I used to watch this when it first came on but last 2 series I've not bothered. I feel its run its course and has had its day. I think they have killed it by going over the top with it all, I mean end of the day it's just dancing and it is quite dull, but the bbc make such a song and dance about it and even having a show where Claudia Winkleman talks about a dance, I just don't get it, whats to talk about , it a pointless dance. The shows feels incredibly dated and I think it's probably time it went and we had something fresh.

Anyone agree?

Erm no dont agree, just dont watch it, nine million others do so you could be slightly in the minority

Why not join the thread This is Definitely Not an Appreciation thread in stead of trying to start a new one?

Nope! last year I'd have agreed with you, but its been invigorated this year. By contrast the X-Factor is looking really tired so far...

This series is already much better than the last.

If you don't watch don't come into the forum criticising. Find something better to do with your Sundays

Agreed. This is the first year I've actually stopped watching the X Factor! Strictly is a lot of fun this year (although I did like last year, but only for Chris & Ola).

Responses to the OP have been a little sharp. We get this every year.... its just that this year its not so justified.

Im sure there'll be some on here that agree with the OP..

The problem is that it's all about "ratings."

The BBC keep trying new ways of "selling" this show in a pathetic attempt to match the ratings of the X-Factor. The fact that for the most part, it appeals to a different sort of audience escapes them. Every year there are more changes and additional "hype."

The big problem for the BBC is the standard of dance is now so high, they have difficulty in attracting "big names" who are willing to put in a huge amount of time and effort for three months to attain the necessary standard.
It's reached the stage where the pro dancers are more well known than most of the contestants and that won't do. So this year, no Lilia. Expect others to be given the chop next series.
I too think it's had it's day, I find all the "theatricals" by the judges intensely irritating. I recorded both shows and just watched the individual dances, some that weren't that interesting, for just a few seconds.

I think it's high time the BBC found a new family entertainment show for Saturday nights.

NO! :yawn:

I wasn't looking forward to Strictly this year because I hated last years so much, but it really feels much better and as someone else said, its like it has been reinvigorated.

If the first two episodes are anything to go by I think it will be a cracking series.

I think next year (there'll be no X factor then) they should focus on sorting the judging/presenting as well as the (mandatory) shifting out of a couple of dancers...

Due to lose a lady next year!

In a forum designed for fans of the show where many seem to think this is already shaping up to be the best series for a couple of years, where people obvious appreciate the BBC 'making a song and dance' about their biggest entertainment show?

Yeah, probably will struggle to find enough people who agree with you to beat the number of points Ann will get for the salsa.

I don't know if it's had it's day, but I just don't have the passion for it this year. Something just feels a bit...lacking for me, and I can't quite put my finger on what/why it is. It's not the contestants, as it's probably the best group Strictly's ever had.

I'll stick with it though. It's probably the fact that I've never really been excited by the first few weeks.

Don't agree at all. A few quibbles. Not keen of some of the contestants, not really "happening" people in the public mind Don't like the sacking of some of the most popular professionals and disappointed by the continuing presence of Alesha.

However, there are some good dancers, the show got off to a cracking start and loads of people are commenting on it on the Digital Spy forum so I think this series will be a hot one, better than last year !

Nine million people do not represent a majority share of the total population. Mathematically speaking the nine million watching the show are in a minority as opposed to the
fifty two and a half million not watching in the UK.

Just saying...

Hi I certainly know it has a huge fanbase and am probably very much in the minority, sorry muddypaws I didn't realize about another thread This is Definitely Not an Appreciation thread. I haven't come here to stir up people by slagging of the show, My main reason is coming on here to basically see what attracts people to the show really, I feel its maybe peaked and we need new programs made that are fresh. I have tried to like it these last couple of series but I struggle to view it and keep interested in it, sometimes it just seems to be too much hype, I would probably like it if it was just what it was like when it was on years ago and they stopped trying to market it as the greatest entertainment show on earth and spin off shows just talking about a dance, it seems too over the top, people are just dancing, it doesn't worthy a show to simply talk about it. Anyway I'm just here to try and understand from a fans point of view, it's appeal to them.

Is it the celebs you watch it for or would you watch it if it was members of the public doing it?

Do you watch the spin off show with Claudia?

Do you think the whole thing is dragged out too long and would be better in say 6 weeks ?

Do you watch the American version and other versions from around the world?

In fairness to the OP, why not? Where does it say that the forum is for appreciation only? If they don't like it they're perfectly within their right to voice their opinion. That's the whole point of a forum, isn't it? For people to share their point of view and open up a discussion about it? Not 'don't come and post on here unless you think exactly the same as I do otherwise I'll tell you to sling your hook'.

Christ, I had forgotten how 'precious' this forum gets at times

There are many shows that I do not like that have forums on here. Does that mean I should go onto each one and say so?

I watch the show for the professional dancers, and as long as they were still on it, I would still watch. The celebrity element adds some comedy, which I think is good, and Strictly wouldn't be Strictly without the j-word

Yes, I do watch ITT. Claudia is better than Tess or Bruce in my opinion, looking forward to her presenting the results show. I enjoy the interviews and the backstage reports, and also choreography corner and the other bits the pros do, like the dance machine challenge!

I think last year was drawn out, it was too long and there were too many couples. This year the length is about right, and I enjoyed the launch show format and all the training videos, plus with the majority of the pros and celebs on Twitter it adds more fun for those of us who use that as well, and shows their sense of humour

I don't watch any of the international versions - DWTS is on a channel I can't get. I have seen some of the DWTS pro dances on Youtube though, and our pros are in a different class entirely.

Thanks for saying that and I do agree, there isn't much point in a forum to all agree or you can't post, be a really rubbish forum, debates are good to discuss and get to the core of why someone has a certain view and someone else thinks differently, neither are right, neither are wrong, it's just healthy debate.

I certainly don't want to offend anyone.

If you wanted to, why not? Not up to anyone else to tell you not to, if that happened to be your preferred way to spend your time.

I would definitely not watch if it was members of the public. For me that would just make it yet another talent show full of utter desperados. Most of the celebs seem to take it with the right amount of seriousness and I like seeing old favourites from yesteryear like Felicity Kendal and Paul Daniels who aren't going to be weeping and wailing about it meaning their whole life to win.


Yes, I love Claudia, she's a great presenter and it's nice to see the pairs coming on together and talking about how their training is going. Also, watching Len's masterclass with Claudia never fails to have me howling with laughter.


No, it's the highlight of the autumn schedule for me and I love Saturday nights when Strictly's on. Plus I don't think a shorter version would allow people like Darren Gough and Matt Dawson the time they needed to develop their potential.


I've caught a few episodes of the American version on the odd Saturday morning here and there. It's not really my cup of tea, the audience howl too much and the routines focus more on the spectacle than the steps.

Phew, I'm exhausted now.

OP I would say the last two series were not of the same quality as previous series, but going by the shows on Friday and Saturday night I'd say Strictly is back on top form. I can't wait for ITT tomorrow!

PS I have no problem at all with you starting this thread!

There were a million applications for tickets so I reckon there are plenty of fans still about.

I've watched Matt at least a dozen times I'm certainly not bored of it.

I think the OP actually makes some valid points, although I'd probably watch any show with Claudia on because she just cracks me up.

For me the most 'tired' aspect are once again the judges and the two presenters.

And hopefully we can stay well clear of too many overused cliches.

no i dont think its had its day. Brings a sparkle and smile to the end of a dull week.