I don't like ANY gimmicks in ANY of the dances!

I have, as yet, got to be convinced by the ability of these new so-called pros i.e. Jarred, Artem and Robin. Some of the best pros are no longer there and they knew what was needed assuming, of course if they were allowed to do exactly what they wanted to do, choreographically.
And I still think that the dance band do the dances no favours, at all.

Agree with the sentiments of this thread- all the gimmicks and breaking out of hold really leave me dissatisfied.

What is most telling is that it is, for the most part, the newer pros that are adopting it.

Anton probably chould be using the 'smoke & mirrors' technique the most, but instead gets right on with it more or less.

While Aliona, who has one of the most talented dancers in the comp, does it anyway when it is not necessary.

And to add to that sentiment with "Any of that inappropriate music either"

I don't like the gimmicks in both the ballroom and the latin. Although last week I thought Kara and Artem's use of a table and scarf was ok. It didn't detract from the main dance, was short lasting and understated but some of the others have just left me yelling!
I'm not liking the breaking hold either. I wish they would go back to doing more conventional routines in International ballroom style, rather than American style.

I find the inappropriate music frustrating. I dance ballroom and latin and I can't always hear the appropriate beat in the music used on SCD so goodness knows how the celebrities learn. Although maybe that is the problem - they aren't learning the rhythm - they learn by associating bits of their dance to words/tunes in the music. Only the music for Ann/Anton and Peter/Erin was traditional quickstep...and even Craig had to admit that Ann improved. Maybe the approprate music helped.

I agree about the "wrong" music too

parthena

In answer to the original question, yes there are far too many gimmicks in the ballroom dances, they're basically going to end up being American Smooth's every week. Unlike Len I've never really minded a little bit of faffing about at the beginning but Kara was barely in hold for the entire dance and it was similar for Matt in the foxtrot the week before.

I do quite like the use of modern music though, although some songs clearly aren't right when they do hit on the right combination it can be really magical.

....and when we finally get an actual American Smooth, it won't feel any different because we'll have seen it all already

Like Craig says we are stuck in the past.

Or, to look at it another way, if it ain't broke don't fix it?