I've been taken aback at how fast Zoe slid right into place - but then she does have years of live tv experience and she is such a Strictly fan that she knows how to pitch it right for the audience. The show zips along with her and I too love her bits with Ian.
As for Claudia, my fondness for her dappiness remains. I do think a large part of it is an act - but not entirely. And, dare I say, I always liked her ludicrous dancing segment with Len. I think they have a genuine fondness for one another and I'm chuckling as I type this recalling their ill-fated attempt to recreate the infamous John Sergeant-dragging-Kristina moment.
As people (not that I know either of them personally of course) I like Claudia and Zoe pretty much equally and think they are both excellent at what they do.
But when it comes to ITT I think perhaps Claudia needed not so much to "up her game" as "change her game" a little, as it was all becoming very "been there, seen it"...... Zoe has definitely brought a freshness to the program, and has enough knowledge about dancing to make sensible remarks and commen, while still staying upbeat and cheery.
I'd like to think she'd stay for another few series, but I think is only intended as a stand in for this one year; perhaps though the beeb will keep her involved with the main show - replacement for Tess (how would that work?)
Claudia for me though I think Zoe is fab too, i enjoy Sundays as celebs & pros seem really relaxed and warm with Claud.
What also really interests me is where are all the people who said so loudly when Alesha was panned that 'we' coudln't manage change?:sleep:
Zoe's an ex contestant, just like Alesha and she's been uniformly (pretty much) positively welcomed into a role which is much bigger, much more part of the fans (& beloved as role) than Alesha's vox pops on a Saturday night.
I prefer Claudia to Zoe, but Zoe is a good stand in and it feels like she's been doing the show for years.
However, I think the reason Zoe gets seems to fit so much more in, is because she has less to get through in the first place.
All the stupid stuff has been scrapped (well, almost) and the show has gone back to how it was when Claudia first started doing it. The reason Claudia seemed rushed is because the producers kept adding more and more to the show. Now we get decent interviews with two or three couples each night.
The other reason I prefer Claudia to Zoe, is that Zoe speaks at 90 miles a hour and always has. This gives me the impression she's really thinking about what she's going to say next, rather than really listening to what has just been said. I hoped she'd slow down when she settled in to the show, but she hasn't.
I hope Claudia returns next year, but I won't be surprised if she doesn't and will just watch the show with Zoe.
This Zoe vs Claudia has been going on since ITT starts!
I prefer Zoe now. Very much so. Claudia is alright for a short duration in the results show, but I don't think I can stand that ditzy antics for five days now that I can see so much SCD nutrition from Zoe in each 30-minute ITT segment. She's indeed outdone herself, that Zoe.
I had stopped watching ITT because Claudia was so frazzled, jumpy, tetchy, awkward, badly dressed and - towards the end - totally disinterested in doing the show. She raced through everything and looked a mess.
Zoe. ITT has become more interesting and genuinely enthusiastic about the main show. I hope Claudia doesn't return because she didn't seem to actually like or understand dancing at all. I only started watching last year and so perhaps Claudia was better in previous years.
Agree with all these comments I actually think Claudia has her eye on 'higher things' (what could possibly be 'higher' than a Strictly spin off show :rolleyes:?!) Zoe is her only rightful successor :cool:
Am I the only person who finds the Results show combo of a tall blonde ex-model/plank, and a tiny dark intellectual (for she is that, even tho' she tries to hide it) doesn't work too well. Just kick Tess off, and leave it to Claudia.
Agree with all these comments I actually think Claudia has her eye on 'higher things' (what could possibly be 'higher' than a Strictly spin off show :rolleyes:?!) Zoe is her only rightful successor :cool:
Am I the only person who finds the Results show combo of a tall blonde ex-model/plank, and a tiny dark intellectual (for she is that, even tho' she tries to hide it) doesn't work too well. Just kick Tess off, and leave it to Claudia.
BIB - How did you come to that conclusion?
I don't think Claudia has her eye on anything except saving her marriage.
Zoe's getting more in, knows more and she's asking better questions both to the contestants and about their dancing. She's also meant some time expired slots like the lessons with Len have vanished. They have also done well letting her use her knowledge, but without letting it show too much that she is probably better at the dancing than anyone this year will be.
Claudia did a great job for a lot of years, but as others have said, it had got rather stale. Zoe and the revamp has brought a fresh approach so far and I'm enjoying ITT more than I have for some time. However, I'll reserve judgement on the show (rather than the presenter) until they're down to fewer couples and wait to see what they pack it with when there's fewer to interview.
Definitely Zoe. Claudia was an improvement on the beardy bloke who did it before, but she clearly hated ballroom dancing, deliberately mucked up Len's demonstrations, sneered at Erin's "machine" and talked over her while she was trying to explain technical points, and generally showed she considered herself too grand to be associated with anything so plebian. Last year, on a different thread, I said she had improved: but now that I have seen ITT done properly I withdraw this remark.
I hope the powers that be keep Zoe on permanently. Perhaps she could do the results show as well. Even if Claudia was going on to a fancy dress party as Morticia Addams after the show, I consider it very unproffesional not to change.
I have to say I think Zoe's doing a great job, but...I didn't expect so much of her persona to be like Claudia's. The eyeliner, the peering through the fringe, the rapid-fire delivery (Buddy, I actually always found Claudia spoke too fast and didn't seem to consider contestants' replies )...
It's almost like getting rid of your old sofa and getting the same model again, in a different fabric. All the bounce your old one used to have, looks different but still somehow the same...
