This is a crazy thread. Craig is The Craig.
He should leave because one fan disagrees with a score he gives to their favourite? The arrogance of the thought is staggering, and funny.


He's a tough cookie and a fair thinker. His tongue is sharp but he's honest and realistic. The show would lose a great deal if we lost Craig. That said, I like all the judges for their different qualities. Maybe I'm in a minority but I even enjoy Bruno's hyper ways.

EDIT: just read up the thread. Thank you so much for your comment strictly starlight. I'm not a dancer but always felt that that that move in the Paso was under control and dramatic rather than a mistake. Your expertise is MOST welcome! And ta Monaogg for bringing her comment over.

Last edited by Pet Monkey : 12-12-2011 at 12:59

I am going to ask the mod to combine this with your other thread that talks about basically the same thing.

I thought his VW was instantly forgettable. Liked his charleston very much though.

To be fair, VW only has three basic steps, natural turns, reverse turns and fleckrl. Aliona added some pivots which Harry did really really well.

He has a lot of sway in that VW which I think was memorable. I don't understand why he kept opening his mouth like this :yawn: when he did the charleston when that dance clearly was supposed to be a happy dance (whatever the song suggests otherwise, if it suggests otherwise). He smiled and appeared to be enjoying his charleston in the training VT we saw in ITT, but he just didn't look 'right' expression-wise for the charleston? Maybe it's nerves?

I've just rewatched it and you're right he is doing that with his mouth! Still liked it though (and I'm not really a Harry fan, too "boy next door" for me!)

I did not think the VW was as smooth as it could have been - he did not glide. I dare say it is easier for the female celebs, whose legs are covered by their dresses but I did find it slightly skippy.

It may be nerves. I remember Ricky Groves had a bad case of it - which is surprising for an actor. In their very first training clip Aliona was encouraging Harry to smile, so I'm sure they have been working on it, but it must be difficult or they would have solved it by now. He does smile sometimes when he's dancing but it tends to be when it comes naturally. He has a nice smile and I hope we see it next week - if the dance needs it.

I was absolutely mesmerised by Chelsee's paso so it's nice to hear that people in the know thought that she danced it well.

ETA-I would imagine that Craig wants to see Harry put a bit of character in the dance. Afterall, a perfect 40 isn't just about good choreography and getting the steps right, the feel/character/emotion of the dance has to be right too.

Me, I'm partial, and admit it, but it was my favourite dance of the series so far... loved its earthiness and all that stuff that Len got hot under the collar about, the slowness followed by the release into movement. Mesmerising is the right word.

Craig is the only judge I respect on the show. Len to a lesser extent. The other two can go as far as I am concerned

Seriously?

OK, Harry's Charleston is the wrong example. His VW was much better - lovely, light, romantic. The only flaw was a failure to emote - and that's Craig's department. That's why he 'only' gave it a 9 - head placement a little off and performed from the neck down.

And Chelsee's dance is the wrong comparison! Jason's AT was appalling. Read this. This is written by a poster on these threads, who teaches AT. He knows what he is talking about. Note how he breaks down the dances, talking about holds, leads, naming specific steps. You can trust him therefore when he says that in Jason's dance that there was "10-15 seconds' worth" of recognisable dance content, done poorly, resulting in a dance that was "laughably bad. Abysmal. By far the worst AT I've seen this series, and possibly the worst I've ever seen on Strictly".

When Jason got 40 for that, then yes, you are onto something and Harry should have got a 10 from Craig. But Chelsee's dance - wrong comparison.

I have to say as someone who strives not to be prejudiced, or to act too hastily, that I applaud the DS mods for continuing to let you post here despite your continued campaign against large breasted women, working-class folk and The North. That's tolerance of a high order.

I think Craig is fabulous, but he does get carried away with his own mythology.... and then does ridiculous things like giving Harry a 9 for his Charleston. No, Craig must stay! Too often, he is the only honest person onthe judging panel.

Megs

^^ I agree with you darling. Craig should stay. He's fab-u-lous.

At least he isn't always flashing his 10 about like some.

I agree with you, and Harry is my favourite.

After Harry had performed both dances the judges knew he was going to finish top of the board so the rest of the scoring was tactical to ensure the top three would be the couples they would rather see in the final and it gave them a better chance of going through. Simples.

The 10 for Jason was just bizarre but perhaps he has a crush on him? I can't think what else could account for giving that lech-fest a 10!

And Chelsee's wasn't really worth a "Craig 10" either. I can understand the others giving her 10s. They're not so discriminating.

But I don't think we should give Craig the boot just yet.....

So just because he didn't give you're favourite a 10 he should go? OK then, that makes sense

Craig has always been my favourite judge but I didn't agree with his 10's on Saturday. I didn't think any of the dances were worthy of a 10. I may not have agreed with him on this occasion but he is the only judge who ususally scores the dance what I personally think it's worth and gives constructive criticism.

If I was a contestant getting a 10 from Aleesha would mean nothing as she dishes them out like sweeties. Her favourite line is how beautiful people look. It's not a beauty contest it's a dancing contest. I do find Bruno amusing at times but the act is wearing a bit thin and Len is so grumpy he gets on my wick.

Craig must never go he is the only one who scores realistically and he's great on ITT.

I think grumpy old Len and the Overmarking Twins should go before Craig

at least he's honest, critical and relatively constructive. You may not agree with his tens but it's not like he chucks them around like confetti. He doesn't give tens if he thinks they are undeserved

I vote for CRH to stay!

Hee hee. Good point. I know Nancy and Lulu were your faves and you're not demanding sackings - are you?

What a very unpleasant post. Not worth wasting my common, northern breath responding to you, other than to say what a thankfully rare atttitude.

Personally, I believe,that Craig is the absolute perfectionist - and if he believes his critizisms will be taken on board and used to create absolute perfection he will stand up and say so. If for wateever reason he doesnt, he wont waste his time - he will either be scathing, or comistatory depending on how far he believes his "goal" can reach. So no one should take it as a "put down" he obv wants and hopes for true perfection - and if Harry takes on board what he says now, it will lead him to the final goal. Which otherswise would go to people Craig DOESNT feel can make that diff - this was not the final.
Thats how I think anyway.

Simple response OP:

NO, NO, NO!!!!!

Craig is The Craig - Darling!

Strictly would definitely be at a loss with Craig, imo.

Did you even read the post properly?