwhelmed. If the idea is to entertain the audience and help the contestants, the challenges need to be planned more strategically.

‘DWTS’ Season 33 Star Anna Delvey’s Casting Recalled by Many Celebrities

Anna Delvey, the famous con artist, became an ultra-polarizing figure when she was cast as a contestant on season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars.” The series faced serious backlash from some celebrities and fans over the decision to cast someone with such a controversial past in a family series.

Critics say the presence of a convicted fraudster and thief on the show sends the wrong message about accountability and rehabilitation. They believe that any platform like “DWTS” should be reserved for those who have an uplifting story to tell, rather than those who gained notoriety by deceiving others.

Anna Delvey on DWTS (@abc)

‘DWTS’ Season 33 ‘Over-Score’ Puts Panel Under Scanner

The ‘Dancing With the Stars’ season 33 judges appear to be receiving serious criticism for what many viewers are describing as an “excessive score.” A recent example is the performance of the duo consisting of Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach, who received a rating of 28 for their Halloween performance including a contemporary routine.

While Dwight’s efforts earned him a standing ovation from Derek Hough and praise for the Halloween theme, the actual execution of the dance was criticized for lacking finesse. Despite these flaws, they got a perfect 10 from Carrie Ann Inaba, raising eyebrows from viewers who didn’t think the score matched the performance. This inflates the score, causing discussion about the judges’ criteria and their bias towards certain candidates, which can harm the integrity of the competition.

“DWTS” Season 33 Judges Panel (@abc)