Apologies everyone and Jane is quite right, I certainly did not mean to come over as at all aggressive
My initial post was meant to be tongue in cheek, hence the use of the and the

It does seem however that some DS posters who don't normally contribute to this forum have joined in this thread solely to criticize. Sorry to single out quisling but to use him/her as an example, I didn't recognise the name and so I looked back at his/her previous posts (yes I know, I have far too much time on my hands!) and it would seem that he/she has never posted on the Strictly forum before (although to be fair, the records only went back as far as Jan 2007) I think it's a pity therefore that his/her first post was used to insult the show.

Obviously everyone's opinion is equally valid, whether it is their first post or their thousandth. However - I personally think that it is somewhat inflammatory to join in a discussion with people who are clearly massive Strictly fans, and describe it as being

over blown, over hyped, pompous, top heavy with smug slebs, and so far up it's own backside that it was painful to watch in places !!

Conversation and discussion on this forum are always welcome as Jane points out, and of course we are all entitled to our own opinions, but it just seemed to me that some people had joined in with this particular thread merely to "have a go".

[quote=strictlyfloss;31383120]
Conversation and discussion on this forum are always welcome as Jane points out, and of course we are all entitled to our own opinions, but it just seemed to me that some people had joined in with this particular thread merely to "have a go".[/quote]

sorry to cut your post so much StrictlyFloss, but I wanted to respond to the above, with the best of humours!

My post above was my first one on this thread, and if you are referring to me above, I most definitely did not come on here to have a go!

I made my comments above because I really wanted to post, and join in with this thread if I could, but since I had not only shared some of your views and those of others but also some of Quisling's, I was wary of putting forward my points of view since clearly you had objected to Quisling's really strongly, and I didn't want to get into an argument - I just wanted to throw in a point of view or two. That's why I said above that I hoped everyone's view would be respected, and wanted to encourage Quisling to carry on posting as well, and hoped to be able to join in myself.

I am usually on TCA (appreciation threads as you know are an entirely different beast lol! ) and rarely venture out of it - but I did (and DO!) want to this time but was a little bit wary, hence my post.

So my post is most certainly not having a go at you, or anyone else - but I do still stand by what I said, that I would like to join in and be able to enjoy and respect others' opinions even if I vehemently disagree.

Would love to join in this thread from time to time - there's lots of good suggestions on the subject matter that I hadn't thought of - some I like, some I don't LOL! so no.........most definitely wasn't having a go at you, hun.

Cyber-hug to you ! x

I agree with much of what you say - but also some of Quisling's comments ...

The big problem for me with the last series of Strictly is that the dancing became overshadowed by the judges' blatant favouritism (towards one contestant in particular ... ) and the producers' insistence on fabricating "drama" ... so much so that I spent as much time getting annoyed as I did enjoying the dancing. For me, it really soured what used to be a great show.

Something went badly wrong last year and I am still quite ambivalent about whether or not I want to bother watching Series 7 if we are destined for more of the same. Before anyone says it, yes, it is only a TV show. Of course. But we, as viewers, are asked to invest in the participants and their journeys (sorry to use the 'j' word ) ... and when those journeys start being very obviously manipulated by judges out to rubbish the public's opinion, I do start to wonder what the point actually is ...

So, thanks the the BBC's mismanagement of one of its key shows, feelings still run high about the next series. I wouldn't perhaps have chosen the words Quisling did, but I do know where s/he is coming from ...

I pretty much agree with Servalans' comments, particularly about the judges...

I agree with Servalan that some things went wrong with the last series, but unlike her I still think it's a great show.
Perhaps I'm too easily pleased

Not sure what contestant she was referring to as judges favourite because I felt that most of them were blasted by the judges at some point

Bet OP didn't realise what she'd be starting when she began this thread

There are cuts being made across the board with most TV companies. Cutting 5% out of its budget should be easy

Pay rates are falling thoughout the industry. They can easily find other judges and presenters as well as reducing the rate for the pro's & contestants

I agree 5% should be achieved pretty easily on a show like SCD.

I too think something went wrong last series and even though I moaned like billy-o at the time, I am still looking forward to it this year!

PS I wondered who billy-o was?

