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Dancing with the Stars ignores social distancing

Updated: TV needs to lead by example too.

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Last night’s live Dancing with the Stars broadcast had to halt for a press conference in which PM Scott Morrison admonished those who are ignoring social distancing.

“On the weekend, what we saw was a disregard of those social distancing practices,” he told media, adding, “… this sent a very clear message to premiers, chief ministers and myself that the social distancing practices are not being observed as well as they should be.”

As soon as the conference was over 10 went back to sweaty dancers holding hands, embracing, lifting one another, hosts shoulder to shoulder and crew sitting in close proximity in an empty studio.

It’s a very bad look from 10 (from an otherwise fab show).

Earlier The Project observed the same limitations with three presenters on a desk in Sydney and Tommy Little in Melbourne. After a week of telling us to observe new rules, they joined in. Studio 10 also addressed last week with presenters in a 4-camera split screen.

But Dancing with the Stars, which has endured incredible challenges this week, did not.

Sure, it was very creative in having Christian Wilkins and Lily Cornish dance on a hotel roof after their awful self-isolation (and remarkable routines from them, considering). Forging on without a studio audience has been admirable.

And while the show gets a leave pass for no social distancing last week, with respect, production have had 7 days to address this.

All DWTS could offer was a visual gag from Amanda Keller and Grant Denyer….

To be fair the show is not alone in ignoring… AFL players grappled with one another on the field this weekend before being shutdown.

Updated: A 10 spokesperson said today, “Dancing With The Stars continues to take detailed and extensive precautions to ensure the health and safety of its cast and crew. We are following government and health department guidelines regarding close personal contact, including guidelines covering the proximity and duration of close contact. Our precautions are being reviewed on an hourly basis. We are regularly practicing good hygiene backstage and in-studio, filming without a studio audience and we had Christian Wilkins participate in the competition remotely during his self-isolation after contact with a confirmed case.”

https://twitter.com/paulwarren/status/1241646445062742016

Should TV shows be demonstrating 'social distancing?'

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36 Responses

  1. Either cancel it now because it has socially unacceptable behaviours or just continue with it pointing out that the contestants and professional dancers are cleared of Covid19. Whining in the meantime is pointless. If you think it is a bad example, take it off TV and f*** everyone.

  2. I feel like the couples are all taking precautions and it should be fine for now if they are sanitary and don’t have as much prolonged contact during their dances and training. They’re in their hotel apartments and studios much of the time, so they’re not as exposed to risks of catching the virus than the public…

  3. They are already dancing with each other for goodness sake. And already taking precautions. Good on Grant and Amanda for making a joke. I’m sorry I missed that bit.

  4. Look for me yesterday I had enough of hearing about this virus. The more you hear about it the more depressing it sounded. I even started watching mafs just to focus on something. I then tuned in to DWTS. It was nice to have some relief and watch a nice down to earth show. Yes I suppose what they did last night totally went against the grain but it was a light relief.

  5. No social distancing on DWTS? Perhaps they should bring the cameras to our line dancing group and film there. Oh hold on, that’s just been cancelled as well 🙁

  6. With only 4 couples left, they could make the grand final this sunday. The isolated couple will be back by then. Eliminate one couple mid way thru then there are 3 left.

  7. Social Distancing! oh then it’s alright to allow 2700 or so passengers off a cruise ship at Circular Quay packed like sardines as they left the ship? talk about mixed messages!

  9. i think the dancing is ok, as long as they are always dancing with the same person, and not spreading any infection to the wider community, in the same way that the medical cheif says its still ok to hug a family member.

    I would like to see an explanation as to why the crew in the audience were sitting shoulder to shoulder.

  11. I’m not sure this post is totally fair, the *audience* last night were crew who were performing social distancing by not sitting next to others, and it wasn’t played for a gag.

    The intimacy of these dancers is quite akin to romantic parters, and there is no recommendation we should start sleeping in seperate beds to our partners ~ unless they’re travellers or infected. Christian and Lilly’s shared isolation is indicative of the intimacy of this practice.

