• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • TV
  • Strictly Come Dancing
Alesha - comments tonight? (merged)
<<
<
31 of 41
>>
>
BuddyBontheNet
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“But it is a forum Ivan, so I'm sure you agree that those who found Alesha's cutting comments offensive have the right to post their opinion.

What surprises me is that she appears to have forgotten that the reason she was hired was to empathise and nurture the celebs: or so we were told.

Now she actually thinks she's qualified to judge.

Has the lady gone power crazy?

That's my opinion - and mine alone.”

Hiya! I agree we all have our own opinions and we're fine when we disagree.

I think you are right about Alesha's role being to empathise and nurture the celebs - well, partly anyway, as I do think she is qualified to judge - but I think she'd got to the point with Craig where she thought only speaking bluntly would get through to him. As much as I liked Craig, his whole attitude to all the comments from the judges the whole time he was in the competition was a bewildered 'Are you sure I wasn't good? I thought I was good...I thought it went well...". That's hard to take week after week, let alone day after day as Flavia would have experienced. Even in his latest interview Craig says he thinks he is a good dancer and more importantly, danced in time, which was his basic problem because he couldn't dance in time. What are you supposed to do when you are sitting in judgement over someone who continually thinks they are better than they are and reacts in a vulnerable way? If I didn't know better I'd say Craig was a master in passive aggressiveness.
BuddyBontheNet
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by -Sid-:
“The same goes for Alesha.

She's a tough cookie.

Surely she doesn't need half of DS to defend her ”

Hiya sweetie! <smmooch>!

She is a tough cookie, but I'd say she's got about 5-10 people max defending her and they are outnumbered 10 to 1!

My bet is if she was asked if she regrets what she said, she'd say the only thing she regrets is specifically naming Zoe. Alesha is not one to shy away from saying what needs to be said.
-Sid-
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by BuddyBontheNet:
“Hiya sweetie! <smmooch>!

She is a tough cookie, but I'd say she's got about 5-10 people max defending her and they are outnumbered 10 to 1!

My bet is if she was asked if she regrets what she said, she'd say the only thing she regrets is specifically naming Zoe. Alesha is not one to shy away from saying what needs to be said. ”

Hello again you x x x

I think it's right that people should step in and defend Alesha if they feel inclined to do so, but I also think people should be free to criticise her without being stifled (that's no reference to you of course just a general observation!)

After all, that's what a discussion forum is for!
soulmate61
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Three Left Feet:
“
"It was a dance that only a mother could love" to Joe C was pitched at the ideal level - it makes the point (the dance was cr*p) without getting too personal.

Len's "Spanish Waiter" comment to Austin last year would also have been good, if he hadn't said it so grumpily.

Craig's comments about Jo Wood's dances being good until she started moving were also (just about) OK.

I think Alesha's real problem is that she isn't funny. Craig RH is, and the other two can deliver a prepared line with good timing (although not always.) To make a performance impact, Alesha only really has the options of extreme marking or blunt/rude/offensive comments.
”

This is very perceptive. When a verbal missile is as elegantly phrased as it is hilariously exaggerated, the intent of comic relief rather than anger becomes self-evident. The recipient is too busy trying not to laugh to take offence.

Even the doddery one managed an unanswerable missile:

Brucie, "Last week, Penny had tears. (then in a tender voice) I said to Penny I said, I'll get something to wipe away your tears."

Tess, "What did you get, what did you get?"

Brucie, "A step ladder."
tabithakitten
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by BuddyBontheNet:
“Hiya! I agree we all have our own opinions and we're fine when we disagree.

