I don't know what it is, but I just can't get enthused about Strictly this year so far. Having been an avid fan since Series One, I'm finding this series a bit of a disappointment. Arlene annoyed me last year and I was quite happy to give Alesha a go as a judge this year as I've loved her since Series 5, but something is lacking and I think one of the problems is the lack of another professional on the judging panel. This is not intended as another Arlene v Alesha thread as we've had plenty of those already.

There are other things wrong as well and I can't put my finger on it. I don't like the tone of the forum with the "racist" threads and I really don't like the fact that the Appreciation Threads have been sent to Siberia but that's just one aspect of it. For me, Strictly seems to have lost its way a bit. And much as I hate to admit it, I miss the Sunday Results show. At the moment it's too long and seems a bit rushed having it all in one programme on a Saturday night. Maybe things will improve when there are less couples in the competition.

Having said all that, it's still better than Series 6 which was a bit of a disaster with all the voting fiascos, but I just can't get excited about the dancing yet. Maybe it's because Ricky Whittle is just too good and some of the others are really dreadful? Or because some of my favourite pros have been knocked out already?

Anyone else feel the same or is it just me?

No, it's not just you. Most of your points I agree with. But what can they do about it? In previous years I would be annoyed to miss a show but this year I am not bothered if I do!

I'm enjoying it this year, though I'm not sure how much last year's dire series plays a part in that.

It always takes me a few weeks to really get into it because it takes me a while to get to know the dancers, but that seems to have happened more quickly this time. I put that down to ITT actually showing us more of them and their training - thanks ITT, keep up the good work.

I do think there are too many couples, though, which makes the Saturday shows very, very long. I don't want a return of the Sunday results show, but I'd quite like a break between the competition and the results - it'd allow more time for voting for a start. However, unless the BBC schedules an earlier start, that's not feasible while there are still so many couples left in.

I am still loving SCD, it is the highlight of the weekend for me. I do miss the sunday show but it just goes to show you can't please all of the people all of the time. It is a shame that Matt, Darren and Lilia went out so early, but that will always happen when you get people sympathy voting.

This series does seem quite lacklustre, but we stopped being avid fans halfway through the last series so perhaps, for us, it's just the next step in losing interest.

If the BBC did decide to 'rest' the show for a couple of seasons, it would provide the perfect opportunity to revamp it.

1.The problem of Bruce and Tess would be resolved, and professional presenters could take their place.
2. After a break, there might be more genuine celebrities wanting to go on the show, rather than those needing to revive their careers.
3. The judging fiasco could also be resolved.
4. A new, fresher format might regain some of the fans who have drifted away.

Nor me. I thought I was the only one. I've tried and tried because it used to be my favourite program.
I know that diehards will watch it whatever, but figures are falling off because it is stale. It needs taking off for a year, & re vamping completely. It needs new judges, and new pro dancers That is the only way it will increase viewing figures.

And another thing! The general calibre of guest singers so far has been absolutely dire (IMO). And as for those two "tap dancers" - well, words fail me. Even Bruce could probably have done a better job at the age of 82! I know the BBC has cut costs this year, but surely there must be some decent singers and acts around wanting to promote their new album/single without wanting thousands of pounds in fees.

And I really don't like the way the media are portraying Strictly this year either. I suspect Simon Cowell's PR company are behind a lot of the stories because his ego won't allow Strictly to beat him to any Awards this year and the way things are going, the XFactor are not only winning in the ratings but will win all the Awards as well.

OK rant over. I woke up this morning just thinking I know I'm out tomorrow evening and will miss seeing Strictly until Sunday, but I'm not even bothered about getting a friend to text the result to me. Things must be bad for that to happen!!

No its not just you!!

It's not the same for me either. I used to plan my weekends around the Saturday show and hanging around on here for the results but this time round its just not the same. Doing the whole show in one is too long - it would be so much better if they just split it with the lottery show to allow us diehards a loo and tea break without missing anything - as well as allowing more voting time.

I'm really fed up with Bruce this year - a friend was at the first Sat show and said he was awful. I think the anti Alesha backlash has been dreadful (someone tell me when Arlene became the best thing on Strictly??? I was glad to see her go!) and don't get me started on the race row and as for that other stupid thread about "mocking accents"... just shows what a humourless crowd the PC brigade are when friends can't tease each other without being picked up for "racism".

I'm enjoying DWTS much more this series (this silly week of wacky dances apart) - possibly because of the seeming lack of rows of any description.

I'm with the OP and surprise, surprise I too miss the Sunday results. I loved the anticipation of sitting up late on a Saturday night until we got the result on the spoiler threads.

The joshing and the laughter seems to have disappeared this year. Despite voting controversies and differences of opinion, most of the banter was friendly and tongue in cheek, and even when the forum got a bit heated (I'll hold up my hand to my own contributions), it was mainly about the dancers; racism hadn't reared it's ugly head.

I was away for the first four weeks and had to play catch up, but nothing I've seen since leads me to think I missed much.

Ratings are up on last year and increasing.

But lag behind Xfactor by a considerable margin!

If Bruce cut out the silly jokes and waffle they could cut the show by 1/2 hour at least !! also do we really need to hear the celebs saying how much doing the show means to them week after week ??

What I`m missing this year is the fact there is not one couple I really love or really dislike so whoever leaves or is top of the leaderboard each week doesn`t bother or move me.