Bet OP didn't realise what she'd be starting when she began this thread[/quote]


Red, sorry to shorten your post in my quote , I must admit I did hope we would get some lively debate about the show and how the fans would achieve the required cut.

There have been some good suggestioins and thoughts. I wonder if any from either the Strictly production tream, or the BBC accounts/budgets departments read these boards.

Replace the judges- barring Craig

Bring in Camilla and Karen- and make it a panel of 3 as opposed to four

[quote=tangoqueen;31384308]
Hi tangoqueen

No my post most certainly wasn't directed at you and my utmost apologies if I led you to think otherwise I know that you post regularly on this forum, in fact I have wandered into the bra many times myself and you were even kind enough to PM me on one occasion when I asked a question about Matthew! (cyber-hug back to you!)

I had just wanted to draw attention to the fact that the people who were putting the boot in are never normally seen on this forum, but for some reason had chosen to leave the incessant carping on the Jade Goody threads for a while and come on here and start slagging off Strictly instead. Of course everyone's opinion is equally valid, as I said in my post, but if someone suddenly appears for the first time and is quite harsh in their criticism of the show, then I think I am entitled as a fan to be equally harsh in its defence!

But as I have already said the last thing I would ever want to do is come over as being in any way aggressive, and I wouldn't want to deter any other prospective posters either, so my apologies once again folks


Now then!! About those judges.......

Oh, I still think Strictly is potentially a great show. I don't spend ages replaying clips on Youtube because I think it's gone downhill and is beyond rescue ... And if a budget cut means we can have a more imaginative choice of contestants and get shut of three of the judges (footygirl - YES), that's fine by me.

And sorry, but I don't intend to name the contestant who was consistently overmarked (outrageously, by the end of the competition ...) as it will only open up old wounds and ruffle feathers that really don't need ruffling! Nuff said?

Oh go on Servalan, you know you want to!

Go on, go on, go on

Although I have a fair idea who she(?) is referring to

I LIKE Len, but it would be great if he didn't play up to his own hype. Also consistant marking would be musc better - the judges should take lessons from Craig

Another cost saving scheme could be fining the judges £250 every time they repeat a phrase from a previous series ie: 'That's the most virile VW I've ever seen!' Used by Arlene for 3 consecutive years unless I'm mistaken...which I ain't

£250 fine for every Brucie joke that dies
£250 fine for Tess every time she simpers

Anyone got any more?

Fair enough, Servalan!


I think the only judge I would replace is Len, possibly with Karen (in agreement with footygirl, there) but definitely not Camilla. Her apparent criticisms of SCD/judges etc when she announced her departure, combined with her constant mentions of how she'd like to be a judge every time she is interviewed have really put me off her.

Hmmm...I didn't think there was anything 'apparent' about her criticisms, tbh I thought they were straightforward enough and probably a fair reflection of the views of her fellow pro's on the show. I certainly can't believe that she'd be the only pro to have that view of the judges Or indeed, a fair proportion of the viewers too

It's Lisa. The overmarked one. Obviously. It got to the point where the 40s were flying out of the judges arses. Lisa gets 3 forties for three boring dances and Alesha gets none? Alesha, a mesmerizing and energetic dancer compared to average Lisa, no competition. And I wasn't even an Alesha fan! I am now, but that's beside the point. The 40/40 has been ruined. It's no longer all that special.

You never were one for mincing your words, eh Strictly_Irish?

It's good to have you here

So did I! I qualified my statement with 'apparent' because in previous discussions about the same subject, some people were very quick to say "she was misquoted, she didn't mean that" and I didn't want to set off another arguement.

Can you tell it's been building up inside me?

Aw thanks Stu, It's good to be back! I tried to steer clear for a while to avoid the Tom backlash :sleep: from some of the Rachel and Lisa fans. It seems to have settled now.

Oh and back on topic, I think the judges and presenters should be paid less. Way less. That sorts out the 5%.

You might say that. I couldn't possibly comment ...

This forum has always gloried in diversity and robust expression, never been a sheltered nursery for delicate flowers. The most vicious comments came from the judges, remember "Stick Insect on acid"? James on his eviction night turned on a fellow contestant who was not evicted. Arlene briefed against the show in the NOTW. There was deep and raw animosity and bitterness churned up by SCD6, witness this dance show making News at Ten. This forum reflected the unhappiness, did not create it.