I think you are right about Alesha's role being to empathise and nurture the celebs - well, partly anyway, as I do think she is qualified to judge - but I think she'd got to the point with Craig where she thought only speaking bluntly would get through to him. As much as I liked Craig, his whole attitude to all the comments from the judges the whole time he was in the competition was a bewildered 'Are you sure I wasn't good? I thought I was good...I thought it went well...". That's hard to take week after week, let alone day after day as Flavia would have experienced. Even in his latest interview Craig says he thinks he is a good dancer and more importantly, danced in time, which was his basic problem because he couldn't dance in time. What are you supposed to do when you are sitting in judgement over someone who continually thinks they are better than they are and reacts in a vulnerable way? If I didn't know better I'd say Craig was a master in passive aggressiveness.”

Well here we differ. (I'm sure you're devastated to hear that .) I think part of the problem was that Alesha didn't think at all. I reckon she let personal feeling get the better of her and just said exactly what was on her mind. It's the first time in the series that she's had to cope with that sort of scenario and she didn't manage it well. However, she's inexperienced and I'm sure words will have been said behind the scenes. As yet, it doesn't need Craig or Len coming out and blasting her on national television.

However, I still think that her comments/attitude on Saturday were OTT. They're not what I would expect from a judge on the panel - heartfelt though they were and much as I may have understood and agreed with much of the sentiment of them. I hope she realises that and we don't get any repeat performances. It is quite possible that we might get a dance off featuring two out of three of Ricky W/Ali/Jade in the next couple of weeks before the likes of Ricky G/Phil/Natalie have left. It will be interesting to see how Alesha reacts should this occur.
millie3
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by BuddyBontheNet:
“Hiya! I agree we all have our own opinions and we're fine when we disagree.

I think you are right about Alesha's role being to empathise and nurture the celebs - well, partly anyway, as I do think she is qualified to judge - but I think she'd got to the point with Craig where she thought only speaking bluntly would get through to him. As much as I liked Craig, his whole attitude to all the comments from the judges the whole time he was in the competition was a bewildered 'Are you sure I wasn't good? I thought I was good...I thought it went well...". That's hard to take week after week, let alone day after day as Flavia would have experienced. Even in his latest interview Craig says he thinks he is a good dancer and more importantly, danced in time, which was his basic problem because he couldn't dance in time. What are you supposed to do when you are sitting in judgement over someone who continually thinks they are better than they are and reacts in a vulnerable way? If I didn't know better I'd say Craig was a master in passive aggressiveness.”

I don't think he's passive aggressive but I think he's like the vast majority of the general public when learning to dance - they're desperate to learn the steps and remember them. When we are watching them on TV of course we can see that's only a small part of dancing. When you're learning though that seems everything (particularly in a week). The people we notice as being good on the show are actually exceptional and much better than most of us to be able to learn not only the steps but a lot more too. Also I suspect he compares where he was when he left to when he started and feels proud that he's achieved something. I suspect the standard he was at compares favourably to where most of us would be if we learnt a new dance in a week but fortunately very few of us are seen by many.
Dr. Jan Itor
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“Nonsense. Craig RH disagreed vehemently with Len's comments so many times in ITT. He also disagreed with Bruno and Arlene sometimes with his usual deadpan manner. Of course if Craig disagreed with Alesha professionally, he would say so publicly in ITT, and why not?”

Thanks to Tuffers we saw back at the start of the series that everyone involved had been briefed on what to say about Alesha replacing Arlene, so I don't think it would be a surprise if the producers are still telling everyone involved in the show not to criticise Alesha because of how big an issue her role as a judge has been. It's certainly what I would do as a producer, as the last thing the show needs after all the problems at the start is for people from within the show to be criticising her in public.
Spinaker5
10-11-2009
Just popped in to see where this discussion had now got to. What Alesha said mirrored what she felt, depressed, and this followed on from her putting her head in her hands the previous week. It came out in a way that has had viewers accusing her of anything from bluntness to vitriol. I think it was her honest reaction but would, in retrospect, have been better to have kept to herself. Judges should not allow their emotions to affect their judging. However, the show thrives on controversy so the producers will be happy.
StrictlySC4
10-11-2009
Whilst I agreed wholeheartedly that it was over time for Craig to go I found Alesha's comments too personal and rude. I agree with what she said but not the way she said it.
Is it me or are all the judges being less critical of the dancing involved? They seem to make the most wonderful statements but rarely - even Len these days - give constructive criticism of the dance they have just seen. Comments are also made like "We won't mention..." to certain people but not others. Favouritism is rife this year and seems even worse than previous years.
I cannot vote as I live in France but there are certain celebs that I would not vote for deliberately.
trunkster
10-11-2009
Just thought I'd mention it, but after closely studying Saturdays show again I'm pretty sure I could see Alesha making a slit throught gesture to Craig just before the dance off

