Re: 2022 Tango's 'Little bit of Honesty' Discussion Thread

[Twirlie]

Movie Night


I was surprised that Diane had outside choreography help, she’s been in the show a few years now.

According to Wikipedia, several of the dances have coaches available, usually for dances that the pros haven't had in their repertoire for their professional careers. These have included Salsa, Mambo, Swing, Jive, Rock N’ Roll, Charleston. and the Argentine Tango. It's understandable that the Pros would want to give their Celebrities the best chance possible.

[mauveangel09]

Really enjoyed the show – My two personal favourites were Kym and Graziano and Helen and Gorka. I threw a vote towards Johannes and Elley as I like them and I don’t want them to exit yet. I started scoring this week. I think the contest is very close at this point.

Ritchie and Gio – Samba – 7. It was going to be a lower mark but I think he improved mid-way through after some dodgy promenade runs early on. Fun routine with some samba content and good timing. I enjoyed it but disagreed with Shirley’s comments that this was his best routine – I thought his QS last week was a lot better.

Molly and Carlos – Waltz – 8. Very much agreed with A nton’s diplomatic comment that ‘ it was ok for tonights show’. Good storytelling, good footwork and good posture but for me a bit too placed and static, I wanted to see more of a 3 beat waltz. This couple haven’t yet caught my imagination.

Kym and Graziano – Charleston 9 – I just loved it – my dance of the night. Loved the whole style and it really came together with the music. Thought the lifts looked good. Kym has really gained in confidence and did some good solo work and plenty of ‘swivel’ in evidence.

Hamza and Jowita – Rumba – 7 – They were hampered by the music choice which did not allow for a very expressive rumba but I felt they were doing their best against the odds! Felt I needed to turn down the TV sound and just watch the routine (that's a terrible statement I know!). It was different but there was plenty of rumba content – some nice shaping and pointed toes from Hamza. For a male rumba it was pretty decent and I do really like the understated natural feel and rhythm of Hamza’s dancing.

Ellie and Johannes – Cha Cha – 6 - A bit disappointed as this was such a great track for a Cha Cha and I liked the choreography. I thought she executed the cha cha steps well but there was no ‘oomph’ in it. I think she’s still at the point where she either has to focus on doing the dance steps correctly or focus on the performance, she’s not getting both. I hope she can let herself go as I like them as a couple but she needs to take a step forward soon.

Nadya and Matt – VW - 5 - He got round the floor ok and was really trying, but the frame is not there and I just don't enjoy watching them. I do have a thought that Nadya is not the best teacher and I have always thought this. I do like her a lot more than I did a few years back but I think she has lucked out with some of her partners, like Dan last year. Those that haven’t been very good seem to have stayed that way. I wonder if Matt would be doing better with one of the others? Nadya needs to teach him some more basics and focus on technique, but he seems fragile and takes the comments so personally – I somehow don’t think this contest is right for him.

Tyler and Dianne – Charleston – 9 An excellent performance to great music very ‘West End’ - Tyler is a natural. At the risk of sounding a party pooper I do feel that Dianne used him as a bit of a prop at times during the routine. I also think it is far too early of course for the ‘10’ paddles!

Fleur and Vito – AS – 8 - This is the first dance that I’ve enjoyed from this couple. It was better than their first ballroom routine with more technique shown and more done in hold. I liked the way they integrated the lifts.

James and Amy – Charleston – 7- I quite liked this. I liked the quirky music, I thought it suited the Cha Cha. Felt he made a decent effort and there were some nice bits. Still feel he has a bit of potential but will need more rehearsal time to move forward which probably won’t be possible.

Ellie and Nikita – QS – 7 - I really liked the routine and the choreography. Again Nikita did well with his adaptations. Ellie is a great performer – I felt she lost a bit of energy towards the end and the comments were fair.

Will and Nancy – AS – 9 – Another excellent performance from Will – some good solo work. I would like to see what he can do in close ballroom hold – although judging by last year this is not Nancy’s forte.

Tony and Katya – Samba – 5 - Good for Katya, she certainly knows how to do crowd pleasing routines in order to appeal to the people! Good for Tony too, being such a sport. Really fun and there was also plenty of samba content in there too. Hope he can last for at least another week.

Helen and Gorka – VW – 9 - This to me was a real Viennese Waltz, the first I have seen this season. I thought it flowed beautifully, they covered the floor well and I loved all the twisting and turning and the content - as L en would have said ‘it had swing and sway’. I thought it was a bit undermarked but I did agree with the comments about her head position.

Jayde and Karen – Charleston – 6 – All credit to Jayde for going out there and really owning the dance. They were very well in sync and it was a good routine but overmarked IMO.

[TANGOLERO]

Week Three  
Continued...(D ick Barton music plays  as a quick flashback shows Matt hanging of a cliff with his testicles tied to a buttercup, then the show is saved by a heroic fireworks performance from Tyler, so, to continue........


Fluer and Vito. American smooth. Smooth it was without dazzling. A comfortable early days performance from this good-looking pair. The marks were fair. 6.8.7.8.......29.  

James and Amy. Cha-cha. There are music and dance choice times (too many) when the show seems so unfair pitching chips and fish against champagne and caviar and expecting the see-saw to balance when it’s obvious it can’t. This performance , whilst not earth shattering, was far from the worst  and I thought the marks a little mean as they can mean life and death at this stage.  the fabu-u-lus darling one, I’ll never understand that man as long as he has “hips dahling”  tattood on his forehead. 4,6,6,6...22.



