I feel a lot of us are coming together on this one after what is proving to be a pretty lack lustre series - love it as I do.

I feel its time for a major make over if the series is to continue and not only do well but do far, far better.

It has gone off the boil - celebrities .....that many of the viewers hardly know therefore don't really care about one way or another, guest artists who are often well past their sell by date and an 'orchestra/singers' who on a good night are great but on a bad night can make your eardrums scream and seriously detract from the dancing

This show has the potential to be fantastic Saturday night entertainment...

I can't believe it has become so mundane..

Where are the producers/directors with fantastic ideas and imagination to make this show come alive?

You don't need to throw millions of pounds of licence paying viewers money at it...all it needs is some incisive, shrewd
and inventive input....
BBC try it - you have so many great fans out there who would give you the enthusiasm and ideas which would make this programme brilliant...
bring them on and try them - you could end up with a totally re-vamped show which would guarantee you great rating next autumn

Brucie will definitely be past his best in 201 years, that's for sure...

Dont be harsh.... hes still a mere strap of a lad!

Cryogenic freezing is coming on leaps and bounds though, so you never know.

OOOOps bit of a mis-print there....meant 2010!!

But maybe no bad thing - if we look further ahead perhaps we can see the show we'd like it to be in the future...but next autumn would be good!

Upon reading the title
I thought the Beeb were making kingsize paddles for Bruno to use in marking.

I saw dancing with the stars for the first time ever last night and noticed that the dances they did were slightly different. Perhaps it's time for SCD to change things up a bit that way.

The dances they do are good but after 7 series it would be nice to see some new ones. Have they added new dances before?

I'd love to see a better lineup (more like last years) than this years.
Chris Hollins, a clutch of Hollyoaks actors and two people mostly famous for Footballers Wives- is that the best they can do?

I'd like to see some of the dances they do on DWTS, like the lambada. jitterbug and the hustle.

I love the lindyhop (they do it on DWTS, I believe) and would love to see that included.

I think a lot of the dances have become very samey.

And, please - no more Bruce! :yawn:

They really just need a cracking pot of celebs and for Len, Alesha & Bruno to be given the 1 - 5 paddles. That'll do me.

If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Is the Lindyhop a latin?

I agree with the OP and am seriously underwhelmed by this year's line up. Too many inconsequential soap stars from programmes I never watch. But could it be that they've tried other options and the other options don't want to know?

There is a serious lack of charisma about most of them. Okay so they're pleasant enough, but not worth getting excited about.

Adding new dances wouldn't make any difference to the enjoyment factor with the current bunch.

But could it be that Arlene is also a missing link???

Firstly, I'd get a new set and house it in a warehouse somewhere like Elstree. I believe (and may be wrong) that TC1 is used the rest of the week, so that invloves takind down, and putting up the set on a weekly basis. Having a permanent set would save a lot of overtime payments for taking it down and putting it up again, plus damage to the set during this process. The advantage would be that a bigger, better set could be had. Maybe there would be more rehearsal time in the studio for all of the dancers and production staff that would lead to a better polished end result. After all, XF and DOI have a set that is a permanent fixture for the series run, and to me it makes economic sense.

The panel. Although Arlene might have supporters here, it may well be that the public at large welcome the change. I personally am glad she's gone. I don't think they will have her back either. I'd suggest having 5 judges (like DOI) with Karen Hardy being the new judge. Keep Alesha.

Bruce. Someone said in another thread that nobody is irreplaceable. Although I have supported him staying, I think this season should be his last. If the format is tired, a new host would help. Tess, I gather we are stuck with because of her contract with the BBC. But please not another dinosaur (Wogan) or one of the already iver-exposed BBC props of Barrowman or Norton. Be inventive - the lead presenter doesn't HAVE to be male!

Zlebs. Cut the judges and presenters fees and spend that on better Zlebs.

Number of Zlebs - shorten the run a bit - it's TOO MANY Zlebs. They might be able to spend more on each of them if there were less of them. Pick people we have heard of!!!!

The current programme is too long. Have a break between the main, and results show, but keep the results show live. Go back to how it used to be - it worked and didn't need fixing.

I don't think the format needs a major revamp. It works well here, and in all the other countries the franchise is in. Better set, better Zlebs, additional (decent) judge and change of main presenter would probably do it, and please most people.

I heard Methuselah is lined up - should be good.

My dream line up for 2010:
Christopher Eccleston (Cracker/Dr Who)
Steve Leonard (TV vet)
Anthony Head (Buffy/Merlin/Nescafe ads)
Lawrence Dallaglio or Jason Roberts (rugby hunks)
Ian Kelsey (Casualty/Emmerdale/Where the Heart is)
Robson Green (Soldier Soldier/singer)
Kwame Kwei-Armah (ex Casualty)

Jules Oliver (TV Chef Jamie’s Mrs)
Katherine Kelly (Corrie’s Becky)
Sarah Parish (Cutting It/Mistresses/Merlin)
Emma Atkins (Emmerdale)
Jennifer Saunders (comedienne)
Amanda Holden (Cutting It/BGT)
our very own Claudia Winkleman

I absolutely adore the Argentinian - by far and away the most exciting dance to watch, IMO. The American Smooth is 'nice' to watch too. Can't stand Quickstep, foxtrot, samba, jive.

Cant stand Tess,

Bruce - past it.

Len - getting past it. Like the idea of adding KH as a judge. Couldn't stand her as a pro dancer, but love her insights on ITT, she really knows what she is talking about. She would be a very good addition.

Do NOT bring back Arlene, she is past it.


Come to think of it, why the heck do I watch it? Dunno, but what ever the reason, it is addicitive, I keep watching it, and ITT, and cannot stand things like Britains Got Talent or X Factor.

Funny old world

I am sure that Methuselah's wife was called Edna. Now that is a cracking name, she should definately be on it too!

VO Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, Your hosts of Strictly Come Dancing ....
Methuselah and Edna

(rapturous applause)

Methuselah: Boy, what about the rain, will it ever stop...

(audience interrupt with nervous laughter)


etc



A sure fire winner Maureen, great idea.

Be still my beating heart, I'm honestly not sure I could cope if Lawrence was on the show. I'd probably end up sending hate mail to his partner and camping outside the bbc studios all week just to see if I could get a glimpse

It's got similarities to the Jive but has elements of a Charleston. Think it was originally an African-American dance so I don't suppose you could call it a Latin.

You can see vids on youTube: Shawn Johnston does a very entertaining one and I seem to remember the SCD pros did a group version last series.