Alesha, bringin da street to SCD
katmobile
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by millie3:
“How do you know he put very little effort in? Certainly he wasn't very good but that had nothing to do with effort. Likewise how do you know that Zoe put more effort in? You don't but you think you can enhance your argument by altering the facts!
I appreciate you didn't like Craig and I certainly wasn't a fan of his dancing but I wouldn't even try to belittle the fact that he was practising and trying.”

Flavia on Breakfast TV said this morning that she liked the fact that however much he'd been slated at the weekend he was always raring to go with practicing the dance on Monday. Just because someone isn't good it doesn't mean they didn't put the effort I shouted at an instructor because they told me words to the effect that I couldn't be trying because I wasn't getting it right - it's rubbish. Andrew Castle and Mark Foster worked their little cotton socks off last year and it didn't make them great dancers either. Craig may have been rubbish, a tad deluded about how good he was and determined to get to Blackpool regardless if someone else who deserved it more went out first but he wasn't lazy.
RichmondBlue
10-11-2009
I can't understand Alesha's "endure" comment.
The nature of the show dictates that the selected celebs will be of different talents when it comes to dancing. Craig stayed one week past his "sell by date" which resulted in the loss of Zoe. Prior to that there were weeks of "enduring" similar bad performances from other no-hopers.
Of course, they could change the format and select only celebrities who had experience of dance in some form or another..that could be done very easily. The audience figure would plummet, only die-hard dance fans would be interested. Even having one or two obviously experienced dancers spoils it for many people, thankfully they are usually challenged by those with more "personality". Some don't like that concept, but it's what draws in the viewers.
Take Dancing on Ice..Ray Quinn was brilliant, but that particular series was finished as a competition from week 1.
SCD relies on those celebs who are prepared to make a fool of themselves..just as much as it does on those with genuine, natural, dancing talent. Of course they all have an ulterior motive, their agents are happy to accept the gig..but Alesha needs to take a look at the bigger picture and not bite the hand that feeds her.
tonydancer
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by trunkster:
“Just thought I'd mention it, but after closely studying Saturdays show again I'm pretty sure I could see Alesha making a slit throught gesture to Craig just before the dance off

Alesha, bringin da street to SCD”

Well, as you've obviously still got a copy, why not put it on YouTube and give us a time reference to look at.

If you can't or won't do that, I'll consider this utter tosh.
Smokeychan1
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Three Left Feet:
“Ignazio,

I think Alesha is in a definite "no win" situation, but having taken a tidy wedge to be a judge, she has to take criticism on the chin, just as Craig has to, as he, too, has taken a tidy wedge (albeit to spend 8 weeks in close proximity to Flavia, rather than sandwiched between Len and Bruno in the case of Alesha.)

The real issue is that somewhere along the line, the judges became performers. The show would indeed be dull if they just sat there and stuck up their paddles, or opined dryly on a few timing issues, but I think things have gone a bit too far. They can be critical and amusing, without being offensive.

"It was a dance that only a mother could love" to Joe C was pitched at the ideal level - it makes the point (the dance was cr*p) without getting too personal.

Len's "Spanish Waiter" comment to Austin last year would also have been good, if he hadn't said it so grumpily.

