Re: SCD 2019 Tango's 'Little Bit Of Honesty' Thread

[diamondsandpearls]

I saw Louisa dance with Vin cent several times, one being up in Glasgow at an International show, which was a dance version of the Eurovision song contest.  She was 17, and Arlene said Louisa was fearless.  I remember Vin cent getting a bit exasperated with her in the training room, as she kept getting the giggles when he was trying to teach her the tango. He told her 'you're an actress, so act the part'. He said on on one of the VT's that maybe she was just too young to tango. They managed a cracking tango in the end to 'Sweet dreams are made of this'. The scary thing is, if she's only 10 years older, then she's still only around AJ's age.  He's continually being called the baby of the professionals, which I find irritating as Vin cent was a similar age at the time, and AJ's not that much younger than many of the other male dancers.

It's more than 10 years ago B4p! Time travels fast and Louisa is now 30. But AJ is 24 (so only 20 when he started Strictly).

LOVED Louisa and Vinthent. My favourite of his partners, with the exception of Rachel. I can always bring her killer jive to my mind's eye... Happy days!

[mauveangel09]

I saw Louisa dance with Vin cent several times, one being up in Glasgow at an International show, which was a dance version of the Eurovision song contest.

I remember that - it was televised - it was a great show. It was 2006 when she was in the series.

[B4p]

It's more than 10 years ago B4p! Time travels fast and Louisa is now 30. But AJ is 24 (so only 20 when he started Strictly).
LOVED Louisa and Vinthent. My favourite of his partners, with the exception of Rachel.  I can always bring her killer jive to my mind's eye...  Happy days!

Time flies indeed. I thought she'd be around 28 but her stats say 30, and Aj's 25 next week, same age as Graziano. I suppose AJ and Graziano have just been marketed as different stereotypes. I think Vincent was 26 when he partnered Louisa. A brilliant jive for 2 days practise. I wonder if AJ still does any dancing with Chloe or if they've parted ways now? She seems to have vanished.

I enjoyed Rachel's A. Tango, and her lycra dress seemed so modern and classy compared to the traditional downtown Buenes Ares hooker look.

[B4p]

Is it the weekend of 15 November that Graziano and Johannes are dancing together?

[TANGOLERO]

Is it the weekend of 15 November that Graziano and Johannes are dancing together?

Which one is wearing the frilly frock?

[fiftynotout]

Which one is wearing the frilly frock?

Both of them

[TANGOLERO]

Both of them

In truth, can anybody say exactly who this move is pleasing? It certainly isn't me, and I'm confining the comment to Strictly as a dance show and not generalising into life (although that's even more baffling to a straight Catholic married man with children) . Why are men and women suddenly not sufficiently content in their own capacity, and everybody bowing down to the minority of confused Rupert the Bares (deliberate pun) ? Or has the minority become the majority all of a sudden? "Family show" did B rucie call it? Not my idea of it at all I'm afraid, neither is the supposed equality that's become role reversal generally. Is yet another "celebration" on the cards lighting up the town halls? Anybody brave enough?

[CaledonianCraig]

In truth, can anybody say exactly who this move is pleasing? It certainly isn't me, and I'm confining the comment to Strictly as a dance show and not generalising into life (although that's even more baffling to a straight Catholic married man with children) . Why are men and women suddenly not sufficiently content in their own capacity, and everybody bowing down to the minority of confused Rupert the Bares (deliberate pun) ? Or has the minority become the majority all of a sudden? "Family show" did B rucie call it? Not my idea of it at all I'm afraid, neither is the supposed equality that's become role reversal generally. Is yet another "celebration" on the cards lighting up the town halls? Anybody brave enough?

I think I voiced my concern on same sex partners in Strictly before this series started. It would seem that this is a way of the producers dipping their toe in the water to see what reaction is to be had from same sex partners.

You make a very valid point TANGOLERO in that it is supposed to be a family show so for me this is a step too far. And no I am not homophobic as I know there have been many gay celebrities to take part in Strictly who I have urged to do well and also rated pro dancer Robin Windsor very highly.