Ellie and Nikita. Quickstep. Ellie is a mini marvel in every sense of the word. A quickstep where Nikita is left with no choice but to be upright was a particularly testing task. They handled it well, looked comfortable and did it without going overboard. Elli is one contestant that popularity will be on her side and I’m not sure yet how far she can go. Tango and Paso (if used) will be difficult to come across as serous to a pantomime influenced G.B.P. Time will tell. 6,7,7,7..... 27.  

Will and Nancy...American Smooth. I’m going to be very controversial (and possibly right against the grain) here because this is one of those scenarios that are so emblazoned on the minds of anyone (mu;ti-millions) who ever saw the classic Dirty Dancing and heard its brilliant sound track.  It’s about two young teenagers (Think Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey), finding each other and falling in love.  This is where a middle-aged guy hits the buffer (my opinion only of course) however well he dances. Women can work wonders with make-up and the pro dancers are comparatively young anyway, but whilst Will is a handsome and fit enough man, he ain’t a teenager. If they’d used “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific, ( far and away my all-time favorite show song) as a track and made will Emilio, it would have been perfect. Maybe I’m thinking too far outside the box, but it’s just my view. Thankfully they left the daft lift out and just danced it well, very well indeed so I may just be talking a load of Borax.  It rated an 8 from the fabu-u-lus darling one.  8.9.8.8 33 so...

Tony and Katya..Samba . Granted this was a one hundred percent predictable pantomime track, poor Tony just had to suffer with the “judges”. He danced a bit like a puppet on a string and was a laughathon target with grandad suspenders and sparkly shorts. Fun it was, but you have to feel at least two of the venerables want him gone.  “Unfair” I mentally howled. 2,6,4,6...18.  

Helen and Gorka. Two good looking people dancing a Vienese Waltz from a smash hit musical and dancing it Fleckerling well . Elegant and pleasing with a fond memory of Olivia Newton John in mind.

7.8.8.8.... 31....

Jayde and Karen. Cha-cha.  Difficult to  know for sure just how dance and poplarity will combine or clash with these two. Karen is handling it all brilliantly, but there is an undeniable stompiness about Jayd in that particular performance.  I think even she went for the Laughometer at the end. 7.8.7.7.

Abd that, as they say, is that from me on Week Three.  

[fiftynotout]

I’ll keep it brief

LOVED Shirley’s hair and dress

DISGRUNTLED at Jayde’s overmarking (she was good but not that good)

DANCE OF THE NIGHT simply has to be Tony (genuine laughter and real tears from me)

TAXI FOR….. Matt (not the show for him)

[B4p]

According to Wikipedia, several of the dances have coaches available, usually for dances that the pros haven't had in their repertoire for their professional careers. These have included Salsa, Mambo, Swing, Jive, Rock N’ Roll, Charleston. and the Argentine Tango. It's understandable that the Pros would want to give their Celebrities the best chance possible.

Understood, but with the exception of Karen, who seems to have help with a lot of her choreography, I'm sure it's not Diane's first Charleston? The celebs don't tend to do Mambo or Rock n Roll and Swing (although we did have those awful swingathons years ago). Most of the pros do some sort of Salsa in their pro routines. I can understand the need for A Tango help as it's so specialist, or for the dreaded Couples Choice dances (which I thought they'd scrapped for this year) but not for most of the others.

[mauveangel09]

Enjoyed reading all the comments this week.

I didn't see that coming in the Results Show tonight.........

Whilst I wasn't surprised that Tony was saved, I was surprised that Matt was voted through and they even called him out first (is there no limit to how much they are pandering to his feelings). I got quite concerned in the last minutes of the 'call out' because I didn't want either of Hamza, Ellie or Richie in the DO - I was more indifferent to Fleur and Vito but surprised nonetheless. Obviously people haven't warmed to them and also being with a new pro doesn't help. It's ironic as I didn't particularly warm to them on the first two weeks but enjoyed what they did this week.

I was very sorry to see Gio and Richie in the DO but according to some of my friends, their routine did not go down too well on social media and looking at the costumes again tonight they were very,' fancy dress box' like - I think they could have given them better. Stitch up comes to mind, although going on first never helps.

in the DO itself I thought that Fleur could not possibly go out on that routine. I was sad for Richie and Gio - I really like Richie as a person and I liked the partnership, I was looking forward to seeing more of what they could do. I suppose Gio had a great season last year and has always had partners who have stayed in for a decent length of time so it is a first for him! What a shame that we won't be seeing any more of him this year, what with Kai gone too.

Not the DO that I expected but there you go, I think it is going to be an unpredictable year. I was pleased that Elley and Johannes went through but I hope she repays my loyalty next week by getting her act together

[B4p]

Whilst I wasn't surprised that Tony was saved, I was surprised that Matt was voted through and they even called him out first  (is there no limit to how much they are pandering to his feelings).   I got quite concerned in the last minutes of the 'call out' because I didn't want either of Hamza, Ellie or Richie in the DO -

I was very sorry to see Gio and Richie in the DO but according to some of my friends, their routine did not go down too well on social media and looking at the costumes again tonight they were very,' fancy dress box' like - I think they could have given them better. Stitch up comes to mind, although going on first  never helps.

