Has Louis having ADHD been established or was it one of those forum rumours that gained factual status?
Apologies if it's true but he always seems so calm and laid back, totally at odds with my experience of the condition.
Totally agree about judging on the particular 90 second performance too, regardless of extenuating circumstances.
Louis has talked quite openly about his ADHD and for a lot of adults the symptoms will abate a little but from his training footage and his interviews during Strictly he still finds concentrating a challenge.
Whether he wins or not, I think Luis has got exactly what he wanted, a raise in profile that he wouldn't have got from many other shows. He's also come across surprisingly well, I feel, he's very polite and well mannered and most importantly, laidback. I don't think he's done his chances of finding work after Strictly any harm at all.
Apologies for snipping your post, I just want to comment on some of the things that I quoted above (esp. BIB).
Firstly, it's not only Louis and Victoria who got disrespectful and even hateful comments thrown at them.
Secondly, I feel that other celebs were also harshly judged for not holding up to whatever arbiturary standards they set for themselves. For instance, Denise is always seen as the ringer, fake, and no matter how well she dances, people here just seemed to concede, "Hmph, so what? She's a pro anyway (roll eyes)." Or "She a vicious and brutal kitten-killer who left a pile of bodies just to get to the top" kind of absolute rubbish. Kimbot (i.e. boring)? Dani being stumpy (i.e. ugly body shape)? Lisa being called the elephant in the room (i.e. FAT)?
Thirdly, whether Louis wins or not, there will always be some who are happy and some who are not. How can you expect everyone to be happy, no matter who the winner might be? So why should the Olympians be regarded somehow in a different way, or so your post seem to allude to?
Lastly, I don't like to be tarred with the same brush, like you said, "EVERYBODY" here expects. I voted for Louis last week, I like him (he's still at this point my second favourite, Dani being my firm favourite at the moment, unless she suddenly had a seizure and/or freeze falls flat on the dancefloor etc.), but I am not BLIND to his shortfall. Like you said, nobody is perfect, Olympians included, so why should we somehow not allowed to express our frustration at seeing what he could have done had he learn to 'perform' his dance a little more?
Yes, I agree it may not be easy for him considering his ADHD, but he entered this show, and if people said Lisa should be judged based purely on dance merit and not 'oh how well she's doing being a big(ger) lady out there' kind of condescending shitck, then why should Louis be given some kind of a 'immunity' even if indeed his ADHD is holding him back in expressing himself when he dances? He should also be judged based on dance merit, and for some, that means it's not just mastering the techniques but also perform it and making the audience feel they connect with the dance he's doing?
I hope you don't feel I am being rather harsh on you. I am being critical on the comments, but it's not aimed at you personally.
Oh no, I don't mind your response at all. This is a discussion board so I expected not to have agreement on my OP.
But your reply (while making absolute sense), just underscores what I've been saying about wishing they hadn't done this show, esp. so soon after the Games. I just would have liked their hero status to remain a little bit longer I guess.
You pointed out that the other contestants have been as harshly judged but with possibly the exception of Denise, it just never seems to be as vehemently as with Victoria and Louis to me. Or maybe I'm just over-sensitive and noticing it more towards them.
And you're right that everybody will not want the same winner but I looked through that thread about who will vs who you would like to win, and overwhelmingly the response is Louis/but don't want Louis. Also sad. With so many people against him, I'm actually beginning to think it might be better for him if he doesn't win. (Yes, I can see that last sentence sounds a bit melodramatic:o)
Louis has talked quite openly about his ADHD and for a lot of adults the symptoms will abate a little but from his training footage and his interviews during Strictly he still finds concentrating a challenge.
Don't you have to concentrate quite hard in gymnastics? He managed to overcome that challenge apparently.
Oh no, I don't mind your response at all. This is a discussion board so I expected not to have agreement on my OP.
But your reply (while making absolute sense), just underscores what I've been saying about wishing they hadn't done this show, esp. so soon after the Games. I just would have liked their hero status to remain a little bit longer I guess.
