A Little Bit of Honesty.

TANGOLERO wrote:Go on, admit it, you've become a bunch of C raigs. I bet you have four and nine pound notes in your wallets/handbags...

Sooner be than a bunch of zany 10s from B.runo even for dances with errors. EARN IT.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

There were some very good dances (one classic) but can remember better Blackpools. The year Suzannah Reid's Paso had two or three classic dances if I remember correctly.

That was the best one! We had Susanna, Abbey (hmm) and Natalie....and Sophie's Blackpool QS was a delight - yes there were props and backing dancers (in the form of waiters) involved but they didn't overwhelm the performance, they added lovely little touches to it.

TANGOLERO wrote:Go on, admit it, you've become a bunch of C raigs. I bet you have four and nine pound notes in your wallets/handbags...

Good one Mr T
I'm now imagining a whole bunch of C raig clones running all over the place shouting 'dis-as-tah darling' !!

Interesting views everyone.   I so agree with the comments about the obtrusive backing dancers. Added to that I found some of the camera work disjointed, and found it hard to follow the couples at times.  Anyhow, a few comments on last night

Claudia –Oh dear, I disliked every aspect of this jive, which is a real shame because I think Claudia could be a finalist with some decent choreograpy and music on her side. But I really didn’t like the childish costumes, the ponytails, the song, or the choreography for this jive.  I hope she escapes the dance off.

Ore – This seems to have divided opinions a bit, but I really liked the casino theme and thought it was the best use of the backing dancers, especially enjoyed the mannequin bit. Though maybe a waste of the huge floorspace to do that extended spin on one spot.

Louise – Well, they certainly threw the wardrobe budget at this couple.  Good performance but I felt the routine was a bit too fast for her at times.

Danny –Loved the theme and the feel of the routine, and felt the 40 was well deserved.

Ed – Thought he looked a bit lost at times -  there was so much advance hype that the routine fell flat with me.

Greg-  Same comments as with Claudia’s dance, I  personally didn’t like the song, the costumes, or the use of backing dancers to this routine,  which detracted from what was probably a solid performance.

Judge Rinder – A bit muddled.

No idea who’ll be in the dance off, but probably Greg again I expect. It wasn't my favourite ever Blackpool, but I did enjoy the show. Felt like it was over in a flash.. I guess Will’s departure left us a couple short, but an extra pro routine would've been good.

Ssh my florin's thriving?

Well the first travesty dance off this series for me!

For starters - the judges put Claudia in the dance off by over marking an under par jive - which obviously prompted a vote desertion for her, with a chain reaction that anyone up against her in the DO was going to be toast because the judges clearly rated the routine.

It honestly should have been Ed in the dance off - and had it been Ed and Greg then Greg would surely have survived to have another week. Sure he was never going to make it to the last few weeks but is a far better dancer than Ed - sorry Ed fans.

I didn't like Claudia's routine any more in the dance off and I actually thought Greg did better. The only light in the tunnel was that Rinder got through because had he landed in the DO he would also have exited - so good on him.

So now I'm off to have my dinner and will come back later...............

I often wonder do the judges really judge on the dance off dance only? Greg I felt in the DO danced a better routine I agree Mauve... I had forecast an all girls do so one out of two isn't bad. Next week it could be the Judge or Ed together in do? I did vote last night for Ed, Greg and Robert.... Sorry the remaining girls do not float my boat or make me warm to them. I'm already getting ancey re Cliftonville v Cliftonville sibling rivaled with either Danny or possibly Robert in the middle.

I have thought about why I didn't enjoy Blackpool and besides overcrowding the couple with extra bodies in the way we had a mismatch of dances again, awful music again! Plus as someone else mentioned apologies forgot who but too much happened in the early weeks,themes etc..... id have liked to have seen a freestyle dance in Blackpool? Possibly a second dance each! Maybe a new judge

I'm the first person to admit that Ed "should" have gone this week, despite being a self confessed fan. I'm sad that Greg has gone because he genuinely seemed to love learning to dance ( as does Ed in fairness) but he wouldn't have survived against anyone other than Ed, even Judge Rinder I'm sure.

We wondered how big Claudia's fan base was, as she has avoided the DO until now. I really hope she gets some decent music for her remaining dances. I think she is the underdog I am rooting for. Mr Alls thinks we're going to get a people's champion and Ed will win, but I still say the cream will rise.

Mr T, interesting comments re us all being spoilt  brats and not enjoying Blackpool because of it. ( no offence meant or taken )
I think you have a point, what more did we want? Sid nailed it for me, actually I want LESS -before Blackpool so we get the 'wow' dances later, and make the most of the space by saving the big ballroom dances for the Tower so we need FEWER backing dancers. Danny's worked, the others, less so.

