Re: 2023 Tango's 'Little bit of Honesty' Discussion Thread

[mauveangel09]

Zara - more like a Dancing on Ice routine with all the overhead lifts. Felt it a tad overmarked
.

That's a spot-on comment Jingle - went through my mind this morning. Think she would do well in DOI.

[mauveangel09]

I actually found that dance off tough. Thought they were about equal going into it and I still feel Eddie was an untapped talent - he had musicality and rhythm, imagine him with someone like Oti Mabuse or with Katya........anyway, Zara didn't impress me at all in the main show but I felt she danced a lot better in the DO. So Mr Mauve was asking me who I would save and at the last minute I said Zara..........I think it was the right decision. (?)

[B4p]

I was also sad that Amanda missed this week and hope she’s better by next Saturday. She’s one of my favourites. Does anyone know what’s wrong with her?

Someone on the dark side said something about Amanda hurting her ribs but I don't know if that's true or not.

[B4p]

I actually found that dance-off tough.)

Me too mauve. I could have flipped a coin it was so close for different reasons.

[Moova 12]

It was a close dance off. I think Eddie has more dance potential than Zara. Her time is surely limited. I love Nikita but Layton is such a ringer. I would rather watch Krishnan and Annabelle making progress and the joy it is giving them. I haven’t warmed to either Angela or Amanda.

[diamondsandpearls]

I missed the results show because a girl has to make a living (on the late shift at the hostel where I had to step in when unsupervised 12 year olds were left to light the wood burner in one of the hostel's bell tents whilst mum and dad were having a drink inside the hostel. Fortunately, they set of the smoke alarm and a real crisis was averted.  But I'm very agin posh families who believe that it is ok for them to leave their kids unattended whilst lighting fires.  So, it was a night...).

But I know the results and disagree with the judges.  I am very agin Karen, but Eddie has much more potential than Kara.  But hey ho.

Anyway, to Saturday night's show (which, as usual I am doing without ay influence from reading your comments but will go and read/respond when I have written this week's chapter of the epic novel I'm writing):

The good

The frocks! Another stand out week for all things dressy.  The standouts were Katya's Tangerine Dream (I think Amy has passed on the secret to her of bribing the wardrobe team with baked goodies) and Zara's Lilac Lounge PJs (she must be a dream to dress and wardrobe haven't a leg to stand on if they mess it up).  I also thought Lauren's Forest Green Frock looked lovely on her. I also liked the shimmy shimmy shake of Anabelle's flapper dress.

The paso! On paper, I thoroughly admit I was a naysayer and thought the whole idea of doing a paso to Insomnia was, frankly, ridiculous.  But, oh my word!  It was riveting and thrilling.  I watched it back without the sound track (with another more paso one going through my head without me even asking) and it really is a very paso-looking paso.  So it worked with the seemingly strange music choice, but it also works as a paso to more trad music.  A triumph of choreography by Vito and whoever helped him and of Ellie's work and training ethic, not to mention her talent.

Krishnan!  He is now a National Treasure and, if I was a betting woman I might go as far as putting a fiver on him to win. Not that I want to jinx him...  He really needs to stay as long as possible to bring us all his own brand of joy and sunshine.  He works hard too.  I am totally forgiving Lauren the hairdo I hate, and am now very much afor her - she has built an excellent partnership with Krishnan and seems to be a really good teacher and choreographer.  For me, in Amy's absence, she is filling the role of the lovely, wholesome, very competent pro.  And that brings us nicely to...

Amy! Lovely to see her again this week, looking resplendent in pink. I can't wait until she can dance again.

Nadiya!  She's not letting up - every week she exudes sheer glamour, just quietly, in the background (unlike... see below)

Some of the tunes!  Ok, just the Foxtrot and Quickstep tunes.  And actually... Insomnia (I'm a 90s girl, what can I say?)

The bad

Couples choice.  Adam would have been better off doing a nice waltz or a stagey version of an American Smooth because it would have shown him in a better light than this not-really-street Street which was just so LAME.  We've all seen better routines and better performances of this genre on Strictly, and even then...    I mean, even Luba didn't look that good, and though I don't rate her teaching skills, she's a beautiful dancer.  Oh Lord save us from Couple's Choice...  And SO overmarked.

