This year is one of the first years in ages where I think they've done a reasonably good job of pairing them up. Putting aside height considerations, which the producers always seem to conveniently forget anyway, I feel that in the main all the pairings work in terms of character and teaching styles.
I also feel that the producers have moved away from purposefully contrived pairings designed to generate antagonism (Brendan and Lulu) or showmance (Holly and Artem). I think people are going to speculate on Abbey and Aljaz, but I suspect that speculation might have arisen if she was paired with a lot of the male pros, regardless of whether they are happily married or with a partner, and without reference to her own married status.
When height is taken into consideration, Kristina is too short for Ben, but I think this is perhaps a problem of them having to swap in Aliona for Natalie L as Aliona is shorter than Natalie which didn't leave any taller pro ladies. Also Natalie G is a bit tall for Artem and I can't remember whether it is Sophie or Rachel or both who is a bit tall for their pro. Then again all the girls were wearing very high heels. They could afford to go down by 0.5" and it would probably improve their dancing.
I'm glad Pasha has Rachel, or at least someone that looks to not have a natural ability to dance (as is the case with Rachel). Pasha has had Chelsee and Kimberley, both of which had a natural ability to dance and certain confidence too. So I think Pasha having Rachel that can't dance and with less confidence in her ability to do so, is a good challenge for him (and for us to see for a change).
I think Sophie and Artem would have been interesting and Brendan and Natalie (as I think both tempermants might have been an interesing mix). Or even Brendan and Abbey.
I'm glad Pasha has Rachel, or at least someone that looks to not have a natural ability to dance (as is the case with Rachel). Pasha has had Chelsee and Kimberley, both of which had a natural ability to dance and certain confidence too. So I think Pasha having Rachel that can't dance and with less confidence in her ability to do so, is a good challenge for him (and for us to see for a change).
I think Sophie and Artem would have been interesting and Brendan and Natalie (as I think both tempermants might have been an interesing mix). Or even Brendan and Abbey.
I think that Sophie would be too tall for Artem but I would like to see him with that kind of celeb... not a complete natural but with potential to learn (& not lazy like Holly)
As mentioned previously, I would have put Ben with Iveta as Kristina seems a bit too short for Ben...
That's the only change I'd make due to height consideration and suspicion that Ben appears to have more aptitude for ballroom (from the preview videos)
He's the tiniest male now, isn't he? Now Vincent's gone.
Sorry, didn't realised! People's proportions always throw me off, like Karen hardy who I thought was medium to short, ( or even Catherine Middleton or Katie Holmes) when in fact they are tall.
Kevin is so slim that looks proportionally taller than Pasha.
Anyway, for Rachel someone taller than Pasha. I would have likes to see Pasha with Debra. And Ivetta or Aliona with Ben, and Kristina with Tony.
Natalie is kind of ok with Artem, it is just the beautiful hair that makes her look taller.
The only one I have any real problem with is Ben and Kristina. For the 2nd year running they've paired Kristina with someone far too tall for her and pretty much handicapped her celeb in the process. It was no surprise to see Ben hunched over Kristina while doing the Waltz in the training video. :rolleyes:
I'd have paired Ben with Aliona and Tony with Kristina.
The only one I have any real problem with is Ben and Kristina. For the 2nd year running they've paired Kristina with someone far too tall for her and pretty much handicapped her celeb in the process. It was no surprise to see Ben hunched over Kristina while doing the Waltz in the training video. :rolleyes:
I'd have paired Ben with Aliona and Tony with Kristina.
It's been suggested a few times that Natalie would have been partnered with Ben, and Kristina with Tony, so when Natalie got injured and Aliona replaced her they switched them around because they didn't want Aliona in for the long haul.
Also, Natalie's planning to return for next weeks pro dances so if Aliona was to be eliminated with Tony tonight, I'm not sure if she'd continue to have a role in the series...which might support that theory.
All speculation though. I agree, height-wise, Aliona with Ben and Kristina with Tony would have worked better though.