Over to you

All I have to admit I was suprised a little Ed wasn't in the DO but I do blame C.raig's continual poor 4 score. Nothing gets a rally of fans worked up into a froth and vote finger button poised to save 7nderdog from the bashing. Maybe if C.raig had doled out a 6 it may have been different?
SCD needs a new direction, stale and boring yes I'm demanding I know leads to a bored viewer

saxonsiren wrote:All I have to admit I was suprised a little Ed wasn't in the DO but I do blame C.raig's continual poor 4 score. Nothing gets a rally of fans worked up into a froth and vote finger button poised to save 7nderdog from the bashing. Maybe if C.raig had doled out a 6 it may have been different?
SCD needs a new direction, stale and boring yes I'm demanding I know leads to a bored viewer

No the fault Ed is through is those that voted on him. C.raig's score was nearer the mark of Ed's talent than those that voted for him. Greg is the latest in a long line of far better dancers than Ed to bite the dust in this series. Even Ed had the balls (pardon the pun) to admit he is lucky to be through again.

The dance-off I think was much closer than a clean sweep. Okay I do not have the trained eye of the judges but I spotted Claudia lose balance coming out of a spin but never spotted any discernible errors from Greg. Still it was a travesty that either of these couples were in this position.

I thought a bigger travesty than who landed in the dance-off (which isn't a travesty at all IMO since it's all above board - the audience are entitled to vote for whoever they like for whatever reason they like and everyone knows this when they decide to take part or watch) was the dance-off result itself. I felt Claudia was marginally worse than her first effort (which wasn't great) and Greg lifted his game. I think the judges had already made their minds up who they'd be sending home. It was deja vu - remember Jamelia vs Peter last year?

I'm sad to see Greg - and especially Nat - leave, but I reckon they had one more week in them tops. I was ready to lose Ed at Blackpool, but must admit when I heard he was safe I was happy for him and realised I'm not ready to let him go just yet. Not sure I ever will be! I'm sorry to the ones at the top but it's up to them to engage me and move me more with their dancing to get my vote. I'm not going to give it to them just because they did better fleckerls or swivel than Ed. Dance is about more than that for me.

CD I'm a fan that voted for Ed..... C.raig just keeps firing low deliberate scores.... I like Ed's j.our ney and I like Roberts too

Sid wrote:I thought a bigger travesty than who landed in the dance-off (which isn't a travesty at all IMO since it's all above board - the audience are entitled to vote for whoever they like for whatever reason they like and everyone knows this when they decide to take part or watch) was the dance-off result itself. I felt Claudia was marginally worse than her first effort (which wasn't great) and Greg lifted his game. I think the judges had already made their minds up who they'd be sending home. It was deja vu  - remember Jamelia vs Peter last year?

I'm sad to see Greg - and especially Nat - leave, but I reckon they had one more week in them tops. I was ready to lose Ed at Blackpool, but must admit when I heard he was safe I was happy for him and realised I'm not ready to let him go just yet. Not sure I ever will be! I'm sorry to the ones at the top but it's up to them to engage me and move me more with their dancing to get my vote. I'm not going to give it to them just because they did better fleckerls or swivel than Ed. Dance is about more than that for me.

You're right about the DO, Sid. As soon as I knew who it was, even before the dances, I said Greg would be out. All that bull about the judges only judging the DO and having to give a reason...
I can't warm to Danny at all and can't see myself ever voting for him. Same with Louise. And yet in the past I have rooted for " ringahs" - it must be because I liked them and their relationship with their pro as well as their dancing. Harry Judd is one who springs to mind. I still say that Ed is miles better than any comedy act in the past...he does actually dance and he takes it seriously without taking himself too seriously. Judge Rinder is beginning to grate a bit and what was all that about on ITT with Gethin? Awkward or what?

To me, the only one who seems to combine the two is Claudia- she's learning to dance and perform in spite of stupid producers who insist on portraying her as a child and giving her stupid songs.
I think that at this moment in time I don't actually care who wins.... Can't believe I just said that, does that say more about me or the series?

allsewnonbyhand wrote:
You're right about the DO, Sid. As soon as I knew who it was, even before the dances, I said Greg would be out. All that bull about the judges only judging the DO and having to give a reason...
I can't warm to Danny at all and can't see myself ever voting for him. Same with Louise. And yet in the past I have rooted for " ringahs" - it must be because I liked them and their relationship with their pro as well as their dancing. Harry Judd is one who springs to mind. I still say that Ed is miles better than any comedy act in the past...he does actually dance and he takes it seriously without taking himself too seriously. Judge Rinder is beginning to grate a bit and what was all that about on ITT with Gethin? Awkward or what?