I agree Mauve. I thought the call out on the result show was cruel this week and have mentioned it on The Presenters thread. The weakest through first, followed by the next 3 weakest dancers. In no particular order? Do me a favour.

I shall miss Ritchie. He wasn't the best but not the worst. He gave his all every week and got on well with Gio. When I saw their costumes, I also thought here comes the stitch up. There's a couple who IMO are just winging it, and getting by on minimal effort. I hope they get weeded out next. I'm also hoping that Hamza can keep ahead of the mid-range dancers. I don't want him to disappear just yet.

[TANGOLERO]

Sooooooo. Let's not be too surprised at G.B.P voting antics even surpassing the judges directives. My first comment last night was the improbability of expecting Richie to dance well in that monstrosity of a costume. Totally unfair.
Our next door neighbour is a big Goss fan (I'm sure she'll get better in time) a sentiment certainly not shared by me, and Richie was always a fair bet to be a candidate for the D.O if common sense applied to two of the others. It didn't. Fleur may not be the new Ginger Rogers, but she should never have been under the red light bulb.

Love Tony's attitude but his skill levels are unfortunately unlikely to take him much further and with Matt Goss both should heading home soon. That is of course, in a realistic world and not a Strictly one. After that, anything can happen, and probably will. Next week will focus on knuckle alignment, neck swivel and the correct angles of the buttocks to the perpendicular. Look out in particular for the jelly-bone shuffle if they use the hokey-cokey as a new dance. C raig may demonstrate it on It Takes Two.

Dance on...

[B4p]

Next week will focus on knuckle alignment, neck swivel and the correct angles of the buttocks to the perpendicular. Look out in particular for the jelly-bone shuffle if they use the hokey-cokey as a new dance. Dance on...

Which brings me to the Couples Choice. On several sites, people have been under the impression that this had now been scrapped, but no, it begins next week. Tyler is doing a DJ 'Garage Mix' Couples Choice. How that will be marked - who knows. I wonder who will choreograph that one?

[Twirlie]

The DO was this year's first example of the middle of the leader board being the dangerous place to be. At the top of the board, everyone's safe because of high scores. If Joe public votes heavily for those at the bottom (like Tony and Matt) to keep them in, it's very easy for those in the middle to find themselves at the bottom of the combined vote. I don't think Ritchie or Fleur were particularly unpopular. I just think people assumed that they were safe and didn't feel the need to support them. One can only hope that having seen what can happen when they vote for the underdog, the GBP will start voting for quality instead. I shan't hold my breath though.

There was no doubt that Fleur's performance was better than Ritchie's both on the night and in the DO. If it had been his quickstep from last week, it would have been a different story. Whether it was because of the ghastly costumes or not, Ritchie and Gio's was a pretty clumsy routine IMO.

I'm' not surprised that Shirley said she'd have saved Ritchie. I don't think she likes Fleur very much. It's maybe just me, but she always seems to be a bit harder on her than some of the others. Does she always find a girl she starts picking on each year? She gives me that impression anyway.

[TANGOLERO]

I'm' not surprised that Shirley said she'd have saved Ritchie. I don't think she likes Fleur very much. It's maybe just me, but she always seems to be a bit harder on her than some of the others. Does she always find a girl she starts picking on each year? She gives me that impression anyway.

Shirley may be very dance experienced, but her voting tends to be safe and flexible (what would happen if she had to go first without a marker voter (the fabu-u-lus darling one) to point the way and an ally in the happy clapping slot?(Motsi). No disrepect to her, but yes, she does tend to be harder on females in general although as head judge I can't see her voting popularly rather than truthfully.It hardly matters in the long run really when a 3 and a 5 (Matt Goss) sails through ahead of far better dancers. Pity they didn't give him the Balloo the Bear outfit instead of making him a screen idol jet pilot.

[CaledonianCraig]

I had a hectic weekend having only just recovered from COVID and watched both the dance and result shows earlier today.

My general thoughts (I won't bore you all with my thoughts on every dance) were that Tony's dance I really loved and he did do some very good dance moves (just not Samba ones) and what entertainment he gave. Glad he survived. Credit to Matt Goss too as he actually looked like he is beginning to enjoy himself and thought he danced pretty well. Like others I do not see what the judges see in Jayde. Tyler West's Charleston was great as was Kym Marsh's dance. Someone earlier said Hamza's Rumba music did not suit the theme at all and I thought exactly the same. And those criticising Shirl'ey's preferences I agree. The only time she gets on her feet are for the male hunks acting like a lovesick teenager - sorry that is so wrong for a head judge. And I agree let her vote first in the dance-off results instead of allowing her a chance to kid on she would have saved the weaker dancer in the dance-off. She did it last week and this week.

I will get pelters here but I am glad Richie has gone as he really grated with me with his 'in your face' attitude. I did think his dance was scrappy but his cheerleaders Motsi and Shirley tried to bum it up. As soon as it was Fleur that was in the dance-off against him it was game over. I will say though that I cannot recall someone getting voted off so early who had been near the top of the leader board the week before.

[Moova 12]

Well way to go Hamza! Gave it everything tonight.
I loved Fleur and Vito’s AT. As my all time fav is Mark and Karen’s AT I am not easily pleased.

I also loved Tony and his effort.