You pointed out that the other contestants have been as harshly judged but with possibly the exception of Denise, it just never seems to be as vehemently as with Victoria and Louis to me. Or maybe I'm just over-sensitive and noticing it more towards them.
And you're right that everybody will not want the same winner but I looked through that thread about who will vs who you would like to win, and overwhelmingly the response is Louis/but don't want Louis. Also sad. With so many people against him, I'm actually beginning to think it might be better for him if he doesn't win. (Yes, I can see that last sentence sounds a bit melodramatic:o)
I am glad you didn't take my comments the wrong way. As for the response, the fact that Louis is voted through without being in the bottom two shows that he's more popular than what the forumites think/polled.
Still, as we all know, interest might wane if he failed to improve (or perceived to have improved, gosh, dancing a charleston, when the default style is 'gurn till you get a stroke' kind), he MIGHT be in the bottom two. Then again, unless he's there with the likes of Denise, he'll probably be put through after the dance-off...
I can totally understand the sentiments expressed in the OP, but selfishly I'm glad they did SCD! I've enjoyed getting to know them better (albeit from afar!) and I've enjoyed the dancing.
I sincerely hope that neither has been really upset by the experience and hopefully it will have raised their profiles (particularly Louis's) so that they can go on and do something they really enjoy for the rest of their working lives.
Sorry, but it's those sorts of comments that really annoy me, as the condition is still so misunderstood. Regardless of whether Louis wins SCD (and really, it's not a major achievement let's face it), the fact he has, along with Victoria and other members of Team GB and Paralympics GB, inspired a huge number of children/young people/adults to look beyond their 'condition' or abilities and become involved in athletics or just in their community is the bigger picture IMO.
I hope Louis does manage to 'get' the performance aspect of the dance (without turning into a caricature), mainly because I believe he is the only one of the current contestants who has the capability to produce a 'WOW' dance.
If he doesn't - which he may not - I don't mind, he has produced some pretty good entertaining dances along with the others that I've enjoyed watching.
Don't you have to concentrate quite hard in gymnastics? He managed to overcome that challenge apparently.
Ya, but in short bursts, that he can do. It's also much easier to concentrate if you enjoy something.
And he's been doing that all his life. He's also said that his coaches put lots of variety in to keep him focused. It's the monotony of doing the same couple of steps over and over again in such a short space of time that Louis will probably struggle with, that's why Flavia mixes training up a lot and they seem to have so much footage mucking about. They're not, they're just taking a mental break to give Louis a chance not have to concentrate for a little while.
Louis had four years to practice his gymnastic routine, he gets four or five days to practice his dance for Saturday. That's not long for someone with ADHD.
I think this has been a very interesting thread with lots of good and measured views expressed. Just want to add though that both Victoria and Louis (and the others) are getting well paid for their efforts on Strictly so I don't feel too sorry for them!
Sorry, but it's those sorts of comments that really annoy me, as the condition is still so misunderstood. Regardless of whether Louis wins SCD (and really, it's not a major achievement let's face it), the fact he has, along with Victoria and other members of Team GB and Paralympics GB, inspired a huge number of children/young people/adults to look beyond their 'condition' or abilities and become involved in athletics or just in their community is the bigger picture IMO.
I hope Louis does manage to 'get' the performance aspect of the dance (without turning into a caricature), mainly because I believe he is the only one of the current contestants who has the capability to produce a 'WOW' dance.
If he doesn't - which he may not - I don't mind, he has produced some pretty good entertaining dances along with the others that I've enjoyed watching.
Ya, but in short bursts, that he can do. It's also much easier to concentrate if you enjoy something.
And he's been doing that all his life. He's also said that his coaches put lots of variety in to keep him focused. It's the monotony of doing the same couple of steps over and over again in such a short space of time that Louis will probably struggle with, that's why Flavia mixes training up a lot and they seem to have so much footage mucking about. They're not, they're just taking a mental break to give Louis a chance not have to concentrate for a little while.
