I have watched SCD since series 2 and LOVED it, but this year, for some reason, it's not as watchable...why? Also, I am finding Tess and Bruce predictable.

A bit? They're the worst thing about Strictly. He's just not entertaining any more, and she's such a poor presenter I'm surprised she's employed at all, let alone on the BBCs flagship programme.

Is anyone not?! In fairness I think Tess's role has been downgraded for several series since Bruce decided that he really was the star (not the dancers as he labours every week!) and he just wanted a new Anthea!

watching them is like watching TV 30 years ago!

I see there's another thread asking what will be remembered about this year's SCD and you know, I can't think of anything!

Get rid of Bruce at the end of this run.

Try Tess with another presenter for 2010 (Perhaps Gethin or Aled Jones, but DEFINITELY NOT Graham Norton!!!)

See how she gets on with someone a bit closer her age, and slightly less self obsessed. If she's still dull, get rid of her for 2011.

Tess has got a contract to do strictly for at least the next 2 years......(unfortunately)

Good lord yes!
I usually just mute when Tess and Bruce are talking, mainly because he's not funny and she is very bland but this week I got so bored muting I hardly saw any of it because I was flicking round the channels, the only thing I really noticed was Tess's dress and one or two of the dances... I've really gone off the programme at the mo, which is a shame because I love watching the actual dancing.

I'm feeling less passionate this year - but I've realised that it's not Bruce or Tess.

I'm really missing Arlene. She was, I don't know - a bit wild and passionate and sort of loved it.

Her and Hubby are moving to the States!! (hoorah!)

JJ

The only think worth watching was the pros jive....brilliant just brilliant.
Bruce and Tess.....way past their sell by date......

I now use sky+ and fast forward Bruce's ramblings..the doddery thing is running really thin...oh dear. On a good note, the pro jive was stunning.

Forsyth should go, maybe give Tess another go with a different presenter and see how that works.

Bored with strictly. Only tune in to the last 10 mins to see the dance off. I cant listen to Aleshas pearls of wisdom any longer she makes me cringe. Hope and pray she is not still in the job nxt year.

Yes, she has come across as smarmy I think...I liked Arlene and miss her, she had passion and knowledge about dancing

I've a general feeling that many on Strictly are trying too hard.
The ratings being the most important factor to the BBC, mean that they continue to mess with it each year.
The attempts at humour in the scripts Bruce reads off the auto-cue often seem dire. He's more amusing when he's ad-libbing.

I can only assume that "Health & Safety" have made a "risk assessment" of Tess's "two turns and a leg up" in the introduction to the programme.
It's obviously been made safer as the turns seem to have been banned and it has been reduced this year to "just a leg up." Mind you...no never mind.

Her fawning scripted responses to Bruce's scripted comments are cringe inducing.

I've said elsewhere, if and when Bruce goes, you won't recognise the programme the changes they will make.

I do think it is nearing its sell by date. I wouldn't mind a different family variety programme on a Saturday night.

I record it now and only watch part of it. With so many couples at the beginning it was far too long, even now it could do with a break, after all the dances have been completed. Two hours or whatever in one go is far too long.

Until this year I would have said no, but Bruce is getting on my nerves now. Tess can stay for all I care, she might do better with another lead presenter.

Me too. Every year the same question is asked about Bruce, but I've always been inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt given his 'legend' status and undoubted professionalism. But for some reason I'm feeling the well has finally run dry this year, or maybe my patience has just run out! Something about Strictly feels very flat this time round. So I'd be all for a change, and as far as I'm concerned Tess has always been expendable, adding absolutely nothing to the show whilst being incredibly irritating. One thing I really dread, though, is the inevitable backlash that will hit whoever steps into the presenting shoes if and when Bruce and Tess leave the show.

Yeah, I am fed up with Brucie, really like him though, but time to go i am affraid, give Tess another go with another presenter, and YES I miss Arlene, Alesha is not a patch on Arlene and cant bare her ramblings, POINTLESS!!!

In the last year I've seen two documentaries presented by Bruce and he didn't do a bad job on either, he seemed perfectly relaxed throughout both.
So why the criticism of his performance on Strictly?
The show proceeds now at such a pace and with such hype, it must frequently make it difficult for him at 80, or probably anybody at any age..

Doghouse, the thread title should have given you an idea of the issue being discussed, IMO Bruce is past his sell by date on THIS show, dosent mean he should be put out to pasture for good.

Err..

I was responding to what you'd posted originally, you're back-tracking on this one.

Although you said you liked him in the post I quoted, you didn't mention any other programme with which you thought he should continue. Perhaps you should have included your later remark in your first post?

so, who would you choose for the presenting job? Ant and Dec

This has come up several times.

It's a tough job, but I find "the usual subjects" too irritating and that includes Tess's other half.

For all his faults, Bruce would be a hard act to follow and it might herald the end of the show.

I like him, hes a national treasure, THIS series is the first time the thought has crossed my mind that maybe its time for him to go, it dosent please me to think that way, but would LOVE to see him still on our tv screens.

Yes, I agree he needs something a little less frenetic.