Zoe Ball to present "Takes Two"

I thought Karen's choreo corner had some good points, but oh, I do wish she and Zoe would get out of the 'lovefest, mwah mwah dahling' mode. They're both professional women, for goodness sake and don't need to do the 'luvvie' stuff each week (that's the moan of the night over).

Though I do envy them their shoes, every week... Zoe won the stiletto challenge tonight, methinks!

And I agree about Karen and Nicky... when the intro's were done I thought it noticeable how close Kimberley and Pasha sat next to one another and how much space there was between Karen and Nicky. But then I realised that must be due to Kim and Pash being squashed on one half of sofa with JM and Nicky/Karen had whole half to themselves!

He was a little more 'interactive' with Karen in the interview tonight .... funny, though, when you see the footage in the training room (e.g. the footie scene tonight) he seems much more relaxed with her than he does in the ITT studio.

Even so Mr D, I think one of the rules should be that all couples have to pick at least one new dance. Or it seems a bit pointless!

Gah. Missed ITT tonight and can't catch up as laptop still broken!! Would have LOVED to hear Karen dissing Lisa's shabby footwork and gapping. I feel I have missed out.

Let's hope Ian has a go at them tomorrow!

Sid wrote:I switch off as soon as JM appears. However, I'm pleased he picked Flavia's red dress as his favourite. I thought the hat she wore was dead cute too!

I was pleased he chose Flavia's dress. I'm utterly astounded at the number of crystals that go on a dress and don't they look beautiful close up. Are the crystals stuck on or sewn ? They have an army of people who do that. Now there's a job I wouldn't mind doing.

Sid wrote:I'm liking Karen's honesty in Choreography Corner. Not toeing the party line.

I love her honesty too - that's what's so refreshing about her. Her comments did make me think twice about Louis's performance and she was siding with C raig on that one. Zoe's questions were quite probing and relevant tonight.

TANGOLERO wrote:Way I understood it Sid, they can choose as long as they don't do dances from the previous week or the next one. Might have got that wrong.

That's my understanding too.

MissingLilia wrote:He was a little more 'interactive' with Karen in the interview tonight ....

Yes, he definitely was but I frowned a bit when he shut her up rather abruptly when she said she felt as if she was dancing with a professional. He obviously doesn't like that kind of sentimentality.

MissingLilia wrote:..funny, though, when you see the footage in the training room (e.g. the footie scene tonight) he seems much more relaxed with her than he does in the ITT studio.

I have noticed that too. That's why I think part of his problem is down to nerves. Am just assuming, having been part of a group for so long, he's not used to being singled out and speaking for himself. Anyway, I loved seeing his AT again. It really was very good.

Lucille, many years ago I was showing a friend around a big costume house. We went through the room where the ladies did the hand beading, in their case it was sewing each on individually. One of them looked up at us and said:

""Don't ever learn how to do this"

I remember them saying that they glue the Strictly 'stones' on. Trust me as one who once made 750 cotton net flowers.....you really don't want to do the gluing job.

Not allsewnonbyhand then!

allsewnonbyhand wrote:Not allsewnonbyhand then!

Clearly not.

Hatlady wrote:I remember them saying that they glue the Strictly 'stones' on. Trust me as one who once made 750 cotton net flowers.....you really don't want to do the gluing job.

But think of mingling with the strictly stars, watching them come and go for fitting sessions, the laughter and chat in the group... alternatively, the hundreds and hundreds of little stones, picking them up, the glue sticking to your fingers, the headache from squinting so long....OK Hatlady, point taken.

If we ever get our wish to be VIP guests behind the scenes and on ITT, I fear that would be my job by default!!

Offical 4 couples for the final!! When Zoe said "We need You!" I thought yes the exiles for the FNP maybe noooo a dance we learn at home mmmmm not videoing me falling over!! . Lisa advised had little hiccups she advised tonight.Lisa advising the panel were gorgeous re comments!!!

Sax

Four couple final? They'll still be dancing at midnight!

Bobby was looking particularly tasty tonight.

I can't remember at what stage the finalists do their showdance. Does it mean we'll see all four showdances?

sid wrote:Bobby was looking particularly tasty tonight.

....but such clompy boots for the pro challenge! I'd imagine pumps would be better.