Louis had four years to practice his gymnastic routine, he gets four or five days to practice his dance for Saturday. That's not long for someone with ADHD.
It's a genuine condition which is criminally overdiagnosed- about half of my friends/family are teachers and the number of kids they've taught over the years who have this condition is astonishing. It appears to be an epidemic if their experiences are anything to go by. I don't blame them for being sceptical in some cases
No apologies necessary I was thinking exactly the same thing this morning there is no way I would have put Victoria through all this if I knew what would happen
Woah Terry im- pres-sive, you persuaded the Beeb and Victoria to get her signed up.
Sorry your efforts backfired:p
As a Special Needs teacher for years, may I just add that sometimes ADHD is used by parents to explain away a naughty child, just as Dyslexia is used when a middle class parent has an unintelligent offspring. I stress the word "sometimes"
As a Special Needs teacher for years, may I just add that sometimes ADHD is used by parents to explain away a naughty child, just as Dyslexia is used when a middle class parent has an unintelligent offspring. I stress the word "sometimes"
Oooh echoes from the past when my 5 yr old 's teacher told me to accept that he was just stupid. Told him the same.:eek:
Luckily neither of us accepted it, nor did our special needs teacher who was our saviour.
I completely understand feeling protective of them, daisyflower2012. But pretty much anything would be an anticlimax after 2012 for any of the athletes. What could they have done that wouldn't be?
I thought all the gymnastics team were brilliant in the summer, but I didn't know anything more about them and if I'm honest I thought of Louis as 'the one with the silly haircut' and thought he'd probably be arrogant. Now I think he's a sweetheart, I think he's beautiful and most of all I think he's inspiringly, extraordinarily calm when criticised. It's no shame for Louis or Victoria (or Michael) to not be as good at performing as people who are performers for their job and I think most people watching understand that. Like all reality TV it's not necessarily the winners on SCD that are remembered most fondly.
He's getting a kicking on DS this week, but he's had a good run on here till now and that's mainly people who are convinced he'll win. (I think there are 2 great myths on this board this year: that it's all set in stone for Louis to win and that Denise is utterly unpopular, which people still claim even though she's never been in the b2). We're in that bit of the show now where anyone who might beat your favourite is a horrible human being. Happens every year.
(Next week, if he does a fantastic Charleston we'll get 'See, see, it's all scripted' and if it's not better than the 'best Charleston ever' we'll get 'See, see, personality vacuum.' He can't win. But you could say the same for almost everyone still left in - people have got their fixed ideas now and it's much easier for them all to be less than people expect, but very hard to be more. And the ones that don't get all that - it's because they aren't seen as serious contenders. When it's getting me down, I take a break from the board for a bit.)
On the ADHD issue, SCD-O, I don't think Louis should be immune from criticism because of it. If someone doesn't like his dancing, fine (as long as they don't assume I didn't either and I'm just saying I did because I'm a silly woman). But if people comment that he's a 'brat' or too cool for school or personal stuff like that, then I think it's fair to say that his ADHD or his years of gymnastic training are more likely to be explanations than that he isn't trying.
Victoria I can't say as much about as I haven't read those threads. But I don't think less of her and she's demonstrated her popularity. I think she's always been seen as emotional, and whatever she did next, that would have been part of it.
I only want Louis to win if he enjoys dance, 'gets' the joy of it, and wins on his own terms. I absolutely don't want him to change into a silly variety act.
I hope he is not affected adversely by all the publicity (on and off SCD, and on other shows like Never Mind The Buzzcocks).
Louis, stay true to yourself, and if people don't like it, tough!!
Have to agree with you. I am completely fed up with all the negative comments from the judges - and others. Louis didn't go to stage school, he has achieved beyond expectations because of his ADHD, he has NOT appeared in West End Musicals and he has not been a member of a boy band appearing on huge stages throughout the world. Let us also remember that he is very shy.
