Comparing the pros
pasodabble
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Inspired by this thread on a DWTS forum, I thought I'd start a thread outside the usual appreciation ones where people can talk about the pro dancers on Strictly.
For e.g. who do you think is the best/worst pro dancer on the show? Some people prefer to use competition results and rankings, others argue that rankings and competitions are subjective, and people's dance abilities decline when they step off the competition treadmill anyway.
The best pro dancers aren't neccessarily the best teachers, especially of beginners. Who stands out as a teacher?
Finally, Strictly Come Dancing is primarily an entertainment progamme, and the best dancer/teacher in the universe may not be particularly entertaining...
For e.g. who do you think is the best/worst pro dancer on the show? Some people prefer to use competition results and rankings, others argue that rankings and competitions are subjective, and people's dance abilities decline when they step off the competition treadmill anyway.
The best pro dancers aren't neccessarily the best teachers, especially of beginners. Who stands out as a teacher?
Finally, Strictly Come Dancing is primarily an entertainment progamme, and the best dancer/teacher in the universe may not be particularly entertaining...
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Worst at ballroom, I'd maybe be inclined to say James and Ola.
Not that I have a ranking as such, but I think my impression of the pros is based partly on how much I enjoy their pro dances, partly on how much I enjoy what they do in Strictly- teaching, choreography, general relationship with their partner, and also what I'm aware of their dance achievements outside Strictly.
She was really encouraging and supportive to Jimmy even though she probably knew he wouldn't get very far, and it must have been really heartbreaking for to have to pull out in her first series.
I loved her with Matt because you could see the competition meant so much to her, she said herself that getting into the final would be the best thing ever. she was really patient and understanding but at the same pushed him to do the very best possible and performed some amazing routines.
i loved camilla last series particulary, he came out of his shell so much and she seemed to give him so much confidence. loved her choreography too- very romantic, especially the vienesse waltz, definatly a dance that will be remembered particulary as it was a big milestone for gethin.
i think Vincent is a really good teacher too. love his chreography, always pushing the celeb to the best they possibly can do... although Stephanie went out first, her routine was brilliant and he def gave the best chance possible. i really hope he gets a good celeb this year, would love to see him get to the final.
and matthew cutler too!... loved his waltzes with alesha!
i think they're all fantastic to be honest
Lilia is such a clever chick, she stands out for me in every series I've seen her in how she marks out routines for her celeb and with Darren and Aled especially, she had such a rapport.
When Lilia dances it's never about her, but in who she's showcasing.
Love Karen's way of bringing fun to dances and her daring. When I first heard about her using Eleanor Rigby for a tango I thought naaah!
I'm always on the edge of my seat to see what Lilia and Karen will do. The only other pro for me who at least tries originality (Brendan can be but can be too influenced by his relationship with who he dances with in a negative way) is Camilla...her tango with James in series3 is STILL the standout routine I'd pick if I could only have one from SCD.
I think that sometimes people may think that they always get good partners - but I think it is more a case of clever choreography and excellent teaching -Darren with Letitia is a good example of this. Realted to the other females last series, she wasnt seen as a likely contender and thus her confidence wavered -but with Darren she made it to the final four!
I like most of the pros really. Didnt used to be keen on James and Ola but like them much more now! Especially Ola who seems really sweet.
Yes I think Ola really blossomed with Kenny funnily.:)
Darren and Lilia just come across as really really nice people to work with/for and the results speak for themselves....Lilia can almost be classed as genius in her ability to get the best out of unlikely people. It's impossible to see Darren G going on the same 'journey' with anyone else.
I love watching Anton and Erin dancing but don't get quite the same vibe from them with a celeb; weirdly (just me) I enjoyed Erin far more with Peter than I did with Colin.:D
Brendan's great to watch but he can't be classed as the most patient teacher in the world.
My favourites for choreography are D&L, Matt, James, and V&F when they're not over complicating things.
I do find V&F really over complicate their routines and then it ends up going to pot.
Of the others I really rate Lilia as a fantastic dancer and teacher, she tailors her routines to her partner, as does Darren. Don't think Camilla is all that great as either a dancer or a teacher, a lot of the time I think she makes her routines all about her, one of the main reasons I loathe Karen, although I can recognise that she's a skilled dancer. Vincent and Flavia aren't bad, but they overcomplicate things a lot.
I often prefer D&L's ballroom to their latin.
It is a fine line though, one of the reasons I don't especially enjoy Erin's latin Strictly routines is I feel as though she doesn't really sell the dance. So there definitely is a sense for me that part of the success of a male celeb/female pro routine is the female pro giving the routine a bit of sparkle. I guess for me I prefer the way some of the other female pros do that to Camilla's style.
I'm obviously not going to slate Camilla, but I know what you mean. I sometimes felt Karen over-danced to compensate for her partner, but then I suppose you do what you have to do to win/do well!
Most of the existing pros have had success of some sort by now, so it's probably more a case of different things appealing to different people, than of one style being better than another.
Me too.
They are both great teachers, have patience for their partners, and go far in the competition because of that.
All my opinions would be from a very non-dance background! Just what looks right/wrong to me even if I don't know why!
In terms of teaching I prefer and admire the more patient pros, who take the time to figure out the celeb's strengths and weaknesses and how they learn. It's easy to get fristrated and shout or get fed-up, it's harder to re-think how you're teaching them and try a different approach until they get the step.
My favourite male pro is Matthew because he is a patient teacher and in terms of the pro performances he looks great (in my non-dancer's eyes) in both the latin and ballroom. I think he is elegant, graceful and fluid in his movements. I like his choreography for his celebs as well - the Tango with Alesha is my fave Strictly dance and also how he can go full out in the pro dances but 'dance down' with the celeb so as not to show them up and highlight what they can't do - there is no showboating I suppose for lack of a better word. Same applies to Nicole, I liked the laid-back, relaxed latin dances she choreographed for John as that was more his style.
After Matt, in the pro dances, my eye is drawn to Brendan as I really enjoy watching him in both ballroom and latin - possibly more ballroom. However, I don't really like the teaching style - although I can understand anyone getting fristrated with Fiona! - he doesn't seem to have the patience for a complete beginner and doesn't understand that what is easy for him may not be for her. Even when he did get a partner with talent in Kelly, he still out-danced her e.g. in the jive with that spin thing (technical term
I would say James and Ola are the weakest at ballroom but I really liked James' choreography for Gaby - particularly the QS. I much prefer Ian doing ballroom to latin, as he is such a graceful dancer and to me can look a bit messy in latin e.g. in the paso to Lee Mead, you could see the difference during the jive section when he was dancing beside the sharper Matthew.
I do like Darren and Lilia's choreography as they can put in tricks without them being the focus of the dance (probably didn't explain that very well!) whereas I don't really like Flavia's which can have too many tricks which can be all you concentrate on and it can be just about getting from one 'trick' to the, typified in her showdance. Can also find her a bit blank when she dances, in terms of her facial expression. There seems to be a scale with Karen at the extreme end then the likes of Lilia, Ola and Nicole in the middle and Flavia at the other extreme.
Can't stand Karen's gurning when she dances! Not a fan of her choreography either - the waltz with Brian was mis-judged on her part. Of course it was going to be funereal if you dance to that music!
All just my opinion - not meant to be inflammatory! and like I said haven't a clue about technique!