Highs & Lows 2015

Highs
Silver tongued Italian Stallion's Gaffe - because it livened things up!
Kirsty's improvement - good to see
Some great costumes
Enjoyed the pros 'Busby Berkeley' routine

Lows
Ainsley leaving
Nathalie leaving
The OTT mauling that Katie and A nton got this week

Highs.

Yes, B .runo having a mad moment.
Jay's Paso and Anita's tango.
Kelly's jive.
Ainsley entertaining as ever.
Tess in a decent dress on the results show (didn't make me like her anymore, but at least she looked smart)  
Claudia's " Have you met Mis Jones ?" outfit. Great.
Housewives choice escaping the chop. Up to him now or he'll be out.

Lows.
Ainsley and Natalie out.
Darcy looking bored every time someone else was speaking. I admire her, but her Yah act is wearing thin.
Wrong dismissals. Jamelia should have gone.
Somebody please teach Claudia how to sit down in a mini skirt.

Highs

1. First time I've really enjoyed Gleb's choreography. He reminds me of Artem in that he likes to be innovative and bring new ideas but this can sometimes result in too much of a departure from the original dance. Think he got it just right this week - the routine was exciting and different but still very recognisable as a Tango with plenty of content. Just wish they'd used an orchestral arrangement of Sweet Disposition or another song altogether.

2. Struggling to find more 'highs'...ooh Claudia was rocking the office look! And Tess avoided a wardrobe disasters two nights in a row

3. Thought of one more....Kirsty, but it doesn't say much about the show when Kirsty's a highlight.


Lows

1. Ainsley and Nat gone, too early in my opinion. For me, they captured what Strictly's about.

2. Not really feeling a lot of the couples this year. For instance, I like Helen's Ballroom very much but not sensing much chemistry between her and Aljaz. She could be dancing with anybody.

3. A.nton, Kellie + Kevin, disco Salsas (all dicussed in the Honesty Thread).

Highs

SCD still on

Lows

Ainsley gone
Kevin and Kellie now irritating me,over exuberance gone wild
Jamelia
Judges all competing against each other
scores all over the place
music choices

Sid wrote:Highs

1. First time I've really enjoyed Gleb's choreography. He reminds me of Artem in that he likes to be innovative and bring new ideas but this can sometimes result in too much of a departure from the original dance. Think he got it just right this week - the routine was exciting and different but still very recognisable as a Tango with plenty of content. Just wish they'd used an orchestral arrangement of Sweet Disposition or another song altogether.

3. Thought of one more....Kirsty, but it doesn't say much about the show when Kirsty's a highlight.


Lows


2. Not really feeling a lot of the couples this year. For instance, I like Helen's Ballroom very much but not sensing much chemistry between her and Aljaz. She could be dancing with anybody.
.

1. Gleb - I'm still struggling to warm to him because I always blew hot and cold with A rtem because of the reason that you give - in bold - but I am getting interested in them - I do want to see more chemistry between them on the floor. The choregraphy was excellent and they performed well to the crowd but the Tango should have a connection between two people and it was missing this for me.

3. Kirsty - my thoughts exactly

Lows - 2 - Again Helen could be another contender for my support - I think her ballroom has been lovely so far and Saturday was no exception - but again, not really 'feeling' it - a lot of the couples obviously get on with each other off the floor but I'm not feeling it on the floor even though they are giving great performances - same with Gio and Georgia and even Jay and Aliona to a degree.

