Craig may be a little harsher than others, but he certainly isn't pure acid - there's always something constructive for people to work on. Unlike some reality show judges I could mention *cough*JasonGardiner*cough*.

Controversially, I usually like Bruno's comments the best - when he critiques, he usually makes sense and he often gives the most balanced feedback on performance. As long as you can stand to listen to him long enough, anyway.

I love Craig, his comments are directed to the teaching professional as much, if not more than the celeb and you can see by their faces that they either aknowledge the 'fault' or that they have tried to correct the 'fault'
A high mark from Craig is a true measure of a successful routine. the professionals always look thrilled to recieve 8 or above from Craig

I can't work out how he only gave Gavin a 3! His dance was worthy of a 6 at least like most of the others gave him or above.

I thought his 1 for Ann and Anton in Salsa week was harsh - he gave Kate Garraway a 2 for most of her dances - one for each foot - and she was just as bad as Ann!

I usually don't mind Craig on the show, he tells it as it is for the most part, though I think I've switched around this year and prefer Bruno. He may be panto, but he does leaven his critique with humour and doesn't mind making fun of himself...or Bruce doing it.

However, Craig can be unnecessarily cutting and cruel off the show, and even last night on ITT on Ann, he went too far. And it may be forgotten that although it was Arlene who carried the can for the briefing against Sergeant, Craig was doing an equal amount of it on radio phone ins as well.

People shouldn't be valued by how well or how badly they can darnce. They do have feelings. Craig loves to dish it out but doesn't like to take it IMO.

I am really surprised that so many approve of Craig's harshness. I don't. I do like him as he seems quite charming and fun at times, but I really find him overly harsh.

People approving of Craig's harshness may like to consider what it's like to be on the receiving end of it.

Is 'harsh' the only adjective allowed in forum discussions? Just asking

I teach in a centre for teenagers where at least twice a week I get called a c*nt, or threatened with a stabbing or told they hope I get hit by a bus and die. All this boo ferkin hoo - someone said someone else wasn't very good at something omigod they're so cruel and nasty - is beyond pathetic. If anyone's that sensitive and fragile that they can't stand to hear a bit of criticism and the odd bit of piss-taking then they shouldn't be allowed out of the house without a nanny.
You think Craig's harsh? You should hear the conversations at the bus stop where people talk about the scrawny old one and the fat old slapper.
All Craig does is, quite rightly, point out when someone is crap. If I wanted to hear "Well done for coming out and giving it a try" repeated over and over for 10 weeks I'd just put week1 Len on a loop. Praise means absolutely nothing if you dish it out indiscriminately to everyone for everything

If you read my first post at 10.40 I didn't say he was harsh on the show IMO. But I don't like his snide little asides off the panel, there's no need for it. It's not being critical, it's just being nasty....and nobody is allowed to make the same sort of remarks back to him. He has been comically uptight when pulled up in the past. And there's no need for the sort of language you describe to be made by anybody. Just because it happens doesn't make it right.

Hurrahhhh! Thank you for posting this. A bit of intelligence and reality is so refreshing.

Forgive me for pointing out the obvious to the others on this thread who feel Craig is a Big Bogey Man -

If you go on a TV show to learn to dance, and it is a 'competition' and there are other people competing against you, you should expect some criticism.

If your ego and determination is big enough for you to want to be a 'star' (I use the word advisedly) and 'be famous' and put yourself out there, you do need to big enough to take the flak you'll get.

Feeling angry, insulted or whatever for anyone who actually chooses to go on SCD and then can't handle it is a waste of time and energy, really it is - because

They actively choose to do it
Their agent negotiated the contract
They GET PAID to do it
They often need the exposure, usually because their career is not going anywhere
They are not frail, fragile creatures
It takes a massive ego to think you can get away with being a klutz live on TV
If you can't dance, can't learn and can't deal with criticism, you really need to get over yourself (Mr Magic?)

Plus the show has been on long enough for everyone to know what the judges are like.

When Paul threw his toys out of the pram after being voted off, and made some rather bitchy remarks about Craig in sundry newspapers, Craig happily tweeted all the links. Didn't seem to bother him

I'm quite sure it doesn't! Probably finds it hilarious Craig has a strong and admiring fan base, works continuously as an 'in demand choreographer' and strikes me as a very laid back, confident and funny man.

I don't think a few disgruntled old timers are gong to rain on his fabulous parade

I think he's vile. He adds nothing constructive, I'd rather listen to Alesha than him (and she irritates the crap out of me).

Len's the only decent judge on there.

I'd replace Craig with Karen Hardy, there's someone who can be harsh but constructive.

Re Karen she was capable of being critical in previous series her comments about Penny's salsa spring to mind, however this series her critique is very positive so far...I hope she can be critical of the crap that will no doubt be on our screens this evening *coughAnncough*.

As for Craig he can be blunt at times, Bruno I find can be blunt to the point of rudeness just to get a laugh/reaction. Craig has paddles and he's not afraid to use them. If he thinks your dance was shite, expect a 3 or a 4.

I made this point, time and time again, about bloody "poor little" John Sargeant.

A man who was being paid tens of thousands of pounds to give his career a massive boost, whilst his "thankless job" consisted of holding a gorgeous blonde in his arms for several hours a day.

I like Craig - his comments are a bit tortuous (pot-hole-ish??) but i think generally constructive

The majority of the time I agree with you, and I generally make that point when a certain Dancing On Ice judge is criticised. But there is something, more in Craig's delivery than sometimes what he says, he treats people like they're something he just trod on. If he could get rid of his snobbery and that horribly false accent he'd probably be alright.

Craig judges mostly performance - if the performance is great, but the technique a bit lacking, he will still like the dance.

Len, on the other hand, judges mostly technique - if the technique is really good, but the performance a bit lacking, he will still like the dance.

Hence the differences of their opinion; they are looking for different things - that is what they are there for. I like them both.

Well, of course he's a performer. They're all performers, and they all have their particular cariacatures to fit into.

But the content of Craig's remarks, combined with the honestly of his scoring, lifts him up above the others - although hopefully not in a Widdecombe Way.

I don't find much content in his remarks, Len and previously Arlene were better at technical specifics. Craig just comes over as arsey.

My major problem with Craig is his scoring, he's very inconsistent. The best way to highlight it is to look at his scoring of Alesha, he gave her jive, foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, tango, samba, viennese waltz, paso, quickstep and argentine tango the same mark. As he is less generous and meagre with 10's people take that as more accurate, I think it makes him less accurate.

That's what I call sensible. Comparing someone's harsh/unnecessary/undesirable/cheap and nasty digswith lowlife/gutter talk, (whatever instead of 'harsh' )as if that somehow makes them acceptable is extremely poor logic. Daahling.

He does make valid points, I agree, but can be a little too sour for my palate. We all have a right to an opinion, I hope, or is this an appreciation thread?

I did say I liked Craig.

He is the best judge by far imo, so no, I'm certainly not fed up of his acid tongue We all know he's lovely when he's not on the show and it's all for entertainment, but what's wrong with that?

No, I'm not sick of Craig. Apart from Alesha last year, he is the only judge that is actually honest in his remarks. Okay, he plays up the nastiness sometimes for effect but he doesn't just do Len's "you came out ..." or Bruno's "HEEEEY!! AM AN ITALIAN, I GO CRAAAAAZY!!".