Probably best not to ask

Hope you're keeping well

I won't get into potential replacement judges, but I did feel an urge to defend Len tonight because I thought he spoke the most sense. And the banter between him and Craig feels quite scripted to me. By the results show, they're always the best of friends again !

Double post. See below.

They are. Odd how some people really believe in the bickering, like it was real!!

Yes, I'm keeping wellish. Am meeting some of the SCD forum bad girls in London for a spot of lunch. lots of bubbly and a show very soon.

Nothing wrong with Len, he gave Harry a 10 tonight!


Harry to win.

Yes, when the dance has no faffing about and no gimmicks, Len can then appreciate what Aliona can really do, and he marks as such.

And you know precisely what about it? Len has huge dancing knowledge and he is playing the role of the older grouch deliberately at times. It's a tv show and not up to us to put people out of work.... the DWTS people love him!

There is no reason to and they won't.

If they did get someone in with technical criticism, they'll just get booed. Its got to the point where the audience just want to hear nice things because the poor loves work so hard. Added to the fact that now everyone gets an SO. The show has really plummeted to new depths this year. (Although I still love Harry!).

I thought Len was fine and agreed with most of what he said.

If Len just stuck to his guns and calmly explained his concerns from the 'ballroom' position he is coming from then I wouldn't have a problem with him. It his inconsistency and his over-the-top face pulling, his glaring at Craig, not forgetting his rudeness that, for some reason this season, has been difficult to put to one side and say; "That''s just Len!"

I respect the knowledge he has but I'm starting to become dismissive of him because of the manner in which he delivers it. I was a Len fan until this season.

I suspect that Len needs to recharge his batteries and rethink how he manages his time on Strictly. Cumulative jet-lag can be difficult for a man in his late 60s / early 70s. I can understand why he is milking the cash cow for all its worth given his obscurity just a few years ago but he needs to find a better balance than he has at the moment.

I've got to say I find it amusing, but now predictable. He'll always be, "Mr 'odges," the greengrocer/air raid warden in Dad's Army to me.

It's noticeable that the director often uses a long shot of the pair when Craig is giving his comments, so the viewers can see the look on Len's face. I've not noticed that with other judges.

Pure pantomime.

I though Len was fine last night.

Perhaps after all the adverse comments, the director has given him "The Gypsy's Warning?"

Precisely! Most of us only go to the pantomime once a year (if at all). Being exposed to the same hammed up routines over 10 weeks or whatever it is (it feels like forever this season) grrrrrates, and then some.

Could have put it better myself. He seems to have forgotten that he got this 'role' by sheer fluke and ought to remember he is not God. He's better behaved in the US because they control him AND they poke gentle fun at him too. It's much easier to see him as an eccentric old Brit over there because that is how he is portrayed. He takes the money and does what they say.

Over here his knowledge and popularity is somewhat spoilt by his lapse into rudeness and cantankerous behaviour.

He's not a very intelligent man and I am not sure he knows where the line is - as so often the case when ego clashes with ignorance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72FS9hmEYpU

A certain celebrity Mr L. Goodman:
for your marking with comments.

Hmm..

Len's dance seemed to be not much than a variation on (Cliff &) "The Shadders' Walk."

I tihnk that is faiir comment Holly and I do agree with you in theory. But you know how it is. Frustrations can build up. My guess is that Len has seen some of his comments brushed aside as not important by the other judges, and he feels indignant (since he has the greater experience). Next time round he says something a bit more forcefully. Response is more dismissive. So it becomes a vicious circle with him becoming sulky. Yes it happens to the other judges as well, but it is probably more frustrating for Len, since ballroom is closer to his heart, something he has spent his life competing in and teaching. as opposed to the other judges where it is just a sideline or in the case of Alesha a minor interest they have adopted just for the sake of appearing on Strictly.

Don't disagree with much of what you say, but I think Len's wallet is "closest to his heart."
That's why he's appearing on two shows at the same time and all the traveling is making him grumpy.

Len is turning nasty in this series, no doubt about it.
Some of his comments and facial expressions are terrible for such a respected judge.
Don't know what the problem is but he needs to sort himself out or he will be very unpopular.