The only one I have any real problem with is Ben and Kristina. For the 2nd year running they've paired Kristina with someone far too tall for her and pretty much handicapped her celeb in the process. It was no surprise to see Ben hunched over Kristina while doing the Waltz in the training video. :rolleyes:
I'd have paired Ben with Aliona and Tony with Kristina.
Why do they DO this?! so annoying and really not fair to either party to the extent that they could almost get ... not injuries as such, but certainly a fair degree of unnecessary aches and pains.
Sorry, didn't realised! People's proportions always throw me off, like Karen hardy who I thought was medium to short, ( or even Catherine Middleton or Katie Holmes) when in fact they are tall.
Kevin is so slim that looks proportionally taller than Pasha.
Anyway, for Rachel someone taller than Pasha. I would have likes to see Pasha with Debra. And Ivetta or Aliona with Ben, and Kristina with Tony.
Natalie is kind of ok with Artem, it is just the beautiful hair that makes her look taller.
I think that the problem is that most of the female celebs are on the tall side this year. Only Anton, Brendan & Aljaz are taller than Pasha. Brendan & Aljaz got the 2 tallest females and there was no way they would waste Rachel on Anton, plus it would look like she was dancing with her dad.
Id definitely have swapped Kristina and Iveta. Iveta and Ben would have been a better fit and Kristina would have been fine with Mark - although it would have been a different joke celeb experience.
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Oh I like these
He's the tiniest male now, isn't he? Now Vincent's gone.
My favourite partnership ever! The most romantic rumba ever done on Strictly.
I also feel that the producers have moved away from purposefully contrived pairings designed to generate antagonism (Brendan and Lulu) or showmance (Holly and Artem). I think people are going to speculate on Abbey and Aljaz, but I suspect that speculation might have arisen if she was paired with a lot of the male pros, regardless of whether they are happily married or with a partner, and without reference to her own married status.
When height is taken into consideration, Kristina is too short for Ben, but I think this is perhaps a problem of them having to swap in Aliona for Natalie L as Aliona is shorter than Natalie which didn't leave any taller pro ladies. Also Natalie G is a bit tall for Artem and I can't remember whether it is Sophie or Rachel or both who is a bit tall for their pro. Then again all the girls were wearing very high heels. They could afford to go down by 0.5" and it would probably improve their dancing.
I think Sophie and Artem would have been interesting and Brendan and Natalie (as I think both tempermants might have been an interesing mix). Or even Brendan and Abbey.
I think that Sophie would be too tall for Artem but I would like to see him with that kind of celeb... not a complete natural but with potential to learn (& not lazy like Holly)
That's the only change I'd make due to height consideration and suspicion that Ben appears to have more aptitude for ballroom (from the preview videos)
Sorry, didn't realised! People's proportions always throw me off, like Karen hardy who I thought was medium to short, ( or even Catherine Middleton or Katie Holmes) when in fact they are tall.
Kevin is so slim that looks proportionally taller than Pasha.
Anyway, for Rachel someone taller than Pasha. I would have likes to see Pasha with Debra. And Ivetta or Aliona with Ben, and Kristina with Tony.
Natalie is kind of ok with Artem, it is just the beautiful hair that makes her look taller.
I'd have paired Ben with Aliona and Tony with Kristina.
It's been suggested a few times that Natalie would have been partnered with Ben, and Kristina with Tony, so when Natalie got injured and Aliona replaced her they switched them around because they didn't want Aliona in for the long haul.
Also, Natalie's planning to return for next weeks pro dances so if Aliona was to be eliminated with Tony tonight, I'm not sure if she'd continue to have a role in the series...which might support that theory.
All speculation though.
And give Robin a contender for a change !!!
Why do they DO this?! so annoying and really not fair to either party to the extent that they could almost get ... not injuries as such, but certainly a fair degree of unnecessary aches and pains.
I think that the problem is that most of the female celebs are on the tall side this year. Only Anton, Brendan & Aljaz are taller than Pasha. Brendan & Aljaz got the 2 tallest females and there was no way they would waste Rachel on Anton, plus it would look like she was dancing with her dad.
Did you take height into consideration