I can totally understand the sentiments expressed in the OP, but selfishly I'm glad they did SCD! I've enjoyed getting to know them better (albeit from afar!) and I've enjoyed the dancing.
I sincerely hope that neither has been really upset by the experience and hopefully it will have raised their profiles (particularly Louis's) so that they can go on and do something they really enjoy for the rest of their working lives.
Strictly is a 3-month hothouse. With 13 other celebs in the same boat, peer pressure and viewer pressure will inevitably ratchet up Strictly fever. 6 months later when fever has evaporated with no-one watching, will Victoria and Louis miss latin/ballroom? Are Audley Harrison and Robbie Savage continuing with dance, watching and/or practising?
If their dance interest evaporated with the breakup of the razzle-dazzle circus, then Strictly hothouse is a one-off leading nowhere. As for Strictly enhancing celeb image on TV, well Victoria had the charisma of world number one before she started. After Strictly she will likely be remembered by millions as a failure. Where is the bankable value in that?
Not saying sportspersons should not broaden their careers, just questioning whether sport and dance are natural allies.
I thought all the gymnastics team were brilliant in the summer, but I didn't know anything more about them and if I'm honest I thought of Louis as 'the one with the silly haircut' and thought he'd probably be arrogant. Now I think he's a sweetheart, I think he's beautiful and most of all I think he's inspiringly, extraordinarily calm when criticised. It's no shame for Louis or Victoria (or Michael) to not be as good at performing as people who are performers for their job and I think most people watching understand that.
I agreed with all your post jt, especially this. I've enjoyed getting to know more about them both and I think they've acquitted themselves well.
It must be difficult for them to read the negative things here and on twitter (more fool them if they do!) and in the press, but it might be part of the life ahead for them, so best get used to shrugging it off.
I still think Louis has a great chance of doing well, and even if he never has that breakthrough, he can still be pleased with what he's achieved in a few weeks and be happy with the money he's earned - tis only a silly telly show, after all.
I completely understand feeling protective of them, daisyflower2012. But pretty much anything would be an anticlimax after 2012 for any of the athletes. What could they have done that wouldn't be?
I thought all the gymnastics team were brilliant in the summer, but I didn't know anything more about them and if I'm honest I thought of Louis as 'the one with the silly haircut' and thought he'd probably be arrogant. Now I think he's a sweetheart, I think he's beautiful and most of all I think he's inspiringly, extraordinarily calm when criticised. It's no shame for Louis or Victoria (or Michael) to not be as good at performing as people who are performers for their job and I think most people watching understand that. Like all reality TV it's not necessarily the winners on SCD that are remembered most fondly.
He's getting a kicking on DS this week, but he's had a good run on here till now and that's mainly people who are convinced he'll win. (I think there are 2 great myths on this board this year: that it's all set in stone for Louis to win and that Denise is utterly unpopular, which people still claim even though she's never been in the b2). We're in that bit of the show now where anyone who might beat your favourite is a horrible human being. Happens every year.
(Next week, if he does a fantastic Charleston we'll get 'See, see, it's all scripted' and if it's not better than the 'best Charleston ever' we'll get 'See, see, personality vacuum.' He can't win. But you could say the same for almost everyone still left in - people have got their fixed ideas now and it's much easier for them all to be less than people expect, but very hard to be more. And the ones that don't get all that - it's because they aren't seen as serious contenders. When it's getting me down, I take a break from the board for a bit.)
On the ADHD issue, SCD-O, I don't think Louis should be immune from criticism because of it. If someone doesn't like his dancing, fine (as long as they don't assume I didn't either and I'm just saying I did because I'm a silly woman). But if people comment that he's a 'brat' or too cool for school or personal stuff like that, then I think it's fair to say that his ADHD or his years of gymnastic training are more likely to be explanations than that he isn't trying.
Victoria I can't say as much about as I haven't read those threads. But I don't think less of her and she's demonstrated her popularity. I think she's always been seen as emotional, and whatever she did next, that would have been part of it.
