Most professionals who are teaching the more challenging celebrities are managing a decent amount of content, but the props are still well overused.
Mobile props are one thing, fixed another. The Halloween week aside (was prop city from the first one) they need to cut the use of fixed props and publicise the amount of traditional content needed to avoid losing marks. There is too much inconsistency between the judges and there should be simple rules the public (of whatever level of understanding) can grasp.

Alternatively make the routines longer if props are used. Half the 90 second dance swinging from a wire is not enough proper content.

that's a great idea! Then we'd get it over and done with and we could judge on a level playing field.

A bit surprised at the sudden hatred towards the VTs, as they have mostly been the same since at least series 3

I agree! Zoe and Ian's tango was also wonderful, all those 6or 7 years ago. Has anyone got a link to that ? I also agree that we're getting far too much of Len's 'messing about' and not enough dancing, with music unsuitable for the particular dance. It won't improve the ratings, nor will Robbie's ghastly antics! Bring back Ian I say !!!!!!!!!

They have been in ITT, but they stuck to the more serious routines on the live shows. Now its the other way round.

No they haven't. They are now totally contrived. The pros used to take their celebs to a trip which was associated with their training such as to a tea dance, ballet for posture, an expert on that particular dance, or to a play or club to see the dance danced so they could get the feel for it. Now we have ridiculous things each week such as taking them to a field to watch a cow, walking down a wall, on a ghost train ie faffing about and an utter waste of time.

First BIB: Ain’t that the truth! They’re probably doing handstands in the production office and can’t blame them for that. Understandable that viewing figures are the holy grail especially given the budget cuts that are being handed down to the Beeb. Everything’s under the microscope and they’ve got to be seen to be winning the ratings war – survival of the fittest and all that.

Then again the consensus seems to be that this series of the X Factor is a bit of a turkey. Great for Strictly’s figures now, but just shows that if you push your core audience too far they’ll jump ship sooner or later. Would love to know what the Strictly/X Factor demographics are. Be interesting to see how things evolve following Moira Ross’s departure – maybe they’ll change the name to Strictly Come Faffing! And I’d love to be a fly on the wall of the production office.

I am a a huge fan of Strictly, loving every season no matter how bad the dancers are or even if I'm not keen on the personalities themselves...but I can honestly say, hand on heart the show on Saturday was rubbish, really bad. I'm afraid I'm with Len on all this faffing about and the vt's were mortifying. I love Jason but that scene with Widdy and Joe C was sick inducing. They need to focus more on the dance and leave the props behind.

It's certainly not the programme I feel in love with the very first week it was on.

Too much faffing, not enough dancing.

Marking beyond a joke - no focus on technique or dance, so technically poor routines get 6,7,8. Len has lost his 1-4 paddles

Rotten camera work - I'm no dance expert, but I know enough (now) to know i need to see the feet to judge a routine. And, if they split apart, please focus on the celeb - it's them we're judging after all. I have no idea what Lulu did for the last 10 seconds of her routine, for example

The panto booing of Craig if he says anything remotely critical

Alesha's 10s this year

Is that not because they were reattaching the wire for her flight? The same happened at the start, she went off camera for a time whilst it was disconnected. There will be at least one person doing it and they will need to check it is secure for safety reasons.

Yes RubySparkle I'm fed up of it. I'd like to go back to Ballroom rules and Ballroom marking.

I'm not any sort of dance expert, I just don't like all the gimmicks.

It is for these reasons that if the nation 'voted' like our household that the final would be Chelsee, Jason and Anita, as these are the only half decent celebs that spend any time in hold and doing the appropriate steps. We judge on who is the best dancer, which isnt a daft approach as these dances are, after all, well reknowned for looking good! Anita benefits the most. An average dancer elevated by the beauty of the dance.

Its a shame about Harry - he is obviously very good, but, man, his routines are dull. Also a shame about Holly, but that maybe because she, rather than the routines, are a bit dull.

The rest are filler.

I agree !! I thought the whole Halloween thing was total overkill. It also produced dances to music that was not appropriate (e.g.the tango needs PROPER tango music !!) and it produced dresses, make up and costumes that belonged in a pantomime not a dance programme. It's marvellous if the ratings have soared, just what the Beeb wants I guess, but not we long standing Strictly fans !!

The emphasis is more on 'showmance' than ever before. And because of that the dancing skills are being overlooked.

IMO, the standard this year is .. overall .. very poor and that is probably the reason for a more 'Americanised' show.

It was bad enough last year when Kara and Artem's Charleston was marked down because the judges wanted 'more welly' .. When in fact, it
was probably the best technical Charleston ever on Strictly!

"Its a shame about Harry - he is obviously very good, but, man, his routines are dull. Also a shame about Holly, but that maybe because she, rather than the routines, are a bit dull."

Couldn't agree more Lone Wolf . Spot On!

there shouldnt be any themes at all ....the dances themselves ARE themes: the Paso Doble > the fighting and the matador,the American Smooth > the glamour of hollywood etc


If they do themes then the routines get changed and instead of great dancing we get just get performances and a bit of poses

Far from it, its all been fabulous so far.

What my Dad would have referrred to as 'cannon fodder'

Updated list:

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
Bridge/lamp
Bar
Car
Bull