[saxonsiren]

Tbh I'm not in favour of mixing it up re SCD and same sex couples to score points for being in trend or to force a current issue.
I recall Susan who did not wish to dance with same sex partner but a male dancer called Kevin from Grimsby! We have had Gay Pro dancers, contestants without same sex partners.

[TANGOLERO]

It can be summed up very simply: Who is pushing for change? Is somebody organising a "Let's keep Strictly as it is!" "celebration?" marching round the studio with feather boas and top hats and canes? Fraid not, before you know it the Ruperts' and their bean counters (read viewer counters) will be running the show (if they aren't already doing that). Object if you dare, the outrage department is on the march already just waiting to accuse you of all sorts of "isms" .... Keep dancing chaps....er, ...

[mauveangel09]

It would seem that this is a way of the producers dipping their toe in the water to see what reaction is to be had from same sex partners.
.

I think that's exactly what it is - CC  - a massive BBC tick box exercise, nothing more!  Can't see it catching on for the UK version of SCD.

I think I said on CC's previous thread on this subject that I'm not against same sex couples dancing per se and it works in a lot of dance forms and ice skating - plus you will always have Elsie and Doris dancing together in dance clubs and classes up and down the country - due to lack of male partners nothing else!  However I believe that in general, ballroom and latin is best done by two people of the opposite sex if that is possible to achieve. its irrelevant what their sexual persuasion happens to be.   Paso, Argentine Tango, all rely on male female energies to me.  

btw -Johannes and Graziano are good buddies - Graziano couldn't be more straight - have you seen his lovely fiancé?  A 'Burn the Floor' dancer, I'm surprised she hasn't been recruited to SCD before now.

[B4p]

Well what has Neil done to be on crutches? Is he going to be fit for Saturday?
Felt sorry for Alex training by herself. It can't be easy pretending to be in hold when you're not, without a pro steering you. A slow Foxtrot American Smooth with potential lifts needs another pro helping out otherwise she'll be at risk this weekend.

Sorry to see Will go, but not surprised with that injury. I hope he continues to recover over the next few months.

[TANGOLERO]

I think that's exactly what it is - CC  - a massive BBC tick box exercise, nothing more!  Can't see it catching on for the UK version of SCD.

Today, I can see it happening. About two hundred years ago, back in the days when I started life learning the alphabet with chalk on a piece of slate; dance lessons then were about skipping around under arches and stuff and partners were girls in vests and navy-blue bloomers whilst we wore vest and underpants (those who had any, if not baggy pants with braces) and stockinged feet ( with mandatory darnings of course) while Miss McGuffy walloped out a tune on an old upright piano. ( Something about "Come lasses and lads, take leave of your dads, away to the maypole high", if memory serves.) If there were an unequal number of lads, the very suggestion of any of them dancing with each other would have made the French Revolution look like a bun-fight. You stood off to one side (not me, I was quite handsome and girls fought to partner me) and waited for your turn or did a "Please Miss, may I leave the room?)

The same rules applied later at the youth club except they weren't needed. Who would dare in a Catholic school? Nothing like that even entered heads, and the Parish Priest prowled relentlessly around to deter any romantic leanings of any sort as being the gateway to fire and brimstone. A lad who could dance (and most of us learned) was ever in demand from the girls and it helped if you could fight a bit too. I suppose this explains the reluctance of anyone of my era to even think about same sex dancing amongst men. Girls danced with each other all the time and we'd quite often jive with two girls at the same time. Two blokes dancing would have got you a good hiding. Just the way it was.

[fiftynotout]

Does anybody remember a YouTube clip from a few years back when Artem (I believe) was dancing a rumba with James Jordan (I believe). It was only a spoof but actually quite beautiful. They were “moving to music” and their gender (to me) soon became irrelevant.

[TANGOLERO]

Does anybody remember a YouTube clip from a few years back when Artem (I believe) was dancing a rumba with James Jordan (I believe). It was only a spoof but actually quite beautiful.  They were “moving to music” and their gender (to me) soon became irrelevant.