There was some great dancing tonight and the early dancers were not marked as fairly as others who came later.
Sorry I hated Ellie T Bo Beep effort. Why it was ridiculous.
I didn’t particularly like Mollie either but can’t say why.
Lot of “meaningful “ dances tonight.
Jayde could have had that for couple’s choice.

How could Tyler be marked on his dance against the others. I think he is a good dancer but couple’s choice leaves me cold.

[CaledonianCraig]

Well in terms of quality in quantity that has to be one of the best shows that I can remember especially so early into a series. Many couples laid down an impressive marker and even the lesser dancers improved. I'd say only Will went backwards but that could be put down to him having the difficult Rumba and being under the weather.

Ellie S and Nikita (Salsa): I was not keen on the start or the theme of the dance but once underway she showed good rhythm and generally nice steps. I did spot her pause before going into a lift but this was a strong start to the show. A 7 from me.

Will and Nancy (Rumba): A tricky dance to have but felt he caught the flavour of the dance. It was a bit stop-start from me and thought the judges' marks were spot on. A 6 from me.

Matt and Nikita (Jive): Not sure about the start to the dance or posture at times. His timing was really good but kicks were a bit lame. Not too bad though. A 6 from me.

Jayde and Karen (American Smooth): A bit of faffing at the start but a solid performance. She took control of the lifts and it was another solid dance. A 7 from me.

Molly and Carlos (Cha Cha): Her solo gyrating at the start was stiff. Once the dance was underway she showed some lovely dance steps and moved very well. It had a lovely flow to it and was her best dance so far. An 8 from me.

James and Amy (Quickstep): Faffing at the start and some footwork issues but his posture has improved and showed good rhythm. His best dance so far. A bit overmarked for me though. A 6.5 from me.

Fleur and Vitto (Argentine Tango): Wow. What a great dance. The synchronisation in their footwork at the start was spot on. The whole dance created a great atmosphere with many intricate sequences. One of the best dances of the series so far. A 9 from me.

Kym and Graziano (Samba): I was not sure about the theme of this dance but I really enjoyed her fluidity. It had a lovely flow and great timing. An 8.5 from me.

Tony and Katya (American Smooth): Tony epitomises Strictly as it should be. A complete novice flung in at the deep end and striving to learn and he really strives. This was a tough routine handed to him and he fluffed a lift but at times showed some nice steps a moves. He is improving. A 6.5 from me.

Hamza and Jowita (Salsa): Another wow dance. He moved really well and was quick and light on his feet. Great rhythm and musicality and box did he excel in the lifts too. A great routine that brought the house down and one of the best of the series. A 9 from me.

Helen and Gorka (Paso Doble): Aside from a bit of hesitation midway through this was another great dance. She danced it very well. An 8 from me.

Ellie T and Johannes (Viennese Waltz): A poor theme and poor song for a Viennese Waltz. However, I thought she danced very well. It was her best dance to date for me despite the short straw of theme and music she drew. A 7.5 from me.

Tyler and Diane (Couples Choice - Garage Remix): Like others the Couples Choice leaves me cold and this was not my sort of dance. However, there is no doubt of the dance talent and natural rhythm and fitness he has. For the content and moves an 8.5 from me but enjoyment wise it would get a 4.

Well what a great set of dances. Going purely on the dances I'd say Matt and Will should be in the dance-off but who knows after last week. Highly enjoyable night of dance.

[TANGOLERO]

Week five.

 

Where to start? As a dance show I as wondering after the first four couples if Strictly had actually lost the plot. The ridiculous comparisons that are judged as fair are anything but. Is the show about people learning to dance and those who do it best pass on whilst the obvious no-hopers (not their fault, not everyone is a Fred or Ginger) are eliminated. The G.B.P have successfully turned the show into an entertainment extravaganza, but where in it all does all the family emotion stuff have a part? Call me hard-hearted (I'm not) but almost everyone on the planet has had some sort of family loss, tragedy illness or mental health issues, but where does any of it fit in a dance show? Parents, kith and kin, children and babies are not immune from being used to curry public favour and there are more crocodile tears than even Walt Disney could dream up since Bambi's mother got shot. . Quite frankly, I find it all a bit overdone and sickening. Okay, ready with the ammunition:  

 

Elli and Nikitas' Samba was as good as their mismatched heights will allow, but I fear she may have reached her limits dance wise. I may be very wrong on that. I had four sixes. ..... I really feel the Bubble Bath Co are using these two as a novelty act which is grossly unfair. In light of the fact that Ellie must, in all fairness go out at some point, it may be a kindness for it to be sooner rather than later. She’s obviously loving it all and seems a lovely person making lots of friends, but common sense has to prevail somewhere. Personally I’d like to plant a size elevens on the fishnet clad rear end of whoever thought this one up. 7,8,7,8.... 30

 

Will and Nancy Rumba.     The mood was totally against my ides of a rumba rhythm and very far from Cuba although not imaginative ballrooms. It didn’t flatter Will and wasn’t his dance for me although he’ll probably be safe. Motsi, as ever tried to create atmosphere by babbling like a jungle parrot and, for once, I fully agreed with C raig. 4,7,5,7...23.

Matt and Nadiya, Jive. Despite Shirley’s warbling, she rightly gave this flat-footed stomp a 5. I’d like to be kind, but honesty says the 3,6,5,6....20 mark was right enough.  Matt is no Tyler on the maple boards and could be a red light candidate. Paul Mc Cartney’s All Shook Up about described it. You can see better on any public dance floor the world over.  



