Media analysis. Can you explain what that is, because I can't see how that would relate to you having what appears to be insider information relating to Laila and her itinery.

And maybe you arent aware, but hairspray in enclosed spaces has been cited as cause of death on more than one occasion.

I'm sure you wouldn't ask other forum members for their occupations so I'll take the fifth!

As to insider information, well in this modern internet/facebook/twitter age it's the easiest thing possible to gain information. For example the very first post about the 'race slur' story appeared on these boards some 28 minutes before the NOTW first put it onto their web-site. Somebody had that information before! And Chris Marques's facebook page was telling us not to believe everything we read within less than 24 hours after the story was published! Esther Rantzen refuted the story two days later!

As to the hairspray thing, I think you're missing my point! Yes, it is considered dangerous applied in confined spaces and I think there are plenty of intelligent people out there who recognise that fact. So why does the Daily Mail refer to the people who have issued the edict to SCD as BBC busybodies? My point was, there is a concerted effort out there to undermine the BBC and, bizarrely enough, SCD is a good target because it's the highest profile programme the corporation has.

But, of course, none of us should use it anyway as the CFC gases produced (even though many manufacturers have 'modified' their mode of operation) are dreadful contributors to the destruction of the ozone layer.

Very interesting post and so freshing, I almost forgot how nice it is to read a thread without Anti-Anton venom in it.

Please don't twist my words, I never asked you what you did for a living.

In a previous post you said, and I quote, "my job does centre around media analysis and I'm finding it very interesting how things are being represented." I merely asked for an explanation as to what being a media analyst actually involves.

For someone so interested in ensuring we all receive the "true" representation, I find it ironic you have no problem misrepresenting others

Well it involves analysing the media! I look at stories before, when and after they develop and how the progression occurs with other media outlets, the internet, social networking sites, etc. And then I prepare reports for various interested parties, PR firms, media lawyers, artists' managements, the media itself so they are aware of the repercussions and ramifications of what is being printed and reported and how it is then used/manipulated, call it what you will. And a very large part of it is for the legal side so all sides are informed of boundaries and precedents in case reporting is inaccurate/untrues, etc.

I'm not sure who I'm supposed to me 'misinterpreting' but forgive me if you think I have done so with you.

The pros are in the same boat as the zlebrities - they get paired off at random.

Some pros apparently are better at some dance styles. I wouldn't know about that. I am not really interested. It is not a judge the professionals contest, it is an entertainment show.

By the same token some of the zlebrities are better or worse than others. They do it because they want to not because they have passed a test. They want publicity and their pictures in the papers so that they can further their careers. Along the way some of them learn a few dancing skills.

And as long as the majority of the voting public are happy to watch and be entertained, so be it. Most of them are not interested in the finer techniques of dance skill and are drawn either to a particular celebrity and/or pro. I voted many times for John Sergeant last year because he entertained me and as a licence fee payer I got my money's worth.

This year I am voting for Anton because he entertains me. I don't give a toss about how good he is at latin dancing.

Apart from pros having to be good at teaching the zlebrities have to be good at learning. There will never be a perfect match of abilties in this regard.

There can never be an even playing field even if only pros took part. Even the very best of them could be voted off by the voting public who have the final say.

And as I said before it is an entertainment programme - not a test of dancing skills.

The great thing about people (as opposed to machines) is that we can factor in these variables and come up with what we think is a fair result.

Computers play chess better than people but who cares?

Computer graphics can do "better" moves than people but again...It's the whole package you get on SCD. The journey, the back-story, the personality, their family and friends and on and on.

Eventually we get a winner. Doesn't have to be the best dancer. Let's face it, if that meerkat was in it HE'D be the winner. Well, I'd vote for him.

To be fair, none of his previous partners have been good enough for it to matter that his latin is weak...

It may have affected Laila but I think it's her attitude that was more of a problem...

Uh huh!

In my opinion, they are a doomed partnership, and were from the moment the headlines hit about Anton's comments. All the fuss is bound to have affected them and I don't buy that they have been happily able to just carry on.

Anton is being extremely defensive about his own weaknesses, and deflecting these onto Laila - she looks to me like she'd really rather not be in the same room as him.

Whatever the perceived rights/wrongs of what happened, it seem clear to me Anton should have been removed and Laila partnered with someone else at that point. She is the guest.

I think it's really sad that there is so much anti-Anton comment on this and other sites. My own view is that Laila is not confident out of hold and does not seem to be very flexible. I think Anton has to try and allow for that. I also think her dress was unflattering - nearly as much as her jive one. It looked a bit like a large fringed lampshade to me. She looked lovely in the brighter coloured ballroom one and I hope she and Anton can give a superb performance in their next ballroom dance. Even though posters are so crtical of Anton as a latin dancer, he is still brilliant in my book.

Will have to agree to disagree but the way I see it is if you enter a competition you expect to be given the same opportunity as the other entrants to win it ie equipment etc and that is the way I see SCD.

The one thing that should NOt or EVER be random is the ability of the professional dancer - they should all be competant teachers and all have a sound grounding in both styles of dance

The random element of the show should be the abilities of the celebs. Otherwise it's unfair to get a person training youwho is virtually clueless in 50% of the dancing

Whether the public like them or not and they are voted out 1st week doesnt matter - they should start with the same opportunities regardless

I would agree with this in general terms, but for SCD, the incoming celebs must know that not all pro partners are equal in terms of the opportunity they can offer their partners. If they don't like this fact then they shouldn't enter.

For the vast majority of people, SCD is simply something to watch with either the kids, a bottle of wine or both. It's light entertainment / relief. Nothing more, nothing less. Whilst normal viewers may observe that Anton's latin dancing is dodgy, 5 minutes after the credits roll they have other concerns, such as when Match of the Day is on!

Yes I was. The person seemed to miss the point didn't they? If you don't have adequate help ie a pro giving you the benefit of their experience then if that pro is a bit weak, you are up that famous creek with out a paddle before you step onto the floor.

Agree entirely. By the way, did you see the stage show, Simply Ballroom, which has run for four years throughout the UK and other countries? All choreographed by Anton and Erin, including the Latin; buy the DVD, you'll enjoy it!

Several of our pupils took part in the stage show - Anton and Erin did some of the choreography but not all of it

You may as well complain that no woman should be lumbered with Brendan or James as they have a number of detractors themselves on grounds other than their dancing!

Or what about the unfairness of being allied to Matt (he's an idol in many a temple) Cutler? That gets you loads of votes before you even start!

Ah, I'm afraid now you're just not telling the truth and I rather suspect you know it. So who were the other choreographers because I imagine Qdos would be interested to know?!

I have never seen such a case of a pro-dancer's failings dragging down a celeb on the show before. Week after week Layla underperfoms in the Latin and its obvious for all to see, she is perfectly capable of doing a great job at it, if only she had a competant pro to dance with/teach her.

Craig pretty much said as much on ITT last night.