You are not kidding! Some of the SCD audience would never admit to watching the X-Factor or BB SCD is very high-brow you know.

I do think the negative comparisons to Dancing With The Stars (here and on other threads) are interesting. I agree that the show over here could do with being less intense, and that their band, singers, and host are better than ours, but their last results show scored the lowest ratings for any show in its 9 series history, and the ratings overall are in near terminal decline. The fan reaction to the show is overwhelmnigly negative as well - far more so than to this series with the UK viewers.

Maybe it's just a case of "the grass is always greener"?

(For my part I just watched the samba/rumba episode yesterday, and I thought the standard of dancing was really, really, almost unwatchably low. And the actual content of the routines seemed to last for about 10 seconds. I appreciate the pageantry but for me it totally overwhelms the actual dancing, to a very negative degree)

What I think, having read threads of this type over a number of years, is that they're really about people sulking to a large extent. Sulking because their favourite has been booted or sulking because they haven't got a favourite or sulking because the media coverage isn't exactly as they want it or sulking because of something completely unrelated...or whatever.

Rather than be honest about it, they reach for reasons to moan. Inevitably these reasons are mostly quite lame and unconvincing if you analyse them properly...though some are indistinguishable from more legitimate complaint. Invariably plenty of other people, via the same process, will want to join in and agree.

I must stress that this also applies to all sorts of other situations...including far more important ones than a discussion about the merits of some Saturday night TV froth...and a lot of humans do this in my experience. I suspect it's cathartic. That's my theory anyway.

As for series 5, I don't really care how other people saw it...it started well but became tediously over-hyped particularly towards the end.

I'm still enjoying it, though it doesn't generally "take off" for me until the series has been going a few weeks. I still haven't got a proper favourite yet, which I'm quite glad about.

*swanks around being sophisticated and enlightened*

Am loving this year much more than last year mainly cos a lot of the pro's seem to be more warm, humourous and relaxedified.

There's always negativity every year on every forum. It's important to keep 1) a sense of humour 2) a sense of perspective and 3) an internal ignore button

I genuinely don't watch XF or BB, but I do watch other Reality TV, including The Apprentice, Dancing on Ice and the Lloyd Webber shows. I also enjoyed Last Choir Standing, Maestro and similar.

I recall a thread on The Apprentice where some took a very superior attitude to those watching I'd Do Anything. After much searching I found it.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...the+apprentice

I'm sure SCD fans would be considered equally lowbrow.

I watched Love Island. Both of them. I have no shame.

I actually find it quite odd that simply from reading a post some manage to deduce a lack of rationality and honesty in others, whilst at the same time assuming the logic and clarity of their own viewpoint.

There must be a place for such intellect in the psychoanalytical world.

ROFL!!!!

I watched 'Something about Miriam' and Average Joe. Am bad, unworthy person who shouldn't be laughing at others

I think this series is a vast improvement to last. Splitting up the contestants in the first two weeks and having them dance two routines so we got a double helping was genious.

I like the judges in general and Craig is proving to be a real star this year. I hope he doesnt lapse and become too derogatory (I feel even his worse comments "Rigor Mortis" have been justified).

The celebs are a real mixed bag as well and I'm looking forward to seeing how far a genuine love of dance can go against a good technique...ideally the lovers of dancing will perfect their technique so they become one and the same by the end of the series.

I was expecting this series to be bad when they announced the celebs initially. I thought to myself, mind, they are so many soap 'stars' this time!

But so far, apart from the constant media attack on the show, I have enjoyed the series. I liked the Friday/Saturday format of the first two weeks, and don't really mind the 'Sunday Show' being cancelled.

Not having a TV licence, and relying on iplayer, C4OD, five.tv etc.. I realise I have much more control over how and when I watch shows in tv that really interest me, absolutely and legally free. I have nothing to complain.

FT, I think it's probably what you've said in your OP that it's a combo of reasons. Give it time, and it will hopefully get better.

And to Monkseal, thanks for reporting that DWTS is as rubbish as ever. Don't mind the main host, some pro dancers, etc. But can't stand that they change so much to what they were dancing, plus the choreography are mostly dire; showy but lacking so much in substance, it's a real turn-off.

The best in this series so far has been ITT. They have finally listened, and even Masterclass is less tedious and actually quite watchable. Can't stand the stats man though, he just creeps me out.

