Actually I've been an avid watcher since season 1 but this season I record it fast forward through all the rubbish and don't bother watching the results show at all

Thanks dome. Very interesting article full of interesting facts.

Looking back through this thread, as the OP, I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of support from many posters and frankly bemused by the opinions of others, some of whom seem to have been watching a different show from me. It has also confirmed me in my belief that DS Strictly posters are intelligent, articulate and literate, unlike many of the dumbos who post on the web.

So thanks to all - you have made me feel less alone.

Anne has made me want to stop watching - fair enough it was a laugh to start with but now it's not even remotely funny and the fact that she is so smug makes me want to turn off.

To see her standing there smiling when Patsy got booted off made my blood boil.

Also the way they are doing it with the result show on a Sunday just does not work in any way - it should all be on one night.

I doubt I will continue to watch.

Same here. I used to love the show, in fact I was a bit obsessed. Have watched from series 1, loved ITT each tea time, looked forward to every Saturday night with excitement.

This year I am past caring. I don't bother with the results show at all as it is pants. If I don't catch ITT I don't care. And I find myself wandering off during the show on a Saturday, doing something else when it is on and only half watching.

I know people keep saying that ratings are up so all is good but you have to think about who these extra viewers are. I doubt if the majority care about the dance, they just want some mindless Saturday night entertainment and the likes of Ann is what they enjoy. Fair enough. But what will happen when some other entertainment comes along? They will be off.

The BBC needs to remember the core viewers who have made SCD what it is today.

Some of the girls dance completely bra-less on Argentina's version, there was a video on Robert's Web on Channel 4 of one couple mimicking doggy and the bloke rubbing his face between her (naked) tits. A lot of the dancers on it are porn stars and poll dancers.

The thing that I really miss is the sense of clarity between each different dance. The music and costumes often seem incongruous, the choreography is either showdancey or full of filler material, the lighting is harsh and detracting and the camerawork never stays on one shot for more than a couple of seconds. All the routines seem too similar and you feel like you've just watched two people spin rather hectically round the dancefloor without garnering any insight into whether or not they've really mastered a discipline. I also dislike the celebrities doing different dances from each other every week as it makes it so much harder to assess their abilities fairly.

You misunderstood me. For me those points don't seem big enough to constitute the death of strictly. That is what I meant by thinly-based, perhaps a better word should have been used.
I do indeed pay close attention and I could watch back 9/10 of the dances this series and be able to name them without being told what they are. There are plenty of steps that correspond to the dances but of course there is some variation as there is every year. And by Outlandish I meant again, that the statement you made seemed Over the top compared with the points you made.
Every year, something winds people up about strictly. Last year,people complained it was too long, boring, the problem of Alesha and the fact Chris and Ola won. Year before, complaints about the treatment of John Seargeant (compared to the hysteria about Ann, it seems rather funny) the semi-final voting problems, and Tom and Camilla winning. Every year something will wind people up so just IMO its a bit strong to say that it is the death of strictly because they're using props, wearing skimpy clothes and the couples had one medicore week.

Oh I say.

We appreciate your dedication in re-watching that several times just to make sure you got your facts straight

I think at this point I'll need to check the facts thoroughly. Apparently the internet is good for that sort of thing.

You could try typing bra-less Argentinian porn stars into Google, you never know, you might get a few results for your research.

No problem

Strictly Come Dancing is too far away from the first series
It now appeals to people who have no interest in the dancing at all.
They tune in to see Anne Widdecombe slide around the floor and Craig's "darling disasterous" comments for a laugh.
The producers are to blame for inviting jokers in the pack like Anne on to the show as gimmicks.

At least the music is a little better than last year but the band still often chooses a song that doesn't match the dance rhythm. However the singing is much better.

It's a popularity contest. Michelle proved that, poor girl.

I don't see how far away it is from the first series as regards jokers in the pack.Out of 8 couples in series 1 at least 2 could barely walk let alone dance(Chris Parker and David Dickinson).
This year there were 13 couples and Ann.

If anything it's gone back to it's original concept and looking at the ratings and buzz it's working.

Michelle proved surely that's it's both - she wasn't the worst who is sadly still in the competition but she wasn't any great shakes dancing wise either too. The only real tragedy with her is that Jimi went before her - both Jimi and to a lesser extent Tina are the real victims of the A2 freak show vote.

I agree100% If the producers wanted to kill SCD they have done a great job. I loved the show, but this year I am not bothered if I watch it or not , infact I usually sky+ and fast forward the dross, and the same for the result show, as for voting no way will I vote while the white elephant remain on the show.

I love SCD and will continue to watch it whatever, but oh how I miss the old format of clearly defined dances saving the show dance until the end. By bringing in props they have played into the hands of Widdy. Good dancers don't need props and tricks. I want to see beautiful dresses and dances and of couse Ian. I still havent recovered from his omission this year. If you want to see sombody on a journey just remember Jodie. They were my fave ever couple.

As an ex-politician, surely the Widdy counts as a "poll dancer".
If so, I insist that she dance bra-less when she does her jive.

You mean she isn't usually?

I wonder if she wears her vest under or over her bra!

Over - then tucks it in her knickers.

Knickers ? Ooh no ! 'Bloomers' or, 'garments covering the nether regions'.

SCD died for me inthe first show of this series when....Ann W,Paul D and Peter S all admitted that they'd never ever watched the show and knew very little about it!!
They had just been put up by their agents and were willing to accept any work which came their way.They no more wanted to learn to dance than they wanted to work in Tescos ( other supermarkets also offer work positions)