I know that Kara danced with Mark Ramprakash in Sports Relief two years ago. Looking again at pictures of that, she seemed more vivacious then. Still think she is very good 
Which of the three finalists has had any dancing experience?
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All of them:
Matt has done some amateur (non-ballroom) dancing and during Blue Peter, some Latin (paso and jive) dancing
Kara did some ballet and tap as a child and did the samba for Sport Relief
Pamela has listed a wide range of dances that she has some experience in - quoting from her guardian article:
"However, when it comes to dancing, I've had a reasonable amount of experience, through Scottish ceilidh dancing and the odd bit of hoofing when I was an actor. I was sent to ballet classes at the age of five to strengthen my limbs after contracting polio. I developed a passion for it, and continue to prefer barre exercises to a boring gym workout.
But I am most fascinated by the anthropological aspects of dance – its history and development in various cultures. I briefly studied Balinese dance in Indonesia and, during a recent stay in the South Pacific, learned to dance the Samoan taualaga. My current passion is for the social forms of Latin dances popular in my New York neighbourhood – the butt-shaking, passionate ones such as the bachata, meringue, salsa, and the Argentinian tango."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...ing-contestant
It's not clear how extensive any training she has had might have been.
Matt has done some amateur (non-ballroom) dancing and during Blue Peter, some Latin (paso and jive) dancing
Kara did some ballet and tap as a child and did the samba for Sport Relief
Pamela has listed a wide range of dances that she has some experience in - quoting from her guardian article:
"However, when it comes to dancing, I've had a reasonable amount of experience, through Scottish ceilidh dancing and the odd bit of hoofing when I was an actor. I was sent to ballet classes at the age of five to strengthen my limbs after contracting polio. I developed a passion for it, and continue to prefer barre exercises to a boring gym workout.
But I am most fascinated by the anthropological aspects of dance – its history and development in various cultures. I briefly studied Balinese dance in Indonesia and, during a recent stay in the South Pacific, learned to dance the Samoan taualaga. My current passion is for the social forms of Latin dances popular in my New York neighbourhood – the butt-shaking, passionate ones such as the bachata, meringue, salsa, and the Argentinian tango."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...ing-contestant
It's not clear how extensive any training she has had might have been.
Kara has won Strictly on Sports Relief, hence why she had a brief training ban at the start of the series. She attended an academy of performing arts, where she's sure to have danced. She certainly moves like a trained dancer (her arm extensions are the most beautiful things I've ever seen!)
Matt is a trained gymnast (hence the constant flipping) and he's also had professional ballroom and latin training, after which he won a competition.
Pamela also attended a performing arts school, where she will have danced.
EDIT: echad beat me to it!
Matt is a trained gymnast (hence the constant flipping) and he's also had professional ballroom and latin training, after which he won a competition.
Pamela also attended a performing arts school, where she will have danced.
EDIT: echad beat me to it!
I don't think any of them have had more than a week's training in ballroom and latin though, despite having lots of dance training in other genres. The training actors get tends to be in jazz, tap and contemporary, with some ballet.
I don't mind previous dance training, as long as it's not in B&L. They don't seem as particular over this on DWTS mind, and I hope Strictly doesn't go down that route.
I don't mind previous dance training, as long as it's not in B&L. They don't seem as particular over this on DWTS mind, and I hope Strictly doesn't go down that route.
They all have some experience. Matt also worked as a dancer in a dance troupe when he was younger and was also part of the touring company of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Originally Posted by Mistress:
“They all have, fairly equally actually, which is nice.”
“They all have, fairly equally actually, which is nice.”
Just a shame they were also up against those with zero dance experience.
Not exactly a fair playing field, but to be expected.
Originally Posted by theblueballoon:
“Do you have a link?”
“Do you have a link?”
I don't have the link, but I can vouch for Ignazio - Bruno's on some US talk show and is talking about how he first got into the teaching side of dancing. He says that he gave Pamela some dance lessons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY7MN...eature=related
The relevant part starts at around 4mins 30secs in.
The relevant part starts at around 4mins 30secs in.
Originally Posted by echad:
“I don't have the link, but I can vouch for Ignazio - Bruno's on some US talk show and is talking about how he first got into the teaching side of dancing. He says that he gave Pamela some dance lessons.”
“I don't have the link, but I can vouch for Ignazio - Bruno's on some US talk show and is talking about how he first got into the teaching side of dancing. He says that he gave Pamela some dance lessons.”
He did. We don't know how many lessons she had or what sort of dancing he taught her though.
I think they have all had some experience, but no too much. Nobody is a "ringer".
Originally Posted by j4Rose:
“He did. We don't know how many lessons she had or what sort of dancing he taught her though.
I think they have all had some experience, but no too much. Nobody is a "ringer".”
“He did. We don't know how many lessons she had or what sort of dancing he taught her though.
I think they have all had some experience, but no too much. Nobody is a "ringer".”
Yes I think it`s pretty equal all round
Originally Posted by j4Rose:
“He did. We don't know how many lessons she had or what sort of dancing he taught her though.
I think they have all had some experience, but no too much. Nobody is a "ringer".”
“He did. We don't know how many lessons she had or what sort of dancing he taught her though.
I think they have all had some experience, but no too much. Nobody is a "ringer".”
Agreed. We don't know the extent of Kara or Matt's previous training in other types of dance either. Even if some new details were to come out, I think at this stage people vote primarily for who they like, regardless of why they like them.