To me, the only one who seems to combine the two is Claudia- she's learning to dance and perform in spite of stupid producers who insist on portraying her as a child and giving her stupid songs.
I think that at this moment in time I don't actually care who wins.... Can't believe I just said that, does that say more about me or the series?

Putting her on a pony was the last straw!

And I echo your feelings about who wins alls - I'm not that bothered! It wouldn't distress me if any of them won, nor would I be jumping for joy, unless it's Ed *ducks*

It's a weird series, promised so much, but hasn't been the vintage year I hoped. It's a little bit reminiscent of series 7 (with Ricky, Chris, Ali). Though the standard is higher, the way I feel about the contestants is quite similar.

Ref Claudia, who I've mentioned several times as a dark horse, unless I'm wildly mistaken her timing was off in the dance-off and she looked a little panicked in places. Might be the nerves a dance-off must surely inspire in anyone and it was her first time in the shadow of the guillotine. Greg improved on his earlier, she was worse. The judges voted on technique, really?

Facts put the situation in perspective : Ed was nine points worse off in the judges scoring than the lowest other,(Greg) and seventeen worse than the top (Danny's 40) but went through anyway. Then again, much as I like Greg and Natalie, he had probably one more week at best. It's all moving towards a Danny, Louisa and Ore final from the look of things, which was predicted quite early on with Claudia in fourth.

I admit I was shocked at Greg and Claudia being in the DO. Greg/Robert Rinder/Ed Balls perhaps, but not Claudia. I agree that Greg did lift his game for the DO but I'm not sure that Claudia didn't still out-dance him.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

The point is that in this class Ed is out of his depth. The strength of viewer voting has got him this far. If the judges had been left alone to judge Ed would have gone in the first two or three weeks. I admire his attitude and work ethic but as far as dance steps-wise in terms of quality he is not in the same class as maybe as much as 10 or a dozen of this year's entrants. That is my take on it.

I wondered if Ed looked a little guilty at staying in tonight. Will he reconsider his position despite getting the public vote like John Sargeant did? Surely to escape the DO, he must have gathered the lion's share of the public vote. If he feels that he is unfairly in the way of the other dancers he might retire. On the other hand, I'm sure he must be aware of the huge public support for him and that retiring despite that support does a disservice to the public. I'm not quite sure what I think of it now. I enjoyed him very much until this week. Even I think he might just be getting in the way now.

CaledonianCraig wrote:I have worked out what it is about Danny that I can't engage with (apart from the ringer thing). There is just that lack of expression to the dance. Ore (who has gone off the boil in recent weeks) is much more emotive (not just with the outwardly crying) but in how he expresses each dance.

We obviously see completely different things here. I see Danny as spectacular, continually polishing, getting better and better by putting in loads and loads of work. Ore, I don't see as emotive at all. I see him as manipulative. Joanne's influence there? If you watch, every chance he gets there's a coy smile to camera, as if he's looking over his shoulder making sure you're watching him. The others are all having a ball no matter how good they are. He may be enjoying himself, but he's concentrating much more than the others on where the camera is, on how he's perceived.

Sorry Mr T, it doesn't matter whether Strictly's in the Tower Ballroom or down in the village hall. If the show's good, it's good, if it's bad, it's bad. The venue can't determine that.

Mrs Twirlie just made me watch Danny and Oti's Charleston again in slow-motion as there was something I'd missed.

I loved their synchronised one handed cartwheels. What I didn't realise was that they were holding hands at the same time. Phenomenal! As L.en said, living dangerously and dancing on the edge is what makes a great routine. This one was right up there.

Twirlie wrote:I admit I was shocked at Greg and Claudia being in the DO. Greg/Robert Rinder/Ed Balls perhaps, but not Claudia. I agree that Greg did lift his game for the DO but I'm not sure that Claudia didn't still out-dance him.



I wondered if Ed looked a little guilty at staying in tonight. Will he reconsider his position despite getting the public vote like John Sargeant did? Surely to escape the DO, he must have gathered the lion's share of the public vote. If he feels that he is unfairly in the way of the other dancers he might retire. On the other hand, I'm sure he must be aware of the huge public support for him and that retiring despite that support does a disservice to the public. I'm not quite sure what I think of it now. I enjoyed him very much until this week. Even I think he might just be getting in the way now.