Sorry for the essay!
Wow, seriously agree with everything you say about Louis and feel exactly the same. Particularly happy to see the bit in bold - comments on here (including my own) have been about ADHD and its symptoms and how that may affect Louis - informative about an often misunderstood condition.
I'm hoping that his next major tv appearance is something along the lines of Kara's documentary on dyslexia - I think he'd be great.
Strictly is a 3-month hothouse. With 13 other celebs in the same boat, peer pressure and viewer pressure will inevitably ratchet up Strictly fever. 6 months later when fever has evaporated with no-one watching, will Victoria and Louis miss latin/ballroom? Are Audley Harrison and Robbie Savage continuing with dance, watching and/or practising?
If their dance interest evaporated with the breakup of the razzle-dazzle circus, then Strictly hothouse is a one-off leading nowhere. As for Strictly enhancing celeb image on TV, well Victoria had the charisma of world number one before she started. After Strictly she will likely be remembered by millions as a failure. Where is the bankable value in that?
Not saying sportspersons should not broaden their careers, just questioning whether sport and dance are natural allies.
Couldn't disagree more. Celebs are embarrassed to go out first or second. To stay in over half way just on the public vote when you can't dance at all shows tremendous popularity. Victoria doesn't come out of this a failure. She just isn't that good at dancing.
One of the things I really enjoy about SCD is that the celebs are not going to be professional dancers afterwards. I don't like all the emotional blackmail of other reality shows, where everyone's crying that this is their one dream, etc. I can relax and enjoy SCD because it doesn't really matter, it's not their careers. I don't care if any of them only dance at weddings after.
I actually wish he didn't feel like he had to change himself to please the judges/audience.
The judges do not go out of their way looking for demerit and dissatisfaction on the dance floor. Criteria in dance judging pre-existed before the arrival of contestants.
I do believe a gymnast needs to change himself if he wants to take on dance. Strictly professional dancers would also need to change themselves to take on pommel horse competitions -- if they cared. The two pursuits are different.
Yes, I agree it may not be easy for him considering his ADHD, but he entered this show, and if people said Lisa should be judged based purely on dance merit and not 'oh how well she's doing being a big(ger) lady out there' kind of condescending shitck, then why should Louis be given some kind of a 'immunity' even if indeed his ADHD is holding him back in expressing himself when he dances? He should also be judged based on dance merit, and for some, that means it's not just mastering the techniques but also perform it and making the audience feel they connect with the dance he's doing?
But allowances are made for Lisa as can be discerned by the weekly overmarking. It's the elephant in the room - everyone knows it's there but no one mentions it.
No such allowances made for Louis: quite the contrary - he's marked more harshly than any celeb imo.
I don't think allowances should be made for anyone - either they dance well or they don't - but I would like to see the same criteria applied to all.
Strictly is a 3-month hothouse. With 13 other celebs in the same boat, peer pressure and viewer pressure will inevitably ratchet up Strictly fever. 6 months later when fever has evaporated with no-one watching, will Victoria and Louis miss latin/ballroom? Are Audley Harrison and Robbie Savage continuing with dance, watching and/or practising?
If their dance interest evaporated with the breakup of the razzle-dazzle circus, then Strictly hothouse is a one-off leading nowhere. As for Strictly enhancing celeb image on TV, well Victoria had the charisma of world number one before she started. After Strictly she will likely be remembered by millions as a failure. Where is the bankable value in that?
Not saying sportspersons should not broaden their careers, just questioning whether sport and dance are natural allies.
Sorry but I have to disagree with you. With all that Victoria has achieved she will not be regarded as a failure. Ok so she wasn't very good on Strictly but Strictly is a light entertainment show and she has achieved much greater things.
The same with Louis win or lose Strictly will not be the main thing he is remembered for.
