Judges 2013

Well, I was pleased to see the return of last year's fab four.

I was worried that HRH CRH had departed but (to borrow the elegant phraseology of one of the hairy bikers) I was also 'chuffed as nuts' to see Cr aig's smiling face back on the panel. It's a shame they didn't move him between Dar cey and The Love God that is Leonard The Lion Goodman to add some suspense to the scoring.

Dar cey seemed more relaxed and at ease with the others.

Old pickled walnuts L en has got an admirer in Fiona. Who needs a 007 when you've got a WD(over)40?

Bru no's looking good and not too hyper just yet.

As long as B.runo never leaves I'll be happy. He seemed to be the judge most the celebs wanted to be stuck with in a lift too (in their intro videos).

But yes, I think this quartet work quite well together.  I still wish they'd not got rid of Arlene though.

Yes I feel they offer a very good blend. Each has their own standards and traits. B.runo is zany and his antics really are funny to watch, L.en is the laid back one who will try to always offer a crumb of comfort even after a disastrous performance and can be scathing as well, Darcey is the quiet one with an eye for the male celebs I noted in the last series but she is fair enough with her marks. Finally CRH is seen as the nasty, grumpy judge but I think he is essential. Sometimes he does go over the top with his put downs but you feel if he is impressed by a dance it must have been good.

I wish that Arlene was still there too, but at least Darcey is better than Alesha, and I think that they're starting to gel together.

CRH is good and they need someone to inject some acidity into the proceedings, otherwise it's in danger of getting a bit too saccharine sometimes. However, I thought CRH went a bit overboard sometimes last year, and the "Mr Nasty" persona was turning into a bit of a caricature. he's at his best when he's not acting quite so much.

I don't mind a few deee sarrrr turrrss darling from C.raig! Or a few waving arms from B.runo! What I do mind is over negative comments that C.raig seemed to issue last year & set up reactions from L.en!! Too long ago now for me to miss Arlene!

Sax

Our beloved C.raig apparently needs a new hip! I had visons of C.raig giving reviews from his hospital bed! Dressed in a hospital gown frightful colour & design! He would be more prickly than ever & then have a really weird session of giving out sevens to couples as the spaced drugs kicked in! Quite surreal really!
I hadn't realised dancers had such short hip life!

Sax

Robin's been having a problem with his hip too

I wonder which judge will manage to get a word in edgeways with Julian? If he just kept zip he might hear some positive feedback & not just about crystals/costumes etc

Sax

As a collective the judges often have their own method for voting. L.en for example is drawn more into scoring a dancer higher if they give a dance a real go even if there are technical flaws. C.raig is something of the opposite as in he is only interested in scoring high on technical merit ad will mark dancers down for even the smallest of flaws which is fair enough if you stick to that system but sometimes he doesn't. B.runo loves the expressive dancers but has little time for the dancers with less ability who have comedic value. D.arcey will always look for the good in a performance however small which is good if they have been heavily criticised elsewhere and her marking is pretty accurate though she doesn't come across as so detailed in advice/criticism.

CC I think you have it one!

Sax

I don't always understand L en's scoring.
He talks of technicalities then added an extra merit badge for their 'ger-cha. go-on-my-son, ees-cam-owt-here, given-it-some-welly

Don't understand why Abby got heaped in praise for her Bambi on Ice impression this week but Rachel got a mauling. Neither mark seemed to reflect what I was seeing. Getting tired of hearing what a handsome couple  Abby and Alijas make. Maybe I need to borrow Kev's specs

B4p wrote:I don't always understand L en's scoring.
He talks of technicalities then added an extra merit badge for their 'ger-cha. go-on-my-son, ees-cam-owt-here, given-it-some-welly

Best laugh I've had for a bit Thank you B4p.

Hi ginger
Maybe L en's current scoring is like him - still in the honeymoon period

I forgot The Love God that is Leonard The Lion Goodman in the honeymoon phrase! Does this mean he won't pickle his walnuts anymore?
C.raig gone for sour cherry on lemon tart critique! B.runo still hovering between leering,counting & being erratic! Darcey yet to pop a polished nail out of place!

Sax

saxonsiren wrote: Does this mean he won't pickle his walnuts anymore Sax

Job of her-in-doors now

B4p wrote:I don't always understand L en's scoring.
He talks of technicalities then added an extra merit badge for their 'ger-cha. go-on-my-son, ees-cam-owt-here, given-it-some-welly

lol - I thought the same thing when his 7 paddle went up for Mark's Salsa. He can be a bit contradictory old L.en.

If the couples are getting a 9 or 8 in week 3! Does this mean a 10 by week five?If the judges start getting harsher on little details then surely the scores will drop?

If Cr sig is having his hip replaced in 2 weeks, will they get a guest judge in for a while to cover?

Good point Sid! Unless C.raig skypes! Maybe Ian or Vince could step in?

Vincent's practising for his new show but Ian would be ideal and would compliment Darcey quite well I think.

Oops sorry b4p I mixed you & Sid up! Forgot Vince busy! Ian would be a good judge I can see that working

A new hip is nothing like as big an operation as it used to be and is sometimes done under epidural I believe. If it's early in the week then he could easily be able to sit behind a judge's desk by Saturday (though probably no shimmies/pirouettes on ITT for a week or two).

Back to the high scores for first weeks......I wonder if it was an effort to stretch out the 15 couples, rather than having a huge cluster in one place. In other words a BIG difference between the leaders and the also rans, rather than a middling mush. Dare I say it, the audience then has a clearer picture of who can dance and who can't. Gives people a reason to vote.

Littlebear wrote:A new hip is nothing like as big an operation as it used to be and is sometimes done under epidural I believe.

I've watched many operations under epidural including amputations. I have also been on the receiving end of surgery with an epidural BUT I can say 100% that there is no way on God's green earth that I would have a hip replacement under an epidural. They'd have to knock me out for that honour.  Hope he's up and about real fast. The upside is, he'll be so dosed up on happy pills, that his scoring might hit new heights!

They do knee replacements now using an epiduaral! My 78 mom in law chose this! She did have a sedative & recalls nothing! However Id choose like B4p to be knocked out for it! Ive had a spine op with epidural & recall all of it! Mind you I think C.raig would find it uncomfortable sitting for so long! I think a platform with a chaise lounge is the answer! As for C.raig being happier I feel he would be grumpier