what a dreadfull thing to say about anyone , if you mean in any one sense than clarify it , but to make a sweeping statement about someone being ignorant is rude in my opinion .

Unfortunately, the BBC have now come out and specified its an Entertainment Show,rather than a dance contest!!!

JJ

I think, I hope, the poster meant ignorant as to the rules of dance, though the point could have been put more tactfully.

It's ridiculous. However, I'm sure that Alesha will look very pretty. Now, if they'd like to replace the male judges with something a bit younger and more decorative, we can all just relax, gaze at their perfect features and ignor the dancing. After all, there won't be much point, will there?

I seem to recall a similar furore when Carol Vorderman was ousted from Countdown. I'd like to point out that the show is doing better now than it has in years. I say lets wait and see how Alesha fits in before we all start stamping our feet.

Arlene is not too old-if that argument is used, she was too old when SCD started.
I do think the BBC have rather boobed with this. The essence of the judging panel is that they all have a deep knowledge of what they commenting on. Adding Alesha-lovely as she is-is changing the dynamic of the panel. She will be commenting on the dances designed in part by the professionals including the person that trained her.
Alesha's comments will be followed word for word by the press and I dont think this will be positive for the show. The BBC have had a huge hit with SCD but these days they are not masters of manipulation like those involved with X Factor and BGT are. I can see this ending in tears though I hope Im wrong.

Totally agree with what you have said. I can see plenty of aguments between the professionals and Alesha if she comments on anything that they do. If they wanted somebody younger, no doubt there are plenty of trained professionals out in the big wide world that have the experience like Arlene that would jump at the chance of being a judge on a reality/entertainment show. Just not Alesha as part from winning SCD has no experience what so ever.

A slight difference there paul - Rachel is qualified to crunch numbers.

Excuse me....jealous??? Jealous of what, who? Please explain how my having an opinion and not thinking Arlene was an asset to the show makes me jealous?

This discussion is not about me. I'm NOT the subject of the thread so please DO NOT personally attack me. No wonder people hold back from posting on DS.

Maybe you need to research what a discussion forum is. It's for discussion and debate....not a free for all to abuse other posters.

I'm all for that Get Gethin back in some role I say - but make him wear that old air force uniform that he had on in the group war time dance - phwoarrr!!!!!!

Sorry to lower the tone

the bold bit is the only bit i agree with!!!!

The botox comment was unnecessary. You called Arlene bitchy, and yet you made a bitchy comment about her. Please don't use the "don't attack other users" defense - it's more than a little lame. If you want respect, then don't make unnecessarily nasty comments yourself.

Carol Vorderman was replaced because she wouldn't take a 90% pay cut - nothing to do with age. Rachel is well qualified to do the maths.

Alesha isn't qualified to judge dancing and she will not bring in the X-Factor fans - they'll still be watching X-Factor. I guarantee her snorting laugh will have got on everyone's nerves by week 2.

Why are old men allowed on TV and older women not? Yes, old/older was deliberate - Bruce is over 80 (old), but women usually get axed well before they're 60 (older).

Why should women have to put up with looking at old, ugly men on TV (considered mature by many, but usually just wrinkly), but men don't have to watch older, attractive women, many of whom get more attractive with age - Helen Mirren (63) being a very good example?

Remember we'll all be old one day. Younger people don't realise that the body might get older, but the brain remains at 26, and has experience and knowledge added that the young don't have.

I think people might turn off now Arlene won't be there. it just seemed to work with her there. Why didn't they bring Alesha in as well as Arlene?

Probably because they couldn't afford to pay five judges!

Alesha may be young and pretty etc etc etc (though she doesn't appeal to everyone, male or female) but the simple fact is "The girl knows nothing" about dance. But does that worry the beeb? No, of course not.

They couldn't give a monkeys about dance - never have done, which is why they, and they alone, ruined the image of dance as a sport, with the original Come Dancing. There were some excellent dancers over the years in the show, but they were virtually forgotten among the dross commentary from the likes of Terry Wogan.

Incidentally, did you realise Len was a judge on the original Come Dancing as well?

I think the whole thing has been made up and Arlene will be back as normal. They're making up stories, just like X Factor did with Louis Walsh the other year. Mark my words.

Oh I really hope you are right

winnie

Recession at the Beeb is that bad?


Brucie came to Strictly via The Generation Game, a show based on milking laughs out of the amateurs in a Pro-Am cameo.

SCD1 as conceived by Fenia Vardanis started off as a light-hearted experiment not taking itself too seriously. As Strictly turned into a prime time national institution it became a gladiatorial fight to win the favour of 10 million viewers.

The balance shifted from dancing sprinkled with celebrities to Celebrities Come Dancing, but it could just as easily be Celebrities Come Cooking.

With the latest appointment the balance shifted further -- Celebrities Seize Everything.

Are you a wind-up merchant? What a cheek!

There are already plenty of "fresh, younger faces" (and bodies) with the professional dancers. Changing one of the judges isn't going to attract X Factor viewers or any other younger viewers.

Personally, I like to see older women on TV. Arlene certainly isn't unpleasant to look at, in my opinion. Why should women continue to be hidden from site when they reach their 40s or 50s. Ridiculous and shameful!

Has anyone actually come out and said that Arlene was sacked because she was too old?

If it was the reason for Arlene being dropped from the show it would be the last thing anyone at the beeb would want to announce...Not unless they fancied a rapid change of career

Somebody did an analysis of the age of actresses when they won oscars between 1928 and 1996:

http://exploringdata.cqu.edu.au/ws_oscr.htm

The average age is 36, median 33. A corresponding list for oscar-winning actors is yet to be found.

Hollywood will make the films that punters want to see or they will go out of business. Women also watch films and tele. If there is an ageist fixation focusing more on women it is hard to see how it can last if women customers unite in opposition to it.

Undoubtedly numerous BBC execs are female. If women over 40 were really being ditched for age and fading looks, that would not be a decision made by men only. As it happens the exquisite Darcey Bussell CBE is aged 40.

I personally think Arlene had to go. Her comments outside the show last year about Johm were not only disgraceful but very unprofessional. TBH they should have got rid of the whole panel after last year imo.

I love Alesha and think its a shame shes getting all this backlash but what was she thinking agreeing to do it????

They should have replaced Arlene with another professional and had Alesha as a replacement for Tess.

All of the X factor fans - more like none of them.

If Alesha dancing didn't bring in the Xfactor fans then why would her being a judge do so. No they will watch the X factor - and we will have a judge on SCD who is not fit for the role.