I havent really loved any of their performances so far but this one was my favourite. I do like traditional American Smooths but this made a nice change and I think it was nice to see that she clearly cared a lot about the dance and had put effort in
What did people think of Holly and Artems smooth
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I loved it.
What a change to see a dance with music I knew instead of the usual pop songs I've never heard of.
Holly danced at her best so far.
What a change to see a dance with music I knew instead of the usual pop songs I've never heard of.
Holly danced at her best so far.
I thought she did very well and it was certainly unusual and interesting but not particularly my cup of tea. Still, I think overall it was the best dance of the night in that Holly was challenged by the choreography and coped with it very well.
I thoroughly enjoyed their routine and thought there was something magical about it, but I can see why some people disliked it as it was unlike any AS, or any other style we've seen on Strictly.
And yes, it made me want to try out some Black Swan eye make-up!!
And yes, it made me want to try out some Black Swan eye make-up!!
Sad as it might sound, I've just counted the bars and they danced 7 bars on hold.
To put it into perspective, Harry and Aliona's tango was 8 bars on hold. (according to Len; I didn't count that)
To put it into perspective, Harry and Aliona's tango was 8 bars on hold. (according to Len; I didn't count that)
Originally Posted by Azla Axe:
“Sad as it might sound, I've just counted the bars and they danced 7 bars on hold.
To put it into perspective, Harry and Aliona's tango was 8 bars on hold. (according to Len; I didn't count that)”
“Sad as it might sound, I've just counted the bars and they danced 7 bars on hold.
To put it into perspective, Harry and Aliona's tango was 8 bars on hold. (according to Len; I didn't count that)”
But AS allows for only 40% in hold and the rest of it out of hold. As far as I can remember from series 1-5 (or maybe even up to 7) the rest of the ballroom styles you need to be in hold most of the time except the beginning and the end. Now they apparently allow up to ten seconds in the middle out of hold, but Aliona had probably less than ten seconds IN HOLD. Completely ridiculous and indefensible.
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“But AS allows for only 40% in hold and the rest of it out of hold. As far as I can remember from series 1-5 (or maybe even up to 7) the rest of the ballroom styles you need to be in hold most of the time except the beginning and the end. Now they apparently allow up to ten seconds in the middle out of hold, but Aliona had probably less than ten seconds IN HOLD. Completely ridiculous and indefensible.”
“But AS allows for only 40% in hold and the rest of it out of hold. As far as I can remember from series 1-5 (or maybe even up to 7) the rest of the ballroom styles you need to be in hold most of the time except the beginning and the end. Now they apparently allow up to ten seconds in the middle out of hold, but Aliona had probably less than ten seconds IN HOLD. Completely ridiculous and indefensible.”
I think it's safe to say that there really are no rules as such when it comes to SCD! The dancers are doing what it's is perceived the general public wants to see. And I bet it's the producers of the show that have instructed them to do so. If their choreography was damaging the show, I am sure someone would have intervened by now!!
I've done the math, Holly and Artem's dance was 23.5% on hold! Not that it matters to me to be honest, but I was curious to get the percentage worked out.
To be honest, for me, if you are going to break the mould, do it to bring something to the choreography to make it better. Watching Holly and Artem's routine I didn't think "oh I wish there was a bit more foxtrot in it", but watching Harry and Aliona's routine, I couldn't stop thinking "I wish it had a bit more tango in it!".
Well, like some of y'all have commented when it ended I did think to myself. Where was the American Smooth parts in hold.
However, as it was a "theme" week then I suppose it was great and It was very artistic. IMO the best dance of the night over Jason.
However, as it was a "theme" week then I suppose it was great and It was very artistic. IMO the best dance of the night over Jason.
Originally Posted by Quizmike:
“Let me know when the dancing bit of it starts and I'll tell you”
“Let me know when the dancing bit of it starts and I'll tell you”
Sad but True.....But dancing the smooth to Swan Lake.
Who's idea was that, coco the clown...
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“But AS allows for only 40% in hold and the rest of it out of hold. As far as I can remember from series 1-5 (or maybe even up to 7) the rest of the ballroom styles you need to be in hold most of the time except the beginning and the end. Now they apparently allow up to ten seconds in the middle out of hold, but Aliona had probably less than ten seconds IN HOLD. Completely ridiculous and indefensible.”
“But AS allows for only 40% in hold and the rest of it out of hold. As far as I can remember from series 1-5 (or maybe even up to 7) the rest of the ballroom styles you need to be in hold most of the time except the beginning and the end. Now they apparently allow up to ten seconds in the middle out of hold, but Aliona had probably less than ten seconds IN HOLD. Completely ridiculous and indefensible.”
Right, I've done the numbers for Harry and Aliona's tangoish thing:
total routine: 94 secs
on hold: 17 sec
% on hold: 18%
I am not a stickler for rules. And I would be on Aliona's side if Harry couldn't dance or struggled with the technical side of ballroom. But he can DANCE! It's frustrating that we are missing the opportunity to see what he can do.
Hubby and I didn't enjoy it at all. We were still waiting for the dancing to start when it finished. One man's meat is another man's poison though isn't it? I expect more people like it than hated it
Originally Posted by Azla Axe:
“To be honest, for me, if you are going to break the mould, do it to bring something to the choreography to make it better. Watching Holly and Artem's routine I didn't think "oh I wish there was a bit more foxtrot in it", but watching Harry and Aliona's routine, I couldn't stop thinking "I wish it had a bit more tango in it!".”
