I don't have a problem with that.

SCD should not be a pure dancing competition imo.

However, I think it should be less about 'personality' than it currently is.

I would like the GBP to judge performance on things like the ability to overcome obstacles like age, disability etc and improve and achieve a comparitively good level of performance. I don't include being a 'cheeky chappy' in that judgement of disabilities.

If you are of a similar age and potential physical ability then the 'cheeky chappy ' aspect should not come into it.

That is why John Sargeant should have not withdrawn last year. Of course he could not dance as well as some as the others, he was old and unfit. The GBP should have been allowed to take that into account in considering his 'journey' when they voted.

In Chris's case what was preventing his improvement in comparison with others? He is not old and was a professional footballer!



Maggie

It is possible for some people to be watching Chris and Ola and to be voting for them because of their dancing.

I don't think that anyone would try to claim that they are doing so because they appreciate the technical nuances in their performances or are so deluded that they think they are at a standard akin to Ricky or Ali, or even very close to it.

However, I do think there are people out there who are voting for Chris and Ola because what they do on the dance floor provides them with more enjoyment than any of the others. This isn't the same as voting because it's a laugh. It isn't the same as voting for John Sergeant because you like to see an elderly man dragging a lovely young woman around the floor like a vacuum cleaner. It's casting an appraising eye over a series of performances and saying that, after due consideration, performance A entertained them more than the others; that is the one they would want to watch again and again.

I understand that others may find this view incomprehensible. It is difficult to comprehend how people would prefer to watch a couple with mediocre/fair dancing skills ahead of couples whose skill is significantly higher. However, that's the subjectivity of performance.

Of course, there are also those who vote for Chris and Ola because they think they're cute off the dance floor and because Chris is such a lovely bloke and he gets on with Ola so well you know... Those people do exist but they don't account for all of Chris's support.

People who vote for Chris and Ola aren't necessarily doing so because they've abandoned all pretence of the show being about dancing. On the contrary, some of them are voting for Chris and Ola precisely because the show is about dancing since Chris and Ola's dancing appeals to them more than that of the others. I don't say there are as many of this type of fan as are being claimed but I do think they exist.

I agree totally, glad someone feels the same, I really liked Ali's dancing but that is not why I'm annoyed. It is about dancing which can be so beautifully choreographed and then enjoyed. If Chris wins the show it has nothing to do with dance and this saddens me personally as I love and appreciate dance, If you like Chris watch him on breakfast tv there is no need to vote for him in a dance competition. But I know this is landing on deafened ears .

Well spoken!

I agree but it has disturbed me that Ola, having seen the writing on the wall, has choreographed really easy routines for Chris over the last couple of weeks, knowing that she didn't need to expose and test him as Ricky and Ali have been tested.



Maggie

I know I feel like a lot of the Chris & Ola fans think we are personally attacking Chris because we hate him. Well for me, not so. For me, it's about the dancing pure and simple. He is nowhere near good enough for me to be able to justify his winning as fair. That's all. I absolutely adored John Sergeant last year. A true gentleman, supremely affable and a great provider of entertainment. But I never voted for him. The idea of it was ridiculous to me. And he obviously felt the same way because he withdrew. He knew it was a dance contest and was embarrassed at the public support. He saw what his fans didn't and I have a great respect for him because of that.

The Charleston and the Argentine Tango were not choreographed by her, otherwise...that's all down to personal opinion.

I think there are limits to what a celebrity can be exposed to. Why would Ola push Chris to Ricky's level when it's obvious that Chris cannot perform to that standard? Why humilate him in front of 8m+ people? Push to the celebrities limit, which I think Ola has done, but if he cannot technically improve anymore he shouldn't be pushed anymore.

I cannot wrap my head around how someone could look at Chris & Ola's rumba or AT tonight and think it was decent It just ... does not compute. I think I must have spent too many years doing these dances, it's impaired my judgement lol.

I'm not sure - your post earlier about him when you called him that 'smug guy on TV' seemed every so slightly personal.

Seriously, I guess it depends which terms we use for the dancing - techincal v performance, as this is what it boils down to. As tabithakitten said in the post above, I'm one of those who support them because they're the only people who I connect with while they dance.

To be honest this year, for me, has been the poorest in terms of quality of dance. Every other year (bar series 1) there were two contestants who could win for me, who connected with me, who danced fantastically, who made the series enjoyable. This year, for me, the one's who could dance couldn't perform which led to me supporting those who created a chemistry and feel of the dance even if technically they weren't the strongest.

lol you may have just hit the nail on the head. It's the same as all the professionals giving Ricky and Natalie a standing ovation and most of DS wondering why.

When you've been taught the dance I guess you look closer at everything, and judge critically. Performance and connection with the audience come second - same as in anything. To amateurs, we prefer dances we can 'get into', we can connect with - someone who feel is on a par with us, someone we can relate to rather than someone who appears out of our league, too good for us (Ricky).

So with strictly Come Dancing you throw in this unreliable factor in the audience. The judge's give a techincal view, and their points make sure that the technical aspect is considered - but then when it comes to the public, well...I guess you could say you've got to expect amateurs to vote in an amateur way.