Is it in trouble? If so I truly hope she and her husband work things out.
I thought she'd recently given birth and that was the reason Zoe has taken over ITT.
It was in trouble over her work commitments in 2008/2009 and every thing seems to be fine now, but my guess (and it is a guess) is having another baby and not doing ITT are all helping.
I have to say I think Zoe's doing a great job, but...I didn't expect so much of her persona to be like Claudia's. The eyeliner, the peering through the fringe, the rapid-fire delivery (Buddy, I actually always found Claudia spoke too fast and didn't seem to consider contestants' replies )...
It's almost like getting rid of your old sofa and getting the same model again, in a different fabric. All the bounce your old one used to have, looks different but still somehow the same...
The difference is though, Claudia would say some hilarious things in response to replies! I can't count the number of times when Claudia was presenting, that I had tears rolling down my face or I laughed out loud. I don't see that happening with Zoe, but in exchange we are getting more time with the couples, so it's a good exchange.
Not everyone liked the funny quirky side of Claudia, but I loved it!
Zoe. ITT has become more interesting and genuinely enthusiastic about the main show. I hope Claudia doesn't return because she didn't seem to actually like or understand dancing at all. I only started watching last year and so perhaps Claudia was better in previous years.
As someone has already stated, It was plain last series that Claudia was disinterested in doing ITT. She ended up almost mocking the guests,slots and features in it.
Comments
I've been taken aback at how fast Zoe slid right into place - but then she does have years of live tv experience and she is such a Strictly fan that she knows how to pitch it right for the audience. The show zips along with her and I too love her bits with Ian.
As for Claudia, my fondness for her dappiness remains. I do think a large part of it is an act - but not entirely. And, dare I say, I always liked her ludicrous dancing segment with Len. I think they have a genuine fondness for one another and I'm chuckling as I type this recalling their ill-fated attempt to recreate the infamous John Sergeant-dragging-Kristina moment.
But when it comes to ITT I think perhaps Claudia needed not so much to "up her game" as "change her game" a little, as it was all becoming very "been there, seen it"...... Zoe has definitely brought a freshness to the program, and has enough knowledge about dancing to make sensible remarks and commen, while still staying upbeat and cheery.
I'd like to think she'd stay for another few series, but I think is only intended as a stand in for this one year; perhaps though the beeb will keep her involved with the main show - replacement for Tess (how would that work?)
I think Claudia style was getting a little over played (same old same old) if you know what I mean.
What also really interests me is where are all the people who said so loudly when Alesha was panned that 'we' coudln't manage change?:sleep:
Zoe's an ex contestant, just like Alesha and she's been uniformly (pretty much) positively welcomed into a role which is much bigger, much more part of the fans (& beloved as role) than Alesha's vox pops on a Saturday night.
However, I think the reason Zoe gets seems to fit so much more in, is because she has less to get through in the first place.
All the stupid stuff has been scrapped (well, almost) and the show has gone back to how it was when Claudia first started doing it. The reason Claudia seemed rushed is because the producers kept adding more and more to the show. Now we get decent interviews with two or three couples each night.
The other reason I prefer Claudia to Zoe, is that Zoe speaks at 90 miles a hour and always has. This gives me the impression she's really thinking about what she's going to say next, rather than really listening to what has just been said. I hoped she'd slow down when she settled in to the show, but she hasn't.
I hope Claudia returns next year, but I won't be surprised if she doesn't and will just watch the show with Zoe.
Agree with all these comments I actually think Claudia has her eye on 'higher things' (what could possibly be 'higher' than a Strictly spin off show :rolleyes:?!) Zoe is her only rightful successor :cool:
Am I the only person who finds the Results show combo of a tall blonde ex-model/plank, and a tiny dark intellectual (for she is that, even tho' she tries to hide it) doesn't work too well. Just kick Tess off, and leave it to Claudia.
BIB - How did you come to that conclusion?
I don't think Claudia has her eye on anything except saving her marriage.
I'm going to be well pee'd off if Claudia comes back next year
(Bet she's sorry she gave this year a miss now - we'd never have known Zoe would be so good!)
Just my 'umble opinion - and I like Zoe.
I thought she'd recently given birth and that was the reason Zoe has taken over ITT.
I liked Claudia, but I think she should stay with the new results show/Len's Lens thing and have Zoe do ITT permanently
All excellent reasons NOT to watch ITT this year as far as I'm concerned .... can't stand any of them
OMG:eek:
I've finally seen someone on the boards say they don't like Ian.
I hope the powers that be keep Zoe on permanently. Perhaps she could do the results show as well. Even if Claudia was going on to a fancy dress party as Morticia Addams after the show, I consider it very unproffesional not to change.
It's almost like getting rid of your old sofa and getting the same model again, in a different fabric. All the bounce your old one used to have, looks different but still somehow the same...
Fair enough!
It was in trouble over her work commitments in 2008/2009 and every thing seems to be fine now, but my guess (and it is a guess) is having another baby and not doing ITT are all helping.
The difference is though, Claudia would say some hilarious things in response to replies! I can't count the number of times when Claudia was presenting, that I had tears rolling down my face or I laughed out loud. I don't see that happening with Zoe, but in exchange we are getting more time with the couples, so it's a good exchange.
Not everyone liked the funny quirky side of Claudia, but I loved it!
As someone has already stated, It was plain last series that Claudia was disinterested in doing ITT. She ended up almost mocking the guests,slots and features in it.