Who else thinks Strictly may be on the way out? Programmes have a natural lifespan after all. I have watched Strictly, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, from the start and looking back there seems to be a definite pattern to it. Over the first three series it definitely became more entertaining. Series 4 and 5 were the peak. The decline seemed to begin with Series 6 and has continued this year. I think it is the beginning of the end and would only give it one or two more years at the most. The format is becoming stale as all do in the end and I don't believe re-vamps work.

No, not at all.

every show does have a shelf life. SCD still gets 9 million tho so it won;t get axed until its getting 4 -5 million a week.

I just think they need to get back to basics and not meddle with the formula (dance off, Alesha etc...)
Series 7 has been the worst so far IMO but then again I thought season 4 was rubbish (IMO) and I enjoyed season 5 and 6 so everyone things differently.

Not at all - I absolutely love it!

The ratings of 8-9 million say otherwise. And those are the same ratings that have increased slightly as the series progressed.

Will still be here for years

No way.

About 7 years seems to be the natural lifespan of this kind of show.

I can't remember who posted it, but there was a discussion on this subject a while back (was Monkseal the OP then? That name comes to mind)

Series 5 was the peak (Alesha, Gethin, Matt D) The following series suffered.

Same, with X-Factor (Alexandra, JLS, Diana Vickers etc) The following series (current) has suffered, too.

Funnily enough, Big Brother 5 is also quite widely cited as the best series ever. Intriguing.

I think it's lost a lot of what made it a great programme, but I don't think it's necessarily on the way out.

It's got bloated by it's sense of its own importance and it's turned in to a great big lumbering beast which due to its size is losing the ability to engage and connect with people.

A great big refresh is required, fresh people, fresh sets and a fresh attitude to stop it seeming hackneyed and repetitive.
A return to a more spontaneous, less manipulated, more fun show could make a huge difference.

Much as I would miss it, I think it might be time for Strictly to bow out.

I'd love to see a new vehicle for some of the pro dancers' talents, but I do think that Strictly has become almost too familiar and has got to the point where we all have too many opinions about each tiny detail of how it works. As a result lots of people seem to be focussing on what is wrong rather than what is great about it.
Something fresh and new would be good now.

As to whether it will happen...it is still a BBC showpiece despite the drop in viewers and I suspect we have a few more series to go yet, although I think next year it may not be directly up against X Factor!

I can only hope that whoever wins this competition produces dances to the standard that the australian winner of DWTS did of her free style dance a couple of years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1B9_kc5XUc

I can see it lingering on for a couple of years, despite the BBC's best efforts to kill it off.

A much more restrained audience than the one we get here....Unless there were only about a dozen of them.

I can kinda see it going, I'm certainly drifting from it and would rather watch dancesport.

As stated earlier, the ratings are as good as, or better than, previous years. So there is little evidence of viewers drifting away (even if you and others are). And as the number watching remains steady (and extremely good, leaving XF aside) it kinda suggests that it is still doing the job intended - providing an enjoyable and entertaining Saturday night programme.

i still love it, but i do think they need to be a bit more selective of the celebs they choose

I hated series 5. The dullest final yet and I found Alesha so overrated! A lot of unlikeable characters like Gabby, Matt DA & Kelly.

Series 6 has been my highlight so far! The introduction of Brian and Kristina, the brilliant triumph of Tom & Camilla over the judges favourites, the high standard of dance (not that that matters much to me.)

I'm also loving this series.

Series 5 was definitely my least favourite so far.

It might be the OP's interest is on the way out. I didn't watch the first 4 series (I wasn't in the UK) and I'm loving SCD.

Thanks for that Charo, it is beautiful. Whether they would let our dancers use props remains to be seen.

Surely if the worst dancer out of the last three celebs wins the show then SCD becomes irrelevant.
Strictly and Dancing gives a clue as to what the show should be about not gurning and joking.

Series 1 was the best for me. It was all downhill from then on!

Seriously though I think it went downhill from series 4 onwards. Series 1, 2 and 3 were all great but once they started messing with the format and making up the rules to suit themselves they kind of lost me.

They are never going to attract big name celebs because of the amount of time they have to dedicate to it. To take 5 months out is a big thing. So it's only ever going to attract has beens and z listers from now on I'm afraid.

I think it's got one more series left.

They do seem able to attract top name sportspeople who are at or close to retirement though and they definitely add to the show because of their training ethic etc, they often improve tremendously....with obvious exceptions of course!

It does seem a bit bloated with poor decision making by producers but I don't see them giving up on it yet - there probably will be another series. Though it will be interesting when "So You Think You Can Dance" starts and if it's successful or not. Not sure how good an idea it is to have 2 dancing shows - even though they are fairly diverse.

Uh, as far as the type of celebs who join I think its still at a steady level of noticeability (Unlike the ITV celeb shows which seem to scrape the barrell. Yes both Im a Celeb and Dancing on Ice as well as the one-offs like Celeb-Air)

As far as why this series hasnt been as good. Its not because of Alesha or the last minute change in my mind, its more down to the actual dancing ability, theres pretty much been no real standout Latin dancer to throw some exciting dances in.

Also the Injuries have also plauged the show too badly but thats not something you can easily predict or cover for (especially so far into the competiton).

I say its just a dud season, bring on the next one, hopefully with some Latin spice!