Last night, before the results we had to suffer a thirteen-year-old (dressed as if she were going on thirty-two) singing an old Shirelles number, the justification being that she was Amy Winehouse's (who? anyone remember her?) god-daughter.
There was a perfectly good "big band" in the studio, with three quite accomplished singers, (when not frequently given "non dance band" tunes to sing beyond their normal range).
Here, was an ideal opportunity for the band to play and the singers to sing a classic recognised ballroom dance tune instantly recogniseable by the majority of the audience.

Nothing againsst the kid, she wasn't bad, but no more than "average" and her abilities undeserving of a prime-time spot on TV.
In my recollection, they've never "showcased" the band and singers properly.
But that's probably because the BBC doggedly always want to "engage" the younger, many non-licence paying viewers, who are probably down the pub on Saturday nights.

I do like to see guest artists, but I agree with you, it's not the place to showcase newcomers. Give the band and singers a chance to shine a bit instead.

I'm still trying to work out what I thought of it. The girl is a natural, she should be a star (the real ones don't show up on X-Factor) - but I can't help worrying for her.

I also think that the band and singers deserve a chance to show off something of their own choosing.

parthena

Hi Dog House - lovely to hear your views!

I thought I was alone in feeling the 13 year old was rather inappropriately dressed - I am not looking for Shirley Temple, but wasn't the dress off the shoulder?

If it were not for Amy, I doubt she would have been asked on a prime time TV show - no matter how pleasant a singer she is.

I suppose after Andy Williams luke warm performance last week, they wanted to try a bit of 'yoof' - but come on BBC, there are plenty of talented singers in the UK whose style would fit the music break in SCD. Get Jools Hollands band singer Ruby Turner on - she doesn't need a famous Godparent to display her vocal range.

On the contrary, I think the BBC very much do get it. They have to think about the 'casual' viewer who makes up the majority of the Strictly audience. After all, only 2m ish watch ITT. The other 6m+ only tune in for the main show only and how many of them are going to be interested in some unknown band and singers playing tunes?

This girl wouldn't have got on if she wasn't Amy Winehouse's niece.

Hi Bidie,

I agree, Andy Williams was an embarrassment. He can no longer hold many of the the key notes. Time for him to call it a day.
We're having to suffer a lot of "has beens" now as the the "credit crunch" has led to "the world and his wife" re-forming.
It's an indication of the lack of talent currently available that these people are popular again, which is very fortunate for them.

On the contrary, the Strictly audience isn't "casual" the majority watch week in week out as they like the show.

IT2 is on at an inconvenient time for that audience and as a programme it's very repetitive, so although I'll watch Strictly I can't be bothered with IT2 now particularly since they "muzzled" Claudia a few years ago and it became a vehicle for BBC "stars" who say they are fans of the show but only come on IT2 to plug their latest venture or programme.

I would have to agree with Claire here, the majority of the audience are those who watch it because it's on, and they enjoy it. The majority do not seek out the extra shows like ITT, regardless of what time it's shown, and they do not frequent any of the Strictly forums. If they see news of the show anywhere, it's likely to be in their paper, all of which reported this week that Amy Winehouse would be appearing with her god-daughter. How much coverage would 'no guest, just the house band' have got?

I thought the girl in question was good, but certainly would not have been there, had it not been for her godmother. Amy Winehouse, on the other hand, was completely shambolic, and added nothing at all to the performance, other than a 'name'.

They could always so as I do and record it.


Perhaps you need to try this year, because so far, there has been less repetition (although it still exists), and there has been more focus on the couples, their training and behind the scenes stuff. Useful segments from Karen Hardy midwee as well. And thankfully "Ask Len" has not appeared at all (hopefully it stays that way).

So far, there has been little in the way of "I'm Strictly's biggest fan, btw were's my book/cd/dvd ...". A much-improved programme all round.

I agree, on both counts. The time isn't great for me, as it's bed and bath time for the little monsters, so I record it, and it's my treat to watch once they are in bed! Gives me something to look forward to (I appreciate that I may be slightly sad here...)

I also think that the features are better this year, Karen's choreography corner is fantastic, and the midweek reports have made good use of the pros like Lilia and Matt who made early exits. I also thought the feature on the production runner was excellent, it showed how hard some of the unseen people work. The stats guy doesn't add much, and Len's masterclass is still a bit pointless, but I think Claudia does a good job of interviewing the couples, especially with Rav and Aliona and Laila and Anton this week - both could have been very awkward, but she managed to get good answers most of the time without making anyone uncomfortable.

But no one seems to rate the "house" singers on here, most posts slag them off so hearing them again in that slot doesnt sound like it would be very popular not on DS anyway!

I think that Amy Winehouse is a wonderful singer and a major talent. It makes me sad that her personal life has been such a disaster and like many fans, I hope she finds a way to control her demons. If acting as a mentor and backing singer for her godaughter was a way to help her regain some of her confidence and get her back on our screens, I am all for it.

"Perhaps you need to try this year, because so far, there has been less repetition (although it still exists), and there has been more focus on the couples, their training and behind the scenes stuff. Useful segments from Karen Hardy midwee as well. And thankfully "Ask Len" has not appeared at all (hopefully it stays that way)."

. Just picturing this....

Ooops ........

For the benefit of everyone out there, I did of course mean "midweek"

Now where's that "extremely embarrassed" smiley gone?

That's what I do. I wonder if that affects the viewing figures? I don't know how Jictar (or whoever collects them these days) works

Lovely typo, Mossy

parthena

The figures that we see on a Sunday morning are the "Overnights", i.e. they do not include timeshifts (recordings). The final figures that are release after about a week include timeshifts.


Thank you.

Thank you too for the info

p.

You are entitled to your opinion, but a slightly wider perspective might expose you to some better ones of the genre who don't need the gimmicks of which she and presumably her fans, are so fond.
Personally, the longer Amy Winehouse stays off my screen the better. Up to now she's been doing a grand job, this latest effort seems to be as much to get her back on as anything else. The camera spent too much time on her "la, la, la-ing" in the background.

The tune chosen wasn't really suitable for any ballroom dance.... unless there were handbags on the floor.

on the contrary, the bbc absolutely get it

they billed amy w knowing she wasnt going to be singing carefully wording the billing so that we thought she was singing and so all the extras tuned in to watch a car crash, i mean amy and got the 13 yr god dughter of amy - tenuous indeed.
this, along with the race row they have fuelled themselves and probably 'leaked' in the first place...
oh yes the bbc have front pages and ratings ratings ratings

more column inches that johnandedward over on itv

If you mean they have their own agenda, then with that, I'd agree.

I thought Amy's goddaughter was pretty good and confident and was delighted to see Amy with her backing singers.

It was quite plain from all of the publicity and stories beforehand that she was always going to be a backing singer to her god-daughter. If others somehow thought otherwise, then that was not down to any billing.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8287854.stm



http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pre...strictly.shtml


Even as far back as August:


http://tv.sky.com/amy-winehouse-to-appear-on-strictly

Nice little enjoyable song and she did it quite well.

But something felt very nepotistic about it.
It felt as though she was crammed in just to promote her.

It just felt inappropriate for this particular TV show.

So the BBC allowed a live show to showcase a young singer who had her well known godmother taking a back seat as a backing singer to support her ! Surely the BBC was actually doing its job, giving people a chance .

I seem to be in the minority here I thought she was good

The world has always been about who you know not what you know so why shouldn't she get a bit of a leg up.

I am sooooooo glad we don't have to listen the strictly singers my ears wouldn't cope