    As much as this needs to be taken seriously and as disappointed as I was with how the hosts played it for gags, beyond the judges sitting further apart I don’t think this show needs to change more. So long as the dancers are performing adequate social distancing in their personal lives, these performances are safe and should continue.

      1. Hi David, Will POO be stopping filming? Would you agree most shows should pause filming for the time being for everyone’s health and safety.

          1. Hi guys,
            I work on Dancing With The Stars and honestly I feel far safer working here than going to a local supermarket or sittibg in a train right now. The precautions being taken behind the scenes are truly above and beyond. The crew were sitting with at least one gap between them and were spread out far more than you could see on air. We are all taking care of one another and want to bring you some joy and relief during these truly awful times whilst being highly aware of this horrific disease and taking all the necessary precautions.

          2. Hi, by all means bring us joy but do it so the show sends the right message. I’ve enjoyed DWTS since day 1, I think the best live production 10 has done since Idol. But bringing joy is not a leave pass to disregard the advice. One chair space is not 1.5m as far as I can see. Shoulder to shoulder hosts, dancers in skybar is not 1.5m (nor the band I suspect). Health.gov.au recommends for workplaces: “Stop handshaking and other physical greetings.” If the show gets to regroup again bring on the 1.5m Dance Challenge. The floor is big enough, and the choreographers talented enough. Thx.

          3. I’ll concede here, you’re absolutely right David ~ and thank you for taking a lead by going to bat for this.

      2. Just checked on TenPlay (an unfortunate benefit of working from home) and the crew were sitting at least a seat apart and each row was shifted so no one was sitting immediately behind one another. Granted it wasn’t 1.5m and not as visually impactful as Q&A’s efforts, but clearly efforts were made.

        1. Efforts are not enough on a national TV network. They need to set the best example possible. Meet or exceed the Govt social distancing requirements or suspend production.

  12. I would say its the right move, based on what we’ve seen escalate over the weekend. This is all moving so fast, a week away for a possible finale is quite a way away. I’d also argue the same for big brother contestants. This is going to air when most of us will be locked up at home looking for escapism, we will see a group sit around all drinking…

  13. I’m not sure how to feel about this. DWTS is great entertainment and provides a much needed escape. It’s not as though they’re dancing with someone different every week.

  14. I think they should just pre record the rest of the season now and only use judges votes and maybe a virtual jury of 100 viewers and play it out.
    Or just do what ireland did and finish it early with 6 couples in the finale

      1. Craig resides in London, I’m surprised he’s still here to be honest. Or, maybe he’s better off hunkering down here given the situation in Europe.

  15. If students can go to school (including studying dance) why can’t DWTS continue? I’m sure they’re a lot more sanitary than 1500 grotty teenagers who are all locked in a classroom for 6 hours a day.

    1. ^ Exactly this. ScoMo has been saying that schools should remain open no matter what at the moment – and Dancing is almost exactly the same.
      Also, as some other comments are saying – this has literally no difference to being in the supermarket or being on a train or being with a romantic partner.

      1. With respect, not the same. Schools have been kept open to keep parents working incl health & economy continuing. The advice for supermarkets and trains is also to keep distance. I haven’t suggested the show halt, it’s a workplace and can continue. I’ve suggested they social distance just as other 10 shows are doing on air. Send the right message.

    1. Dancing doesn’t always need to be contact. There can be choreographed dance routines between 2 people at a distance. That’s a possible option.

  17. There is a lot of programming that portray without social distancing and it’s mostly pre-recorded. I think if a program contains a significant amount of content without social distancing, there could be health warnings about risks regarding CoViD-19 before the shows. I think the live programming should know better. I think television is a reflection of society and there are the old sayings “life imitating art” and “art imitating life”.

  18. They took many precautions to date so people need to stop being so precious. Go to any shop, petrol station and U see people close to each other. If we took this a the way there would be no hugs, kisses for our partners or lovers. Keep washing your hands and avoid people gatherings that’s the main message.

  20. Lets be honest, Dancing with the Stars, is not a format that lends itself to our new “social distancing” world, TEN and any other international versions currently on air, should really press pause for now.

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