Talking of which... Angela R. Another week of leg lift, pulled around the floor, splits, pulled around the floor, leg lift, pulled around the floor, rinse and repeat until the music stops, the audience are cheering and the judges are pretend-drooling

Annabelle's ever so restrained Charleston  Maybe BAD is not quite the word.  It wasn't awful.  But it just didn't look a fun Charleston and I didn't enjoy it.

I know Gratzi (and Whoever) tried very hard, but sadly all those lifts couldn't disguise the fact that Zara was just... not that great.

Neil's manoeuvring himself behind every couple who has just finished their performance to leer at the camera over their shoulders is getting tired now. Just stop it.

The meh

I always feel a bit itchy watching Very Tall Bobby dance in hold with Very Petite Dianne. It was very sweet, but it somehow missed the mark for me.

I am about to shoot myself in the foot now.  The choreography of Layton's Salsa didn't float my boat. Which is surprising because it featured many elements of the Salsa Cubana style that I'm forever banging on about.  So, somehow, by delivering what I asked for, Nikita and Whoever didn't actually please me. I think as ever it was the lifts and the gymnastics.  I just like a Salsa to be dancing.  But at least it didn't have all that stupid overly complicated armography in it.

I wanted to put this one in the "good" section because it had a great tune, a gorgeous gown and... sexy Nigel.  I even liked the routine, which, having been choreographed by Katya (and the omnipresent Whoever) is extremely rare. But because there were some issues with the technique I didn't feel able to put it into good  But had he had a flawless performance then... oh my!

Angela S's dance was much like her dress - just on the sweet side of bland.  It was ok, but I didn't love it.

Eddie.  It wasn't bad It wasn't good. A lot of samba content but...  I just feel Jowita (for example) would have harnessed Eddie's natural musicality and disciplined him into some proper technique. Karen is clearly not loving life at the moment (an I have sympathy for her, believe it or not) and I'm a bit miffed that she didn't sit this one out and let Nadiya back in or let the other girl who was new last year have a go. I feel she has let Eddie down.

Anyone I have forgotten fits into this category too as they were clearly neither good enough or bad enough to remember.

The Ugly

Do you know, I can't actually think of anything (apart from the stupid extraneous lifts in dances I've mentioned and those I haven't. I even thought Layton looked kind of adorable in the Terrrible and Curs-ed Afro Wig. (He's going through all the favourites - The Flavia Memorial Wig, this one, and...  I wonder which one is next?)

But don't worry, it's Halloween next week and this section will be full to the gunnels.

Anyway, Crown Prince Krishnan now.

[diamondsandpearls]

Well, I had a quick shufty through all your comments and you all seem to be more or less as one. I think I am the only outlier.

I think there are dancers I like that you don't (mainly because I've always unashamedly liked a ringer because I enjoy seeing some good dancing in the early weeks, and they never, ever, ever win) and dancers you like that I don't (most of them begin with A for some reason. Except Angela S - her name begins with an A but I love her).

Some things some of us agree on and some of us don't: Eddie V Zara in the dance off. Many of you came down on the side of Zara in the dance off whereas others (like me) would have saved Eddie because he has more dance potential.

But we all agree on Krishnan!

[fiftynotout]

Someone on the dark side said something about Amanda hurting her ribs but I don't know if that's true or not.

I’m not on social media but my daughter tells me that, allegedly, she fell out with Gio and wants to leave…..

[fiftynotout]

I’m not on social media but my daughter tells me that, allegedly, she fell out with Gio and wants to leave…..

And indeed she has just announced that she won’t be continuing. What a shame, hope all’s well

[jingle]

Yes, just heard that too. We'll probably not hear the real reason, but it's an awful shame for her. And a shame for the show and us too - am assuming her departure will mean a 3 person final - of which I'm strongly guessing Layton will be one (I can't see him losing a dance-off). So that'd leave only two others competing for a place in the final. Meh

[mauveangel09]

Apparently Amanda posted a cryptic comment about someone else and on someone else's instagram ( or one of them) last week which said words to the effect of: ' no-one fakes depression but you can fake being ok' - it has led to a bit of speculation on the mental health front and I hope if this is the case that she will be ok - I would think that Strictly could be a stressful process. The statement on ITT was bland and said nothing - usually if someone has a physical illness they announce it don't they? But I suppose that as she hasn't made a statement herself they can't say anything.

