Originally Posted by washboard:
“I took it as a reference to the motion of Jo's dance. Whilst I can see why you are taking the view that both Bruno and Craig chose the wrong creatures to use as similes, I simply don't see any suggestion that anyone meant that Jo was "bigger" or "less elegant" than a grasshopper.
(That said, when you see them in slow-motion, both grasshoppers and kangaroos look - IMO - incredibly elegant and light and flowing in their movements).
Having watched Jo's dance, I am left with an indelible memory of a slow, gentle, up and down motion.
Like my indelible memories of Skippy (the Bush Kangaroo) going to the rescue. Or natural history programme's showing us the slow motion version of a grasshopper's movements.
Jo's dance was skippy.
Any of the judges could have said that, and left it at that.
Just as they could have commented on any of the other dances in a couple of words, and left it at that.
That would certainly help the X Factor raise its ratings.
(And, I note that only one couple left during the comments.)”
“I took it as a reference to the motion of Jo's dance. Whilst I can see why you are taking the view that both Bruno and Craig chose the wrong creatures to use as similes, I simply don't see any suggestion that anyone meant that Jo was "bigger" or "less elegant" than a grasshopper.
(That said, when you see them in slow-motion, both grasshoppers and kangaroos look - IMO - incredibly elegant and light and flowing in their movements).
Having watched Jo's dance, I am left with an indelible memory of a slow, gentle, up and down motion.
Like my indelible memories of Skippy (the Bush Kangaroo) going to the rescue. Or natural history programme's showing us the slow motion version of a grasshopper's movements.
Jo's dance was skippy.
Any of the judges could have said that, and left it at that.
Just as they could have commented on any of the other dances in a couple of words, and left it at that.
That would certainly help the X Factor raise its ratings.
(And, I note that only one couple left during the comments.)”
As a huge fan of Skippy (viewed on an old 18" B&W telly in the 60s) - I stand by the comment that Jo's dancing did not resemble Skippy's bounding alone across the bush in any way.
Yes her dance was "skippy" - an adjective used to describe the wrong sort of movement in many ballroom dances, but Jo's dance resembled neither a kangaroo or grasshopper in the way she moved so the comment was inappropriate. I got the impression that Craig didn't think Bruno's comparison to a small insect was nasty enough so he picked another , larger and more ungainly creature to use in his critique.
Any judge worth their salt could find something to say about it in more than a couple of words without resorting to making personal and confidence shattering comments to a woman who is clearly trying her hardest to deliver her dance each week.
I got tired of listening to Craig insulting the weaker dancers week after week long ago. Not everyone has a natural sense of rhythm and not everyone can dance - even with many hours of one to one training from a pro dancer. He makes valid points in his comments but its a crying shame that he feels his role is Mr Nasty which requires him to make such nasty, insulting and sneering comments.
I remember Dennis Taylor challenging Craig to play snooker in that series - Craig was as crap at that as Dennis was at dancing - its just a shame that the snooker players on the panel didn't give Craig a taste of his own medicine then so he could see the effect he has on the celebs.
I'm sure that the pros must stand there seething as he demolishes any confidence their celeb might have had - and having to waste time rebuilding that each week only takes away from the dance training time