Highs
Gleb's head swelling head seems to have stabilised. I actually enjoyed their tango. Dark, but better for Gleb underplaying the drama and equalising Anita's role.
The Pro's Busby Berkeley dance routine on the result show and the floor lighting effects
Bryan Adams
Kirsty's improvement
L en smiling through his medication!
Jay & Aliona's Paso.
Kevin & Kevin's Jive (although it was frantically exhausting)

Lows
Katie & An ton's missed opportunity, messy Salsa.
The tactical over-mauling of Katie & An ton to keep them voted in
Ainsley leaving before Halloween
Lift overdose
Helen's dress

Highs
The singers of 'Phantom' & "Once Upon A Dream'
The gondolier prop. It was effective on the dry ice, and pulled out of the way quickly.
The VT ghosts of Ann, Judy & Nancy
Jay's werewolf make-up
Helen's mummy costume. How does she get to the loo in that?
Kirsty's spider dress
Anita's outfit and dance routine
Lighting effects on the floor and walls.
Claude's face mask moment

Lows
Cr aigs hair - truly scary!
T ess interupting, adding her 5 penn'orth on the judges feedback yet again.
The two Paso's, particularly Kellie's sparse one
A miserable Charleston to a miserable song track. Charleston's should be upbeat, fun & quirky
Jeremy trying to Salsa to such an iconic non-salsa track
Most of the time wasting VT's
Katie struggling
Carol's attempt at Rhumba to yet another unsuitable track
Kirsty's hair and 'frowning' make-up
An ton's mask. Looked very uncomfortable. Surely wardrobe could have made a soft one for him?

Highs.

Five good dancers showing their worth and pulling clear of the rest despite the crackpot music choices. Claudia doing dead-pan comic. She does it so well


Lows.

Sorry, but an awful lot of lows. If we must have Halloween (why? it's an American thing anyway) why not just let everybody do a free-dance, no name, rule-free improvisation as pure entertainment just for once? No, "you didn't do a heel lead, you didn't have your head at the right angle or your ass was three degrees too far extended" It's hardly likely to affect the votes as most viewers know who's heading for the door anyway. I actually like some themes like big-band, golden age, Hollywood film and ballroom, Putting on the Ritz type things, but hate Halloween (as you may possibly have noticed) . Oh, and change the show name because Strictly and Come Dancing have officially parted company.

There you go..

Highs

Costumes, hair, & makeup
Claudia

Lows

Tess
Tess get a better dress adviser
Tess keep her hands to herself
Tess just stay quiet
Judges scoring

Highs
Sorry - it's so hugely sexist - but Helen's mummy costume and her very sexy and fluid hips in it. Mesmerising! And Jamelia's red legs too!
Jay's outfit and Aliona as "Bad" Little Red Riding Hood
Claudia's cat nose!

Lows
The excess of lights and props. It must be hard enough for the celebs to remember their steps without all the excess distractions. I'm sure that's partly why it was a mediocre show.
The Gondola.
Ghastly, inappropriate music. As far as I'm concerned, only Jamelia's fitted.
And lastly Carol and her rumba.

Highs
The Pros 'Chess' routine on the results show - refreshingly free of Hallowe'en paraphernalia but seemed in keeping.
The Glam rock opener on the main show
Loved Anita and Gleb's costumes
The band made a good job at the songs/tracks - even the more dubious ones. Thought the Maleficent one was done particularly well - I thought that this would be difficult to achieve
A nton and Katie justifiably surviving
Good routines from Anita and Gleb, Georgia and Giovanni and Helen and Alijaz
B runo back on form and making some good comments.
Tess's dress and make-up in the main show
D arcey looking remarkably good with long dark straight hair.

Lows
Hallowe'en theme full stop - no-one is convincing with their 'scary' whoops and shrieks - it needs a rethink but not sure what they can do as it is 'expected' now.
Some mediocre performances but some of this down to the themes and music
Manipulation - It was obvious that a female had to go tonight - I think Carol was being lined up but the public chose otherwise
The second week of the judges mauling A nton and Katie - I think it must be generating votes for them but I feel it needs to stop - not enjoyable
The syncophantic way that the judges comments are delivered to P eter - B runo was quite honest at least - Janette needs to teach him some basics
Tess's comments at the judges table - again!!!!

I think Mr T is right - let's just move on as quickly as possible from this week..........................

Highs for the results Show.

Pros dancing to Dave Arches pretty decent rendition of Bach's Tocata and Fugue (of which I absolutely love Sky's version) Really enjoyed that.
The original played on a church organ is spookier than any Halloween rubbish. A nton and Katie going through.Just a matter of time for Jamelia, Carol and Jeremy I think, so no real concern about tonight.

