I think the judges are getting it right - currently Denise and James are much better than any of the other couples. They hit all their marks and increasingly their dancing looks effortless which is a clear sign of how good it is.
Denise
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Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe:
“Ruthie Henshall is a trained dancer - if I remember rightly she started wanting to be in ballet - she then studied at laine which produces a high percentage of the top stage dancers.. Aoife had done an Irish dance show before Chicago and been to a drama school - although she's trained primarily as a singer and actor. Jill had done some dancing way back in her childhood. On the other hand some of those people are untrained and several of those people couldn't do the Chicago routines much at all - which makes your point.
Saw Ali Bastian play Roxie last week . She can do the complete routine. Wow can she do the complete routine - including the walkover and her high kicks are higher than most people on a London stage have managed - top of the head in one case. Haven't seen Denise play Roxie but i don't think she can do it quite that well.”
“Ruthie Henshall is a trained dancer - if I remember rightly she started wanting to be in ballet - she then studied at laine which produces a high percentage of the top stage dancers.. Aoife had done an Irish dance show before Chicago and been to a drama school - although she's trained primarily as a singer and actor. Jill had done some dancing way back in her childhood. On the other hand some of those people are untrained and several of those people couldn't do the Chicago routines much at all - which makes your point.
Saw Ali Bastian play Roxie last week . She can do the complete routine. Wow can she do the complete routine - including the walkover and her high kicks are higher than most people on a London stage have managed - top of the head in one case. Haven't seen Denise play Roxie but i don't think she can do it quite that well.”
Jill played Chicago after SCD
Of course Denise is better. She has natural flair, experience and training.
She shouldn't even be in the bloomin' show.
She shouldn't even be in the bloomin' show.
Totally bored by the Charleston. I did think it was mainly the fault of the music though. I think Chris and Ola's is still the best so far. When they did do some Charleston it was just like Chicago which she HAD done before irrespective of her suppose lack of ballroom and latin in the past.
No problem with stage school people or pop stars who jig around in pop videos being in, but I do have a problem with a Broadway star who has danced on Broadway being included.
She will be out as soon as the public vote kicks in.. Not much progression and not much chemistry in the partnership. Give me a Lisa or Michael any day.
No problem with stage school people or pop stars who jig around in pop videos being in, but I do have a problem with a Broadway star who has danced on Broadway being included.
She will be out as soon as the public vote kicks in.. Not much progression and not much chemistry in the partnership. Give me a Lisa or Michael any day.
Denise and James are great and are a pleasure to watch.
The show works best with a range of dancers and it just so happens that Denise is one of the best.
She is even making James very likeable this year.
The show works best with a range of dancers and it just so happens that Denise is one of the best.
She is even making James very likeable this year.
I cringed through their whole dance as I can't stand her (or James). She loves herself so much and giving them 10's, over marked. Stupid music aswell. If they win its a farce.
The music was bizarre.
If I'd seen it in a musical I'd have applauded and then hoped to get back into the drama.
Clinical, efficient, accurate. Like all their output. Gawd, they're dull.
If I'd seen it in a musical I'd have applauded and then hoped to get back into the drama.
Clinical, efficient, accurate. Like all their output. Gawd, they're dull.
Great to see a Charleston that does something other than just trying to be FUN FUN FUN. First time I've been wowed by a Charleston since Kara and Artem.
I loved Denise and James' Charleston last night.
My opinions about Denise have been mixed this series but I really, really enjoyed watching her dance last night and she came over to chat at the end of part of the filming. I found her to be really likeable and so was James
My opinions about Denise have been mixed this series but I really, really enjoyed watching her dance last night and she came over to chat at the end of part of the filming. I found her to be really likeable and so was James
Originally Posted by girlcrisis:
“Great to see a Charleston that does something other than just trying to be FUN FUN FUN. First time I've been wowed by a Charleston since Kara and Artem.”
“Great to see a Charleston that does something other than just trying to be FUN FUN FUN. First time I've been wowed by a Charleston since Kara and Artem.”