Are you a reality tv tart?

I would guess I am - it's odd, because when it comes to film, music, theatre etc I'm such a snobby pseudo-sophisticate, but when it comes to tv, I just watch "rubbish".

Although I do draw the line at Katie & Peter.

I'm not so keen this year either. I add dresses to my list of dissapointments, some are quite nice, a few are outstanding but the majority leave me wondering who on earth came up with such a stange/unflattering design

I'm with you Jan - although series 6 did finish on a high note for me with T&C doing my favourite SCD show dance of all time!

I am absolutely LOVING this series - despite the Brendan and Anton sagas - including all the changes. I do miss the Sunday show, but I can live with that. I actually like every single couple and have chosen who to vote for (Team Cola!), but still hope that every couple thrills me when they get on the dancer floor! There are quite a few contenders and no 'John Sergeant' type celebs. ITT has never been better and Claudia is on top form!

I also watch DWTS and love that too, but it is a different kettle of fish to SCD and the only thing I'd like SCD to adopt from DWTS, is what happens if a contestant drops out. Otherwise I'm happy with both shows.


I couldn't care less who wins in the ratings tbh. I watched the first two series of X-Factor and dipped in and out of the third series and then gave up on it altogether, as by that time I was sick of all the hype, the pathetic back stories, the stupid spats between the judges (I can't stand Sharon Osbourne now) and all the manipulation that goes on from day one. SCD winning the Bafta last year was a priceless moment.

Maybe I'm easy to please (although I certainly wasn't last series), but I'm a happy bunny right now!

There's hope for you yet.

I dont watch X Factor its just not my thing....I am not snooty about it because I do watch Britains got no talent as the acts are varied rather than just being singers.

I dip in and out of DWTS but I am watching more often this year because of Donny Osmond (why oh why could he not have done SCD instead) There is much that I dont like about DWTS ...far too showy and the routines are about half the length of the strictly ones but there are some things that I enjoy......the highlights so far this year is someone dancing to the muppets theme and Animal was on the drums and Gonzo on the judges panel blowing his trumpet into Bruno's ear......great fun.........If you havent seen Donny Osmond and Bruno 'interacting' after his jive go and look on youtube.

The only thing I would change about this series is the current length of the show; 2hrs15 is a very long time. It would seem fresher if it was split but that causes obvious scheduling problems.

Apart from that, I'm finding it some significant degree better than last year.

I'm slowly coming round to your way of thinking OP.

Not with regards to the forum, which I think is operating much better now and looking far more inviting, but with the show itself.

I was very optimistic to begin with, but my enthusiasm is waning slightly.

As hard as I try, I can't take to any of the obvious favourites like Ali, Ricky or Zoe. This means that come the final, I won't feel passionately about any of the couples. I've never been in that position before. It's so much more fun when you're backing one of the contenders.

Also, I usually find myself thoroughly enjoying the underdogs (e.g. Kate Garraway, John sergeant, Julian Clary) even if they have been rubbish, because they've been such good entertainment value. But Joe and Ricky Groves aren't doing it for me this time. I'm just finding them annoying.

I think I miss the Sunday results show as well.....

Gosh I just read my post back and I sound like a right miserable git. Maybe I just got out the wrong side of the bed this morning!

If you think what I posted was sulking, then you have a very strange idea of what sulking is!

I have to agree to some extent. I have always been a huge strictly fan and it really is one of my annual TV highlights, so it was really wierd that this year, although I was looking forward to the series, it was with some slight trepedation (is that a word?)

Why ?
I was so so sad they let Karen and Camilla go. They were two of my favourites and huge characters in the show. I was also sorry to see Hayley go as I didnt really mind her. Bringing in 3 new female dancers made an impact even before the show had started. I think 3 was too many, especially as as they were all women.

The Alesha appointment bothered me too. I liked her in Series 5 and voted for her, but didnt like the fact that afterwards, she became a bit of a media w*** and was everywhere. IT always annoyed me that she was constantly referred to as the best strictly dancer ever (as opposed to maybe one of the best) which I always felt was a huge slight to Jill Halfpenny who (IMO) was perhaps the first really brilliant dancer to come out the show. When she was appointed to the show, I was really disapointed as I didnt find the reasoning valid.