“To be honest, for me, if you are going to break the mould, do it to bring something to the choreography to make it better. Watching Holly and Artem's routine I didn't think "oh I wish there was a bit more foxtrot in it", but watching Harry and Aliona's routine, I couldn't stop thinking "I wish it had a bit more tango in it!".”
I love the AS after the first 20 seconds of wondering 'What the heck ...?
' - and I agree about the content here: with the AS I was just swept up in the beauty of what Holly and Artem were doing; with Harry & Aliona I was just waiting for the actual tangoing to get going. Aliona has probably the best instinctive and natural mover out of all of them - yet she seems determined to do anything but let the boy just go out there and dance the dance.
Holly's breakthrough dance, for me. Everyone expected her to be brilliant from the start, which harmed her standing both on here and with the general public.
EDIT: Artem and Pasha are the strongest choreographers on the show. Only Natalie gives them a run for their money IMO.
EDIT: Artem and Pasha are the strongest choreographers on the show. Only Natalie gives them a run for their money IMO.
Originally Posted by Cheshirecat1:
“I really enjoyed it but I couldn't stop myself from thinking how utterly amazing Kara would have been. Must learn to let go...................!!”
“I really enjoyed it but I couldn't stop myself from thinking how utterly amazing Kara would have been. Must learn to let go...................!!”
Er... I felt the same way
I thought Artem looked completely miserable all night and on the dancefloor the two of them look like they are just going through the motions.
I don't know what it is about Holly and Artem but they just don't work as a pairing. Holly seems ok to me but I have heard that people in the past have found her rude and unpleasant to work with (eg. Madge from Neighbours).
I don't know what it is about Holly and Artem but they just don't work as a pairing. Holly seems ok to me but I have heard that people in the past have found her rude and unpleasant to work with (eg. Madge from Neighbours).
There should have been a lot more dancing but Artem has choreographed to Holly's strengths and with a theme weed I think he got away with it. Loved the music, so unusual for Strictly. I think Holly has a lot more work to do though!
there was one awful moment when it looked like it might be going the way of lisa and brendan's infamous showdance...
scroll down this daily mail page, you'll know when to stop...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...lfunction.html
i think it might just be the PTSD though.
scroll down this daily mail page, you'll know when to stop...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...lfunction.html
i think it might just be the PTSD though.
Originally Posted by Cadiva:
“I thought it was fabulous, but not really an American Smooth.”
“I thought it was fabulous, but not really an American Smooth.”
Agree with you - beautiful dancing, but more like modern dance with a ballet theme - nothing like an American Smooth.
Originally Posted by -Sid-:
“I was entranced by the music and choreography and Holly did well for Holly.
But like others, I couldn't help making the inevitable comparisons with Kara and thinking she would have done the routine full justice.
It's unfair, I know, but unavoidable.”
“I was entranced by the music and choreography and Holly did well for Holly.
But like others, I couldn't help making the inevitable comparisons with Kara and thinking she would have done the routine full justice.
It's unfair, I know, but unavoidable.”
I think that is unfair Sid and tbh I think it is avoidable. Moreover I'm getting pretty fed up of hearing the sentiment week after week. I've never know a celebrity to suffer as much as Holly does by comparison to a pro's previous partner.
Many consider Alesha an awesome dancer and Matt Cutler is a superb choreographer - but when Matt arranged routines for Christine the following year I don't recall anyone saying "Imagine what Alesha would have done with that."
Brendan won the first series with Natasha Kaplinsky - don't remember any comparisons being drawn between her and Sarah Manners the following year.
Just a couple of examples but I'm sure you get my drift.
I think Artem could make more contribution to this partnership by showing more emotion. It was easier to bring emotion to the dance floor with Kara because it was of course an extension of their real life attraction - but imo he needs to stop holding back with Holly.
It's a good job Holly has that laid back Aussie attitude - without it her confidence could be smashed to smitheroons.
Originally Posted by Cat.J:
“Ahhh, that goes without saying. Holly and Artem were fabulous tonight but Kara and Artem were very special. I'd love to see Kara doing the routine with Artem too, I'm sure it would be awesome.
”
“Ahhh, that goes without saying. Holly and Artem were fabulous tonight but Kara and Artem were very special. I'd love to see Kara doing the routine with Artem too, I'm sure it would be awesome.
”
I acknowledge that Kara was a superb dancer but I would hate to see Kara dance that routine with Artem - bad enough to hear all the negative criteria Holly suffers in hypothetical comparison to last years winner without using her as cannon fodder for the KA fan club.
Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“I acknowledge that Kara was a superb dancer but I would hate to see Kara dance that routine with Artem - bad enough to hear all the negative criteria Holly suffers in hypothetical comparison to last years winner without using her as cannon fodder for the KA fan club.”
“I acknowledge that Kara was a superb dancer but I would hate to see Kara dance that routine with Artem - bad enough to hear all the negative criteria Holly suffers in hypothetical comparison to last years winner without using her as cannon fodder for the KA fan club.”
I haven't read the Kartem threads so I wasn't aware that there was so much negativity towards Holly. That's a shame, and a little narrow-minded too. Artem is a great dancer and choreographer, and presumably will be with Strictly for a few years yet, so people will have to get used to him dancing with other female celebs. It's not fair to them to get so much negativity just because they aren't Kara.
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