I'm gutted for her - I thought she was the best female in the contest at this point. I really liked the dances that they had done so far and if anything negative was going on between them off stage, it certainly didn't translate to on stage. I will miss them. Gio went out so early last year I was looking forward to him having a long run this year.

[B4p]

I'm sorry to hear that Amanda will not be continuing. I thought she might give Ellie a run for her money. I hope she's alright, and wish her all the best

[CaledonianCraig]

Sad news about Amanda quitting Strictly. I hope she is soon well physically or mentally.

As for the dance-off well for me the far more enjoyable routine came from Eddie and I would have saved him for that reason. For me he had better rhythm and musicality than Zara has shown so far and feel the eye-catching lifts saved her.

[B4p]

Tango is back - Hoorah!

[B4p]

I'm away for the weekend so will probably catch-up and leave my comments on Monday.

Enjoy the show

[mauveangel09]

Enjoyed most of the costumes (except Angela R and Kai) . I felt the show overall was quite kitsch, but I think that's what they were going for this year rather than the 'fright night' stuff. I still missed Amanda and Gio and Gio always does good Hallowe'en n umbers. I thought A nton's costume was genius and both CRH and Motsi looked good. I loved it at the end when the voting started and CRH simply sat there with a sheet over his head Shirley decided to get 'strict' tonight on technique, which is quite an unusual stance for a theme night. It's fine by me as long as she does it consistently and we know that she generally doesn't. I thought the scoring was particularly all over the place.

Angela and Carlos - Paso Doble (7 from me) - This wasn't really for me although I expect I'll be in the minority. I thought they looked brilliant and it was dramatic and creative (reminded me of an Artem Chingvintsev routine) but it seemed a mish mash of styles and more of an Argentine Tango rather than a paso in parts. As a routine it was performed well although I still feel she did not get into her heels enough, and having ballet music for a paso didn't help in that department. I don't think this is me being curmudgeonly, I thoroughly enjoyed a paso danced to Insomnia last week! But the choice of this (albeit beautiful) music was too slow and lacked sharpness which for me translated down into the dance.

Adam and Luba - American Smooth (8 from me) - One of my favourite dances this week. I know in the words of CRH that it was 'sweet and saccharine' but I thought it was so well put together and danced and it had all the right elements of a traditional American Smooth to me including a lovely Foxtrot bit done in hold. For me, Adam is really turning into a ballroom boy and I'm glad he was able to do more ballroom this week. Full marks for doing the lifts too. The routine reminded me of the old TV series - 'Bewitched'.

Zara and Graziano - Charleston (6 from me) I thought this was a mixed bag. Didn't really get the connection between a spa and skeletons - why?? I think Zara did her best but is just lacking that next level as the j udges said. It was great Charleston music with a lot of clever lifts but I agreed with CRH that it seemed too lumbered and without much bounce.

Layton and Nikita - Tango - (9 from me) I think Nikita had one of the best costumes of the night. I thought it was a pretty good Tango from a performance point of view but Shirley was right to mention the footwork. I felt that in the j udges comments tonight they were finding reasons not to give continuous '10s' as that would show that he shouldn't be in the competition.

Bobby and Dianne - Cha Cha - (7 from me) - Really enjoyed the retro sounding cha cha music. I thought it was ok and enjoyed it, felt he was a little bit behind Dianne at times and it was a bit forced in parts although great hip action again. What happened with the scores for this one? 6 (too low) up to 9 (too high) ?

Lauren and Krishnan - Viennese Waltz (8 from me). I thought he had really improved his ballroom dance technique tonight in terms of the footwork. I liked the theming of the dance. It wasn't as whirling and smooth as I would have liked but the content was there and I thought he did better than the j udges gave him credit for. I thought his costume made him look 10 years younger

Angela and Kai - Charleston (7 from me) Much as I like Angela (and I gave her some votes ) I didn't think this was her best dance but CRH obviously did I don't think she really went wrong but there were a couple of moments out of sync. I didn't get the connection to Hallowe'en with this routine but I think she did her best and she added some characterisation and some great lifts. Shocking costumes - particularly Kai - the 70s porn star look is not flattering.