No matter what the argument (and it's been discussed and discussed, so I wont raise it again here) I felt changing 4 key females in the show (ok Hayley was new) was too controversial and maybe too big a change to make in one hit. Suddenly our lovely comfy strictly rug had been whipped out and what I most loved about SCD - that it was good old fashioned entertainment - and been replaced by some really obvious tactics to try and take on the X Factor.

I also hated the Sunday show, but think that two shows on a Saturday would have been better. Its impossible to watch strictly, whilst sorting dinner, putting kids to bed etc, without pausing it at some point. That means watching half the show not live, which I hate. They wou;d have been better putting the lottery on the middle, so you could do all your chores at settle down again for the results later on. I think thats a big mistake.

Finally, I really was dissapointed with the celebs this year. There were simply none that I liked immediately. To date the only couple I have really warmed to is Chris and Ola, with some others slow burners like Jade, Ali, Tuffers um um um. I just dont feel incredibly excited about any of the couples really this year, when in the past I was excited all week about seeing Jill or Ramps dancing at the weekend. In fact, it's almost come to a point when I am supporting a couple based on my opinion of the pro dancer rather than the celeb. EG Jade and Ian.. Im really not that bothered about Jade but love Ian and would like to see him win it, and isn't that just a bit wrong.

I still hate the dance off - I wish they would just go back to the public vote and be done with it. The judges are far to powerful to be able keep in dullards all the way to the final. Whilst they get to chose, our view is pretty pointless and we will never again get the likes of Chris Parker, Julian Clary in a final, which was always fun and entertaining.

All in all I still LOVE SCD and would never ever defect to the 'twit' factor. But I am sorry I fear that this series won't be my vintage or my favourite by any stretch. Its almost like going back to the pub I would frequent in my student days, its full of new people and and Im not welcome any more... sob sob.

Just maybe - the logic is that SCD will have off and on years for most people... Thinking it thru, my highlight years were Series 2 (Jill), 4 - Ramps and 6 - Tom (sorry the showdance made up for the journey), so maybe next year it will be back on form - for me!

I'm not enjoying it this year, and find myself watching it for no other reason than because it's something to watch.

Very uninteresting Z list "celebrities"

The forced media hype about the forced alleged relationships between Joe and Kristina, and Abi and Brian.

The alleged 7 months of pre-show training given to Ricky Whittle so the show had someone who could at least half dance.

Bruce's appalling presentation. Watching re-runs of old Play Your Cards Right the other day, he's still churning out the same unfunny jokes on SCD.

Am fed up to the back teeth of Tess, and her deliberate foot in mouth disease regarding the private lives of the contestants and pros.

Two and a quarter hours every Saturday night is a chore. Too many contestants and too many shows.

Bruno's now contractual requirement to say something rude and or to act like a demented gorilla every week. Also, Craig has clearly been told to camp it up by saying "darling" at the end of every sentence. Yes, Craig, we know you're gay, you don't need to keep telling us. At least Bruno can be funny sometimes.

Not fussed about the poor quality of the interlude musical guests as after nearly 2 hours, I'm usually off making use of the facilities.

There also seems to be a general lack of enthusiasm from all concerned on the show. Presenters, pro dancers, the zelebs, and judges. They all seem fed up with it, especially some of the pros who've been on the show for most of its life.

Maybe I am just easy to please but I am loving it this year, just like all the other years.

Gliiter and sparkle and dancing and fun on a Saturday night!

Maybe the people who aren't enjoyong this year as much but who also don't watch X-Factor should take a deep breath and poke their head round ITVs door on a Sat night just for the experience.

I 'watch' X-Factor as my 12 year old loves it. It is beyond depressing. It will make you appreciate SCD anew

Ooh, no thanks. I may not be enjoying it as much, but I still watch it in preference to anything else, particularly XFactor which I think is dire. I'm sure I will regain my enthusiasm in later weeks - particularly if I'm lucky enough to get tickets.

The bit in bold made me laugh!

Craig is also grating on me this year, camping it up way too much. It's as if when he can't think of anything to say he reckons uttering his upteenth 'darling' will suffice and make us laugh.


The reason I started watching Strictly in the first place was because X Factor had become so dire!

I'll stick with the dancing I am still enjoying it, but not as much I did in previous years.