Never underestimate the judges ability to **** it up!

It's a very dodgy set up. Gavin will go first, obviously because the judges want him out. They'll put Kara and Scott at the top I think, to ensure that Scotttt doesn't go first. After that, Pam then Matt probably fourth.
It's the main thing about 'Strictly' that bugs me - the judges' interference. Their opinion - great. Interfering - no.

Gavin will struggle having learned dance by numbers and when they are interupted he may well be lost
Pam is a natural and as with Scott and Kara will control bump or sudden change situations
Matt is the dancer who may (just may) get flustered, Matt dances for himself first and partnership second and due to this may not gain early control when requiring sudden change of sequence, he is in control for a practised dance but does dance head in the clouds in a watch me manner
The power of Matt will come in the show dance if he is still there

Scott hasn't shown that he's able to improvise convincingly though. I think that the judges will bump him up anyway, to ensure that it's Gavin who goes first.

You could put Gavin first in the swingathon, he'd still finish fifth overall after all three dances are done. He's doing a SAMBA for Pete's sake.

Indeedy. And he said on ITT that he had twice made Katya cry during training this week. Now I know the guy has a dry sense of humour, but somehow I believed him.

Yes, he'd end up fifth anyway but he won't need to be led around through the entire thing with his partner pulling him by his neck. Pity - he might get two nines, if he did.

Well he got two for running round aimlessly doing leapfrogs and snogging Bruno, so anything's possible.

I think that was true as well, although I can imagine it was down to frustration.

True but at least he was moving without having to be pulled or pushed. Gavin is not, the best dancer - I'm not suggesting, that. Someone else is going to win. I'd prefer it not to be Scott but anyone else - ie of the remaining three - fine.

I'm voting for Gavin over Scott, I just don't see any conspiracy between the judges if Scott comes top in a swing-based dance. He'll probably deserve to be, because what we've seen of his swing style thus far (in the jive) was best of all the contestants. He probably should be the favourite going in, on form.

(If I were looking for conspiracies, I'd ask why we had a group swing in the first place when often in the USA it's, say, a group mambo, where Scott certainly wouldn't be the favourite. But obviously, I'm not.)

Call me naive (at your peril ) but I actually don't see the judges protecting Pamela with inflated scores this weekend. In my opinion, the high marking has done what it was supposed to - got Pamela through to the semi final and eliminated Ann. There's less need for it now; Gavin has been in the bottom two once so would seem odds on to be one of the two to go and I don't think the judges or producers would mind too much if Pamela was the other. A final of Kara, Matt and Scott/Pamela would be just fine and I think, for once, that's what they'll get without any manipulation. I really don't see Gavin surviving a double elimination - he might have seen off one of Scott/Pamela but I don't see him seeing off the other. Scott might (if he can keep his exhaustion at bay and remember the steps) just finish top this weekend; I think his dances will suit him.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I think as long as Gavin goes the judges will be happy and the chances of him surviving a double elimination are pretty remote. He has already been in the bottom 2 & I don't think anyone can cry foul if he's bottom of the leaderboard.

I think he needs ties, and probably more than one, to stand any chance of getting through.

Based purely on the Judges love of certain celebs. Heres my predictions:

Out first
Gavin - he doesnt stand a chance
Matt - certain judges have issues with him and always try and mark Scott higher (even though hes a poorer dancer)
Pamela
Kara
Scott - the judges favourite by far this year

If the contestants end up exhausted and collapsed on the floor with the effort of all the extra heaves, lifts etc etc, will that add to the entertainment of the show? You think so, BBC? Are you mad?
All that extra effort for perhaps one measly point, or for losing a leading position to a younger and fitter couple?
Are you fair, BBC?

the whole idea's stupid - so will we be scrapping the Waltz for the Lindy Hop next year? Break dancing instead of the cha cha cha?.

Yes, I can see this, but I'm hoping that Kara wins.

I thought Craig was very cautious with his comments about Matt's rehearsal for the Jive on Friday's ITT. It was almost as if he thought that Matt learns the steps really well - a good study - but can't loose himself, let go or something. There was definitely an undertone.

Well, I think that's true. I didn't like his jive anyway because the Austin Powers theme got in the way and he messed up his steps. It wasn't a great jive. I can't imagine Matt leaving the Swingathon before Gavin and Pamela though.