Yes, haven't we had Chris Parker and Julian Clary as earlier "jokers".

If you want top notch dancing watch a contest involving dancers, not celebrities

Interesting to note from the Daily Telegraph article that the judges are paid three times what the pro dancers are paid.

It goes a long way towards explaining the dodgy marking.

The thing that made Chris Parker and Julian Cary popular was not their lack of talent, but that they TRIED! John Sergeant TRIED.

Even Fiona Phillips tried hard.

Ones who dont try - Sarah Manners / Georgina Boutzios (??) go out early.

jj

I partly agree, but I certainly don't want Arlene Phillips back and there are on the whole some good contestants this year...

I haven't liked the props and can't abide the inclusion of unfunny "joke contestants".

And only one dance for the quarter finals is ridiculous. This whole series has been manipulated to death from the start.

The biggest shame is that we have some of the most talented contestants ever.

...who are apparently incapable of learning two dances in a week and haven't danced a group routine at all, unless I've missed something

I agree with this post. When it was first rumoured Ann was going to be on Strictly this year I really didn't believe it, because I just couldn't imagine her doing the dances. Try as I might I couldn't see her doing a jive or a rumba. The thing is I was actually assuming she would be dancing. More fool me. I didn't realise that it was going to be permissable for a celebrity to come on Strictly and not actually learn the dances or do anything resembling the dance in question. I didn't realise that walking around or standing still for most of the dance was going to be allowed.

All of the rubbish celebs in the past have attempted to learn the dances in the correct manner. Ann hasn't. She has refused to do some of the moves and thinks its perfectly acceptable to turn every routine into a comedy sketch, all in the name of entertainment- in her eyes.

When Strictly first started people welcomed the return of ballroom dancing to television. We marvelled at the professionals skill and were rivetted by the celebrities (out of their comfort zone) learning ballroom and latin dances. I think most people in the dance world viewed it as a good thing and dance schools up and down the country were flooded with people wanting to learn to dance. If they are going to take the rules out of Strictly and basically let people prat about then I think the show is going to lose what made it credible in the first place.

I agree completely

Think the talent could manage two dances or a group dance but that woman couldn't

Blame Moira Ross the producer!.

I am no fan of Ann but she said from the start she had been hired as the pantomime dame and I wouldn't be surprised if it was in her contact to behave as such or not get paid. I always thought the show was rigged to an extent and now I'm certain. I really hope a talented dancer wins but if they don't it's down to Moira and the voting public!

As much as I agree with the rest of your post, the bits in bold I especially agree with...

It appears there is nothing Moira will not consider...

Sorry to disagree, but that article is just speculation and repeating information from other speculative articles. We do not know how much anyone on the show is paid because it has never been disclosed.

I hate to be a lone voice, but I have watched the show since the first episode of the first show and I think this series is the best since Series 5 (when Alesha won) - even with Ann taking part.

I don't think the producers had a clue how things would turn out when they signed up Ann, but given the fact that she said before the series started she wanted to learn to dance, I'd guess they were just hoping for another John Sergeant. I doubt if the producers ever expected anything like what has actually happened. It became clear pretty early on that Ann abandoned the idea of learning to dance, probably because it was too hard for her and the limitations she imposed (and continues to impose) were too restrictive. To make up for these issues - not all of which were predictable - Anton and Ann have been allowed to do what ever they want because it is bringing in viewers.

I hate the air time Ann is given (not Anton), but I won't let it spoil the whole show for me. Apart from the weirdest marking in years from the judges spoiling the show this weekend, I have enjoyed every other show.

LONG LIVE STRICTLY COME DANCING!

I think just watching Anne walking down the street and a consideration of her being more over-weight for her size than any previous contestant, might have given the producers a bit of a clue as to her abilities.
I suggest the BBC knew exactly what they were doing and what would be the likely outcome. They won't care if she wins, if the ratings are good.

I really don't agree. As I said, I think they hoped for another John Sergeant, but with more attitude who would answer back to the judges. The 'comedy' routines () have given the producers an early Christmas present. Judging by any interview with Ann I recently have seen or heard, she has changed her tune since the series started and is clearly in a little world of her own now. She's certainly not on the same celestial plane as me!

She said from the first show she was obviously the 'comedy act', so I wouldn't say she has changed at all.

I meant she had changed her mind about actually learning to dance. She was always this year's 'comedy' act in the same sense JS was a 'comedy' act.

She looked like she was trying to dance in the rehearsal video today.

She does do steps they may not be in time but not everyone can, it's having fun and enjoying it that is important.

I do think she gives hope for anyone to get up and have a go and that is all that matters in my book.

Don't get me wrong I love a well executed, beautiful dance but I don't like the elitism that can come along with it. Dance should be for everyone.

She has recently said that with Ballroom she will learn the steps and with Latin it will be comedy. I don't think she gives hope to anyone about dancing and tbh, I think she makes a mockery of the whole thing. The older people I know who are watching the show can't stand Ann (I'm 50 btw). Dancing should be for everyone, but Ann signed on to take part in a dance competition and she's not playing by the rules. I am not elitist about the show, Ann is just a step too far for me because she should at least try to do every dance and not just the ones she feels like doing.

I'm a few years older and know of people that are too scared to have a go and she has made them think again, they realise that no one can be as bad, even if they are they can have a laugh with it.

In my 'youth' I danced and was an Ice Skater, I know the work that has to be put in, but none of these celebs could hack the real training that is needed. They dance a minute and a half performance each week and will be rewarded with more work and money.
They could even be given an Alesha style gig and be overpaid for judging people she really has no right to judge.

I always tend to look on the positive side, if it encourages people to have a go whatever their ability it's good for the future of dance.

I'm a glass half full person and as I said before I don't let Ann spoil the show for me.

In reply to the original post about whether Strictly is dying as a result of the various changes this year....

I have to say that I was very nervous about the "DWtS" route things seemed to be going down and I was worried for this year's show.
All in all though I think there are some good and some bad about the changes.

I regret the loss of Matt, Darren and Lilia, but I am loving Artem and Robin.

I hate props, but love the extra lifts.

I loathe Ann, but love Anton (for the first time ever).
I enjoy watching Anton's joke routines, but I would hate for them to win over one of the more talented dance couples.

I think there have been some dull couples, Gavin and Katya being the only one left, but I think there are more "top" couples than ever before.

I love the fact that we have an older lady (Pamela) who is brilliant, but I resent the fact that we have another older lady (Ann) who acts like an outraged maiden aunt whenever she's expected to actually dance within 2 feet of Anton.

I loved the Halloween show but would hate to see regular theme nights become a feature.

All in all, some changes for the good and some for the bad.