Every time DWTS comes back on, i say to myself: "I will watch it this year" and I don't know what happens, but I never do!

However, I have decided that come what may, this year I WILL watch it, so...can anybody give me any tips on how the programme works?

For instance, how many times a week do they show the programme and how long after it is shown in the US do we get to see it in the UK (the thing I hate most is finding out who has left before I get to see the actual programme).

What dances do they do on the show (I am assuming they will do some different ones to those on SCD which isn't necessarily a bad thing) and who are the best (and most popular) dancers on the show? Apart from Derek Hough, I can't say I have heard or know of any of the other dancers.

Any other info you think I might find useful would be appreciated.

It starts in the US on September 20th and will be on Watch in the UK on Friday September 24th. It usually runs over a Monday and Tuesday night in the US but both programmes are edited slightly and shown on the following Friday in the UK.

The judges are Len, Bruno and Carrie Ann Inaba and the dances are pretty much the same, except with an American slant. They also do a few swing type numbers.

They don't normally have a dance off so the results are down to a public vote only. You can vote from the UK if you want if you register with abc.com. You only have to give a US zip code - most people use 90210 lol.

My personal favourite pro is Maks but there are several others who are good. Mark Ballas, (his father is in it this year as well - Corky Ballas), Tony Dovolani. You'll have to have a look on the www.abc.com website and that will give details of the pros and celebs taking part. Some interesting celebs this year!

Watch Len particularly get more and more bad tempered as the season progresses as he and Bruno will be judging Strictly as well which means catching a plane on Sunday morning to Los Angeles and then returning during the week ready for Strictly on Saturday.

Make sure you watch it Lazydaisy I really enjoy it. yes its a bit different from Strictly but not as much as people make out. They dont seem to take it all so seriously as Strictly and I enjoy it because I dont generally know the celebs so do get to invested. My fav dancer is Derek Hough and Cheryl Burke but I also like Tony Dovolani and Mark Ballas. So make sure you watch and enjoy.

On Strictly the judges do expect to see some attempt at mastering some of the technique - especally among the better dancers; they might, for example, criticise a couple who lack body contact in the ballroom dances.

On DWTS a lot of the focus is on pizz-azz and vitality; entertainment Hollywood style, but while technique is sometimes lacking, they do produce some amazing routines.

I think the best way to enjoy both shows is not try and make comparisons. They are the same but different. Think of a pair of semi-detached houses. Fundamentally they're the same, but the owners have stamped their own individuality to make them different.

I agree with what has already been said - try not to compare it to Strictly and just enjoy the show!

My favourite female pros are Chelsie Hightower and Kim Johnson and males are Derek Hough and Louis Van Amstel.

yeah and another thing they do is every ballroom dance they do is an american smooth so there is alot of out of hold dancing, which i think is quite good and looking at the americans dance makes me wish that when we do the american smooth in the uk the pro's dont just tend to go for the traditional foxtrot. i would love to see some waltz, viennese waltz and maybe even a tango american smooth because i swear i heard len say it could be any ballroom dance that they wish last year.

The American style of smooth is different and can look all wrong compared to international style. As long the pros don't take too much liberty with it I like it for DWTS because that is the style they use. However, I don't believe there is an American smooth style tango and if a couple breaks hold in the Tango or QS they will be chastised and recieve lower scores. I think of the tangos that Karina/Mario Mario and Maks/Laila did. And Mark got yelled at when he choreographed a QS that broke hold (danced with Shawn) and the one that Derek did with Nicole. But foxtrot, VW and are allowed up to 40% out of hold. No wonder it looks strange.

I am always surprised when people post on the other boards who watch DWTS and exasperated by the the dances being out of hold as if they are incorrectly danced. They are not. They would only be incorrect if danced on SCD. I do remember a slow waltz that Derek H. choreographed with Jennie Garth and he was criticized by Len for not doing international style.

Len did say that after Vincent & Rachel did an AS that was a mixture of two Ballroom dances, but I can't remember which now.

Rachels first AS was a quickstep version , her second was a so called foxtrot but to me It just looked like walking around

You most certainly need to know how to get the correct temp on your Cava, we chill in the freezer at least two hours beforehand and prepare a few tasty titbits as well


M&S Medium dry is nice but Sainsburies M.Dry or Tesco's Demi-Sec will do at a pinch, a light fizz adds to the sparkle of the show.



Raven

Try what you can to avoid the results as we get it aired after the US. The Daily Mail have today reported who was booted out!

I much prefer to Strictly, the quality of the dancing, the band, the presenters (well before they got that new woman on last year) and the entertainment pieces (ie results show entertainers) are far superior.

I'm not watching Strictly this year, I'm sticking with DWTS.

I saw that on the DM website.

Which just proves once again the ignorance of the scd pros!!!!

There is NO such thing as American Smooth quickstep.

American Smooth can be waltz. Viennese waltz, foxtrot or tango - that's it!

(I agree about Rachel's so-called foxtrot - it was awful.)

I saw the headlines as well saying about who got booted off and am trying really hard not to read them and have it ruined. If I find out beforehand who goes, I know it will put me off watching.

Thanks for all your replies....been a big help...really looking forward to seeing it tomorrow night now

Thanks for that info Kaycee. I did not know about the tango! Why do you think all 3 judges rip the dwts pros when they break hold in the tango? Perhaps the standard on dwts is they must do international style with that dance?

I suppose it does depend on which tango they're meant to be dancing :
international style (no breaks);
Argentine (they should be in contact at all times, although not traditional ballroom hold);
A.Smooth (breaks allowed).

I'm not 100% sure, but I thought they used the Argentine in the last series?

Yes, they have been using the AT instead of the international tango. These are 2 examples of the judges going nuts for breaking the hold in international tango.

Maks and Laila

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwFwYUQQo08

Karina and Mario Lopez

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZbr1fU2pfs

Thanks Kaycee! It is great to have someone who knows about the differences between the two standards.

I don't like it as much as Strictly but....

Derek Hough

Phwoarrrrrrrr.

My pleasure, Buddy .... how are you?

I second that. It also helps so much that Kaycee appreciates both programmes and can explain the differences in technique and choreo. I really do think if has never seen DWTS it is going to look all wrong but there have been some wonderful routines and journeys that have come out of that show if you accept it is done with a different style.

Life would be so boring if everything was the same everywhere - Viva la difference!! I say!

I do have one real big MOAN though - and that is that American Smooth is only danced in America .... I really really wish it was taken seriously (competitions etc) in UK as well, as I think some of the dances are beautiful, and so much fun to dance.

I love DWTS and don't understand why some people are so down on it. Tom Bergeron (sp)is a great host. He's funny and charming and keeps the show moving. Compare and contrast with good old Brucie and the indulgently long links and cruddy jokes, yawn still there's always that one quip a year that's funny. It makes a big difference to the show would be interested to know what you think.

I also can't stand the way Bruce speaks to Craig but that's for another thread.

Erm, it's actually on tonight (23rd) at 9pm - Sky+ is set on series link!

You're right, at the time I posted that I don't think the listings for the programme were out yet! Sorry.