Jayde and Karen American Smooth. A nice enough attempt but Motsi and Shirley on their feet was more than a little exaggerated  as comment, and I do wish Tess would shut up with her interruptions, or wear a Covid face mask or something.  The done to death, “Wind Beneath My Wings~” I found gimmicky (of course I would) and fair play to Jayde on the dance floor that could have done without the sentimental overtones off it. 7,8,8,8....31. I liked her honest comments about lifts.  



Molly and Carlos I ’m told this was a good Cha-cha. It was very well dances, but wandered a bit too far from basics for Molly to remember what it was (that’s just my opinion) C raig  loved it and it rated highly so it must be good. The choreography did look interesting if not exactly Edmundo Ross. 8.9.9.9...35.  



James and Amy Quickstep. Positively ballroom with a bit of Hopscotch polka thrown in and James has to watch his vertical spine , er,  so says Shirley. The Jury, for once, were all symmetrical in the marks. Not much to worry about position-wise. 8.8.8.8.....32



Fluer and Vito. Argentine Tango. Ole.! ....at last,.a dance to be a bit excited about. This was a great dance and I’m happy to forget the music in the excitement . Fluer was terrific and mastered the whole thing beautifully. C raig got in the spirit of things and started off with a 9. The high score was fully deserved and Fluer is a real candidate now surely. 9.10.9.10. ….38.

Kim and Graziano .Samba.  Done to Gypsy Kings “Volare” (I have most of their early albums somewhere and their “Viento del Arena “ (Wind of the sand) is an all time favourite). I really liked this both for music and mood and they were worth their score. Things are looking up..7.8.8..9.....32.  

Tony and Katya. American Smooth. Decent without being more. I like Tony but not his joining the “This is my life” choir. It’s a dance and he’s obviously loving it, but how safe is he? , 5.7.7.7....26.

Hamza and Jowita, Salsa. Go, big fella, you’re a dancing man. Great movement, good lifts. Totally enjoyed this and he’s right up there at the sharp end as a candidate. Had me twiching . 9.10.10.10. ...39.

Helen and Graziano. Paso. Again, I actually loved this take on flamenco and think C raig and Shirley have an agenda with Helen as their scores were mean.  Motsi at least enjoyed it and even A nton was being a bit over critical. Paso isn’t a dance class exercise.  Decent choreography from Gorka as ever and the taconeo (heel work) was a nice touch. .  Helen is a candidate for me. 6.8.7.8....29.

Elli and Johannes. Vienese Waltz. Can't see why this pretty standard V.W was a mark better than Helen’s Paso.  I love good ballroom but it wasn’t sensational. 7.8.7.8....30  



Tyler and Diane. Couple’s choice Garage mix? Thought they were going to juggle spanners and things. Went right over my head I’m afraid. Reminded me of Northern Soul where you just hit the floor and do as you like. Totally amazed at the frightening marks and Shirley and Housewives choice giving 10’s. Have either of them ever done this form and what category does it fit in? Not ballroom, Latin or even Jive. 8.9.10.10. ..37.  



Well, there you have it from me. There were highs and lows for me (another thread) with Hamza, Helen and Fluer fighting for my personal dance of the night, a night that got better after a bad start.

[jingle]

Sorry I haven't been contributing guys, a bit of a family crisis going on and I've missed a few weeks of Strictly. I caught last nights show, though didn't write my usual notes. So just a few thoughts..

I'm totally smitten by Hamza, he's definitely getting all my votes this year. That salsa was my dance of the night, I usually don't like acrobatic lifts but somehow they worked perfectly in that routine.

I so agree with Moova, I thought Ellie T's Bo Peep theming was dreadful. The plastic cow prop, the CGI sheep and the fancy dress costumes all distracted from what could've been a lovely viennese waltz. Please stop with the theming and the props and bring back the flowing ballroom dresses

Fleur's argentine tango - fabulous!

I felt Helen was slightly undermarked. I really liked her paso - I agree with CRH that it was a bit 'polite' but I thought the choreography was quite complex and she danced it well.

Couple's choice - each year I dislike couples choice a bit more. Agree with our CC, Tyler's routine left me cold even though he performed it well.

Going to finish on a grumble here and sorry for being negative. What I really really want from Strictly is a feelgood, uplifting, sparkly couple of hours of happy escapism - nothing more than that.  But I feel each year Strictly is going further down the x-factor style sob-story approach. If the contestants want to share their stories personally I think the better place for that is on It Takes Too or Strictly podcasts, but please not on the main show. EDIT - Just seen Tango has posted, and made exactly the same point - glad to see I'm in good company.

No idea about the dance off tonight. I guess it's probably Matt's time to go, though that'd be a shame because I thought he's just starting to show an improvement.

[Moova 12]

So agree Jingle about sob stories. Last night was rather too much and detracted from the dancing in many ways.

Was thinking about how clever Katya is when she showcases her no hopers. She manages to get so much out of those who try. I don’t think Tony could give much more than he did last night, but he showed that he could dance. I gave him a vote.

I have re watched Hamza and Fleur this morning and still enjoyed both. I gave a vote to Fleur but needed four as I vote for Gorka!