Now that was one of the best charlestons on Strictly and grossly undermarked!!!
I loved Denises and James Charleston last night even though I wasn't crazy about the music. The Egyptian theme really worked and I didn't think it would. Well done to both
Originally Posted by Tipi:
“Now that was one of the best charlestons on Strictly and grossly undermarked!!!
I loved Denises and James Charleston last night even though I wasn't crazy about the music. The Egyptian theme really worked and I didn't think it would. Well done to both”
“Now that was one of the best charlestons on Strictly and grossly undermarked!!!
I loved Denises and James Charleston last night even though I wasn't crazy about the music. The Egyptian theme really worked and I didn't think it would. Well done to both
”
Absolutely. Now that I know that they bring Charleston experts in to do they choreography, I wonder if Kara & Artem and Denise & James' Charlestons were choreographed by the same person. They both had a very similar "feel": a bit dark and unsettling. It really annoyed me when the judges told Kara that her performance wasn't over the top enough, it was a subtle and sophisticated Charleston that wasn't just out to play it for laughs.
Originally Posted by flaviawow:
“Does anybody else find Denise van Outen and James Jordan and the constant praise lavished on them by the judges a little boring.Even Craig's comments are weird - to say that tonights charleston by them was the best charleston ever in SCD was way over the top.The judges might as well give them the trophy now & let the rest dance for 2nd place.
I have always liked Denise from way back but she does make mistakes & has not had a bad dance yet which makes me wonder whether she has in fact done ballroom dancing before or at least had lessons and so make it all unfair.”
“Does anybody else find Denise van Outen and James Jordan and the constant praise lavished on them by the judges a little boring.Even Craig's comments are weird - to say that tonights charleston by them was the best charleston ever in SCD was way over the top.The judges might as well give them the trophy now & let the rest dance for 2nd place.
I have always liked Denise from way back but she does make mistakes & has not had a bad dance yet which makes me wonder whether she has in fact done ballroom dancing before or at least had lessons and so make it all unfair.”
Yup, it is obvious she is the judges' favourite. I am getting a bit fed up with the judges and their lavish praise of her.
Denise has an advantage over many of the others - she is an actress, has been in musicals - where she has had to dance, she has studied movement - and if she hasn't studied dance, she has at least studied movement. I think there is a lot of pressure by the producers and the judges for her to 'win'. If she does, I for one will be very disappointed.
Originally Posted by AmSalt12:
“I cringed through their whole dance as I can't stand her (or James). She loves herself so much and giving them 10's, over marked. Stupid music aswell. If they win its a farce.”
“I cringed through their whole dance as I can't stand her (or James). She loves herself so much and giving them 10's, over marked. Stupid music aswell. If they win its a farce.”
You have hit the nail on the head in the first statement -it's not because of any supposed previous experience Denise has that she gets flack from some people it's because they don't like her as for the second why would it be a farce if the best dancer by a country mile won a dance competition?
Don't get me wrong I am not particularly fond of Denise she is far too brash for me but she IS the best dancer in the competition so far so if she does win she will deserve it. Unless of course strictly is not about dance and all about how much we like someone.
Denise has a definite advantage over some of the other contestants with her stage school background and experience acting, singing and dancing in musical theatre.
She is possibly the best dancer but so she should be. Maybe it's because of that I can't warm to her and also the fact that she clearly is the judges' favourite. Also James is my least liked of the pros so that doesn't help.
Denise started off good so her improvement is barely noticeable. I most enjoy watching the celebs with little or no previous dance experience who show a significant improvement over the course of the show.
She is possibly the best dancer but so she should be. Maybe it's because of that I can't warm to her and also the fact that she clearly is the judges' favourite. Also James is my least liked of the pros so that doesn't help.
Denise started off good so her improvement is barely noticeable. I most enjoy watching the celebs with little or no previous dance experience who show a significant improvement over the course of the show.
