See, as far as I can see, this isn't a thread to discuss what people think of the Charleston. It doesn't encourage debate, just stating of opinions. It doesn't leave room for argument. It doesn't accept any kind of middle way. It's just an excuse for people to tell other people that their opinions are wrong.

Classic Veri. You're right, and everybody else can bog off.

In fact, I think I'll bog off now too.

Bye.

I must admit until I saw the Charleston done on DWTS this series, I've never been in favour of introducing new dances for the celebs to learn, but Melissa and Mark's dance is one of my favourites of the series. I thought the week where the couples danced the Charleston and the Jitterbug was one of the best of the series and it was great to see such a huge element of fun being added to the show. After all the previous 10 weeks have all been about serious dancing (well in theory!)and after this week it will be back to the serious dancing again.

10/10 to the BBC for the changes they have made and are making this series - so far anyway!

I haven't said anyone's opinions are wrong.

Having a different opinion isn't saying anyone's wrong.

I happen to have a strong opinion about the Charleston, but that doesn't mean I think no one can have a different one.

And anyone who wants to post an argument about the Charleston in this thread is free to do so.

I would certainly be interested in seeing what sort of argument might be made, because it seems more a matter of personal taste to me.

However, an argument against the Charleston is that it provides too much scope for acting, gurning and posing and (see the Cem and Gemma) acrobatics, rather than dancing.

Any arguments for the Charleston, anyone?

Love the Charleston, great fun, great music. Here is an argument for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myq6h...eature=related

That is just awful.

It's such an ugly ungraceful dance And that horrible music!

See, I don't think the SCD Charlestons will look like that in the slightest, which is my main concern. If they're like the DwtS ones, then I'll lose interest, which is a shame as there are more of them than there are Rock 'n' Rolls.

Do we know if they'll dance the other in a later week, yet?

It's always possible, I suppose, that a Charleston will come along that changes my mind. (I used to loath the American Smooth before Kelly and Brendan's.)

That Ginger Rogers / Roxie Hart one is pretty good, imo, as Charlestons go. Lots of impressive / interesting things with her legs and feet, and minimal use of the elements I especially dislike.

I don't like the dance, too much jazz hands and aping around, perfect for actors, but not nice to watch.

I don't want graceful, I want fun!

I like this one!

I hope they use traditional music though,not like some of the strange music choices we have had this year.

I know we all like different things (and thank goodness for that) but that isn't fun for me. It's not nice to watch, not in anyway enjoyable except in a 'freakish' way. Like speciality dances from countries of the world. What next? The Mexican Hat Dance? The Highland Fling?

So if I feel that way about Ginger Rogers doing the dance I shudder to think what seeing the celebs this year will be like

The training footage looked terrible.

LOL! I do know what you mean!

This couple dancing a Lindy Hop and Charleston routine make it look smooth and effortless - it doesn't have to be chunky and angular. There are no fancy frills and you can't even see the dancers faces, just their silhouettes. See what you think (ignore the weird start).

It's still not my kind of dance but that was much better than most I have seen. Unfortunately I don't think we'll have the luxury of not being able to see their faces on Saturday

I am going to push for the Mexican Hat dance for next week. Hey...that's a fun dance too

LOL! I don't think we will see anything remotely like that on Saturday - plenty of animation with a little bit of dancing maybe!

I'd never seen a Mexican Hat dance, so I've just watched it on YT - so boring LOL! The music alone would drive me bananas!

There are dog people, and there are cat people.

There are Charleston people, and there are non-Charleston people.

I like dogs. And the Charleston.

That's my argument, in a nutshell.

That one's relatively ok, as is the other Ginger Rogers (as Roxy Hart) one linked earlier. I don't think Lucy and Co even do the irritating criss-cross hands-on-knees thing.

But as some of the other Charleston clips show, a Charleston can have a lot of ham acting, gurning, pointlessly exaggerated and distorted positions, and even acrobatics, rather than dancing.

No offence Zan, but at the mo, do we know if we'll have any dancers in a later week?
(I tell you - we'll get Len and Craig doing that Lambada yet )

That one's also relatively ok, though I can't help thinking it would have been better of they'd left out the Charleston aspects. Also, since it's silhouettes, it takes out much that comes with gurning and over-acting.

If someone on SCD did a Charleston in that style, that well, I'd at least have to admit it deserved high marks.

YAY The Black Bottom!

You have a point there Bonnie!

I like the Charleston but hate these 2 performances, they seem like cariacatures. Looking forward to Saturday, though.

Well I'm cock-a-hoop about the Charleston being on this weekend I loved the dance when I saw Mark and Melissa perform it on DWTS (we've still got it on the Sky+ box!).

However, I don't for one minute think that Saturdays will be like theirs because on DWTS the dances tend to be more theatrical (IMO) or 'faff on' (as Len would say) even using props at times. Sometimes I shout at the TV that there wasn't much actual content in the dances (especially waltzes and Viennese Waltzes) so I'm not expecting a big theatrical show like we had with Mark and Melissa but I'm still looking forward to it. I'll love it if we do though!

The jitterbug is great too and I'm well pleased that we're getting a bit variety in the dances instead of the same old, same old.

This Charleston is less formalised, and has great energy... the use of this modern dance track by Daft Punk which fits the rhythm of the Charleston PERFECTLY is also interesting..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=339ix...eature=related

... I think the Charleston would work well with some modern dance tracks (would need to be picked carefully though...)

Same here. Dogs and Charleston!


Nooooo! Not the Lambada! No more Latin!


I saw that clip and it unnerved me a bit as it is a weird combination...and then I decided I didn't like it!

I like traditional-ish music for the Charleston - and the hamming it up bit too!

What's wrong with folk dances?

It's still dancing, and there are some wonderful dances. I would LOVE to see the pros do a proper open circle dance from eastern Europe or Greece. Those dances have wonderful music and are good to watch, especially in authentic costume. (Interest declared: I used to perform Greek dancing, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've always loved country and folk dancing.)

I feel some people are getting a bit snobby about it all.