photo: Adéla Houbová, PrahaIN.cz/Všechny pary StarDance XIII
MEDIA ASSESSMENT: Not only the start of the thirteenth season of StarDance…when the stars, but also the first article in the series of our assessments had a great response. Last Saturday, we mainly focused on a special farewell to the judge Zdenek Chlopčík. He finally admitted to us himself that it was a strange dismissal. On the phone, austerely, aloof.
Where something ends, something else begins, one would like to note.
The second part of this year’s cycle had its premiere again on Saturday in prime time, and we can again safely estimate that the viewership will reach over one million viewers. This year’s premiere, as StarDance’s creative producer Lucie Kapounová confirmed to our editors, was watched by a record 1 million 629 thousand viewers.
Our editors set a high standard for such a success, as it is an essential program pearl of the autumn television schedule. That’s why we pay attention to details, clothes, direction, camera shots and conversations between Mark Eben and Tereza Kostková. In this regard, however, it is worth noting that the two know each other very well and a certain amount of improvisation here and there would definitely not hurt. After all, Eben was a member of the famous Ypsilonka for almost two decades, where Jiří Lábus regularly played with the lyrics so convincingly that even their authors would have to be amazed. To this day, by the way, we can find Martin Dejdar, Pavel Nové or Oldřich Navrátil in the artistic group.
Josef Vinař, psychologist, theater researcher and pedagogue at DAMU, has repeatedly emphasized to the author of this article the fine line between a learned text and slight variability. He once gave as an example not only Jaroslav Dušek, but above all Jan Schmid, the founder of Studio Ypsilon.
The faces of the moderator duo, the judges, the Moondance Orchestra band Martin Kumžák, and above all the contestants lit up again on Saturday evening. Lucie Vondráčková, Ondřej Ruml, Patrik Hartl or Marta Dancingerová.
Let us remind you that Martina Ptáčková and Dominik Vodička (jive) earned the lowest point rating after the first week, they got only 12 points. The waltz performed by actress Jana Paulová and dancer Robin Ondráček was the most interesting (25 points).
The first elimination round offered waltz, samba and jive.
what was it like
Let’s start moderators. They were excellent, relaxed, Marek Eben was full of insularity and his partner was certainly not left behind. The band was also perfect. Perhaps except for the cries of “Shakira, Shakira” by one of the singers during the song Hips Don’t Lie.
The key shortcoming of the evening was therefore the jury.
Hopefully, all viewers will agree on the fact that StarDance…when the stars dance is primarily a competition show. Not fun, educational, sports. And competition naturally involves strict verdicts. However, they did not take place for unknown reasons. The jury was competing with each other in comforting and encouraging that it even seemed comical in places. For example, performed by cook Ta Thuy Dung alias Chilli and dancer Jakub Mazůch. Chilli’s dress was torn and she almost fell. She finally managed everything despite the visible tension on her face. The smile from the bottom left to the top right didn’t help either.
Anyway, it was about the mouth, one wants to say. In the end, the dancing couple somehow overcame their troubles and survived. Of course, it’s clear how terrible it must have been for them to toil all week long so that the whole show was ruined through no fault of theirs. It’s just that no one looks back. When a tennis player lets go of the string at a crucial moment and the ball falls behind him instead of smashing it, it’s hard to get it back, isn’t it? Or a football player like that. He kicks a penalty and instead of the ball, the kicker ends up in the net. One laughs, the other cries.
This year’s jury applauded and praised. Ta Thuy Dung should have received verbal support, not points. For us, the performance was a maximum of three points.
And let’s move on.
Weak jury
Patrik Hartl waved his hands as if on the platform in Poděbrady, when families say goodbye on Sundays, he did not let his teacher Tereza Prucková speak slowly, so that he kept emphasizing unnecessary thoughts. He should have gotten a point, maybe two. The jury raved about how much fun they had. Apparently Richard Genzer had mistaken the stage and his thoughts were somewhere in Penny.
On the contrary, Jiří Ježek (and Lenka Nora Návorková) and Filip Blažek (and Adriana Mašková) deserved huge praise and a higher number of points. Blažek is a complete dancing log, he has terror in his eyes and sweat on his forehead, but he has hardly messed anything up. That he looked like Robocop, that was just the way it was. Five points. The hedgehog is amazing in movement, as is Oskar Hes. Both at nine. Lucie Vondráčková is an almost complete professional, nine. Martina Ptáčková bad, three points. Ondřej Ruml average, four points.
That’s how we would evaluate the second evening.