Why the huge down on Denise? She is an actress and singer primarily. She has done some dancing, but not that much in terms of MT. Tell Me on a Sunday - singing role only, Rent (based on La Boheme, that well known ballroom dancing opera) - singing role, Blondes - one woman show, singing and talking, Legally Blonde - mainly acting, one dance (Irish jig) towards the end! So that makes it only Roxy that really involved any dancing........no more nor less than some previous contestants. The advantage she does have is that she has musicality which is a big help and is used to performing, but so is Kimberley. Incidentally if you think Kimberley didn't dance in Shrek have a look at the production photo - she has a huge production number dancing with the men! I love watching anyone who can dance, and don't feel include to pour vitriol on all the other contestants. It's a family show providing entertainment!
Personally I didn't like it: I like Denise but I don't like Charlestons... A hammy Egyptian Charleston didn't improve it...
Originally Posted by Carol_Williams:
“Why the huge down on Denise? She is an actress and singer primarily. She has done some dancing, but not that much in terms of MT. Tell Me on a Sunday - singing role only, Rent (based on La Boheme, that well known ballroom dancing opera) - singing role, Blondes - one woman show, singing and talking, Legally Blonde - mainly acting, one dance (Irish jig) towards the end! So that makes it only Roxy that really involved any dancing........no more nor less than some previous contestants. The advantage she does have is that she has musicality which is a big help and is used to performing, but so is Kimberley. Incidentally if you think Kimberley didn't dance in Shrek have a look at the production photo - she has a huge production number dancing with the men! I love watching anyone who can dance, and don't feel include to pour vitriol on all the other contestants. It's a family show providing entertainment!”
“Why the huge down on Denise? She is an actress and singer primarily. She has done some dancing, but not that much in terms of MT. Tell Me on a Sunday - singing role only, Rent (based on La Boheme, that well known ballroom dancing opera) - singing role, Blondes - one woman show, singing and talking, Legally Blonde - mainly acting, one dance (Irish jig) towards the end! So that makes it only Roxy that really involved any dancing........no more nor less than some previous contestants. The advantage she does have is that she has musicality which is a big help and is used to performing, but so is Kimberley. Incidentally if you think Kimberley didn't dance in Shrek have a look at the production photo - she has a huge production number dancing with the men! I love watching anyone who can dance, and don't feel include to pour vitriol on all the other contestants. It's a family show providing entertainment!”
There is really no point in stating this case, because the people who agree with you, like me, already agree with you; & the people who don't won't listen!
The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...
I'm not a huge fan of Denise, or James either. She's definitely the judges favourite and it feels like they may as well just hand her the trophy now and be done with it.
She's a good dancer and that can't be disputed but she doesn't seem to have improved like some of the others. I don't know about any one else but I love to see someone who can barely put one foot in front of the other improve week by week so at the end of their time on the show they can 'dance'.
I didn't get their charleston last night either. Personally, 'Walk Like An Egyptian' doesn't seem to 'fit' it - but then I'm definitely no dance expert.
She's a good dancer and that can't be disputed but she doesn't seem to have improved like some of the others. I don't know about any one else but I love to see someone who can barely put one foot in front of the other improve week by week so at the end of their time on the show they can 'dance'.
I didn't get their charleston last night either. Personally, 'Walk Like An Egyptian' doesn't seem to 'fit' it - but then I'm definitely no dance expert.
I thought Denise danced brilliantly last night and was actually better than James! I can't take to her as a personality but have no problem with her being there. You could never have a 'level playing field' - it would be impossible (and boring!)
If she'd had four tens I think they would have been well deserved.
If she'd had four tens I think they would have been well deserved.
Originally Posted by Carol_Williams:
“Why the huge down on Denise? She is an actress and singer primarily. She has done some dancing, but not that much in terms of MT. Tell Me on a Sunday - singing role only, Rent (based on La Boheme, that well known ballroom dancing opera) - singing role, Blondes - one woman show, singing and talking, Legally Blonde - mainly acting, one dance (Irish jig) towards the end! So that makes it only Roxy that really involved any dancing........no more nor less than some previous contestants. The advantage she does have is that she has musicality which is a big help and is used to performing, but so is Kimberley. Incidentally if you think Kimberley didn't dance in Shrek have a look at the production photo - she has a huge production number dancing with the men! I love watching anyone who can dance, and don't feel include to pour vitriol on all the other contestants. It's a family show providing entertainment!”
