Dancing With The Stars has presented some incredible performances over the years, but it is important for fans to know the components of each dance style in order to understand the judges' scores. Unlike more recent DWTS seasons, in the early days of the show, every contestant performed one of one or two dance styles in the same night. The night was dedicated to those ballroom or Latin styles of dance, and the audience learned all their components. The professional dancers gave a tutorial about the dance style and performed it. In season 2, for example, an episode about the samba informed viewers that the party dance is a melting pot of different rhythms from the Brazilian Mardi Gras, with tricky signature moves including the Volta, the Samba Roll, and the Botafogo, elements that the average viewer would not know. The pros demonstrated the moves, so that fans knew exactly what the judges were looking for.
This feature helped DWTS viewers to have a better understanding of the scores of the judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli. While some dances were visually stunning, if they did not include the required steps of the dance style, they would receive lower scores. By eliminating this component of DWTS, newer fans of the show do not have a full understanding of why some dances are scored lower than others, even though they are very entertaining. They do not know the technical aspects of each dance, and therefore see the judges, most notably Len, as scoring too low.
In an interview with The Wrap, DWTS executive producer Conrad Green revealed that the show is bringing back the dance tutorials for season 31. He launched the show on ABC in 2005 and is returning after his 2014 exit to lead the show through its transition to the streaming service Disney+. The show will now be commercial-free, which also necessitated the return of the sky box, where new DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro will interview the contestants. Tyra Banks will talk to the judges and reveal the scores. The show is also bringing back the dance troupe to entertain the audience during transition times.
Most importantly, Conrad revealed that, because of the extra time, DWTS might "get Len to come out from behind his desk and actually give us a little tutorial while people are walking over. He can say ‘Well, this is the Rumba. Here’s how it works, and what I look for.’ He can be doing that as [a dancer] moves so you can literally point them out." With over 50 years of dance experience, Len is an expert at what he does. DWTS fans who criticize him and the other judges must realize that certain dances have specific components, and, when they are missing, the dances will be scored lower. The tutorials will teach viewers what to look for during the performances and help them to better understand the judges' scores.
DWTS has dazzled audiences for nearly two decades. However, it also has the unique opportunity to teach the art form of dance to the masses. Bringing back dance tutorials to the show will help DWTS return to its roots and ensure that the show not only entertains viewers, but also helps them understand how to critique dance styles and maybe even perform them themselves. The show should certainly capitalize on current judges Len, Carrie Ann, Bruno, and Derek Hough's expertise, and the professional dancers' talents, in order to educate Dancing With The Stars viewers about dance while they entertain them.
Dancing With the Stars season 31 premieres September 19 on Disney+.
Source: The Wrap