Craig's comments about Jo Wood's dances being good until she started moving were also (just about) OK.

I think Alesha's real problem is that she isn't funny. Craig RH is, and the other two can deliver a prepared line with good timing (although not always.) To make a performance impact, Alesha only really has the options of extreme marking or blunt/rude/offensive comments.”

Just quoting really because you make some excellent points. To add, I would also include that when the other judges took up their roles on the panel, they were unknown quanties to the public at large with no perceived persona. Alesha, on the other hand, has always come across as upbeat, hard-working and grounded and her comments to Craig really jarred with our perception of her.

Originally Posted by RichmondBlue:
“I can't understand Alesha's "endure" comment.
The nature of the show dictates that the selected celebs will be of different talents when it comes to dancing. Craig stayed one week past his "sell by date" which resulted in the loss of Zoe. Prior to that there were weeks of "enduring" similar bad performances from other no-hopers.
Of course, they could change the format and select only celebrities who had experience of dance in some form or another..that could be done very easily. The audience figure would plummet, only die-hard dance fans would be interested. Even having one or two obviously experienced dancers spoils it for many people, thankfully they are usually challenged by those with more "personality". Some don't like that concept, but it's what draws in the viewers.
Take Dancing on Ice..Ray Quinn was brilliant, but that particular series was finished as a competition from week 1.
SCD relies on those celebs who are prepared to make a fool of themselves..just as much as it does on those with genuine, natural, dancing talent. Of course they all have an ulterior motive, their agents are happy to accept the gig..but Alesha needs to take a look at the bigger picture and not bite the hand that feeds her.”

Watching the "behind the scenes" bit on ITT last night really confirmed how out of place Alesha's comments were. Everyone was happy and excited, one of the celebs mentioned the Pros coming off the floor screaming "IT'S ELECTRIC!!" Contestants are having a great night, Craig was highly likely to be leaving but had the consolation of knowing it was in front of a home crowd.

I really can't understand why Alesha had to take that away from them and us. I'm only grateful the controversy happened at the end of the dancing as the last time things got nasty on air (Bruce berating CRH) it put a damper on the rest of the evening for me.

Some posters have likened this show to a pantomime and as such tell us we shouldnt be bothered by the villainous comments. True, both are a family show, but at least the villains always get their comeuppance and no one leaves a pantomime with a bad taste in their mouth

Originally Posted by tonydancer:
“Well, as you've obviously still got a copy, why not put it on YouTube and give us a time reference to look at.

If you can't or won't do that, I'll consider this utter tosh.”

I really think that was a tongue in cheek comment tony
CASPER1066
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“I rarely start threads - but her comments tonight incensed me

Surely it's an unwritten rule that each week, every contestant starts with a clean slate. Never can I recall any judge harking back to the results of a previous week. She then added insult to injury with her patronising and hypocritical "you've been very sweet my love."

Go back to singing my love.”

I wasnt impressed with Alesha at all tonight, she let herself down big time.
Ignazio
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by CASPER1066:
“I wasnt impressed with Alesha at all tonight, she let herself down big time.”

Hi Casp - you don't pop in often these days, but it's always nice to see you.
Christa
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Dr. Jan Itor:
“Although only number 2 on your list actually mentions Zoe by name, the line in number 3 about never harking back to a previous week's results is a clear reference to the Zoe comment, so 2 out of 3 mention it. As for number 1, although phlegmatist doesn't mention it specifically, it is most likely to be the Zoe line that caused he/she to start a thread. Although other parts of her comment have been mentioned, the clear focus of the discussion has been about that one line.”

Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“Just to confirm that I honestly thought it obvious that the thread I started was in response to the Zoe comment - which I found totally unacceptable. ”

For the record my post was meant to read "only one of the OPs focussed soley" on Zoe, but it was quarter to midnight...

Sure Ig's post refers to it obliquely, but his actual post is more diffuse & general and he quoted later comments of hers too.