I also like seeing how well they all seem to get on, looking who is chatting with who.
I hope Will is not too unwell. He must have gone to medical for most of the show. I did miss the end so don’t know if he was there.

[Twirlie]

Week 4

Congratulations to A.nton for his NTA award. Did C.raig look a bit green?


I agree – this was a really good show tonight, especially as it was only week 4.

Onwards and upwards then….

Ellie S and Nikita – Salsa
Energetic and full of verve. It was the first of a series of dances full of exciting lifts. They made it look easy, but I bet Ellie isn’t that light.  Sadly, despite all the verve and lifts, Ellie still doesn’t look like a dancer to me. Maybe it’s too harsh of me to say so, but there it is. 30.

Will and Nancy – Rumba
I felt very sorry for Will this week with the lack of rehearsal time. He is a great dancer however and coped wonderfully. I did think that he wasn’t as happy to be here this week – probably because of the illness. Has he had much problems with depression? I don’t know. I don’t follow the entertainment news regularly enough.  Maybe that’s what gave him the glum expression, but I thought it was probably the illness. He still didn’t sound well. Nancy does support him wonderfully though. It’s a good partnership. 23 – perhaps a little low but not by much.

Matt and Nadiya - Jive
His best offering so far, but still not smooth. He’s still a bit clumsy and his kicks were certainly not what they should be. Motsi was right for once, his co-ordination needs work. I thought at the beginning that he was going to be very much better, but when he got into hold with Nadiya he seemed to stiffen up. 20 is a fair score..

Jayde and Karen – American Smooth
I thought this was delicate and very beautiful. A triumph. I loved the costumes. However, I do wish Claud wouldn’t prod the celebs towards being overcome with emotion. Jayde’s half sobbing was just too much. I want to vote for the celebs because they’ve danced well – not because I feel sorry for their lot! 31. Fair enough.

Molly and Carlos – Cha Cha Cha
Lively and exciting and, though it wasn’t consistent, there was a lot more straight leg in her performance than there has been in other performances so far this year. An enjoyable dance, worth their 35 points.

James and Amy –  Quickstep
QuickstepHis best dance so far without a doubt. It was faster and cleaner than I expected from him. He deserved his score of 32. (P.S. though Mrs Twirlie liked it, I though it was a hideous suit.)

Fleur and Vito – Argentine Tango
A Very Excellent Argentine Tango! We occassionally get a really good one – not every series - and this could be it in this series.. they If got to the final and did this again, it might be as good as Rose A-E and Giovanni’s of last year. It’s too early in the series for 4 x 10 yet. 38’s still bloody good though. (I had a look for Mark and Karen’s AT on YouTube for comparison, but couldn’t find it. Doesn’t Karen suit her hair short.)

Kym and Graziano – Samba
Super – excellent – bright – playful – fun. She moves wonderfully, very nimble and mobile in many, many ways, and doesn’t she have great legs! 32 is a well deserved score.

Tony and Katya – American Smooth
This girl will risk her neck in a routine no matter how competent her partner.  Amazing lifts. Katya will do anything to make her partner look good. Tony did surprisingly well to good choreography from Katya who got to wear a girly, romantic dress for a change. A straight routine with no jokes or other gimmicks. A well deserved 26.

Hamza and Joweta – Salsa
My goodness! Sooooooo exciting. Joweta’s another brave lassie, though I think Hamza is probably more competent than Tony at hoisting girls above his head, catching girls in mid-air and in mid-horizontal-twirl. Those were amazing lifts. The rest of the dance was great as well. Fluid, fluent, and always in tune with Joweta.  They deserved to be top of the leaderboard and to get a score of 39. Personally C,raig, I’d have given them a 10 too.

Helen and Gorka – Paso Doble
Good. Not as showy as the previous dances so it didn’t make as much of an impact, but it was still quite good. 29.

Ellie T and Johannes – Viennese Waltz
This was a hideously cringe-making premise. Who thought of this Bo-Peep setup? Shoot ‘em! Because of it, it took me ages to concentrate on the dance. When  I did get there, it did seem quite decent. 30.

Tyler and Dianne – Couple’s Choice
It’s always hard to judge a Street Dance like this but I thought it was entertaining and very exciting. 37. Personally I didn’t think it was worth a 10 from anyone.

Nice suit on Tess. Claud looked like a black bag on tacky silver legs. Other costumes I liked were Jayde and Karen’s, Molly’s, Kym’s, Katya,s and Joweta’s.

As with the rest of you who have commented so far, I felt there was too much sloppy emotion in the Clauditorium tonight. I don’t really “get” dances that are meant to show some sort of concept or idea. I got Rose’s Couple’s Choice last year about deafness. It was very obvious and very well presented. How Jayde and Karen’s dance was meant to portray grief I do not know. The same with Tony and Nancy’s dance portraying all the support he’s had over the years? Really? How? Will and Nancy were a bit better with their “mental health” dance, but unless we’d had the info from the introductory video, I’d have thought it was more about the couple supporting each other rather than one supporting the other.  Maybe I’m just a Grumpy Old Man!

Hamza and Joweta’s Salsa was my dance of the night, with Fleur and Vito’s Argentine Tango a close second.

I’ll go and see what the rest of you thought now.

