The perversity of crowds

The British television public appears to have discovered a new sport; baiting the judges on talent shows. The continued presence of John Sargeant on Strictly Come Dancing and Daniel Evans on the X-Factor, despite the opinions of the judges, shows a wonderful perversity on behalf of the viewers. And the more the judges protest, the more the crowd ignores them. A sign that people are becoming less deferential to expert opinion or simply a popular expression of support for the underdog? … probably a bit of both.

It may not have reached the level of Rickrolling – in which Rick Astley won the vote for MTV’s Best Act Ever - but few would now bet against Sargeant and Evans making it to the final week in their respective competitions, that is unless the judges find a way to get the crowd to agree with them.