To claim you know what "it's likely" Phlegmatist meant, is to claim way too much. He/she didn't mention it full stop.

Either way you have to accept the discussion mutated to encorporate Aleesha's whole speech. I didn't find the Zoe comment that extraordinary & while I covered it, it's not the aspect that most interests me. Posters are completely free to discuss what does. I'm sorry if the debate has moved to places you didn't want it to go, but that's forums for you.
Christa
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Smokeychan1:
“I'm replying to you as, 1) more than most, you seem to lack understanding of what the thread is about and why it was started (that, or youre being deliberately obtuse) and 2) you say something, I respond, you reply with your view...it's the usual format of debate.

If you don't wish me to reply to you then don't address my posts. You can stop the discussion any time you like ”

Smoky you seem to lack understanding of how fourms work. However much you want this thread to be soley focussed on your preoccupation it is not. It's an issue, but it is not the sole one.

As previously stated: OPs were merged & the title post does not refer to Zoe, thus the discussion developed to address Alesha's comments as a whole. Unless you're a thread starter you don't get rigidly to define the debate. I didn't think the Zoe comment as significant as you: so it's not a question of "not understanding" what the thread is about, but commenting on the aspects that most interest me.

Just to be clear you bunny-hopped onto a reply of mine to another poster, accusing me of not having covered the Zoe comment, which I had. Two days later you're still going on about it...
tabithakitten
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Christa:
“Smoky you seem to lack understanding of how fourms work. However much you want this thread to be soley focussed on your preoccupation it is not. It's an issue, but it is not the sole one.

As previously stated: OPs were merged & the title post does not refer to Zoe, thus the discussion developed to address Alesha's comments as a whole. Unless you're a thread starter you don't get rigidly to define the debate. I didn't think the Zoe comment as significant as you: so it's not a question of "not understanding" what the thread is about, but commenting on the aspects that most interest me.

Just to be clear you bunny-hopped onto a reply of mine to another poster, accusing me of not having covered the Zoe comment, which I had. Two days later you're still going on about it...”

Ha!

I'm the thread starter! Twisted thread starter...

Sorry, actually I'm not. Just trying to lighten the tone.

I'll get me coat...
Christa
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by tabithakitten:
“Ha!

I'm the thread starter! Twisted thread starter...

Sorry, actually I'm not. Just trying to lighten the tone.

I'll get me coat...”



'I'm the trouble starter, ****in instigator'...
Rikki65
10-11-2009
Typical! I see this is the only place that this silly argument is still ongoing. Mountain, molehill, ado much nothing.
hansue
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Rikki65:
“Typical! I see this is the only place that this silly argument is still ongoing. Mountain, molehill, ado much nothing.”


That might be your opinion but the fact that this thread is still going three days after the event just goes to show the strength of feeling against Alesha. I think that she was rude and acted like a petulent child and, despite the number of people trying to make out that this is acceptable behaviour, you will never change mind and, I guess, the majority of posters on this thread will not agree with you.
Muggsy
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Rikki65:
“Typical! I see this is the only place that this silly argument is still ongoing. Mountain, molehill, ado much nothing.”

Actually, it's still going strong over on the BBC boards.
Smokeychan1
10-11-2009
I dont think it is silly Rikki. If some people feel that Alesha's comment was insignificant enough to be ignored, then obviously it added nothing to her critique or the show.

Other people are of a mind that it was unnecessarily rude and it is incidents like this one that spoil an otherwise entertaining family show.

That doesnt mean we are outraged, obsessed or fixated. More importantly it doesnt mean we want the judges comments to be fluffy, pink and meaningless. I'm sure a balance can be struck, both here and on Strictly itself
hansue
10-11-2009
Originally Posted by Muggsy:
“Actually, it's still going strong over on the BBC boards.”

Thats interesting. I don't suppose the BBC will do anything about it though.
<<
<
31 of 41
>>
>
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map