Annabel and Johannes - Tango (8 from me) Really enjoyed this and loved A nton's comments. It was a proper in-hold Tango from start to finish, it suited her and she danced it well throughout. I loved the costumes and Annabel's hair extensions!

Nigel and Katya - Cha Cha ( 7 from me) I don't quite know what to make of Nigel. He performs really well but seems to get a bit lost in the performance and then momentarily forgets himself in the dance somehow. I did enjoy it though and although there were clearly some issues I feel the mistakes were a bit exaggerated by the j udges.

Ellie and Vito - Salsa (9 from me). Another really good dance from these two. I love a disco salsa and I thought it came alive from the middle section when they were out of hold. Not sure what the theme really was - they just looked like 2 green cartoon characters doing the salsa but it was a great finish to the show.

I didn't really have a dance of the night - the ones I enjoyed the most were from Adam, Annabel and Ellie. Zara could be in trouble again but could be an interesting dance-off and for the first time this series I've got no idea who I would put in it this week.

[jingle]

I know the Halloween show isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I've always found it one of the highlights of the series, along with Blackpool and the final. It didn't disappoint this year, and I was impressed that they managed to find a few new themes rather than just rehashing the usual mad scientists and monsters. I thought most of the VTs were pretty amusing too, and the make-up/costumes  much better than recent years   

I really did miss Amanda this evening, and her sudden departure has made the competition a little less interesting in my eyes.  Although Ellie has probably replaced her as top female, I just can't seem to click with either Ellie or Vito. Anyhow, a few thoughts...

Angela S - I  absolutely loved the Swan Lake theme, and thought the rippling water staging was a really effective use of the CGI. Loved the choreography for the paso, it was something a bit different. Was nice not to have any singing for a change, and just appreciate Tchaikovsky - wish we could have more classical music.

Adam - bit too much cauldron faffing at the start, but a good enough American smooth. To his credit, there was no mention of his mid-week illness and absence from dress rehearsal, he danced well considering the lack of training

Zara - One of her better dances, but still a little hesitant in places.

Layton - impressive back flip, is there anything he can't do? Just can't get keen about this pairing at all

Bobby -  I felt something about this cha cha looked a little spiky, it didn't appeal to me

Krishnan - Enjoyable viennese waltz, hopefully enough to keep him out of the dance off for another week. But A.nton said the fleckle was perfect, Shirley said the fleckle was wrong - looks poor when judges disagree on such a basic technical point (personally I'd trust A.ntons judgement of ballroom over Shirleys)

Angela R - Sorry, I was bored with this charleston,  and a little peeved at the blatant overmarking.

Annabel - not a wow tango, but no glaring mistakes either. I like Annabel but do fear that she's plateau-ing

Nigel - loved the choreography, it looked very complex and challenging. Even with the timing errors, I thought Nigel's cha cha should've scored higher than Bobby's relatively basic routine

Ellie - not sure why they were green if they were meant to be zombies. Fabulous salsa, couldn't really fault it.

I can't see further than an exit for Zara - hoping that Krishnan escapes the dance off.

[jingle]

Angela and Kai - Charleston     Shocking costumes - particularly Kai - the 70s porn star look  is  not flattering.

Poor Kai, it was even worse than his Sound of Music blond wig and lederhosen

[CaledonianCraig]

Like others have said the marking and comments were all over the place tonight. Sh.irley stating she was getting tough and pointing out mistakes which she did but still awarding 9's for people she berated for errors or poor technique. And Mot.si revealing her love of getting semi-pro celebs in to 'learn' to dance. Erm.....no.

Angela S and Carlos (Paso Doble): I didn't think the music suited the dance but loved the start with the swan moves very well done. One or two moments she had balance issues that I saw but in general I liked the routine and thought she did quite well. A 7.5 from me.