This one..?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiX0bSspyQs

[jingle]

My goodness, it's hard to believe it was 9 years ago when that clip was first shown on ITT!  Artem has hardly aged at all since then. I was never keen on James J when he was on Strictly, but really liked him on Dancing on Ice. And speaking of which, I believe there'll be a same sex pairing on the next DOI, H from Steps with Matt Evers. So it'll be interesting to see how that works out.
When it comes to Strictly and a same sex c.eleb and pro pairing, my only concern is that the BBC would turn it into a novelty. On the other hand I think the occasional man/man or woman/woman routine in the pro group dances is interesting and it's good to reflect diversity, I'll look forward to the Graziano/Johannes routine.  

On a different subject, really really sorry to hear Will has withdrawn. I genuinely can't believe that Janette would've choreographed him jumping from a height, it seems such a silly risk. After Anneka blurting out on ITT that the pros are told which dance, music and theme they've been given, I do suspect that the dance storylines, props etc are imposed on the pros. But anyway, just hope that Will's injury won't impact on his 2020 paralympics

[mauveangel09]

[quote= After Anneka blurting out on ITT that the pros are told which dance, music and theme they've been given, I do suspect that the dance storylines, props etc are imposed on the pros. But anyway, just hope that Will's injury won't impact on his 2020 paralympics[/quote]

Did you hear Giovanni say on ITT last night that it was so good to get a '10' for a dance that was your 'own routine'? My hunch is that whilst most of it is definitely imposed on them the more talented/experienced/confident get to choreograph at least some of their own routines to the themes that they have been given. A nton has choreographed a lot of his and K evin certainly choreographed that Strictly Ballroom paso that he did at Blackpool one year. Conversely, I think those who are less experienced or good in the choreography department get more help (or get it done for them) along with most of them getting help for the specialist character dances.

I will be watching the Matt Evers and H partnership with interest. I liked the same sex stuff they did in the group n umbers on Dancing on Ice last year.

[B4p]

Did you hear Giovanni say on ITT last night that it was so good to get a '10' for a dance that was your 'own routine'?  My hunch is that whilst most of it is  definitely imposed on them the more talented/experienced/confident get to  choreograph at least some of their own routines to the themes that they have been given.  A nton has choreographed a lot of his and K evin certainly choreographed that Strictly Ballroom paso that he did at Blackpool one year.  Conversely, I think those who are less experienced or  good in the choreography department get more help (or get it done for them)  along with most of them getting help for the specialist character dances.

I can't quite belief that Neil couldn't have come up with a Charleston without someone else choreographing it. Whether it's time constraints too, I don't know. I know a lot of the newer pros are latin based and some haven't done ballroom before so getting ballroom help is understandable. I think Oti and Katya must sort their own choreography out as they seem to think more 'out of the box' than most of the other females

[diamondsandpearls]

I think all the pros get help with the Charleston as it's not one of the ten competition dances and although they may have danced it, they won't be as experienced in it as they perhaps need to be. They usually give a shout out to Jenny someone - she has blonde hair I seem to remember. I think they also get help on the couple's choice routines. - perhaps not the contempwaft so much, but certainly the street and the theatrical.

Changing the subject...

I can hear my Afor/Agin weather vane creaking a bit as it veers away from Agin Kelvin to somewhere halfway between Agin and Afor. He's quite earnest, which I didn't warm to initially, but I'm beginning to find that reasonably endearing now. Also, he was fully on board with the fact his posture in the waltz was not good, and his Tango showed how much he has worked on it. So for that reason I am looking forward to their waltz (or is it VW?) on Saturday. I think I like him doing ballroom more than I like him doing latin. In latin his 'eeps' (thanks Vinthent) work overtime but his upper body doesn't quite flow as much as I would like. In ballroom however, now he has sorted out his frame, his upper body strength helps maintain the lines, and his footwork is very nifty, so everything works in harmony.