But it's not fair! *stamps foot* Surely I'm allowed one little tantrum? For me, there is nothing more annoying than seeing greatness not being rewarded. I think that's what it comes down to. I will be slightly embarassed for Ricky next week when he doesn't win and it will be the first time in all 7 years that I truly will not understand what has made the public want to see Chris win. I understood it with Darren and Mark, even though they were not the best dancers. I do not understand it this year

And yes lol. I had a dislike for Chris before he was on SCD. But I assure you, that doesn't come into it when the dancing gets underway. I detest Brendan. A lot. But I absolutely adore watching him dance. Doesn't mean I'd spit on him if he were on fire though lol. I really, really, really didn't like Tom last year but I did think he should win. He had the best marriage of technique, grace and wow factor out of 3 otherwise rather equal contestants. Likeability really comes so far down my list of important factors that I assure you, no matter how much I want to smack Chris Hollins and Sian Lloyd's heads together first thing in the morning, if he had the ability of Ricky I would want him to win.

I think Chris is feeling embarassed about it as well - he kept stating that he wasn't the best dancer tonight, and jokingly referred to Ricky and Ali as Fred and Ginger in the Tess Pit. I doubt he'd be allowed to withdraw even if he wanted to considering the lack of celebrities the show had left after Jade had to withdraw.

As for the public's choice...I didn't get why Zoe was voted off the show, I loved her and Ian together. Sometimes it's unfathomable, but if it's popular I guess it's a grin and bear it moment.


That's kind of the thing that's been the problem this year - no couple has had the marriage of 3. Last year had Tom and Austin IMO which made it interesting (until the quarter finals!), but this year those with technique and grace didn't have the wow factor, and those with the wow factor (I consider that being able to please the audience as well as the judges) haven't had the technique or grace. So it's divided people more than ever - those who like technique go for the likes of Ricky W and Ali, those who like to be able to connect with the dance - the wow factor - go with the likes of Chris and Phil.

I think Jade was closest to uniting the three, and think she was building momentum when she got injured. I believ the series would've had a different resulty if she hadn't had to withdraw.

i totally agree when it was just him and Ali standing there i think he was preparing to leave and to be honest i was preparing for him to leave, I'm so happy he didn't

I thought Ali's AT was bad, compared to what she can do. I thought she was a better dancer than that. :yawn: And if Ali and Ricky were the finalists I wouldn't have bothered watching the finale. It's more entertaining watching paint dry then seeing these two. :yawn:

that smile is saying hes got another week to dance with
ola ,u think all the men in the uk would say they love to be in hes place ola is so stunning would be a star on page 3

I was actually pretty surprised at Chris's grin - it came across (no matter what he was feeling) as unsporting and smug, and as a mostly neutral viewer it makes me more inclined to vote for Ricky in the final. Which is a shame as I'm really liking Ola this series, her personality is really getting a chance to shine through.

Having said that, Chris is getting too close to the Dominic Littlewood perv line and I can't help thinking that James Jordan is looking less impressed with the situation week on week.

If he had looked shocked or cried, we still would have had the same threads coming up, just the title would have been different.

The faked tears of Chris

The faked shocked reaction from Chris etc.

What would be the point of that, do he and Ola dance on breakfast tv? I wouldn't know, I'm never up early enough to watch it, and I'd never heard of him before Strictly.

Dance is not just about the steps. I'm really surprised that someone who claims to be a purist doesn't know that, it's also about feeling, entertainment and performance - the couples aren't moving in a vacuum for themselves, they're supposed to be performing for an audience. Ok, so you and tangerine don't enjoy his performances, that's ok, but why can't you appreciate that there are people who do?

It's back to this 'my opinion is the only one that matters' thing.

Tabithakitten got it in one, excellent post .

I think that Chris's smile, which admittedly does look a bit 'smug', is simply his gameface. He has used that same expression many times, even during the dancing and judging. I personally think that both he and Ola were expecting and steeling themselves against going out of the competition. Chris may read the boards and know how popular he is, but they all know you can't take anything for granted in this. Support for contestants has suddenly disappeared before and may do for him at any time, I'm sure they're all aware of this.

I did wonder how much more Ali could take, she said that she was completely 'broken' in training and the stress was showing in her performance. I'm sure that she will be more upset for Brian than she is for herself, at leaving this week.

I'm fairly happy with the final two, considering Jade & Zoe can't be there. For me it will be the best performer versus the best dancer ... and may the best man win!

Which two would that be? The one that looks like a frightened rabbit and shakes like a leaf, tripping over their feet, and the one that puts backflips and illegal lifts into their dances?

[quote=Wiskas;37249560]Which two would that be? The one that looks like a frightened rabbit and shakes like a leaf, tripping over their feet, and the one that puts backflips and illegal lifts into their dances?[/QUOTE

Can you please explain yourself? I wasn't aware of any illegal lift on last night's show

[quote=easygoingremi;37249587]
I wasn't referring to last night's show.

Pretty much sums it up.
"I like Tom he got married."

:sleep::sleep::sleep::sleep:Never mind eh!

And you must not forget the Team Cola T-Shirts how desperate is that. Nothing like advertising yourself, appears pretty vain to me.