MovieChat Forums > Superstars of Dance (2009) Discussion > South African Judge

South African Judge

posted 15 years ago by homegnome1
8 replies | jump to latest

Yikes - what a horrible, obnoxious, self-righteous, egotistical, arrogant, nasty, ignorant (am I forgetting anything?) jerk. Does he have to make his bias against India so obvious? His standards shift, based on the country he's judging. India's group was not "in sync" according to him, yet he gave the Chinese team a 10 - obviously not in sync. He has set himself up as the "expert on everything" (why, because he's seen a bollywood film?). He is using his position to leverage his own team, by reducing their competitions overall score.
His arrogance only makes him appear ignorant instead of informed.
(Oh yeah - the Argentinian judge is almost as bad.)
What an awful show, it shows the best (the artists) and worst (judges) some countries have to offer.

[–] posiden100 15 years ago

Wow, you clearly do not knwo judging very well, do you? The South African judge is only showing his point of view. Now you may not liek it, or agree with him, yet you must understand that he is only giving his comment, his oppionon on the dance. He is very presice and knows what he is doing. If he didn't do you think they would even have him be judging?

[–] homegnome1 15 years ago

I know dance, especially classic Indian dance. He might be giving his opinion, but I learned early on to temper my opinions with grace and consideration, not obnoxious arrogance. Precision and arrogance are not the same thing. I assure you, after this show, he will never be heard of again. No one would risk the rue of their viewers by inviting him.
I agree with you regarding the American dance troupes. We have too vast a culture of dance, from square dancing to tap dancing to ballroom, swing and modern interpretive dancing. How did we ever as a nation define ourselves as street dancing only? Although good, they represent fewer performers than toddler gymnastics - shall we showcase them?

[–] DiPQ 15 years ago

I LOVED watching all the different styles of dance that came from the different countries. But I have to agree with homegnome1, the South African judge was HORRIBLY RUDE and abnoxious, and I too think he came off as incredible arrogant. Giving his point of view was one thing (as many of the judges did), but he did it with such rudeness it was incredible! He gave his point of view when it was unwanted. How many times did he gobble on about a dancer when none of the other judges said nothing but gave their scores? MANY!

I didn't like him. I don't know if this show will make another season or not, but I wouldn't at all be surprised if the South African judge isn't on it!

[–] melunna 15 years ago

Omg. Completely agree with everything you said.
There were definitely times where I felt like hurling my remote at the tv when this guy came on to talk.
I know quite a bit about the Indian dances, so imo they overall did a better job than anything he gave them credit for. The soloists were brilliant!
I'd really like to see why he think he's such an expert on every kind of dance on the show.

I'm not being funny, but.......

[–] rayden12 15 years ago

The only time I had any respect for him was when he gave that Argentinian solo dancer (the half-naked shimmy woman) something like a 4. And then of course the two buffoons from Ireland and Russia gave her a 10 . I never thought it would be South Africa to show any professionalism.

It's not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you.

[–] LadyAnne608 15 years ago

half-naked? that's an overstatement.

Grumble all you like, this is how it's going to be -Anne Boleyn

[–] tashi-8 15 years ago

I'd really like to see why he think he's such an expert on every kind of dance on the show.

Harold is actually a very accomplished dancer and choreographer, having worked all over the world with some of the world's top artists.

Check out his TVSA Actor Profile: http://www.tvsa.co.za/actorprofile.asp?actorID=2770

He was a dancer on the first two seasons of South Africa's Strictly Come Dancing (the same format as Dancing with the Stars) and was the head judge of So You Think You Can Dance South Africa.

He is a pretty abrasive personality, but his dance credentials are impeccable. Almost as impeccable as his carefully cultured facial hair. :)

[–] SuperhumanChichi 15 years ago

Harold Van Buuren - I don't know what to say about him. I thought overall his critiques were more thorough than the other judges. He seemed to be the only one grading the performers based on their performance (i.e. he gave Carolina a 4, while Ireland and Russia gave her a 10 because she's sexy), so I give him a thumbs up for that. What really pissed me off about him though was his scores for Mythili - he gave her an 8 and said "there's always room for improvement" - GTFO of here!

I don't really think he has a bias against India though. South Africa does have a lot of Indians and Van Buuren did say he has seen "stunning Bollywood dancers" and that they [Nishi and Sangita] "were just not strong enough for a competition of this level." In all honesty, as much as I was offended by his remarks, I think he was right on target with some of his comments.