Adam and Luba (American Smooth): This dance was scarred by a lengthy spell of faffing at the start and a little more faffing later on leading to only half a dance of actual dancing. To my eye he seemed a bit stiff early on but I felt he moved very nicely and artistically out of hold. Generally, what he had to do quite well but listening to Sh.irley and Mo.tsi gushing over half a dance and then it getting marked up galled me a bit. Shame as I quite like Adam. A 7 from me (for overly much faffing).

Zara and Graziano (Charleston): I felt this dance may suit her but again there was faffing at the start and she seemed to be out of synch early on. It ended up being a bit of a mix in that it had some good moments but she looked ponderous at times too. C.raig's comments were pretty much spot on. A 6 from me.

Layton and Nikita (Tango): I wasn't keen on the start and towards the full on start of the dance I spotted a moment of hesitation there so must have been an error. I did like the way they used the piano and this was always set to be another sterile high scoring dance for me. An 8.5 from me.

Bobby and Diane (Cha Cha Cha): He looked good in training and it was refreshing to see a couple to get right into the dance with zero faffing. I really enjoyed a lot of elements of this dance such as great hips and fluidity. Up until this point it was my favourite dance of the night. An 8.5 from me but C.raig giving only a 6??

Krishnan and Lauren (Viennese Waltz): A dance I felt would suit him and I liked the start. His footwork was generally very good but his frame/posture was the let down her. A complicated and good routine though. Still I liked it. A 7.5 from me.

Angela R and Kai (Charleston): For me this was a Charleston with a difference as it was slow-paced - not something I normally associate with this dance. Her footwork was, as usual, very good and liked the lifts but was not keen on the section when they sat on the bench - it offered nothing to the dance. An 8 from me.

Annabel and Johannes (Tango): I felt she may struggle with this dance but she actually did quite well. It was a tricky routine which she got through without any major mistakes. A decent effort. A 7 from me.

Nigel and Katya (Cha Cha Cha): I really enjoyed this despite the mistakes. It was quirky and he had great hip action and loved the part with his sliding backwards steps. For me it was worth an 8.

Ellie and Vito (Salsa): I was anticipating a great dance and they really delivered. There was so much to like here from the moment of her soft landing off the first lift. The synchronisation was great and the tempo and rhythm excellent. Dance of the night and one of the dances of the series. A 9.5 from me.

As others have said it looks sure that Zara is heading for the exit but who ends up in the dance-off with her? Tough to say. Whoever it is will tell us who lacks real public support in the coming weeks. For me the finalists are looking set to be Layton, Ellie and Bobby. Maybe Adam or Angela R have an outside chance too.

[TANGOLERO]

Thanks Mauve and everyone. Confessing I had one eye on the rugby final on my pc and Strictly on the T.V. Odd times the rugby is a bit more elegant than some of the dancing. I quite liked the dying swan paso routine of Angela and thought Laurel and Krishnan a bit undermarked. I really do dislike Halloween and the sheer nonsense it brings to the noble art, so not the best week for sensible comment as it's just grown up pantomime. I thought a chandelier had collapsed on Motsi 's head at first look, and wondered if Housewives choice actually was supposed to be whoever under that floor mop? And it wouldn't be me if I didn't moan at the Ballas deep-breathing instruction to music . "here's how you do it" demo.

I'm a bit too old-fashioned and set in my ways to change my views on gender confusion, so I'll pass on that one. All in all the standard had some fair merit with Angela Ripon as my first guess at "Last train to San Fernando" We shall no doubt see. Take your partners for an excuse me cum spot waltz. cheers.

[Twirlie]

Halloween Week

I’m afraid I’m not at all a fan of theme weeks, or maybe it’s just Halloween in general. The themes always seem to get in the way of the dances to my way of thinking and the VT s before the dances even more stupid than usual. I can’t help thinking – why are they taking these couples to do these ridiculous mini stories when they could be spending all the considerable time needed to film them rehearsing their dances.

Angela S and Carlos – Paso Doble
Swans? Really? And Swan Lake music for a Paso? Such bo**ocks. And the only notes the judges can think of giving is about breathing. It’s a note that’s getting tedious.And the scores…. 8 s and a 9. Far too much.