It did tarnish her achievements for me because I just don't have any respect for her - before she came into the show I felt she'd been churlish in the Olympics on her disqualification, and rather blaming of her partner, so I didn't really think that much of her before even in light of her gold medal - and now, after seeing her behave like a silly little giggling girl at her age on the show, she's gone even further down in my estimation I'm afraid.
I would guess that Queen Vic's appearance on SCD hasn't really changed anyone's opinion of her who already was aware of her efforts in the velodrome.
Her fans will forgive her crying and being cr*p at dancing. Her detractors will simply have more to work with!
Either view is perfectly fine. I'm a big fan of Queen Vic the cyclist (even allowing for her well-documented quirkiness) and nothing that has happened on SCD will every change that.
We see this in road cycling in respect of doping. If a person is a big fan of a particular rider, they will often continue being a fan, even if the rider is busted for doping. I think it's human nature to find reasons to justify the behaviour of those we favour.
Conversely, if we don't like someone to start with, then subsequent adverse conduct, however marginal, is simply a further stick with which to beat that person.
Most people aren't really that bothered about a particular sports person/SCD contenstant etc, with "pro" or "anti" sentiments being actually rather mild. It takes a seriously polarising figure such as Lance Armstrong or Anne Widdicombe to really aggitate the masses. Queen Vic is more polarising than most, though nothing like Anne Widdicombe!
Don't you have to concentrate quite hard in gymnastics? He managed to overcome that challenge apparently.
Sorry - late reply! Louis trains alone at the gym and so can concentrate in short bursts if necessary - he can pace himself.
Learning unfamiliar routines and techniques will be more challenging for him.....he will have to face two dances a week very soon and might have some difficulty with this. I wish our local boy well!:)
Comments
Louis has talked quite openly about his ADHD and for a lot of adults the symptoms will abate a little but from his training footage and his interviews during Strictly he still finds concentrating a challenge.
Whether he wins or not, I think Luis has got exactly what he wanted, a raise in profile that he wouldn't have got from many other shows. He's also come across surprisingly well, I feel, he's very polite and well mannered and most importantly, laidback. I don't think he's done his chances of finding work after Strictly any harm at all.
Oh no, I don't mind your response at all. This is a discussion board so I expected not to have agreement on my OP.
But your reply (while making absolute sense), just underscores what I've been saying about wishing they hadn't done this show, esp. so soon after the Games. I just would have liked their hero status to remain a little bit longer I guess.
You pointed out that the other contestants have been as harshly judged but with possibly the exception of Denise, it just never seems to be as vehemently as with Victoria and Louis to me. Or maybe I'm just over-sensitive and noticing it more towards them.
And you're right that everybody will not want the same winner but I looked through that thread about who will vs who you would like to win, and overwhelmingly the response is Louis/but don't want Louis. Also sad. With so many people against him, I'm actually beginning to think it might be better for him if he doesn't win. (Yes, I can see that last sentence sounds a bit melodramatic:o)
Don't you have to concentrate quite hard in gymnastics? He managed to overcome that challenge apparently.
I am glad you didn't take my comments the wrong way. As for the response, the fact that Louis is voted through without being in the bottom two shows that he's more popular than what the forumites think/polled.
Still, as we all know, interest might wane if he failed to improve (or perceived to have improved, gosh, dancing a charleston, when the default style is 'gurn till you get a stroke' kind), he MIGHT be in the bottom two. Then again, unless he's there with the likes of Denise, he'll probably be put through after the dance-off...
Probably took him a bit longer than 12 weeks to do so though.
I sincerely hope that neither has been really upset by the experience and hopefully it will have raised their profiles (particularly Louis's) so that they can go on and do something they really enjoy for the rest of their working lives.
So ADHD is all about being able to concentrate??? okay.....