Also looking forward to Karim's Quickstep. Amy is one of my favourite pros and I know she will have taken on board the judges comments about the need for light and shade and to stop rushing around so much. She can also choreograph pure, basic technique very well and I think this could be a classic QS, especially as - for once - the music isn't working against them.

I think Neil's injury may well be the making of Alex. I feel she has totally stepped up to the plate and is taking charge of her own progression. It must be SO hard to practice a ballroom hold with no partner and she is just getting on with it. She has managed a couple of days rehearsal with Kevin, which, although it must be weird with him being a different height and build (she said as much on ITT), at least she hasn't had to spend the whole of the week dancing on her own. I think in previous weeks she has very much been 'I'm the pupil and I'm just going to be led around' (perfectly normal!) - now I feel she is 'this is my j word and I am going to do my utmost to make this dance happen'. She has great grit and determination, but I think we are only just now seeing that in action. I think it should see her through this week. I do hope so, as I would like to see her dance back with Neil again next week.

I think Michelle is also going to be the business this week. And although I haven't taken to her, she has a lot of support - more than Ashley did last year who got completely trolled on social media for being a good dancer and (shock horror ) from the US. I think Michelle being a judge on Drag Race UK is pulling her in a lot of support.

And Emma B may pull it out of the hat this week. I think she realises what is needed in the performance stakes, ie the connection/chemistyr with partner, and letting go and living the dance. As you know, I am very afeard of the Rumba, and I will still probably watch this one from behind my hands, but it's a step up from behind the sofa...

Those are the ones who are feel are stepping it up this week.

As for the rest... Saffron will no doubt turn in a very good salchamba to whatever AJ (or the producer's) have choreographed which I am unlikely to like, raging at the TV: "that's not a proper Salsa - bring out Gorka..."  Mike will be gurning as though his life depends on it (or because Katya has threatened him with dire consequencs if he doesn't) through a typical KatCom routine* (remember when Pasha had the same song...? Fun, comedic moments, but not all out slapstick. That's the way to choregraph comedy - you need the contrast to show up the funny moments). Chris will do the very best dance that he is capable of to the Couples Choice Street routine, but he is no Chucky Ven and he has a sh*t tune. And Emma W will do a very nice week 4 Samba.

Yes, I'm quite looking forward to this week

*Yes, yes, I quite realise that I have totally contradicted what I said in my opening paragraph about them all getting help with the Charleston choreo... Firstly, I am totally allowed to do that (see rule 44, section 5a, subsection iii: Being Inconsistent [changing of mind or being contradictory - allowed in small measures; no penalties incurred]), secondly, whilst blonde Jenny will have helped with the moves and technique, it will be totally Katya's bonker's concept and it is very much her belief that no amount of gurning is too much (it is: rule 102, section 2d, subsection i: Facial Expressions [Acceptable Paso Face, Tango Face, Charleston Face etc, gurning disallowed - performers will be penalised])

[jingle]

Me too Diamonds, I'm coming round to Kelvin each week, he comes across as quite a modest person which I like. I'm warming to Karim as well, and really looking forward to his quickstep tonight.
I've decided to put my support behind Chris, just for likeability and also his j-word. I'm hoping he hasn't let the BBC turn his VT for tonights couple's choice into some sentimental tearjerker. Sorry to sound harsh, but I'm not keen on that side of Strictly one bit. So I'm hoping Chris manages to inject some tongue-in-cheek humour into his VT.
Curious to see how Emma B's rumba turns out, because on the ITT couch there seems to be negative chemistry with A.nton. On this week's show I don't think they looked each other in the eye for the entire interview, really odd. Though maybe the actress in her will take over again tonight.
Will Mike produce a Hollins-style turnaround with his charleston tonight? I'm doubting it - Team Cola was 10 years ago when the charleston still had a novelty factor in the show.
It's getting harder to predict the bottom two, especially if Chris's CC goes well. I'm thinking a battle of the two Emmas in the dance off maybe?