In short, the jury was soft, unnecessarily condescending and considerate. Such a show abroad is capable of making the contestant cry. With us, it’s more about comforting hugs and exaggerated praise. But at the same time, about repetition so that viewers send paid SMS and don’t let their favorites fly away. Quite an ambivalent approach.
It was Saturday night that showed how much Zdeněk Chlopčík is missed and will be missed.
Together with him, singer Ondřej Ruml will no longer appear under the spotlight. He makes a very calm and dignified impression on the audience. People want emotions, he didn’t offer them.
Ah, StarDance! Our beloved autumn tradition – a strange cocktail of sequined skirts, enthusiastic judges, and the occasional unintentional comedy gold that makes us question whether we’re watching a dance competition or an improvised episode of “Fools and Horses”. Just last Saturday, the thirteenth season kicked off with a bang, and by bang, I mean more viewers than a Kardashian Instagram story. That’s right, folks – over 1.6 million people tuned in. You’d think they were watching a new superhero movie, but no, just celebrities trying to remember their left foot!
Now, to kick things off, we have the unfortunate farewell of the judge, Zdeněk Chlopčík. Poor Zdeněk had his dismissal delivered to him in a style reminiscent of a passive-aggressive parent phone call. “It’s not you, it’s me,” said the producer. So classy! One could only imagine how awkward that conversation was – “Thanks for your service, but… we’re going in a different direction. You know, like the cha-cha, but without the flair.”
Moving on to the captivating moderators, Marek Eben and Tereza Kostková. Now, Marek, bless him, has been around longer than a pair of old ballet shoes and knows how to bring the cheekiness. Oh, and let’s not forget the Moondance Orchestra! Those poor souls must have spent the evening desperately trying to make the judges sound intelligent, singing “Hips Don’t Lie” only for one of them to scream “Shakira!” as if they’d just spotted Bigfoot. Classic! But can we talk about the judges for a moment? It seems they’ve brought the “soft touch” approach this year, showering the contestants with as much criticism as a cat receiving a bath.
The competition itself featured a medley of waltzes, samba, and jive, which always sounds more exciting than it actually is. There’s a fine line between entertaining and sheer chaos. Ah, who can forget the moment when Ta Thuy Dung’s dress tore? One moment you’re gracefully waltzing, and the next, you’re starring in a modern art exhibit called “Dress Disaster.” “It’s a statement,” she said with a smile that could only be described as “help, call my tailor.” But alas, the judges showered her with praise like confetti at a poorly organized wedding. “A triumph!” Conspicuously ignoring the fact that she nearly took a header into the judges’ table.
Now, let’s break down the judging panel. What were they thinking? I mean, Patrik Hartl flailing his arms about like someone practicing their interpretation of a chicken on roller skates barely broke a sweat while the rest of the contestants were sweating buckets. The jury seemed more interested in giving hugs than giving scores. It’s like they missed the memo that the show is called “StarDance,” not “Star Cuddle.” Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bear hug as much as the next person, but when your rendition of the samba resembles a two-legged giraffe on ice, it’s time for some constructive feedback!
In a world where contestants can juggle flaming swords while performing the tango, watching them score an affectionate thumbs-up instead of the honest critique they need is a tad unsettling. You have to wonder if judges on other shows are sitting at home with their judging paddles, laughing maniacally as they get their contestants to squirm. Meanwhile, our judges seem to be handing out participation ribbons. “Oh, you made no mistakes, but also no stars? Here’s a trophy for just being here!”
The bottom line is StarDance needs a touch more drama in the judging category. We want our contestants to shine, and at this point, the most emotional moment was the judges deciding whether or not to actually critique. They could use a lesson in tough love from Simon Cowell or, heck, even that ghost from the “Great British Bake Off”. Cut to the chase, be straight! Set aside the polite applause and fake tears for the rehearsals; let’s ignite some authenticity!
As the night drew to a close, we were reminded of how much Zdeněk Chlopčík is truly missed. It’s like watching a soap opera without your favorite character; just a bit bland, really. There was Ondřej Ruml, standing there looking dignified, but leaving us wishing for a hint of drama or at least a minor emotional breakdown. Come on, the audience craves it! Smile on the outside, drama on the dance floor. Does anyone remember what happened to spice?
So, there we have it. StarDance XIII is off to a glittery, if slightly shaky start. More sparkle, more spice, and for crying out loud, a little honesty wouldn’t hurt, eh? Here’s to the antics, the near-misses, and hopefully, just a tad more honest judging. Who knows? We might just get a dance-off worthy of our binge-watching commitments!
This delightful mix of observational humor and sharp commentary should keep readers engaged while evaluating the performance of StarDance XIII. Let’s dance with words, shall we?
