I actually enjoyed watching the dancers tonight! For the first time in a long long time I couldn't spot the obvious ringers. I actually thought there were several genuinely talented dancers with lots of potential.

It really sucked today, maybe it's because the celebrities are non entities, or maybe because Alesha sucks at being a judge.

I think after a series which suffered from being a two horse race, this one has a bit of spark again. It helps that Joe struggled as he was the early favourite. Same with Rav because he'll get votes as it is, I think (especially if he manages a half decent latin). It means that the dark horses can steal a march early, and for me Chris did that tonight.

Totally agree. I liked that it was all a bit surprising and the only one that looked like a no hoper was the favourite.

Chris was rather good - I am pleased. And most of them have some potential, this makes it interesting to me.

I enjoyed tonight. The standard wasn't great but I'd expect that the first week. Looking forward to tomorrow night and to next week's group.

The 'singing' was as good as usual. That screeching distracted me from what was a lovely dance from Ali and Brian.

I thought it was fine. There's been a bit of a negative reaction to last night's Strictly, and I can't fathom why, to be honest.

Alesha was damned whatever she did, to be honest but I didn't find her too bad. Would prefer Arlene back, but I'm not going to shed any tears - her scores weren't wildly crazy and she did say a couple of things which were then repeated by other judges, so she's at least not completely off the mark with some of what she says.

The rest of the show was no different for me than any other first episode of Strictly has ever been, and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's show. The dancers we've seen so far have been more evenly paced than they have in the past, I think, so it's looking good.

LMAO.

It's Strictly, so I loved it.

There was bound to be too much 'fill' with only 8 couples dancing and it's certainly odd not voting, but it's only for 2 weeks.

It wasn't perfect, I had a few little niggles, but it would have to be really awful to take the joy out of it for me.

Already commented on another thread about Alesha...suffice to say... lovely girl, but nothing to add but 'fierce'...eh? What does a celeb do with 'fierce'?

Beeb has boobed getting rid of Arlene, the judging panel is unbalanced without her and I'm missing her sharp critique already.... you may not like her but she knows what she's talking about.

Found tonight's show a little flat.... more to do with the fact that all the men were dreadful dancers... it was lifted only by Ali and Jade was ok too.

BUT.... where are the celebs? Don't know who half these people are!

Disappointment so far? Joe Cowshaggy.... really thought he'd be better... his music was cr4p though.

Hopefully, we'll find some gems in next week's dancers. )

There were no highlights to tonights show, even the pro dance. That really disappointed me.
I watch/tape Strictly every week regardless but it will be interesting to see how this fares against X Factor tomorrow amongst the general viewing public. Not everyone will be willing to wait to be wowed in the latin round tomorrow!

I don't find it dull at all. So what if there's no voting? The Z-Factor had three weeks or so with no voting and still turning 10 million viewers each week...

I thought the programme was very well-thought out: two weeks where the couples danced BOTH ballroom and latin.

It's no surprise that they put latin on Saturday. It's probably going to be more exciting than the prim-and-proper ballroom dances.

Bring on Saturday!

I had a lot on my mind tonight - trivial stuff but niggling all the same - SCD made me forget it all for a bit so I guess that's all the sparkle I could've hoped for.

Pragmatically, I always think it takes a couple of weeks to really get the bug - but watching a few ITT next week should get most of us hyped and hooked, hopefully.

Totally agreed, love the unexpected, favourites not being that good.... still getting use to Alesha on the panel but willing to give her a chance to settle in.

I was thinking that it had lost its sparkle a bit but then the first few weeks are always a bit bland anyway! Around week 7 or 8 it really picks up, gets good, gets a bit juicy then we'll remember why we love it so much! Wonder what this years drama will be!

I felt it lacked a little something but I put that down to it being Friday night when Strictly for me is very "Saturday evening". I hope I feel differently tonight and this might be helped with the latin dances which usually add up to a bit of fun.

Alesha didn't exactly spoil it for me but she added nothing and is a waste of a judging spot.

Actually I got more of a buzz this year than I did lasy year. I'm one of the minority that enjoyed last night's show and I can't wait for tonight... loving having two live shows at the weekend.

Latin always tends to have more of a sparkle than ballroom, so tonight will hopefully be even better.

Call me the eternal optimist, but all the negative "end of the world" comments make me smile. Let's see if the viewer numbers reflect how utterly "terrible" SCD is, in a couple of weeks or so. (Me thinks the same people here posting threads will still be watching regardless )

I enjoyed last nights show and looking forward to tonight as well

Woohoo SCD on two consecutive nights

I have to say I wasn't keen on any of the tango music - I hope they're going to have at least a few traditional songs

I enjoyed the show last night. The pro dance was amazing and a great way to start even if it did focus on Matt and Aliona a lot. I thought the sparkle was back even though the standard was not amazing (it was the first week) and tango music could have been a lot better but the show always get better as the weeks goes on. I am looking forward to tonight.

I don't think having a tango as a first dance worked, this would have been much better later in the series, when the partnerships have had a chance to develop. I know the choices were limited with them all doing ballroom but felt it was a waste of a dance.

I agree Quickstep or Foxtrot would have been a better choice .

I think this show actually REGAINED its sparkle last night. There was banter, laughs, carmarderie and some bloody good dancing (Ali was very good, Chris was a very pleasant surprise).

First one I've ever *really* enjoyed. I've always *liked* Strictly but preferred X Factor... but this one had me hooked.

It may have been because the show was on a Friday, but this is the first instance I can remember of watching SCD and continually looking at my watch and thinking "time is going slowly". For a refreshed show it seemed very tired.

Alesha added nothing of value, and her "role" combined with Tess's bit part meant that all the major stuff was done by a load of more mature men. Thank goodness for the wonderful familiar faces dancing their socks off for us, yes I mean the pro dancers. Craig was great too. It is early days though, so.....

I also thought this was more sparkly than last year...

Re: celebs.Ive ALWAYS thought at lot of them were quite unknown... thats part of the joy of Strictly... getting to know new people...

Too bloody long!

It annoys me when Strictly and X factor have these massive 90 minute shows