[mauveangel09]

Going to finish on a grumble here and sorry for being negative. What I really really want from Strictly is a feelgood, uplifting, sparkly couple of hours of happy escapism - nothing more than that.  But I feel each year Strictly is going further down the x-factor style sob-story approach. If the contestants want to share their stories personally I think the better place for that is on It Takes Too or Strictly podcasts, but please not on the main show. EDIT - Just seen Tango has posted, and made exactly the same point - glad to see I'm in good company.

I agree with you all - no need for me to add anything!! Hi Jingle - nice to see you back.

What a show!! After an average start it just got better and better and the marked improvement shown so quickly from most of this year's group is extraordinary - hard to think that it is only week 4. However, with all the '10's flying about so early I do hope it isn't going to be one of those years when the series peaks too early.............

My rant of the night is that two of the routines had such daft concepts that were nothing to do with the music tracks or the dance........totally random.......Ellie and Nikita with the dentists chair and Elley and Johannes with the farmyard........Why????? And why is CRH still giving out the '3's etc - no-one in this group is truly at that level now. I think the weaker dancers were obvious but after last week's DO who knows?

Ellie and Nikita - Salsa - 7 - Despite the unnecessary opening I felt it was a very decent effort. Ellie is a great performer there is no doubt but I felt she could have been given some constructive criticism about the somewhat stompy nature of some of the dance. I also felt that there was more cha cha in this than Salsa.

Will and Nancy - Rumba - 6 - Not bad especially considering the guy was very obviously unwell and gave it his best shot. For once Nancy had stuck to the script and put proper rumba content in. For a male rumba it was decent but unremarkable. I agreed with the judges that his upper body was good but lower half not so good. It takes practice to master those rumba walks and feet which I don't think he was able to do this week in the circumstances.

Matt and Nadiya - Jive - 5 - Not a bad effort he has improved a bit in terms of energy and at least looked more relaxed. It was very flat footed and loose however. Needed more attention to the basics. Liked Nadya's dresss.

Jayde and Karen - AS - 7 The first dance from them that I have enjoyed and I was pleasantly surprised at how soft it was and of how much they did in hold. It was lyrical and rhythmic with no tricks and I felt it was just a nice ballroom routine which I enjoyed watching. I think Jayde should be told about trying to get up on to the balls of her feet more, as she moves well otherwise.

Molly and Carlos - Cha Cha - 8 - I really struggle with this couple and I just haven't warmed to them. As a routine I know this was very good and danced well - she is a great dancer and you can't be off from scoring it high. But was it a cha cha? I wasn't convinced. For me it was too placed and there wasn't much cha cha content to speak of - and certainly no syncopation. She is a good dancer so I'm sure she would have been more than capable of doing a few more cha cha steps had she been taught them. It was all too 'West End' again, but maybe that's just me. I also thought the set and theme were strange - looked like they should have been doing the Charleston. CRH touched on it a bit but none of the others said anything as they gushed over them.

James and Amy - QS - 8 - I really enjoyed this and felt that he made an improvement in his posture and technique this week. Amy is a good teacher and it all came together. I really liked the suit he was wearing too.

Fleur and Vito - AT - 9 - Wow! The dance of the night and what a surprise. When I read in the week that someone was doing an AT on week 4 I was very sceptical judging by early ATs in the past. Didn't think it would bode well. I was so wrong. This was a real AT with authentic steps, a stag lift and ganchos aplenty. Also very steamy in parts I was blown away. Think it must be one of Vitos dances - as not all of the pros really know how to do it so well.

Kim and Graziano- 8 - Loved it and loved the music and costumes. What not to like? I liked the timing and there was great content that Kym coped with well. She has really turned a corner.

Tony and Katya - 6 - Full of admiration for Tony for really going for it with all those lifts (thought he might have slightly dropped her at the end not sure) and for Katya for always coming up with a winner of a routine! Love this track, wasn't sure what to score it really. Katya got my first prize for the best costume of the night - I want that dress!!!

Hamza and Jowita - 9 - Another wow!! A full on and exciting salsa with those amazing lifts! Excellent rhythm, he is a real natural latin dancer. It also took some guts and trust on the part of Jowita to let an amateur dancer chuck her around like that. Great partnership and really enjoyable.

Helen and Gorka - 8 - I really liked this one and I loved the music! Felt it was a bit undermarked. They created such a good mood and I loved all the content and the flow of the dance, they are a great partnership and I found I was watching both of them not just Gorka. This would have been perfect for me with a bit more 'attack' - although I know that a paso can easily turn into a stomp unless that attack is just right - hard to do at this stage. I also thought the Flamenco on top of the barrels didn't quite work but I still loved it and voted for them. The 'lack of self-belief' thing is however wearing a bit thin..........

Elley and Johannes - 7 - When you took away the stupid theme and Elley's costume - there was a decent VW in there. I also thought the track was fine for a VW but why connect Lulu's Eurovision song with a farmyard??? I thought she did quite well - she's a ballroom girl and I threw them some votes as I think they were last night's 'stitch up' couple.

Tyler and Dianne - 8 - I accept that this was danced really well and in perfect sync but I'm going with CRH and giving an 8. Like a lot of you I find it difficult to judge a garage routine up against Viennese Waltzes and Sambas etc. We know that Tyler can dance - he was brilliant last week but I think he has been given a run of dances that suit him and I want to see him out of his comfort zone with a close ballroom n umber next week. I'm not sure how Shirley could say that she knows nothing about the genre and then give him a '10' - on what basis??

