I can’t remember a time when “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) wasn’t part of my weekly routine. Every single Monday, my butt was stuck in a seat and my eyes were glued to the TV at 8 p.m., sharp. Inevitably, the show has evolved since then and experienced numerous changes.

It airs on Tuesdays now. Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews have been substituted for Season 19 champ, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DWTS legend, Julianne Hough. Most Memorable Year Night and Switch Up Week have been replaced with weekly theme nights such as TikTok Night and Wicked Night (not that I’m complaining). A shocking turn of events, though, is the allegations of foul play regarding eliminations. 

With media coverage growing more and more prominent by the season, fans are growing more and more concerned with the integrity of the voting system.  The system in place works, in theory, to keep viewer interest and engagement high.

During the live program, the professional judges score each dance, and the public audience votes for their favorite couples. At the end of the night, as Alfonso always reminds us, our votes are combined with the judges’ scores. 

The problem lies in popularity being prioritized over growth as a dancer. With so much frustration surrounding eliminations, it seems only right to take a look at the direction the show is headed. Yes, #DWTS is gaining inarguable buzz on social media and attracting new demographics. However, I can’t help but wonder about the stance taken by those who know Len Goodman and his blunt critiques.

Those who remember watching ruthless arguments between judges and professional dancers over the quality of content in a specific routine, or lack thereof. How long can “Dancing with the Stars” sustain viewers amidst so much backlash with respect to how it is run? I, along with all of the other long-time followers bound to their dedication after so many seasons, have no intention of boycotting the show. In fact, I can appreciate the surfacing love for it, just not without noticing the changes that come along. 

Since coming to college, my friends and I have watched every episode together religiously. I can recall the crowd of both old and new fans huddling together in front of a too-small TV in my freshman residence hall last year. One night, after Reggie was saved, my friends and I cheered so loud that we got a noise complaint from one of the CAs on duty, telling us to quiet down. Now, let’s be honest, Reggie was no PreMadonna. But that was never what drew us to him. 

It was his personality and oh-so adorable effort that drove each sigh of relief every time his name was called to stick around for one more week. Season 33 was not the first time DWTS has seen an underdog make it far at the expense of technique and showmanship. After all, how could we forget about The Great Bobby Bones Debacle of Season 27? Empaths across America overlook skill because of their connection with contestants, their stories, and their stage presence, and the current season is no exception. No part of me wants to say goodbye to Andy and Emma. When a potential talent like Lauren Jauregui with an equally fair shot of becoming a dancer goes home, however, the competitive dancer in me can’t help but feel a sting of disappointment. 

With that being said, I, too, feel this strange wave of relief each time an unlikely hero makes it through another week. I felt it for Barry Williams and Alyson Hannigan in the same way I felt it for Reginald VelJohnson and now Andy Richter. A tale as old as time, these stories are the heart of the show, the people’s champions. I simply question the loyalty to the original plot: pushing celebrities out of their comfort zone, where they experience life as a dancer, walking a mile in a pair of ballroom shoes. 

For comments/questions about this story, DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]