PAMello

Really? You really think the Blue Devils would stomp all over DCA corps, "including the Bucs." Going out on a limb are we? Wow, can wait til you actually see a show.

I guess I would feel a little better if one of the more knowledgable* guys on DCP said, "This is NOT over." Most of what I'm hearing is "Bucs are gonna win, stay home if you expect an evening of passionate drum corps competition." *Homers or Fake Namers need not apply

Well maybe I should clarify since was actually at the show that I'M talking about... DCA now has a champion who is specifically focused on 9 judges, it also has a handful of top 5 (by 2010 standards ) corps who are trying to be just like the Bucs... and the one corps that tried to break through the wall to me, the paying customer, seemed to be (unofficially) penalized, when I would l think that entertainment would be encouraged. The crowd was in a coma til Empire and Cabs Alum, do you think you're getting any more disposable entertainment dollars out of THOSE people? You'll need a defribulator. And since you mentioned that you WOULDN'T stay home just because the outcome of a competitive sporting event was predetermined by a clique of show designers and judges 6 months ago, then maybe I WILL go to DCA and I'll buy YOU the first one. DCA goes in cycles and it's probably true that in the mid to late 80's the Bushwackers or Sunrisers would have won every show til today... but it seems an emphasis on entertainment and showmanship was encouraged, and that gave way to Shore, Empire, Cabs and Brigs winning. Because there was no way those corps were going to out-Bushwacker the Bushwackers. If DCA is currently "Who is most like the Bucs?" Well I'd say he Bucs will win that contest.

And maybe if everybody just saved their money, and stayed home because it's so obvious that the Bucs are going to win every show regardless of any other corps effort... Oh wait you're the guy who never goes to any shows and just insults all the "lesser" corps (which in your mind is all of them)...I would actually like to see the activity last another 50 years. and BTW a lot of PAYING customers agreed that was not a 4 point victory. The judges checks actually come from our wallets.

It's weird ... like there are more people on DCP than there were at the show in Lewisburg. I know that people have really thin skin on this site, but I thought Empire won that show or were at least really close. My opinion was that those two are going to be neck and neck right up to the end like '86. I'm a little concerned that as a fan I was so far off from the judges... maybe 4 points isn't that big of a deal... I wouldn't invest in the trip to DCA to see Bucs walk away with it.

You hit the nail right on the head.

I don't want to give it away ... but the witch melts at the end. It's a pretty well known movie, you should rent it.

Well if you haven't seen any shows this year, then your comments are at best unsupported (making you currently unqualified). The Bucs are great again obviously ... but you'd be surprised, Empire's show is ... trying to find the right word... muscular. Their guard carries the story line ... and the brass and drum impacts are very grown up... and well, muscular.

I'm glad someone agrees with me... a lot of people around me were saying "this is close, maybe Empire did it." I'm no expert, and I know there is always "inside" info and trends and all that, but I figured Empire won horns and overall GE and Bucs won M&M and some execution judges... but man it was close. I'm not surprised Bucs won, but it should be a real dogfight. So let me ask cause I see a lot of you guys here all the time but I don't want to get beat up on: Does a corps get penalized for going for the crowd? Does the judging discourage it? It's like everyone but Empire is trying to be the Bucs, my buddy called the Hurcs "Green Bucs Lite." and even Hawthorne is taking a sophisticated approach. Another friend asked : Would you pay to watch 10 Bucs copycats? Considering what we spent on tickets and gas, no way. Back in the day - a 4 point spread was a message from the judges to forget it. We won't go to Rochester (last time we went they had a friggin hurricane)... and I probably won't spend money on a senior show for a long time.

Is Madison a lock for finals?