We obviously see completely different things here. I see Danny as spectacular, continually polishing, getting better and better by putting in loads and loads of work. Ore, I don't see as emotive at all. I see him as manipulative. Joanne's influence there? If you watch, every chance he gets there's a coy smile to camera, as if he's looking over his shoulder making sure you're watching him. The others are all having a ball no matter how good they are. He may be enjoying himself, but he's concentrating much more than the others on where the camera is, on how he's perceived.

Sorry Mr T, it doesn't matter whether Strictly's in the Tower Ballroom or down in the village hall. If the show's good, it's good, if it's bad, it's bad. The venue can't determine that.

We will agree to disagree on Danny. It may be that I just don't/can't warm to 'ringers'.

As for the Blackpool thing I do agree that no matter how grand the venue is if the dances aren't of high enough quality then it matters not one jot about it being in Blackpool. A dance falling short of a classic will fall short of being a classic whether the show is staged at Blackpool or Elstree.

Twirlie wrote:

Sorry Mr T, it doesn't matter whether Strictly's in the Tower Ballroom or down in the village hall. If the show's good, it's good, if it's bad, it's bad. The venue can't determine that.

Whole point being Twirlie, that I agree with the sentiment entirely, but we must disagree on what is a good and a bad show. This week I saw a bunch of people really trying on the dance floor, that's what really matters. For me, it was a good show. Ed , or anyone else for that matter, don't determine if they go or stay as we well know, that's the judges, the public and the show format that does that. Blackpool must be a real nervy experience for what are basically just amateur dancers doing their best. I enjoyed the whole thing and we're at the stage where it's perm any two from four etc, for the dance offs. Have even we here on the forum of wisdom and knowlege ever really agreed who should win? I'm trying hard to remember when...

TANGOLERO wrote:Blackpool must be a real nervy experience for what are basically just amateur dancers doing their best.

Too true, Mr T, too true!

On the whole it was a very good Blackpool show but have seen better years and no doubt there have been worse as well.

I don't think Ed has anything to feel guilty about and hope he's not pressured into quitting. It'd be like suggesting Danny should feel guilty for arriving with so much previous experience and do the 'honourable thing' and leave. That would be absurd too. Ed's not breaking any rules. He's doing what's asked of him and competing like anybody else. And far from 'getting in the way', he's saving the series for me! If he did quit, I'd feel very differently about Strictly - it was bad enough when John Sergeant went. Don't invite the likes of them on if viewers can't accept that they should be able to go all the way and win. Just have 14 pre-trained celebs, or better still scrap Strictly and replace it with Come Dancing (but I bet the viewing figures would suffer).

Sid wrote:I don't think Ed has anything to feel guilty about and hope he's not pressured into quitting. It'd be like suggesting Danny should feel guilty for arriving with so much previous experience and do the 'honourable thing' and leave. That would be absurd too. Ed's not breaking any rules. He's doing what's asked of him and competing like anybody else. And far from 'getting in the way', he's saving the series for me! If he did quit, I'd feel very differently about Strictly - it was bad enough when John Sergeant went. Don't invite the likes of them on if viewers can't accept that they should be able to go all the way and win. Just have 14 pre-trained celebs, or better still scrap Strictly and replace it with Come Dancing (but I bet the viewing figures would suffer).

Yes he is merely the victim of the flawed system Strictly operates under. Some people think it is spot on and some don't.

TANGOLERO wrote:Ref Claudia, who I've mentioned several times as a dark horse, unless I'm wildly mistaken her timing was off in the dance-off and she looked a little panicked in places. Might be the nerves a dance-off must surely inspire in anyone and it was her first time in the shadow of the guillotine. Greg improved on his earlier, she was worse. The judges voted on technique, really?

Facts put the situation in perspective : Ed was nine points worse off in the judges scoring than the lowest other,(Greg) and seventeen worse than the top (Danny's 40) but went through anyway. Then again, much as I like Greg and Natalie, he had probably one more week at best. It's all moving towards a Danny, Louisa and Ore final from the look of things, which was predicted quite early on with Claudia in fourth.

24 hours later and I still think it was the wrong decision in the dance off - I'm not sure why people are braying for Ed, yes he would have been the natural person to exit on Saturday as we have all said but I think this has deflected from the DO decision. I watched it back and you are bang on Mr T - her timing was off and the whole thing was ragged (it wasn't top of the shop in the first show either) - whereas G reg upped his game. I suppose that having over marked her in the first show, the judges had to justify it and she is obviously a 'judges favourite' which spells trouble for some of the remaining contestants if she lands in the DO again and they are up against her - I'm thinking Rinder if he is unlucky enough to be in this permutation. I'm sure he is in the judges sights for a despatch looking at the restrained marks he seems to get every week.

I do agree Mr T that G reg probably only had about another week in him but it would have been nice if he had got it.