I was wondering if the rules for Ballroom had changed this year? Len has always said that the British rules for ballroom don't allow the couple to be out of hold, except for the beginning and end. Yet Natalie and Scott clearly came out of hold halfway through their routine. Have we moved to the American rules?
Have the ballroom rules changed?
1 of 2
I don't know but I noticed the same thing. They only broke hold briefly but I expected Len at least to comment on it if they weren't allowed.
They were always allowed to do a little out of hold I thought, but nothing significant except the American Smooth.
I thought the far more significant difference is that lifts and props are now allowed. Matt and Aliona and Kara and Artem both clearly did lifts in their cha chas, but the judges didn't say anything. Luckily they weren't flashy lifts and they actually worked well, but we no longer have only 2 dances where lifts are allowed.
I thought the far more significant difference is that lifts and props are now allowed. Matt and Aliona and Kara and Artem both clearly did lifts in their cha chas, but the judges didn't say anything. Luckily they weren't flashy lifts and they actually worked well, but we no longer have only 2 dances where lifts are allowed.
Were they definitely lifts? I haven't re-watched either dance but when they happened I was trying to work out if they were definitely lifts or if they were in that slightly grey area, when the female dancer still has her toes on the floor so it's technically a "supported" something or other. I seem to remember a whole segment on ITT last year discussing the difference.
Originally Posted by franglemand:
“Were they definitely lifts? I haven't re-watched either dance but when they happened I was trying to work out if they were definitely lifts or if they were in that slightly grey area, when the female dancer still has her toes on the floor so it's technically a "supported" something or other. I seem to remember a whole segment on ITT last year discussing the difference.”
“Were they definitely lifts? I haven't re-watched either dance but when they happened I was trying to work out if they were definitely lifts or if they were in that slightly grey area, when the female dancer still has her toes on the floor so it's technically a "supported" something or other. I seem to remember a whole segment on ITT last year discussing the difference.”
Both Aliona and Kara's feet left the floor as far as I saw! I think there was a comment in the press a while back that said lifts would be allowed...
Err..
It's a "show" trying to compete with the X-factor on ratings, not a ballroom dance competition. The ones who best observe "the rules" don't win, it's the most popular dancers who win. It helps if they haven't two left feet.
Taking it seriously will only lead to frustration.
It's a "show" trying to compete with the X-factor on ratings, not a ballroom dance competition. The ones who best observe "the rules" don't win, it's the most popular dancers who win. It helps if they haven't two left feet.
Taking it seriously will only lead to frustration.
There was an interview with Craig recently where he said they were allowing more 'contemporary' work this year including allowing lifts in all dances.
Interesting that they didn't mention that though in the live show :P
Now if only I could find the link...
Interesting that they didn't mention that though in the live show :P
Now if only I could find the link...
Originally Posted by franglemand:
“I don't know but I noticed the same thing. They only broke hold briefly but I expected Len at least to comment on it if they weren't allowed.”
“I don't know but I noticed the same thing. They only broke hold briefly but I expected Len at least to comment on it if they weren't allowed.”
I thought the same too. There's been a distinct change of tone overall so far, and it really does seem to be tipping more than a nod in the direction of DWTS, with 'themed' costumes and looser rules. Tina and Jared's dance was pure DWTS.
I wonder if this is something the production team have specifically requested this year? It would seem unlikely that several of the pros simultaneously decided that naff props were the way to go.
Originally Posted by fern3:
“Karen confired it last night. The rules have changed and they can break hold.”
“Karen confired it last night. The rules have changed and they can break hold.”
Yes, she said that on ITT. WHy on earth isn't she a judge?
She would add so much to the show!
Originally Posted by franglemand:
“I don't know but I noticed the same thing. They only broke hold briefly but I expected Len at least to comment on it if they weren't allowed.”
“I don't know but I noticed the same thing. They only broke hold briefly but I expected Len at least to comment on it if they weren't allowed.”
Len's given up on commenting on the dancing, in favour of recycling inane Cock-er-ney soundbites. So I'm not surprised he didn't say anything.
I don't mind the ballroom rule change, but I can live without any gimmicks & props thanks - that's too American/showbizzy and false.
We had a raunchy Waltz and two of the pros sliding between their partners legs for the finish.
I was looking forward to the Cha Cha Cha, but some were almost unrecognisable as such. Jared's and Kristina's for example.
These changes are going to mean that the character of the show will be lost. No longer will each dance have an identity - just substitute a Disco dance for any dance you like - break out of hold and do a few cartwheels.
We have had that problem for a while - how to do something new with each dance. It's increasingly more difficult as the years go on, but I would prefer that they had kept the character of the show.
I was looking forward to the Cha Cha Cha, but some were almost unrecognisable as such. Jared's and Kristina's for example.
These changes are going to mean that the character of the show will be lost. No longer will each dance have an identity - just substitute a Disco dance for any dance you like - break out of hold and do a few cartwheels.
We have had that problem for a while - how to do something new with each dance. It's increasingly more difficult as the years go on, but I would prefer that they had kept the character of the show.
Originally Posted by fern3:
“Karen confired it last night. The rules have changed and they can break hold.”
“Karen confired it last night. The rules have changed and they can break hold.”
I must've missed her saying that, i heard her say about the props though. I've also missed whatever was said about lifts being allowed aswell. I'm not sure i agree with all these changes i have to say.