Any predictions for the challenge? I'll go for Vincent (shorter legs and all that)

Last year, Artem turned up properly dressed with actual dance shoes. Everyone else looked and dressed like a long day of rehearsing........oh and hey Artem won. I would say watch whoever turns up with a degree of formality, they are the most likely to win.

Vincent or Flavia for the challenge!! The showdance always in final however only 2 out of the 3 danced it as a couple used to be voted off leaving two.



Sax

Flavia also wore the right shoes last year (latin shoes) - I remember thinking the heels would hinder her - but didn't she come second? Or very near the top anyway?

Last two years they performed the show dance and one of the repeated dances before the voting so we saw all the show dances. What we missed was one of the newly-learned dances.

Sid wrote:Four couple final? They'll still be dancing at midnight!

Or doing less dances each??? Wonder if it'll be three each: one new dance, the showdance plus one repeat? Strange to be making an alteration this late in the day (TV PI still had the semi-final listed as a double-elimination a couple of days ago). I can't help feeling this is more 'rigging' of the competition for the sake of what the producers think we'll find entertaining. It's a fair and hard-fought dance competition that I enjoy.

I agree that Vincent's speedy feet could win him the pro challenge, but I'm not ruling out Artem on this one either.

Enjoyed Russells stats re Celebs tonight.Erin did a cracking job with her celebrity challenge! Half watched the rest so cannot really cooment re other parts sorry

Sax

saxonsiren wrote:Enjoyed Russells stats re Celebs tonight.Erin did a cracking job with her celebrity challenge! Half watched the rest so cannot really cooment re other parts sorry

Sax

Sorry Sax, but for me those sort of stats should be for anybody who want to a buy The ITT Christmas Annual (or something). It's just giving Russel G something to do whilst wearing his Gilbert O'Sullivan waistcoat that his auntie Hetty knitted him for Christmas in 1984 after she finished making a peg rug. The pro challenge was invented by somebody with nothing to do and Zoe spends far too much time explaining to the audience of four-year olds what everybody's saying. She talks so fast, if she wore dentures she'd choke herself. In between they try to fit a bit of dance in. The Gil girl's lovely smile just about made it bearable.

There, that's better. (might be the weather making me grumpy.)

I know it's just a bit of fun and filler but Russell's stats weren't very meaningful. Of course Pasha's going to have the highest average score - he hasn't had a duffer yet!

I like listening to Vicky talk frocks. I wish more time could have been spent with her instead.

I continue to like Denise & James more and more (despite myself!). They were funny tonight. And at Denise getting into that case!

Sorry Sid but I feel like I am being force fed Denise and J.ames FUN!!!!!!!!!! partnership

I noticed she managed to tell us how difficult it all is again

I do know where you're coming from Ging, and there are times when their banter grates on me as well. I think it's more James I'm not keen on - Denise I like, and I think she genuinely struggled with the Salsa, just like the Cha Cha. Her hip action is not good.

TV PI still had the semi-final listed as a double-elimination a couple of days ago). I can't help feeling this is more 'rigging' of the competition for the sake of what the producers think we'll find entertaining. It's a fair and hard-fought dance competition that I enjoy. Kate

Conspiracy theory
That this Saturday/Sunday there's so much confusion that the dance off is cancelled,
no-one goes home and then all 6 pairs do two dances for the semi's on the 15th
with a double elimination leaving the four finalists.

Saturdays show is short I presume because of the National Lottery awards show.

I missed James & DvO think I can blame my liking of ITT due to wooziness re anesthetic!! Recall Russell advising his last show!! Think Zoe needs to talk slowly & not repeat everything.

Sax

Anesthetic sax?

Yes Sid! Went in as day case yesterday! I wanted to be in own bed last night! Not much sleep but least didn't have others around.On Tramadol my head feels its been kicked by a mule!!

Sax

Sid wrote: - Denise I like, and I think she genuinely struggled with the Salsa, just like the Cha Cha. Her hip action is not good.

I think that because of her slim build Sid. Not a curvy type at all, sort of a female Michael Vaughan. Women normally have advantages in the hips area but Denise is just a little stick-like. A good looking attractive lady with good legs, but Venus she ain't. That's De Milo, not Williams, although, mind you ...

But you're right anyway. In her ballroom it escapes attention, but latin takes no prisoners..