Its been getting consistently worse... and its because the worst dancers consistently get better marks for padding and using endless props and flying pyrotechnics than doing actual dancing. I think Len hit the nail on the head last night when he said that dancers who try to actually master the style of dance they have been given get lower scores than those who do hardly any content and just fill it all with props and the bloody STAIRS!!!

Worst culprits of this are:

Aliona and Harry (he could be so much better without Aliona's obsession with faffing about)

Lulu and Brendan (again could be much better without Brendan's fascination with the stairs and trying to annoy the judges with no content)

I also think Holly's dance could have been so much better if there was ACTUAL American Smooth in it.

Natalie and Audley

Nancy and Anton


ARGH! Its ruining Strictly for me this year. I keep wanting them to hurry up and start dancing, but as soon as they do its over in about 5 seconds and they're off up the bloody stairs or standing on chairs or something.

There's some amazing couples this year but this has ruined them. Its got to the stage where I often can't tell what style of dance they're doing cos there's so little content!

I really wish they'd scrap the props. Its a cheap way of 'entertaining' the audience. I truly believe that the GBP are not stupid and do actually want to see people master the art of ballroom dance.

And so much for the rule of only 10 seconds out of hold... no one seems to care!!!

Who is responsible for this?

Also sick of "Here they are in training" and NOT ACTUALLY SEEING ANY TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!

What is going on with this show...

I had this conversation with a friend watching last night. As clever as the make-up and costumes were last night, they started to get in the way of the dancing. In series 2, Brendan did a Paso Doble with actress Sarah ? (can't remember surname sorry) to the Evanescence track that Alex and James used last night, and because it wasn't a traditional ballroom one, there was uproar !

SCD is unrecognisable now as the dancing programme it started out as. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a fan and largely I really enjoy it but I'm with Len on this. You could ban all props and stunts for me :-/

I agree. Not one song last night had traditional music... Getting so sick of it which is a shame cos I love the show and its much better than X Factor!

I agree scrap the bl...dy props and themes. How the hell can you dance Paso Doble, AS, Samba ,Tango. When you're dressed up as bats, devils, vampires and bl...dy swans. And because of the theme not even using using appropriate music.

Perhaps it just needs one couple to do a dance with no props or tricks and get the full set of four tens for the others to realise they could do the same. There have been a number of couples who so far have been quite capable of very high scores but have lost out because of the trickery.

The celebrities need to stand up to the professionals and tell them they are there to win and not to show off the professionals' choreographic skills.

Just look at the difference.

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

Full list of props so far this season;

Tables/chairs
Mirror
Seats
Chaise lounge.
Fanny
Umberella
Cuddly toy
Fake lamps
A bed
Arch with fake flames
Couldran/tubes
Piano
Slab
Face Masks
Gothic chairs
A headstone
COFFIN

Well generally I am watching this series with my laptop on my lap (where else) and surf. I do this or read the Saturday papers because SCD has become a tawdry affair with not much dancing. Last night's special was a disappointment as was to be expected - a waste of time.

I looked up occasionally but so many dances now have accompanying music so divorced from the nature of the dance that it makes a mockery of the whole thing.

I can truthfully say that sometimes I don't know what dance it is that the contestants are supposed to be dancing. The American Smooth was ruined last night as were the Pasos and Cha-Cha Chas. The Rumbas, well, they defy comment.
I have give up so many TV programmes now because they've outstayed their welcome and SCD has become one of those.

It annoys me every time I see a prop on the stage.

You could actually fast forward most of the routines these days.

I miss the days of Zoe Ball and Alesha Dixon (as a contestant)

Even last year's had more content than this year.

Its turning into Strictly Come Props and Posing!

I don't think the props are necessarily the problem. It is the inability to apply clear rules (time in hold, number of lifts etc). It is quite possible to faff around without props.

So agree with you - last night was dull, the only highlight for me was the Swan Lake music because I love it but I don't think it necessarily suits the AS.

The VTs with their pathetic comedy sketches are just awful. Far too much jumping on the judges table, running up stairs, mucking about with props and no real dancing. I was only half watching last night and for the first time ever have had a look at the spoiler thread because I don't think I can be bothered with the results show. If we don't get some proper dancing back I can't see me watching to the end of this series.

Oh yes and the 10s have come out far too soon!

I agree with this. I was really disappointed last night with the whole thing. It is getting worse. Too much time wasting, too many props not enough dancing and the wrong kind of music.
the management has a lot to answer for.

I actually record Strictly now so that I can fast forward the irrelevant bits. How sad... And I don't believe the ability to pick up the dances is worse this year than any other, so how come the celebrities know less steps?

I am sick of the use of props too, the lack of dancing and the lack of judges to pass fair comments and mark accordingly. This is the worst year there has been for the lack of dancing and all we get from certain judges is it was entertaining .. its a dance competition not who is the most entertaining and I for one do not want to see time wasted with Lulu flying about like Peter Pan instead of dancing. If they cannot dance they should not be on the show.

Thanks for reminding me of that,it was a treat (and no tricks)

Tha was a fantastic dance. One of my favourites of all time. Give Aliona her due, when she gets it right she gets it really right! Sort yourself out with Harry, girl!

they've copied the American Dancing with the Stars format which is full of props, silly vts and inappropriate music.

Note to BBC if you stop the props,you'll keep the budget down.

Agree totally. It has gone too far. Also I'm sure half the celebs also won't recognise what music goes with what dance at the end of months of dance training which is ridiculous. Using alternative music as a change and to display grafting choreography or fusion is one thing but now it is rare to have music to suit the dance which is just silly.

yeah I don't like Strictly as much as I used to. There is an over reliance to use props and sets. To tell a story through dance you don't need such items!!

SCD is no longer must see TV for me despite ratings going up. Maybe this is what the new fans of SCD want but as a fan since day one I am close to switching off

Agreeing with everyone here. It's turned into DWTS UK. I was so disappointed with Saturday's show, I want to see 1:30 of DANCE. The "comedy" vts are as cringeworthy as Bruce's jokes. In the end, I was getting told off by hubby for constantly moaning at the tv! The 10 from Alesha..*rolls eyes*..was the culmination of a bad night in SCD history. I was so miffed that I took to You Tube afterwards and re-lived some glory moments (Darren & Jill's jive, etc) to put me in a better mood. Many thanks to the poster who reminded me of Matt & Aliona's fabulous tango from last year, 1:42 of marvellous choreography, prop and gimmick free.

After last year's Halloween, which I enjoyed immesely, I was really looking forward to this show. I was also disappointed. Such an awful lot of running around and not much dancing at all.

I am sick of seeing:

pelvic thrusts (even though I adore Robbie)
Silly props (Lulu & Brendan blowing a trumpet)
Women being thrown across, or around, the floor
Females' backs so arched that they look malformed
Head ridiculously held so far back that that also makes them look malformed. (I'm aware there is probably some technical reason for this but it doesn't alter the fact is just looks plain stupid).
Judges scoring for dances that are not really even worthy of a mention.
Craig creeping to Audley.

Forget the props and theme nights. It also doesn't help that this is the worst celeb line up ever.

Yeah too much faffing about this series and the choreos are too repetitive now.

IMO Artem is the only pro who always brings something new & exciting on the floor (shame Holly is not up to it though).

What I've noticed about Holly's dancing is that whilst she might have started using her arms more gracefully the rest of her is just wooden - face, legs, and body.