Yes, he did overcome it, but it took 15 years of intensive, focused, dedicated, specialised training to do so. As it has with many others.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/aug/01/athletes-with-adhd
And it sounds as if he can still become distracted during gym training sessions too - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/05/london-2012-louis-smith-gymnastics
Sorry, but it's those sorts of comments that really annoy me, as the condition is still so misunderstood. Regardless of whether Louis wins SCD (and really, it's not a major achievement let's face it), the fact he has, along with Victoria and other members of Team GB and Paralympics GB, inspired a huge number of children/young people/adults to look beyond their 'condition' or abilities and become involved in athletics or just in their community is the bigger picture IMO.
I hope Louis does manage to 'get' the performance aspect of the dance (without turning into a caricature), mainly because I believe he is the only one of the current contestants who has the capability to produce a 'WOW' dance.
If he doesn't - which he may not - I don't mind, he has produced some pretty good entertaining dances along with the others that I've enjoyed watching.
Ya, but in short bursts, that he can do. It's also much easier to concentrate if you enjoy something.
And he's been doing that all his life. He's also said that his coaches put lots of variety in to keep him focused. It's the monotony of doing the same couple of steps over and over again in such a short space of time that Louis will probably struggle with, that's why Flavia mixes training up a lot and they seem to have so much footage mucking about. They're not, they're just taking a mental break to give Louis a chance not have to concentrate for a little while.
Louis had four years to practice his gymnastic routine, he gets four or five days to practice his dance for Saturday. That's not long for someone with ADHD.
Thank you both for your replies.
Woah Terry im- pres-sive, you persuaded the Beeb and Victoria to get her signed up.
Sorry your efforts backfired:p
Oooh echoes from the past when my 5 yr old 's teacher told me to accept that he was just stupid. Told him the same.:eek:
Luckily neither of us accepted it, nor did our special needs teacher who was our saviour.
I thought all the gymnastics team were brilliant in the summer, but I didn't know anything more about them and if I'm honest I thought of Louis as 'the one with the silly haircut' and thought he'd probably be arrogant. Now I think he's a sweetheart, I think he's beautiful and most of all I think he's inspiringly, extraordinarily calm when criticised. It's no shame for Louis or Victoria (or Michael) to not be as good at performing as people who are performers for their job and I think most people watching understand that. Like all reality TV it's not necessarily the winners on SCD that are remembered most fondly.
He's getting a kicking on DS this week, but he's had a good run on here till now and that's mainly people who are convinced he'll win. (I think there are 2 great myths on this board this year: that it's all set in stone for Louis to win and that Denise is utterly unpopular, which people still claim even though she's never been in the b2). We're in that bit of the show now where anyone who might beat your favourite is a horrible human being. Happens every year.
(Next week, if he does a fantastic Charleston we'll get 'See, see, it's all scripted' and if it's not better than the 'best Charleston ever' we'll get 'See, see, personality vacuum.' He can't win. But you could say the same for almost everyone still left in - people have got their fixed ideas now and it's much easier for them all to be less than people expect, but very hard to be more. And the ones that don't get all that - it's because they aren't seen as serious contenders. When it's getting me down, I take a break from the board for a bit.)
On the ADHD issue, SCD-O, I don't think Louis should be immune from criticism because of it. If someone doesn't like his dancing, fine (as long as they don't assume I didn't either and I'm just saying I did because I'm a silly woman). But if people comment that he's a 'brat' or too cool for school or personal stuff like that, then I think it's fair to say that his ADHD or his years of gymnastic training are more likely to be explanations than that he isn't trying.
Victoria I can't say as much about as I haven't read those threads. But I don't think less of her and she's demonstrated her popularity. I think she's always been seen as emotional, and whatever she did next, that would have been part of it.
Sorry for the essay!
Have to agree with you. I am completely fed up with all the negative comments from the judges - and others. Louis didn't go to stage school, he has achieved beyond expectations because of his ADHD, he has NOT appeared in West End Musicals and he has not been a member of a boy band appearing on huge stages throughout the world. Let us also remember that he is very shy.