Lows.
How dare that "pop" singer call himself James Morrison? If he ever shortens it to Jim I'll jump on his guitar...

TANGOLERO wrote:Lows.
How dare that "pop" singer call himself James Morrison? If he ever shortens it to Jim I'll jump on his guitar...

I will have to defend him Mr T - I saw him live a few years ago and he was really good. But I suppose he can't help what his mother called him! My James is known as Jim, he's also a musician but luckily he's a trumpeter and our surname isn't Morrison  

allsewnonbyhand wrote:

I will have to defend him Mr T - I saw him live a few years ago and he was really good. But I suppose he can't help what his mother called him! My James is known as Jim, he's also a musician but luckily he's a trumpeter and our surname isn't Morrison  

Want a laugh? My name is Jim Morris....honest.

TANGOLERO wrote:

Want a laugh? My name is Jim Morris....honest.

TANGOLERO wrote:

Want a laugh? My name is Jim Morris....honest.

Eh? That can't be right. You're just having a bit of a laugh aren't you Mr Firth..

diamondsandpearls wrote:

Eh? That can't be right. You're just having a bit of a laugh aren't you Mr Firth..

Er, I have a small confession to make.....

I really don't want to hear Tango....

TANGOLERO wrote:

Er, I have a small confession to make.....

Your not mmm Elizabeth Bennett!

saxonsiren wrote:


Your not mmm Elizabeth  Bennett!

No, of course not...I'm her father...

Ooh how devine do be wary of Mrs Bennett's plans for Jane!

Tonight's highs:

Five good uprated performances.
Gotan Project for Jay's Argentine Tango.
Said Jay's Tango itself.
Aliona's dancing and choreography.
Peter Andre's Charlston.
Anita's Jive.
Georgia's superb Samba.

Lows.

This silly insistence on docking marks for facial expression.The contestants are breaking their necks to remember steps and routine
and trying to stay in the contest by their dancing. Jay's A.T WAS excellent yet he got panned about his expression.
Yes, I know, it's entertainment, but dance entertainment and not a gurning contest.

Bad lighting that might be great in studio, but is pretty awful for T.V viewers.
Safe dancing la Kevin and Kelly.
Barbara Cartland Rumbas..

Highs
Jeremy's dressage Tango. I kept expecting the horse to join in
Peter's Charleston. He looked like he was having fun instead of the usual tortured expression of ernest.
Jay's AT. I thought he was moody and Mr Cool. Love Gotan Project
Tommy Blaize singing 'Love Ain't Here Anymore'.
Lance singing 'Volare'
L en being in a more positive mood

Lows
Kellie's Waltz. Liked the concept but had the same effect as Ovaltine
Carol's American Smooth. Cringeworthy
Helen's Rhumba. Sorry. I'm sick of celebs Rhumba struggles

Highs
Jay and Aliona's Argentine Tango (and yes Tangolero – Aliona's dancing, choreography, teaching etc. etc.),
Georgia's Samba
Peter's Charleston (Grudgingly)
Sorry Tangolero, but I did enjoy Helen's Rumba

Lows
Carol
Jeremy
Props (guitars, mops, buckets and glitter going down Darcy's dress. OK that last one was a bit funny cos Darcy was so pissed off about it!)

Highs
Volare
Georgia and Giovanni's samba
The Gotan project being used
The pros opening routine on the results show - 'in the mood'
The Remembrance Sunday results show
P eter and J anette's Charleston
Some lovely ballroom dresses this week - Jamelia and K atie
Janette with short hair
The band doing a great job as always


Lows
Actually not many at all from me this week -
Kellie and Kevin's costumes - when are they going to give her a decent ballroom dress?
K atie and A nton not quite hitting the heights that they could have done with their 42nd st Quickstep
Helen's rhumba costume
G leb still showcasing himself too much and only just managing to make the routine into a ballroom jive