[CaledonianCraig]

I see its Kevin from Grimsby partnering Alex again tonight. I think she'll do enough to be safe and she is now sort of almost in the contenders pack.

[Moova 12]

I like Kelvin and Oti. She is one of my favourite professionals. I also like Amy who seems lovely. Alijz and Gorka are my favourite males.
Rest are watchable apart from my agins Housewives choice, Karen and AJ.
The Emma B and Housewives choice pairing has no chemistry for me. At least with Ruth or Katie I could watch ITT segment. Now fast forward as I do with Saffron and AJ. I usually do with Karen but have watched this year as I like Chris.
When, as in this series, I don’t really know the celebs AND also am not invested in them (usually someone by this point), then it is about the professional.

I would be happy with Oti or Amy to lift the trophy come December.

On another subject I hope Alex does well. I haven’t warmed to Neil as much as I expected and want to see her dance with Kevin. Maybe that is a twist week change partner. After all it is about the celebrity dancer not the pro.

[jingle]

On another subject I hope Alex does well. I haven’t warmed to Neil as much as I expected and want to see her dance with Kevin. Maybe that is a twist week change partner. After all it is about the celebrity dancer not the pro.

Nor me Moova. Having waited for Neil to be on the show for years now, I think he's been a bit over-shadowed by the wonderful Johannes (who's become my favourite pro by a mile).

I'm probably alone in wishing this, but I'd like to see Graziano given another chance. I do think he had an unwilling partner in Vick Hope. He catches my eye in the group dances, I just think it's a shame he's in the background.

[CaledonianCraig]

Okay I will dive in here with the first summary of tonight's show. Again it was another night I felt myself disagreeing with the judges a lot.

Karim and Amy: Karim always dances at 100 mph so this Quickstep dance was always going to suit him. It was the dance of the night from me. Quick, sharp and polished. A 9 from me.

Michelle and Gio: I don't think she was quite so comfortable with this dance but she covered it up very well. Aside from her body shaping being off on the odd occasion I thought it was great. An 8 from me.

Emma W. and Alijaz: There was faffing at the start. Was about 10 to 20 seconds into the dance before she started dancing. It felt a little slow paced and she looked ponderous. The lift was nice. Not her best dance. A 6.5 from me.

Kelvin and Oti: I didn't like the start and the first spin was messy. The spin of Oti was great. Not his best dance but the judge drool was there again. Over-marked considering the judges identified mistakes. A 7.5 from me.

Saffron and AJ: I liked this though the judges were critical. For me it was fast paced and she really attacked it. One of her best dances for me. A 7.5 from me.

Alex and Neil: To me it looked like there were mistakes at the start but it got better as it went on. I seemed to notice more tonight (than last week) that Kevin was not her regular partner. A 7.5 from me.

Chris and Karen: I enjoyed this. A fun routine. It had the odd error but for all I enjoyed it and I like Chris - for me it was over-marked quite a bit. A 7 from me.

Emma B and An ton: To me this was a really good effort. It had some good content and she did seem more expressive but the judges were really pretty critical. A 7 from me.

Mike and Katya: A decent effort. He had all the goofy facial expressions to a tee and captured the fun element. One or two mistakes though and felt it was over-marked. A 7 from me.

For me the dance-off should be between Emma W and perhaps Emma B. However Mike and Chris could end up in the dance-off.

[Moova 12]

For me this was an odd week. My opinions were a little wardrobe driven.
Karim and Amy- for me tailors shop screamed him in tails sweeping Amy off her feet. The red trousers and skirt seemed to merge.
Kelvin and Oti another grey outfit again I didn’t like it though Oti looked fabulous. They just didn’t go. I suppose it was the contemporary start.
Chris looked like he had Karen’s jogging bottoms on. I was waiting for them to fall down!
Michelle honestly if anyone could carry off the whole hog Spanish look it is her. Just felt it was odd.
They have a job lot of PE knickers for Saffron. I thought they were going to be grey with crystals on ITT or did I get mixed up?

Two Emmas in DO for me.

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