Judges Of Dancing With The Stars
Ah, Dancing With The Stars. The glitter, the sequins, the questionable song choices. And then there are the judges. The magnificent, the mysterious, the sometimes downright baffling judges. They sit there, week after week, wielding their paddles of judgment like tiny, sparkly scepters. It’s a tough job, I’m sure. Someone has to decide if a celebrity’s attempt at the cha-cha looked more like a startled flamingo or a graceful swan. And let’s be honest, it’s way more fun to watch them than it is to actually do the dancing, right?
We all have our favorites, don’t we? The ones whose critiques make us nod along in agreement, and the ones who… well, who make us tilt our heads and wonder what planet they’re on. Today, we’re diving into the sparkly, sometimes dramatic, world of the Dancing With The Stars judges. Consider this a friendly, slightly sarcastic, exploration of the people who hold the fate of ballroom dreams in their hands. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll reveal a few of my own personal, slightly unpopular opinions about them.
Let’s start with the OG, the one and only, Len Goodman. Bless his cotton socks. Len was the bedrock of DWTS judging for so long. He was the sensible one, the keeper of the ballroom flame. He’d always bring you back to the basics, reminding everyone about frame and hold and posture. Sometimes, you just needed Len to say, “Well, technically speaking, that wasn’t quite right.” He was like the stern but loving dance teacher you never had. You respected his opinion, even when he was being a bit of a grump. His critiques could be a little blunt, but they were usually fair. And who can forget his famous catchphrases? “Se-ven!” – pure gold.
Then we have Carrie Ann Inaba. Carrie Ann is the emotional heart of the judging panel. She’s the one who gets swept up in the passion of the dance. She’s quick to praise, quick to get teary-eyed, and quick to offer that signature, high-pitched “Wow!” She’s also the one who seems to have a sixth sense for when a dancer is really connecting with the music. Her critiques can be a bit all over the place sometimes, but you can never accuse her of not being invested. Sometimes I feel like she’s judging her own dance performance from the judges’ table. You can see the sheer joy on her face when a routine is amazing, and the disappointment when it falls flat. She’s a force of nature, that Carrie Ann.
And who could forget Bruno Tonioli? Bruno! The flamboyant, the energetic, the one who’s always on the verge of spontaneously combusting with enthusiasm. Bruno is pure entertainment. He’ll be talking about a paso doble, and suddenly he’s speaking in Italian, or making dramatic gestures that suggest a raging bull. He’s the judge who makes you wonder if he’s had a few too many espresso shots before the show. His critiques are often a wild ride, a whirlwind of praise, dramatic comparisons, and the occasional questionable sound effect. He’s the spice of the judging panel. Without Bruno, the show would be a lot less… Italian. And a lot less fun. You never quite know what he’s going to say, and that’s part of the magic. He’s the judge who makes you laugh out loud.
Over the years, we’ve seen other incredible judges grace the panel. We had Julianne Hough, who brought her professional dancer’s perspective and a lot of youthful exuberance. She could relate to the dancers on a different level, having been in their sparkly shoes not too long ago. She was often seen as the encouraging one, the cheerleader of the group. And then there was Derek Hough, another incredible dancer, who brought a technical eye and a genuine passion for the art form. He could break down complex choreography with ease. He often offered the most insightful critiques, showing he truly understood the nuances of dance.
And let’s not forget Kym Johnson-Herjavec, another former pro who brought her own unique brand of charm and expertise. She understood the pressure the celebrities were under. Each judge brings something different to the table. It’s like a dance team, really. They all have their own style, their own strengths. And sometimes, their disagreements on scores are what make the show so compelling. You’re sitting there, thinking, “Wait, Len gave it a 6 and Carrie Ann gave it an 8? What did they see?” It sparks debate, even in our own living rooms.
Now, here’s where I might get a little controversial. Sometimes, I feel like the judges get too caught up in the celebrity aspect. Yes, we know they’re not professional dancers. Yes, we know they’re learning. But can we sometimes get a little more focus on the actual dancing? It’s Dancing With The Stars, after all. I’ve occasionally felt like a perfectly executed step might get a lower score because the celebrity isn't as famous, or a slightly clumsy move might get a pass because the celeb is a fan favorite. It’s a delicate balance, I know. But sometimes… just sometimes… I wish for a touch more pure, unadulterated dance critique. I don’t want to be a spoil-sport, but a girl can dream of a little more ballroom purity.
And let’s talk about the scores. The dreaded perfect 10s. When a perfect 10 is awarded, it feels monumental. But are they too easy to come by these days? Or are the dancers just that much better? It’s a question that keeps me up at night (okay, not really, but you get the idea). There’s a part of me that misses the days when a 9 felt like a huge accomplishment. Now, it feels like the standard. But I guess that’s progress, in a way. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on that dance floor. And who am I to argue with that? As long as there’s still plenty of glitter and a good dose of Bruno’s theatrical flair, I’ll be happily watching. They are, after all, the anchors of our weekly dance obsession. And for that, we thank them. Even when they give our favorite dancer a 6.