Originally Posted by dancingbearbear:
“I thought the same too. There's been a distinct change of tone overall so far, and it really does seem to be tipping more than a nod in the direction of DWTS, with 'themed' costumes and looser rules. Tina and Jared's dance was pure DWTS.
I wonder if this is something the production team have specifically requested this year? It would seem unlikely that several of the pros simultaneously decided that naff props were the way to go.”
“I thought the same too. There's been a distinct change of tone overall so far, and it really does seem to be tipping more than a nod in the direction of DWTS, with 'themed' costumes and looser rules. Tina and Jared's dance was pure DWTS.
I wonder if this is something the production team have specifically requested this year? It would seem unlikely that several of the pros simultaneously decided that naff props were the way to go.”
As soon as I saw Jared with the sparkly book I said the exact same thing. I don't like the use of props and all that naffing about on the stairs.
[quote=fatskia;44606183]We had a raunchy Waltz and two of the pros sliding between their partners legs for the finish.
I was looking forward to the Cha Cha Cha, but some were almost unrecognisable as such. Jared's and Kristina's for example.
These changes are going to mean that the character of the show will be lost. No longer will each dance have an identity - just substitute a Disco dance for any dance you like - break out of hold and do a few cartwheels.
We have had that problem for a while - how to do something new with each dance. It's increasingly more difficult as the years go on, but I would prefer that they had kept the character of the show.[/QUOTE
I agree, the character of the show has been lost if the first two episodes were anything to go by. Most of the latin dances didn't even resemble a Cha Cha Cha, Jared and Tina's dance was very poor, not because of Tina but because the choreography was rubbish. Len commented that Tina could have been given more to do, sounds like Len himself is going to have less to do, just comment on the props and the groping.
I was looking forward to the Cha Cha Cha, but some were almost unrecognisable as such. Jared's and Kristina's for example.
These changes are going to mean that the character of the show will be lost. No longer will each dance have an identity - just substitute a Disco dance for any dance you like - break out of hold and do a few cartwheels.
We have had that problem for a while - how to do something new with each dance. It's increasingly more difficult as the years go on, but I would prefer that they had kept the character of the show.[/QUOTE
I agree, the character of the show has been lost if the first two episodes were anything to go by. Most of the latin dances didn't even resemble a Cha Cha Cha, Jared and Tina's dance was very poor, not because of Tina but because the choreography was rubbish. Len commented that Tina could have been given more to do, sounds like Len himself is going to have less to do, just comment on the props and the groping.
TBH I don't mind the changes. The props are only for a few moments before they start dancing properly and as long as the time out of hold isn't too much, I think it adds to the dance. So long as the greater part of the performance is dancing the set dance, that's fine by me. Len will soon speak up if he thinks there is too much .
I think the changes will be liked by the general public too and it will only be a minority of the 9 million (a lot of whom will be on here), who don't.
I think the changes will be liked by the general public too and it will only be a minority of the 9 million (a lot of whom will be on here), who don't.
Originally Posted by BuddyBontheNet:
“TBH I don't mind the changes. The props are only for a few moments before they start dancing properly and as long as the time out of hold isn't too much, I think it adds to the dance.”
“TBH I don't mind the changes. The props are only for a few moments before they start dancing properly and as long as the time out of hold isn't too much, I think it adds to the dance.”
Can I at this stage mention the motorbike coming on stage (DWTS I think it was). Something like that is likely to leave more of an impression in the minds of the public than elements of the dance. Will it be out of the question that someone uses such on overblown prop to try to compensate for a bad dancer or lacklustre routine?
Props for the showdance - fine, but not for the competitive dances.
Originally Posted by mossy2103:
“Can I at this stage mention the motorbike coming on stage (DWTS I think it was). Something like that is likely to leave more of an impression in the minds of the public than elements of the dance. Will it be out of the question that someone uses such on overblown prop to try to compensate for a bad dancer or lacklustre routine?
Props for the showdance - fine, but not for the competitive dances.”
“Can I at this stage mention the motorbike coming on stage (DWTS I think it was). Something like that is likely to leave more of an impression in the minds of the public than elements of the dance. Will it be out of the question that someone uses such on overblown prop to try to compensate for a bad dancer or lacklustre routine?
Props for the showdance - fine, but not for the competitive dances.”
I agree about the motobike on DWTS. All we can hope for on Strictly is that no one resorts to that kind of extreme. I'd like to see the better dancers use less props or none at all and then it will be clearer that excessive use of props is a sign of a weak dancer.
At least all the props were restricted to the stage area.
Originally Posted by mossy2103:
“Will it be out of the question that someone uses such on overblown prop to try to compensate for a bad dancer or lacklustre routine?”
“Will it be out of the question that someone uses such on overblown prop to try to compensate for a bad dancer or lacklustre routine?”
I suspect not, although as you suggest, props are usually a way to cover poor dancing.
So I'm not sure why Matt & Aliona used props. If any couple don't need them, it's those two.
Originally Posted by Mystical123:
“Both Aliona and Kara's feet left the floor as far as I saw! I think there was a comment in the press a while back that said lifts would be allowed...”
“Both Aliona and Kara's feet left the floor as far as I saw! I think there was a comment in the press a while back that said lifts would be allowed...”
I've seen the move Kara and Artem did loads in proper latin comps, so I definitely don't think it's classed as a lift.
I don't like the rules changing and hoping that the content doesn't plummit in ballroom, but as long as we have great dances I won't moan...yet!
1 of 2