Adam and Luba  -  American Smooth
Adam really is a ballroom boy isn’t he. I thought that was beautiful and very smooth. Yes, the faffing about at the beginning was unnecessary. But much better than his Couples’ Choice of last week. I didn’t mind the 8s but C.raig’s 7 was a bit low.

Zara and Graziano – Charleston
Loved the costumes and make up. But that was the best of it. She’s an elegant girl with great long legs, but she doesn’t seem to have it in her to translate that to great dancing. She’s just too sloppy really. There’s no strength in her steps. The 6 s seemed right.

Layton and Nikita - Tango
Another professional performance. I just can’t get excited about them at all. And as for Layton’s costume…. No thank you. Make up your mind. Are you a boy or a girl. I don’t mind the same sex  dances. But no skirts thank you. (I know, I know – I’m an old fuddy-duddy. And a GOM so there!)

Bobby ad Dianne – Cha Cha Cha
I loved this. Sharp and lots of fun. God C.raig’s a pain in the neck sometimes. Lots of fun I thought. The scores – all over the place – C.raig and Shirley rubbish. Motsi and A.nton marked more correctly I thought.

Krishnan and Lauren – Viennese Waltz
Both of them were fairly unrecognisable because of their wigs. I don’t think there was any doubt though that Krishnan was going for neither the kiss nor the kill. Smooth and swinging but no, not their best dance by any means. 7 s rather than 6 s or an 8 I though would be fair.

Angela R and Kai – Charleston
The typing was an unnecessary filler. And they weren’t exactly in synchronisation all the time. It was a bit slower than usual which helped her. That all said, it was a pretty good Charleston. Not as good as C.raig said or as he marked. The 8s were on the high side too I thought. However I reckon the judges want her to get to the final stages of the competition.

Annabel and Johannes – Tango
Yes – not bad. Looked better watching it through second time. Strong and forceful and I loved the costumes too. A good dance and much better than last week. I thought all those sevens were a bit low.

Nigel and Katya –  Cha Cha Cha
My main problem with this couple is I have to force myself to watch him rather than Katya.  I watched it 3 times and I’ll have to take the judges’ word for it that there were mistakes because I couldn’t spot any. (I did watch it a fourth time just to watch Katya.) The 8 s were fair I thought, the 7s just a bit mean.

Ellie and Vito – Salsa
Terrific. Just Terrific. Easily the best dance of the night. And the great thing about it was that they didn’t try to cram some story into it. They just danced a really, really good dance. I have no problem with their 10s. I’m only surprised A,nton didn’t give them a 10 as well.



Well that’s Halloween over for another year. Thank goodness. Now we can concentrate on the dancing again.

[jingle]

No shock at Zara's departure, but a bit of a surprise to see Adam in the dance-off despite scoring higher than Krishnan, Annabel, Nigel, and Bobby. That's interesting.

[mauveangel09]

Halloween Week


Angela S and Carlos – Paso Doble
Swans? Really? And Swan Lake music for a Paso? Such bo**ocks. And the only notes the judges can think of giving is about breathing. It’s a note that’s getting tedious.And the scores…. 8 s and a 9. Far too much.
.

Yes - that says it all for me

[mauveangel09]

No shock at Zara's departure, but a bit of a surprise to see Adam in the dance-off despite scoring higher than Krishnan, Annabel, Nigel, and Bobby. That's interesting.

Yes very interesting - time will tell whether Adam and Luba don't have the public support or whether this was a 'random mid table syndrome' thing..........especially being on a theme night. I was surprised to see Adam in the dance off, especially as this was one of my favourite dances. No surprise about Zara but I thought that both she and Graziano made really lovely and genuine speeches. Graziano seems to be a lovely bloke. At least she was in the contest long enough to get the full 'Strictly' experience. On another note........ I thought Angela R looked tired in the Results Show.

[Twirlie]

No surprise about Zara but I thought that both she and Graziano made really lovely and genuine speeches.  Graziano seems to be a lovely bloke. At least she was in the contest long enough to get the full 'Strictly' experience.

Yes, she was the archetypal contestant. No experience but determined to try. I thought her Charleston in the DO was just about her best dance. Certainly better than in Saturday night's show.

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