Moira Ross will not rest content until every feature of USA DWTS has been replicated in England -- experiment uber alles. SCD8 was rescued by Kara a vintage candidate arriving by pure chance.

Ian, Darren, Lilia, Matthew -- their professional image would not have been enhanced when controversially airbrushed out of a show with 12 million viewers. By all means rotate the pro dancers, but merit, performance, and audience preference would be fairer criteria. Karen and Camilla jumped before they were pushed . The treatment of Matthew Cutler, England's highest-ranking latin dancer, is quite disgraceful.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one of more of the lost pros stand in for Tess on ITT.

Ian springs to mind because he's always been good on ITT, but Lilia and Darren were always good value for money. Much as I love Matt, he's not a presenter - but he could be a co-presenter and learn quickly!

Soulmate - Hopefully Ian, Darren, Lilia and Matthew have built up enough of a reputation and following to carry on without needing the BBC. It was Darren and Lilia who quit competing for Strictly though wasn't it? I seem to recall in the early series' they competed at Blackpool alongside doing the series. Still both seem to have branched into adjudicating and I'm sure are wanted for lessons. I wasn't sure if Ian and Matthew were still actively competing, or was that when Matthew was competing with the other girl (her name escapes me but I think it was Charlotte) after splitting with Nicole
I don't think their professional careers have taken too much of a hit. Or are our professionals not respected for taking part in such a tv show? The BBC certainly doesn't seem to have appointed any British dancers (or those representing Britain) as pros since James and Ola (well I suppose you could count Crystal Main in the dance troupe last year). Do they not want to take part?

Too soon for a Pasha appreciation thread? I'm so happy for him! He's such a sweetie, one of my favorite contestants on SYTYCD. I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with him. I'm sure they'll play up some rivalry with Artem.

Yes, you recall correctly, they did compete at Blackpool during Strictly

http://www.dancesportinfo.net/Couple...3/Details.aspx (input search name in upper right corner box).

Anton du Beke / Claire Butler last competed ballroom in November 1996.
Brendan / Camilla last competed latin in January 2004.
Ian / Camilla last competed latin in October 2005.
Robin Sewell / Nicole Cutler last competed latin in May 2006.
Matthew Cutler / Charlotte Eggstrand last competed latin in June 2005 -- world number 5.
Bryan Watson / Karen Hardy last competed latin in January 1999 - world number 2.
Darren / Lilia last competed latin in June 2007.
Michael Wentink / Kristina Pchenitchnykh (Rihanoff) last competed latin in May 2007.

Sure, dancers have a sell-by date, seemingly a younger one for women working with the Beeb (?), but old favourites can be given an amicable send-off with appreciation, not left hanging on tenterhooks until the last minute. Moira Ross's treatment upsetting Lilia, coldshouldering Matthew, sidelining Ian and Darren, looked shabby. Jared was better than Matthew?

Karen and Camilla jumped soon after they won Strictly, before the Beeb came round to push. Going out on a high did their image no harm.

Me too.

Anton and Erin

Last competition recorded
British National Dance Competition 2004 - Professional Waltz (Ballroom ) in England - Blackpool on Saturday, 20 November 2004

There's still a Matthew shaped hole in that lineup

Pasha should be sufficient eye candy for me though.

I don't think Moira Ross exactly cold-shouldered Matthew since he choreographed several pro dances last year and actually danced in a few. He was obviously still considered part of the Strictly family and he was the one who chose not to appear in the Dance Troupe. The same thing may happen this year with both Matthew and Ian & Darren. It would be silly for the BBC to completely ignore Ian in particular as they will need him in the future if they get a very tall female celeb taking part.

And I don't think Moira Ross is trying to replicate every feature of DWTS - if she was, then the Dance Troupe would be very much included this year as the US Dance Troupe were in the last DWTS series earlier this year. They appeared in every show dancing either as a Troupe or with the other Pros, were introduced individually in the first show and generally used far more effectively than our own Dance Troupe were used last year. I think last year it was an effort to appease the fans and it was an experiment that went wrong because Matthew, Lilia and Brian Fortuna all turned it down flat. It would have been a really strong Dance Troupe if all those asked had actually taken part.

However, we can just hope that Ian and Matthew will be included in some form or other whether it be on ITT or appearing as guest dancers on the main show.

Hopefully Pasha will be good! He is an amazing dancer

Strictly is pro-am, dance troupe is pro-pro. In the pro-am role the pro like the celeb is surviving from Saturday to Saturday. Their roles were committed and involved, while their asides to camera during rehearsals and on ITT showed them as stars in their own right.