Originally Posted by dottigirl:
“Just a shame they were also up against those with zero dance experience.”
“Just a shame they were also up against those with zero dance experience.
”
None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Originally Posted by dottigirl:
“Not exactly a fair playing field, but to be expected.”
“Not exactly a fair playing field, but to be expected.”
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.
Its difficult to find a random group of celebrities who haven't ever danced before given that
1) A lot of people go to classes as a child as they are forced to do it or they want to do it.
2) A lot of people go to classes as an adult for fun
3) They teach dance in stage schools
4) Some of them are singers who need to dance for their jobs.
5) Its a dance programme, so people who are interested in dance may want to take part.
If you pick a random group of 15 -20 forum members, you would probably find that some of us have danced before.
1) A lot of people go to classes as a child as they are forced to do it or they want to do it.
2) A lot of people go to classes as an adult for fun
3) They teach dance in stage schools
4) Some of them are singers who need to dance for their jobs.
5) Its a dance programme, so people who are interested in dance may want to take part.
If you pick a random group of 15 -20 forum members, you would probably find that some of us have danced before.
Originally Posted by DavidJames:
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
Totally agree with this.
Originally Posted by DavidJames:
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
Yes I think we should!! All those who in the first few weeks of training show promise/natural rhythm or talent should have some sort of injury inflicted on them even the playing field!!
also everyone should dance to the same standard each week so we can all decide who has experienced the best 'journey' and judge this on personality! God forbid that it becomes a dance contest 
Thing is, if they only picked contestants with no dance background, you're automatically ruling out the majority of actors and singers and a lot of TV presenters (who often have trained in performance).
You should also exclude the sportsfolk, as they're generally fitter, have more stamina and also often use dance techniques for flexibility. That gives them an unfair advantage.
In this series, that would have left us with Paul and Ann. What a great final that would have made!
If you want good dancing, you have to accept that the best contestants will have some experience.
Generally, it seems to me that the producers are quite careful to balance out the advantages as much as they can. E.g. someone not very well known who is likely to be good (like Kara) goes up against more famous people who will be unlikely to be good (like Paul and Ann). Matt has lots of ability but is handicapped by lack of training time. It's not a perfect system, but what else can they do to strike a balance between range of potential talent and choosing people the audience will recognise?
You should also exclude the sportsfolk, as they're generally fitter, have more stamina and also often use dance techniques for flexibility. That gives them an unfair advantage.
In this series, that would have left us with Paul and Ann. What a great final that would have made!
If you want good dancing, you have to accept that the best contestants will have some experience.
Generally, it seems to me that the producers are quite careful to balance out the advantages as much as they can. E.g. someone not very well known who is likely to be good (like Kara) goes up against more famous people who will be unlikely to be good (like Paul and Ann). Matt has lots of ability but is handicapped by lack of training time. It's not a perfect system, but what else can they do to strike a balance between range of potential talent and choosing people the audience will recognise?
Originally Posted by theblueballoon:
“Do you have a link?”
“Do you have a link?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY7MNHViHoo
Around 4.20 onwards
Originally Posted by DavidJames:
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
“None of the contestants have been barred from, you know, taking dance lessons. Paul Daniels had 70-odd years in which to do so.
Should we now start penalising people for having aptitude also?
Is it "fair" that two of the finalists are young and fit whereas others are not?
Is it "fair" that they have native ability whereas other have not?
Blimey, some people do post some rubbish on this forum.”
Huh? I think you missed the meaning of the
My point was that there would never be a level playing field. Even if you had a group of ten-year-olds who had never danced before, some will still be better than others.
I have more problem with the lack of consistency shown by the judges, the preferential treatment of their favourites, the slanted coverage of some couples by the BBC, etc.
However the decision to penalise Kara for one week looks increasingly farcical when you compare Matt and Pamela's backgrounds.
Originally Posted by dottigirl:
“However the decision to penalise Kara for one week looks increasingly farcical when you compare Matt and Pamela's backgrounds.”
“However the decision to penalise Kara for one week looks increasingly farcical when you compare Matt and Pamela's backgrounds.”
Yeah I thought that, which makes me wonder whether Kara has more experience than we know about. She is bloody amazing, so it would make sense.
Doesn't bother me either way, as long as it's not tons of B&L training!
Originally Posted by dottigirl:
“Huh? I think you missed the meaning of the
My point was that there would never be a level playing field. Even if you had a group of ten-year-olds who had never danced before, some will still be better than others.
I have more problem with the lack of consistency shown by the judges, the preferential treatment of their favourites, the slanted coverage of some couples by the BBC, etc.
However the decision to penalise Kara for one week looks increasingly farcical when you compare Matt and Pamela's backgrounds.”
“Huh? I think you missed the meaning of the
My point was that there would never be a level playing field. Even if you had a group of ten-year-olds who had never danced before, some will still be better than others.
I have more problem with the lack of consistency shown by the judges, the preferential treatment of their favourites, the slanted coverage of some couples by the BBC, etc.
However the decision to penalise Kara for one week looks increasingly farcical when you compare Matt and Pamela's backgrounds.”
Ah, the subtle nuances of the
smiley!Kara does look like she has had some lessons as a child - the usual ballet/tap/jazz stuff. I agree about the week Kara was made to take off though.
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