“Why the huge down on Denise? She is an actress and singer primarily. She has done some dancing, but not that much in terms of MT. Tell Me on a Sunday - singing role only, Rent (based on La Boheme, that well known ballroom dancing opera) - singing role, Blondes - one woman show, singing and talking, Legally Blonde - mainly acting, one dance (Irish jig) towards the end! So that makes it only Roxy that really involved any dancing........no more nor less than some previous contestants. The advantage she does have is that she has musicality which is a big help and is used to performing, but so is Kimberley. Incidentally if you think Kimberley didn't dance in Shrek have a look at the production photo - she has a huge production number dancing with the men! I love watching anyone who can dance, and don't feel include to pour vitriol on all the other contestants. It's a family show providing entertainment!”
She also tap dances in Shrek doesn't she?
I have pointed all this out before too but it generally gets ignored.
Originally Posted by Christa:
“There is really no point in stating this case, because the people who agree with you, like me, already agree with you; & the people who don't won't listen!
The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
“There is really no point in stating this case, because the people who agree with you, like me, already agree with you; & the people who don't won't listen!
The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
Yep, sadly I reckon you are right
Originally Posted by Christa:
“The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
“The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
Exactly - it is really a political issue, put in by people who love to argue politics and are not really interested in the dancing..
Originally Posted by Christa:
“There is really no point in stating this case, because the people who agree with you, like me, already agree with you; & the people who don't won't listen!
The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
“There is really no point in stating this case, because the people who agree with you, like me, already agree with you; & the people who don't won't listen!
The big deal that is made about Denise's dance experience while ignoring Kimberley's leads me to suspect the issue is not really dance experience at all...”
Kimberly acknowledged her experience - Denise denied hers.
Honesty is the best policy.
Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“Kimberly acknowledged her experience - Denise denied hers.
Honesty is the best policy.”
“Kimberly acknowledged her experience - Denise denied hers.
Honesty is the best policy.”
Two words: grow up.
Originally Posted by nyannie:
“Yup, it is obvious she is the judges' favourite. I am getting a bit fed up with the judges and their lavish praise of her.
Denise has an advantage over many of the others - she is an actress, has been in musicals - where she has had to dance, she has studied movement - and if she hasn't studied dance, she has at least studied movement. I think there is a lot of pressure by the producers and the judges for her to 'win'. If she does, I for one will be very disappointed.”
“Yup, it is obvious she is the judges' favourite. I am getting a bit fed up with the judges and their lavish praise of her.
Denise has an advantage over many of the others - she is an actress, has been in musicals - where she has had to dance, she has studied movement - and if she hasn't studied dance, she has at least studied movement. I think there is a lot of pressure by the producers and the judges for her to 'win'. If she does, I for one will be very disappointed.”
OMG! Of course she is getting the highest scores from the judges - she's the best dancer by a long way! That isn't favouritism, it is doing what they are paid for! And why should the producers care who wins so long as the ratings are good.
So what if she has some relevant experience - a lot of them do. She is allowed to be a participant (we know that because she is one) so accept it. Noone is forcing you to vote for her.
Originally Posted by Ignazio:
“Kimberly acknowledged her experience - Denise denied hers.
Honesty is the best policy.”
“Kimberly acknowledged her experience - Denise denied hers.
Honesty is the best policy.”
Denise has acknowledged her experience.
'I would like to take this opportunity to express that I have danced at theatre school as part of my training, and I did appear in the musical Chicago where I had one dance number, but apart from that, my dance experience is very basic.'Secondly, I am not the only competitor that has appeared in the show that has had basic training.
'This competition is not musical theatre, it is ballroom, and this is a world that I am in NO way familiar with.'
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