I NEED someone to support

This year is a big improvement on last year....personally I would like to just wipe series 6 from my memory.

We seem to be having more mistakes made in the routines than every before this year and we have quite a few dance challenged couples but I think thats making it a bit different and I am enjoying it. There are a few (about 4) couples that I look forward too each week because they could be anything from amazing to a disaster and one of them is definately NOT Ricky Manhood and Tina Sparkles.

Can I point you in the direction of Jade and Ian.

Ok - I know my support of the sporting is predictable, but of my 3 favourites, one (Richard Dunwoody) fell at the first fence. I know, I know; dreadful pun.

Joe C is on the ropes and taking a battering.

But the lovely Jade is improving with each round. It's what class athletes do - get a marker in early, then inch their way to the top of the pile.

Way to go girl!

I do think this comparison with X Factor is hurting the perception of the ratings badly (partly the fault of the programme itself, but mostly the fault of the newspapers). It's getting about the same ratings as a typical episode of Doctor Who, but nobody ever talks about the ratings for that show as though they're in crisis.

I've always thought that X Factor at the height of its reach could beat Strictly at the height of its reach, simply by virtue of its subject matter. I think Strictly is lagging a little behind what it could conceivably do, but it's still doing very well.

FT I am not so enthusiastic this year either. Cant give a reason really.
I used to record every episode and keep it on Video or DVD but this year I have not bothered.

I dont watch ITT, I have Sky+ obediently recording it for me but as yet I havent watched more than one or two. Am going to stop the recording I think and watch any I want to see on iplayer.

The show is too long it should have been split into two bits and had the results bit later on Saturday night.
The Celebs are woeful as are the guests so far. The tap dancers were dire, Andy Williams should have retired long ago. Amy Winehouse

I don't watch X Factor, never have; but I am aware that in the ratings war it constantly beats SCD into second place: one of the reasons SCD fans took such pleasure in seeing Simon Cowell's face when Strictly lifted the 2008 Bafta.

Somehow I can't see that happening this year.

There's going to be nitpicking and whinging about insubstantial and trivial issues every year...and inevitably some viewers will tire of the show after this many series.

If the basic format is sound - which for Strictly it is clearly given the extraordinary global success - the fundamentals for any good televote-based RTV show are very simple: good casting and a votership who don't screw things up too much.

On that basis, this series so far is shaping up to be better than either of the last two.

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I have to agree. Not really feeling it this year. I'd rather just watch ITT.

The saturday show is far too long. I am drained after 2 hour +. Its not like watching a film for that long.

The celebs are not interesting me, Alesha is not making a great impression on me (neither is Bruno!).

The singing from the woman in the band is like hearing a cat being strangled.

I actually dont care if I miss an episode and been a avid fan since the start. If series 6 was poor than I'm not sure what that makes series 7!

It's not just you.
The constant media hype and bashing has ruined it for me

There is less audience participation this year.

Hands up all who voted in past years but have not voted at all this year. With only 15 minutes to vote, and that during the cabaret and pro exhibition which is the highlight for many fans. How many bother to pick up the phone now? How many bother to vote 50, 100 times as they used to, with a warm feeling that a dedicated minority could swing the balance towards truth and justice?

Worse than non-participant couch potatoes, the audience are but fodder to a Strictly management intent on winning the King Canute Medal. A newly appointed judge is now seen and not heard by many holding the mute button in hand, looking certain to so remain for 9 long weeks to come. Andy Williams was roused from retirement home to make an exhibition of himself on Strictly. Last week came two nondescript tap dancers. Tomorrow the Bee Gees . Is Vera Lynn alive? If so be assured she is coming . Compare this with SCD6, with the excitement of Darcey and Katherine visiting .......

Every season there was controversy and battle lines drawn -- Fiona, Kate, Emma vs Matt, Kelly vs Alesha, Rachbot vs the rest, John Sargeant and Kristina, but these were warm battles which involved the public. This year's controversies end in stalement and sullen indifference. The new judge looks here for the duration, as does the boxer? Nothing can be done about it.

With passion gone, only bitterness left in the forum now. Nothing can be done about anything, until the Strictly management are evicted.

I've been trying to come up with a Tuffnell sporting pun. I'm not sure "So far failing to find much turn, but hoping to pitch one in the rough outside Craig's leg stump before too long" really cuts it!

It's a shame there's no dances called the "Googly", the "Zooter" or the "Doozra". Tuffers would sure have the opposition in a spin with these.

I didn't think I was nitpicking or whinging. I'm just saying that it's not doing it for me this year and I don't really know why. An observation and I was curious to see if other people agreed with me - and it appears they do. It may improve as the programme gets shorter when there are less couples.

And I'm not sure why you say this series is better than either of the last two when Series 5 is generally considered to be the best series of the lot so far.

I do agree with some others who say the whole things needs a revamp. I suppose the thing with DWTS in the USA is that the band and singers are so much better and are happy to revamp the theme tune instead of playing the same thing blindly week after week, and they aren't afraid to try new dances - not always successfully, it has to be said, but I quite like seeing the professionals learning as well as the celebs.

But the average SCD viewer is far more sophisticated and enlightened than the average X-Factor viewer.

On a culture-weighted basis, the SCD ratings are much higher!