^^This.

But she's still as mad as a box of frogs though.... that's why I luv 'er!

I did one of these a few weeks ago, Pasha and Robin have used the most, then Flavia.

Aliona's run of avoiding the bottom 2 and elimination for the longest time must be unchallenged now Artem and James (last years finalists) both went last night

Lilia went 2 series and 4 weeks without being bottom 2 so she still holds the record. (The first year she got to the semi and suffered from the joke act Julian)

I think the best choreographers this year have been Artem, Kristina and Pasha. Not only for the content but how they have shaped them to the needs of their partners. I’m not sure if Aliona is even in forth place. I think Flavia probably has that spot.

Agree.... I think Aliona's choreography the last 3 weeks has been brilliant.

The Charleston had a lot of proper charleston in there and not much of the geeky gurning stuff that is usually happening in that dance. Lots of dancing rather than messing around.

The Viennese Waltz was gorgeous and is my "waz robbed" dance so far... That should have had 40 ... especially if the Paso (with one notable error) and the Hanibal Lecter Psycho AT got 40s.

I haven't been massively sold on Harry all series but his Charleston has to be my favourite dance so far...of anyone really.

Disagree, the way Jason started he seemed miles ahead of the rest. The way Chelsee, Harry and Holly caught up is I think mainly down to Pasha, Aliona and Artem and they are my best 3 pros this year.

That's exactly how I felt last year, but now I just think it is genius .


Completely agree with this. I think Jason may have actually cost himself a chance of winning it by having private dance lessons beforehand - he's missed out on the j-word aspect, while the others look even more improved when compared with him. As a result, I don't think Kristina's been able to develop her choreography as much either.

Anyway if Aliona wasn't Aliona she would be getting so much praise right now. But then again, Aliona not being Aliona would be very dull indeed!

Erm, I just checked and it was Erin with Julian - Lilia had Aled Jones that year. (the rest is right though )

disagree on Kristina, yes, she is am amazing choreographer and yes, Jason started off well but for me, he hasnt improved as much as Harry, Chelsee and Holly and that is done to the teaching of Aliona, Pasha and Artem

I would chose different professionals if I were picking the best teachers. But the thread is about choreography. I think Kristina's choreography has been outstanding. I’m not sure how good a teacher she is as Jason started off at a very high level. I think she seems pretty good however as she has been working on his issues, as has Aliona (another one cursed with a too good student at the start)..

If I were chosing the best teachers I think I would have to pick James, Artem, and Natalie. I can't judge teaching though on one series, or even a couple, as it depends on how willing the student is too. I wish we saw more of the training this series too to see how they are actually motivating their students and what they were concentrating on each week.

I didn't really take to their Charleston strangely, but their second dance for its simplicity I liked. I've always liked (most of) Alionona's choregoraphy, for what it is. Sometimes it doesn't match the requirements of the actual dance but, if I just look at the choreography on its own (outside of the constraints of the rules of the specific dance), then I've usually found her to be very creative thinking. In fact the main thing I liked about her dance was her outfit, not strangely.

I certainly hope so! Would be gutted if Aliona went all traditional and boring on us

yes, I do realise that thank you

the point I was trying to make - obviously not very successfuly, is that I personally havent seen any increase in the level of choreography for Kristinas routines for Jason whereas I have with Aliona, Artem and Pasha for Harry, Holly and Chelsee

I feel that Aliona, Artem and Pasha have all increased their choreography content for their celebs and I personally dont think that Kristina has

Not sure if that is any clearer actually so I am just going to shut up I think

I think we have been talking at cross purposes. I think the level of difficulty of their content is what you mean rather more than choreography. I could hardly have included Flavia on that list this year if that that was what I meant!

I think Aliona and Kristina have done some fabulous routines, although Harry has the better dance talent the actual routines are very good

I think Aliona's choreography has vastly improved this year. I may have missed some clunkers though as I haven't seen many episodes.

I still worry about the showdance though ... last years was horrible and I think Pasha will choreograph a better one .. less gimmicky. Aliona may well pull it out of the bag though if the dances on Saturday are anything to go by .. very classy stuff.

I thought the choreography for the charleston was great. Didn't like the VW, so bland.

Sorry, but I just don't see it like that. By choreographing mainly show dance style routines for the first two thirds of the series, I think Aliona deliberately gambled on the public vote keeping them in every week. Then when the number of couples dropped leaving only those celebs who could dance, to keep them near the top of the leaderboard she started choreographing routines aimed at pleasing both the judges and the public.

I like Aliona and love watching her dance, but I'm not going to start praising her for doing what she was supposed to do from week 1. She is a smart cookie, but I don't think Aliona played fair during this series.

That's a good point. Doing a show-dance every week and ignoring the dance brief is not fair.

For those complaining that Kristina's choreography has not improved; you must be joking. She has been brilliant and on Saturday night - WOW. Best AT for a long time. AND she has managed to do this and stick to the dance brief.

I think Kristina and Pasha are fantastic examples of how you can get to the final by sticking to the dancing brief. It is only this series and the last series (although to a lesser extent), that pros have been allowed to get away without sticking to the dance brief. I hope it won't be allowed next year.

BTW I'm not a dancer or a dance purist - just a viewer from the very first episode.

Clearly a matter of opinion. I didn't think it was the best AT on Saturday night.

I think what penguinperson was referring to here:
"Lilia went 2 series and 4 weeks without being bottom 2 so she still holds the record. (The first year she got to the semi and suffered from the joke act Julian)"
was the fact that Lilia and Aled were knocked out in the semifinal and Julian and Erin went through to the Final, much to the annoyance of the likes of me at the time! (Though Julian did dance well in the Final).

But Kristina's AT was a show dance as well, there was barley any AT in it. It's a bit unfair that Len wouldn't stop going on about the lack on content in Harry & Aliona's tango and then gave a ten to Jason which probably had even less content.