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DWTS Judge Slams Judges' Save Feature
30 Oct
Summary
- Derek Hough is glad the Judges' Save is no longer on DWTS.
- Hough does not want the responsibility of eliminating dancers.
- Producers removed the save to prioritize American votes.
Derek Hough, a judge on Dancing With the Stars, voiced his satisfaction that the Judges' Save feature has been removed from the competition. He shared that he finds the responsibility of personally eliminating a contestant too burdensome and prefers for viewers to make those final decisions. Hough explained that while the save could lead to shocking eliminations, he is content not having to wield that power.
Conversely, guest judge Shirley Ballas noted the Judges' Save functions effectively on the UK's Strictly Come Dancing. She believes it’s important for judges to have the ability to save a dancer, especially if the audience votes send strong performers home, thus ensuring a diverse final. The Judges' Save was utilized on DWTS from season 28 through season 32.
Executive producer Deena Katz revealed that the decision to eliminate the Judges' Save was made to emphasize the importance of American votes. Katz stated that the judges' choices sometimes conflicted with what the public desired. The show now bases eliminations on an equal split between judges' scores and at-home voting.