[Twirlie]

 I'm not sure how Shirley could say that she knows nothing about the genre and then give him (Tyler) a '10' - on what basis??

Quite!

[fiftynotout]

I’m away so didn’t catch a lot of the show but have seen most of the dances on catch up.

I don’t care if you call it Strictly Come Dancing, Strictly Come Entertain Me or Strictly Come ‘Ave A Go, at the end of each dance I like to have a smile on my face.  Putting it bluntly, Tony’s dances make me smile but, last night, Tyler’s didn’t. In fact it left me cold.

I liked Jayde’s dance but not the tears (which obviously shouldn’t have made me smile but, similarly, left me cold).  I also don’t understand why she’s consistently drastically overmarked.

Dance of the night for me was Fleur & Vito - hard to tell who was the pro and who was the s.leb.  I predict she won’t be in the dance off.

Surely it’s time for Matt to go?

[TANGOLERO]

I’m away so didn’t catch a lot of the show but have seen most of the dances on catch up.


I liked Jayde’s dance but not the tears (which obviously shouldn’t have made me smile but, similarly, left me cold).  I also don’t understand why she’s consistently drastically overmarked.

Like Ellie, she's in the "novelty" class, big with the G.B.P so the judges pander to them. Won't last forever.

[B4p]

Rushing to get a few comments in before the result show!

Ellie S - Salsa. She has neat feet and is usually on time and rhythmic. Most of this was spent being shot into space. Got a bit bored of all the lifts, it seemed to break the party theme up too much.

Will - Rumba. I felt so sorry for him. He's had about one session in training due to a chest infection and looked ill. Good job he didn't have the Jive this week. He did ok and I threw him my votes. Hopefully he'll weather the storm. I thought Cr aig's 4 was a bit mean

Matt - Jive. Flat footed. Poor kicks but he seemed to be enjoying himself more this week. I'm not sure how much further he will go as he's falling behind the main group now.

Jayde - A.Smooth. I thought she looked like she'd turned up for dancing this week and had a pair of low heels on. I still can't see the difference between a heel or toe. She did well in the lifts. Why is she overmarked every week? Enough with tear-gate.

Molly - Cha-Cha. For me this was more of a professional routine rather than a typical Cha-Cha. I didn't recognise a lot of the steps. I liked the light and shade but felt it was a bit posturing in places. I can't understand Shirley's comments 'you went left to right, then right to left' ???????? Not worth a 9.

James - Quickstep. He's stepped things up a notch this week thank goodness. His best dance yet. Lots of typical content and some lovely moves. Hopefully he'll stay in a bit longer if he keeps fighting.

Fleur - A.Tango. Great job. I loved it. You go girl and stick it to them. Strong, powerful, sulty. Great comeback after the dance-off.

Kym - Samba. At last - a decent Samba. I don't understand Cr aig's 7? Straight into the dance. No messing about. I thought her timing was great through all the different rhythm changes. Loved it.

Tony - A.Smooth. Lots of content. Katya's not easing up on him. His footwork has improved. He looked more relaxed dancing this week.

Hamza - Salsa. Wow. Dance of the night for me. I was worried about the dance, the music but he took it apart, re-assembled it and came up with something magical. Loved his shirt too.

Helen - Paso. I liked this. Again, I don't understand Cr aig's 6. I agree it looked a bit polite in places, and could have had a bit more fire, but Gorka was giving it his all, so overshadowed her a bit as the main character.

Ellie T - V.Waltz. Silly concept. It's not playschool! What I could see looked ok, but I couldn't get past the 'Old MacDonald' props.

Tyler - Garage C.C. Shirley and An ton both said they knew nothing of the genre or the music then awarded a 10 each. What? How can you judge something like that? I was bored. It looked self-indulgent ego strutting to me. Maybe a 7 or 8 for the energy value.

[TANGOLERO]

Heard the comment  on Tony's next week music. Does a footballer (ex) need football music to dance to (Grandstand theme)
and will they dress him in an Arsenal strip? So infuriating when others get suitable music. Not sure why I'm surprised really and Tony must walk the tightrope weekly now. Be interesting to see who the next "victims" are (in no particular order of course. ). I'm also wondering, based on current affairs, whether Blackpool will happen ? Can they justify the Illuminations in an energy crisis?

[B4p]

Heard the comment  on Tony's next week music. Does a footballer (ex) need football music to dance to (Grandstand theme)
and will they dress him in an Arsenal strip? So infuriating when others get suitable music. Not sure why I'm surprised really and Tony must walk the tightrope weekly now. Be interesting to see who the next "victims" are (in no particular order of course. ). I'm also wondering, based on current affairs, whether Blackpool will happen ? Can they justify the Illuminations in an energy crisis?

So week 5 is supposed to celebrate 100 years of the BBC by using well known theme tunes.
I want to know what Helen is supposed to be dancing if she's got the 'Blue Peter' theme song.
Jayde has got a Charleston to the Victoria Wood's song 'The ballad of Barry & Freda' better known as 'Let's Do it'. The mind boggles for a family show. As far as I know this isn't a BBC theme tune, but I may be wrong.

Lots of great music to choose from, but will the comedy angle be pushed again?

So how many theme weeks: Movie, BBC Themes, Halloween, Remembrance, Musicals. Still living in hope that the dancing will have priority over the themes

[Sponsored content]