Strictly is a 3-month hothouse. With 13 other celebs in the same boat, peer pressure and viewer pressure will inevitably ratchet up Strictly fever. 6 months later when fever has evaporated with no-one watching, will Victoria and Louis miss latin/ballroom? Are Audley Harrison and Robbie Savage continuing with dance, watching and/or practising?
If their dance interest evaporated with the breakup of the razzle-dazzle circus, then Strictly hothouse is a one-off leading nowhere. As for Strictly enhancing celeb image on TV, well Victoria had the charisma of world number one before she started. After Strictly she will likely be remembered by millions as a failure. Where is the bankable value in that?
Not saying sportspersons should not broaden their careers, just questioning whether sport and dance are natural allies.
I agreed with all your post jt, especially this. I've enjoyed getting to know more about them both and I think they've acquitted themselves well.
It must be difficult for them to read the negative things here and on twitter (more fool them if they do!) and in the press, but it might be part of the life ahead for them, so best get used to shrugging it off.
I still think Louis has a great chance of doing well, and even if he never has that breakthrough, he can still be pleased with what he's achieved in a few weeks and be happy with the money he's earned - tis only a silly telly show, after all.
Wow, seriously agree with everything you say about Louis and feel exactly the same. Particularly happy to see the bit in bold - comments on here (including my own) have been about ADHD and its symptoms and how that may affect Louis - informative about an often misunderstood condition.
I'm hoping that his next major tv appearance is something along the lines of Kara's documentary on dyslexia - I think he'd be great.
Couldn't disagree more. Celebs are embarrassed to go out first or second. To stay in over half way just on the public vote when you can't dance at all shows tremendous popularity. Victoria doesn't come out of this a failure. She just isn't that good at dancing.
One of the things I really enjoy about SCD is that the celebs are not going to be professional dancers afterwards. I don't like all the emotional blackmail of other reality shows, where everyone's crying that this is their one dream, etc. I can relax and enjoy SCD because it doesn't really matter, it's not their careers. I don't care if any of them only dance at weddings after.
The judges do not go out of their way looking for demerit and dissatisfaction on the dance floor. Criteria in dance judging pre-existed before the arrival of contestants.
I do believe a gymnast needs to change himself if he wants to take on dance. Strictly professional dancers would also need to change themselves to take on pommel horse competitions -- if they cared. The two pursuits are different.
No such allowances made for Louis: quite the contrary - he's marked more harshly than any celeb imo.
I don't think allowances should be made for anyone - either they dance well or they don't - but I would like to see the same criteria applied to all.
Sorry but I have to disagree with you. With all that Victoria has achieved she will not be regarded as a failure. Ok so she wasn't very good on Strictly but Strictly is a light entertainment show and she has achieved much greater things.
The same with Louis win or lose Strictly will not be the main thing he is remembered for.
I would guess that Queen Vic's appearance on SCD hasn't really changed anyone's opinion of her who already was aware of her efforts in the velodrome.
Her fans will forgive her crying and being cr*p at dancing. Her detractors will simply have more to work with!
Either view is perfectly fine. I'm a big fan of Queen Vic the cyclist (even allowing for her well-documented quirkiness) and nothing that has happened on SCD will every change that.
We see this in road cycling in respect of doping. If a person is a big fan of a particular rider, they will often continue being a fan, even if the rider is busted for doping. I think it's human nature to find reasons to justify the behaviour of those we favour.
Conversely, if we don't like someone to start with, then subsequent adverse conduct, however marginal, is simply a further stick with which to beat that person.
Most people aren't really that bothered about a particular sports person/SCD contenstant etc, with "pro" or "anti" sentiments being actually rather mild. It takes a seriously polarising figure such as Lance Armstrong or Anne Widdicombe to really aggitate the masses. Queen Vic is more polarising than most, though nothing like Anne Widdicombe!
Sorry - late reply! Louis trains alone at the gym and so can concentrate in short bursts if necessary - he can pace himself.
Learning unfamiliar routines and techniques will be more challenging for him.....he will have to face two dances a week very soon and might have some difficulty with this. I wish our local boy well!:)