by Lolito Tampus

Created on: June 26, 2010

This is another perspective on judging. This is not about how we size up the quality of a person by means of our observations and established relationships. This is not also about how we assess or evaluate a game, an event or a story. Nor this is the pronouncement of a verdict whether to punish or free an accused in court. This is about judging the winners for the talent contest.

There is meaning and significance watching TV contests. There is a feeling of relaxation, amusement and thrills every time the contestants perform their best. We can watch the emergence of promising and unique talents that outhit viewer's expectations, experiences and imaginations.  

Passing through meticulous auditions, the contestants strive to get favorable responses from the judges and the texters. Superb repertoires and choreographs are presented in order to stay in the line for more, more weeks.

The greatest question is when good performers are booted out . Some  would complain in silence while the others get contented to be  included in  the show. But even if there is a show of sportsmanship, there is still the lack of the element of fairness in revealing the best choices through the most appropriate judgment.

The members of the board of judges give the sincerest output to challenge everyone by giving substantial critiques and  comprehensive admiration. Their status is perhaps regular, additional, replacement or substitute but all of these don't matter at all. They are bound to deliver the best as paid experts with wisdom and personal convictions as expected by the audience and the organizers. And they are supposed to have the freehand in  providing  the final decision.

Texting  our votes to determine winners is not at  all that  disadvantageous. It can generate income for the organizers and participants. It can accommodate people's sentiments alongside with the judge's opinions. It can create trending too. However, the procedure becomes similar to a popularity contest or an  electoral process. It dissolves the essence of a game or contest which is based on talent and performance.

It's hard to deduce some participants garnered fewer votes because of color roots, work background, marital status and looks. It's worse to imagine that even mannerisms, sexuality and reactions during interviews are considered. And it's worst to realize that a great number of texters don't know how to judge at all!

However. if texting is indeed needed for rating purposes and for  sponsorships, we may award performers like: " texters choice award "  or " the people's champ" . But the jurors should have the final say that represents the valid sentiments and conscience of the nation.  With this format, the losing partakers would not be mistaken for  sour graping in the end. They would not be blamed of course for echoing the lyrics of the song of Frank Sinatra which states: "The record shows, I took the blows. I did it my way. Yes, it was my way! "    

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