I haven't posted before on the forum, but had to post to say how much I'm loving this series. I can't quite put my finger on why. Yes the whole set is more slick, polished and glittery, but the show itself feels different - stronger and successful, if that makes sense. I wasn't sure about the line up, but the couples are surprising and entertaining. Bruce and Tess seem more relaxed and funny and somehow it's really working again.

I absolutely agree with you, I don't know if the changes are more DWTS but I do love the American version so this may be why I prefer the new format. I also like all the contestants this year and there have been some great dances already,
keep it up strictly loving your work

I've actually heard of most of the contestants before this year, whereas last year I hardly knew who any of them were.

I think getting the right mix of celebs is soooooo important for Strictly. Its the key to a successful series IMO.

In prev series some of the celebs haven't been as high profile as those on this one, but I dont think thats the problem... its all about CHEMISTRY!

The show was beginning to feel a bit jaded.

It took a revamp to make me realise it though.

There's a great deal of talent this year as well which was missing last series. And some great match-ups personality-wise.

At this stage last year we already knew there was a SERIOUS lack of talent as celeb after celeb came out in those first 2 weeks and basically sucked. Those that did have talent seemed to be lacking in the personality department and the series faltered before it really got going.

This year there have been a few suprises and we have more than a handful with serious potential and everything to play for.

Yes! That's it I think, it definitely feels more like DWTS. Even Brucie seems more on the ball!

Strangely he does doesn't he

Great post, I completely agree with you, SCD is fantastic entertainment this year.

It helps that they have managed to get some decent names in this year. Obviously not the A Listers silly people seemed to want, but pretty much as good as a reality show can realistically expect.

It doesnt hurt that there are quite a few good dancers in the group too, something that last year seriously lacked.

Definitely more DWTS. Not that I watch DWTS except some clips from youtube. But the props, silly costumes etc..

That said, it was definitely better than last year's opening shows.

SO glad Strictly is back on track. I hope they keep up the good work (and please, no more silly costumes, I mean did you see Jared? He looked ridiculous!).

Sorry, Bruce is as cringe-making as ever (he fluffed his lines a couple of times on Saturday night) but I'm warming to Tess - she seems so much warmer and more authentic in her new eyrie. I'm also starting to like the new set but I do fear that the choreography might be veering too far in the direction of DWTS, Lots of faffing about and not a lot of time in hold for ballroom, at any rate.

I don't appreciate that they seem to have shipped in a bunch of whooping Yanks to add insincerity to the studio audience

I'd have preferred a professional dance routine to the ex-boy-band duo.

parthena

Yeah, I think it will really bug me if they have a standing ovation after every dance hopefully it's just a first dance one off.

Yup, I recall seeing the Americans doing that after EVERY dances like they've witnessed the best dancing in the world. Very OTT.

Oh thanks god someone has mentioned the standing ovations.

I hope they were just an expression of encouragement for week one and aren't obligatory after every single dance.

I only want to see the audience stand up to applaud something truly special from now on.

I don't understand all these comments about last year's show being poor. I thought it was just as good as the shows before with more top class names then this year.

My only complaints about this series so far is they have the singers lit throughout the dance which I find distracting and some of the horrible costumes, and from what I've seen of the 3 new pro's give me Matt, Darren and Ian any day.

I know there are many on here who dislike DWTS but Ive seen it over there and it certainly has a sparkle, energy and fizz that the UK version often does not. I remember the last time I saw it that the UK version seemed a bit low rent in comparison..

From what Ive seen so far the 3 newbies clearly dont make up for the loss of Matt, Ian and darren (plus Brian of course). Jared in particular... I sense just the 1 series for him...

Mind you- its very early days so we need to give them more time...

Totally agree.

I said in the live thread that I think we've had more SOs in these two days than we did for the whole of the last series.

There were some special week one performances but tbh I wouldn't have got off my seat for any of them. SO's are for the truly OMG moments when we can see that dancer has used all that they have learnt and put it into the kind of peformance where you can't tell who is the celeb and who is the pro. Shout me down if you want but, Ricky's AT last series was definitely one of those moments, we all knew he was going to be good but, even his most persistent detractors couldn't believe how good that dance was.

I read in one of the threads that the audience were told to stand up which is a bit silly & manufactured IMO. It just cheapens the whole thing. The great thing about the ovation after Ricky's AT was his reaction - you could tell that he & Natalie were genuinely moved by it so it was really lovely. If there is going to be ovations after every dance you aren't going to get those moments.

well if you ever get the change to go to the USA they whoop it and have standing ovations to open an envelope and then sing the Star Spangled Banner to everything and anything

They have got better celebs this year and have good match-ups with the pros.

My jury is still out on Robin and Jared, but Artem seems to be good at his job with the celeb.

Bruce seems about the same. The music is something I haven't been impressed with yet, and although they got two big name entertainers in, if it had been anyone else the song would have been panned.

The celeb partnerships are a strong point this year, which is why the show looks good so far.

I agree, so far I'm really liking the show.

Great partnerships, good show lengths, good song choices, I just hope it can last....

Someone on another thread was there and the audience were told to stand up at the end of everydance to relax the dancers and make them feel good .
( I am just the messenger here ., )