I think those who care passionately about SCD can become the most outspoken if they feel their show is sliding down the sink hole. A family who address their disputes are I believe better off than a family who censor disputes, or are indifferent, or urge critical members to go somewhere else. As for infrequent posters not having the right to plain speaking, well so many new members joined when the BBC boards closed down for the off season.

Vive la difference!

Thank you Tangoqueen, Jane Doh! (great name!), Servelan and Soulmate61 for your kind comments.

Having been a member here for some 3 years, and an avid Strictly fan since Series One, I felt my contribution might be as valid as any threadcentric newbie, but it would appear that as I haven't served my time on this particular topic, it isn't.
I understand the protocol of not posting critical comments on an Appreciation thread, but I wasn't aware one had to be a fan to post on discussion threads, or that a minimum number of fan posts were required on any particular subject before one was permitted to criticise.

I know I'm not the only one who feels something went quite badly wrong with the last series - one only had to read the forums on the BBC to realise how much disquiet there was about perceived manipulation by the producers, the sometimes disgraceful behaviour and inconsistant marking of the judges and the waning abilities of the main presenter.

I feel that having got a real success on their hands, the BBC weren't content to leave it alone, but felt it had to keep making it bigger and better.
At the same time, they were so scared of losing the Celebs of the show (ie the judges) that they had to bump up the budget to meet their demands.
With the result that they had to make it bigger and better to justify the costs............ and the side effect was that having been treated like stars, the judges started to think they were the stars!
In the end, something had to give, and the last series, in my opinion, got so top heavy it finally toppled over.

For me, the true celebrities of the show are the pro dancers (or the majority of them) who continue to put on a great performance week in, week out, and the celebrity partners who put in hours of work to try to do the show justice.

By the look of other news it might be too late to do what would be my No1 - switch off Bruce's limelight and bring in Anton. Maybe the Beeb will keep using BRuce until one year after he gets a knighthood.
Tess, never been anything special - or interesting.
I also agree that at least a two of the partnerships should go. Either make it a couple of weeks shorter, or have it on 52 weeks a year.

I have to admit although I'm not saying Strictly is doomed that there seemed to be a bad atmosphere running through the whole series and a series of problems from start to finish. It started before the series even started with the unfair dismissal of Nicole and wrangling over pay especially from the judges which didn't really endear anyone to them. I agree a lot of the problem is the judges now think they are the stars with Len being a particular offender - his "Ask Len" on ITT is an obvious vanity piece. Commenting on if someone should still be in the show outside of the show was pretty unprofessional too - I have particular issue with Arlene accusing JS of being lazy. I don't agree with James's stance on things but I think considering this is the second time he's seen a talented partner eliminated because the public preferred to keep in a no-hoper then I understand his frustration (Georgina didn't deserve to go out the week she did either - as was often the case with the duffers she was kicked out just as she was starting to improve). It seemed that the bad feeling against judges made the judges vs sections of public wraggling more bitter and it didn't help that the judges seemed to be equally determined to stick it to the public - creating a perception that they were marking Lisa so was untouchable by the public vote.

This particularly created bad feeling when it was a factor meaning that Austin fans couldn't help him when he had a bad week - there were parallels with the outrage of Geth's elimination last year - and my own anger as a fan of Austin's helped me understand the Gethinites but at least Matt Di Angelo had a lot of public support (as did Alesha) - Lisa Snowdon's frequent appearances in dance-off would indicate she had precious little. It was also made worse by a general over-marking - as Darren Bennett said getting a ten or a forty score used to mean something - it's become severely de-valved now. I don't buy the idea that this just means the standard is higher - the Christmas special proved that a talented celeb from several series ago could more than hold her own against the celebs of this and the last series. The judges vs sections of the public wrangling soured things severely - yes it had always been there - but it got worse this year with campaigns run to keep Sargeant in and the judges being seen to try and play the system to keep their favs in.

The series was probably too long to start with. Two weeks of single sex rounds didn't seem so bad - but a month before as everyone stated the 'real competition' got underway was too much with press stories about Jessie Wallace bad mouthing other contestants, even though this is best taken with a pinch of salt, - it just seemed that there was a bad tempered vibe from the start. There just didn't seem to be the same commandary between contestants that was there the year before.