Accepting Matt & Alionas dance could have had more AT and fewer lifts they have consistently pushed the limits whilst Natalie plays to the limits of her celebs ability.

Len favours the safe dance only Craig appreciates the risk takers.

Which is right?

They haven't pushed any limits - the choreography is usually all over the place! I also think that Matt is overrated as a dancer. There wasn't much AT in the routine, but he didn't even cope with that very well. The ganchos were pretty terrible.

I wouldnt agree with this......Natalie DOES push her celebrity to dance properly and to get better and better, she coreographs dances that have light and shade, Aliona is all flash in the pan and gimmick which actually Matt doesnt need as he is a good dancer (not suprising seeing his background really). Len likes the dances that actually have the most dancing in them is that suprising.

Craig scored Scott (Natalie) higher than Matt (Aliona) this week so he appreciated Natalie better this week too

I remember Natalie getting a lot of criticism in week 1 for choreographing an untraditional "sexy" waltz. I don't think saying that she "always plays it safe" is really fair. Her American Smooth for Ricky for instance, was quite frankly bizarre.

If I think of some of the epic dances in strictly history - Jill and Darren's jive, Mark and Karen's salsa etc they have been 'safe' but performed brilliantly.

I like Natalie's dancing/teaching/routines as she seems to have the knack of teaching her celeb partners a reasonable amount of basic technique, which will always make them better dancers. But I think her routines are imaginative as well.

But "Horses for Courses" - other people might prefer more pizz-azz and excitement.

I'm a big fan of Natalie too. She choreographs to showcase her partner's strengths.

I think Aliona should recognise that "less is more". I'm not advocating dull routines which are relentlessly tradiitonal and unadventurous, but she really doesn't have to try and cram so much into one routine when she has such a good partner. It distracts from Matt.

Edit: Just to clarify (as an afterthought). I'm not saying that traditional is necessarily dull. it can be beautiful and mesmerising.
Last edited by Vivacious Lady : 31-10-2010 at 14:19

depends what the boundaries are

risque choreography which isnt traditional? or complex steps?

different things stay in the mind

for example, my favourite two tangos are

Camilla and James, very untraditional choreography, but brilliant

Ian and Zoe very traditional and dramatic

Mrs F. Just clarified my previous post. You are quite right that tradtional can still be dramatic. And that risks can be taken either with style of choreography or technical complexity.

I suppose the debate is...if 50% of your ranking is by the general public what will they vote for?

and we all have a million opinions on that

All I know is, Scott and Natalie just lose my attention.

Matt and Aliona is fun and entertaining, keeps me gripped.

Also this was the week they were guaranteed safe . Annoyed the knicker flashing seems to be back. Totally unnecessary Nat. You are obviously a good teacher and clearly know how to keep the judges on side.