During his long run with Alesha, Matthew the man came to be known. After years in their more colourful roles it was not surprising that Matthew and Lilia saw trouping as a move downwards not sideways -- and so it turned out for Ian and Darren. Not sure how DWTS troupe is received, like Pans People?

Two latin world champions previously came to dance on Strictly. Presented like parachutists without first acquainting the audience with their colourful private persona, viewers did not warm much to Bryan and Carmen, nor to Michael and Joanna.

To me Pasha's dance record looks only so so. He doesn't seem to have competed as much as Artem or even Jared. I'm not overly impressed by someone having appeared on SYTYCD. Having said that, he does look quite hot and so I'm certainly willing to give him a chance.

(I don't think 5' 10 is short - it is a fairly versatile height - doesn't preclude dancing with shorter ladies or with someone who is slightly taller).

As far as the pros that have gone are concerned - well I miss Matthew but hopefully he'll be doing other interesting things outside SCD. But generally speaking I don't think there is anything wrong with a refresh now and then, although I do have a general concern that overall the ballroom skills are becoming more diluted in favour of more generic dancing abilities - personally not really my thing, but not much point in getting too upset about it - will just go with the flow.

Well last time I saw Matthew on TV, he was on QVC flogging Zumba fitness DVD's.

In my last post I meant standing in for Claudia on ITT of course, not Tess - have I just got Tess a new job?

Ouch

So pleased Anton is coming back. Couldn't bare it if he didn't return.

Shame about losing Darren and Ian though.

Well last time I saw Matthew (professionally) he was judging a professional ballroom competition.
And when I spoke with him yesterday he was teaching a competing ballroom and latin student.

Strange hey.

You saw him yesterday? I'm so jealous I can't tell you.

he is in Hong Kong teaching a competing student.
Saw and spoke are different!

My friend just txt me about the Pro's (and who is in/out) and I'm not suprised to hear that little Jared is out. He certainly seemed like a very sweet guy but... his routines didn't really seem to match up to any of the other Pro's standard, so, getting a (seemingly) stronger dancer is a good move for the Strictly team to make if quality dancing is what they want to maintain with their Pros choreography. I'm abit suprised that Anton is still around though because his Latin is not exactly his strong point is it (and I guess Erin kind of fits into that category as well). I think they should have brought back Matthew or Ian and replaced Robin (not because I dislike him, because that isn't the case at all, but bcos I just think Matthew/Ian would be a better, choreography wise, for the show).

I'm quite sad that Claudia won't be doing ITT this year. She's one of the highlights of the whole Strictly series.

Yep, he sure l,ooks it!


...but not as hot as our Matthew!! Hey Tango! Kinda been off the Strictly vibe since the Live tour. Hope there aren't too many SCD surpries this year.

Jared: I wasn't gone on him in the show, but have to say he was very good on the tour so it's a bit of a shame he only got the one season and he's gone, but can see why.

I believe the ballroom dancers don't stand a chance of winning on SYTYCD (US) because the favourite dance style according to the poll is contemporary. The ballroom guys never do well in their solos and the solo gets them the boot. They are too used to partnering and struggle with them.

I am posting a couple of Pasha videos with the practice included to show a little of his personality in practice, how he works with a partner and the judging. Just ballroom the dances as I know most are not interested in Pasha's jazz or hip hop work although his West Coast Swing was incredible and real surprise for me. I think ballroom dancers do SYTCD for the national exposure to producers. It certainly got Gilkinson to notice Pasha and now the BBC producers just as they noticed Artem. I think it is also gives them a sense of what it is like to be a student again and learning something out of one's wheelhouse which is good for teaching IMO. How Pasha teaches or what his choreography will be like remains to be seen but I think he is an incredible dancer and I will be interested to see what he brings. Such a sweet personality.

Smooth waltz with Jessi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxSQ8DhF9q0

Cha Cha practiced with Jessi. I want what Mary is drinking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDO9bp76Imk

Quickstep with Sabra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azM2l...eature=related

For those interested here is the practice and judging for that smoldering AT with Lauren.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJHAYhRfOLc

A paso doble solo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwo5MgxIN0g

Article and interview with Pasha talking about ballroom.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...k--5.html#more

Okay, other articles and videos I will put on Pasha appreciation thread when it gets closer to season.

Just been watching some old dances on youtube. Really miss Ian, Matthew, Lilia, Darren, Brian, Karen and Camilla

Still can't believe they managed to get rid of nearly all of my fave pros!!