I don't know whether it's because the contestants simply aren't to the standard of previous years, or it's due to a slip in the choreography. I think it might be both.

I don't think any of the finalists are particularly good. Matt, imo, is the strongest, but he's such an Grr! I don't want him to win, but the others just aren't good enough. It's hard to get enthusiastic about the final when I don't think any of them really deserve to win.

There has not been one performance this year that I would call memorable, unlike previous years when there was at least one performance a week that would really impressive you!

Also, I think the fact that the contestants have to learn a save me skate really takes away from their "proper" performance. I would rather see one, really good routine with lots of complicated moves that the contestants have put all their energy into than see a separate skate for the skate off. I don't know how anybody could have thought making them do separate routines was a good idea.

I was watching videos of past performances before, and they were so much better. Matthew, Jorgie, Chris Fountain, Ray Quinn, Suzanne Shaw etc etc. None of the contestants this year are up to their standard.

I miss the required element from previous years. There's also too much focus on lifts and not enough on proper skating and dancing and footwork. That really gets on my nerves because I'm sick of seeing "skate, lift, skate, lift" routines that don't flow like a proper dance.

I'm not trying to "hate on" DOI. I love the show and want to see it back next year, but this year has been rather lame. I'm disappointed.
Sigh. What does everybody else think?

I agree about it being lacklustre and it's probably a combination of things. Beth is good enough for me and her flying skate tonight was memorable, gave me tingles. However I agree it should be more about actually skating on the ice! They need to bring back the required elements and not let anyone get away with too many lifts in a routine even in the early weeks.

I've loved the show from the beginning but I am so sick of it right now.

I think there are lots of issues. Some are what you expect from itv, ie a programme twice as long as it needs to be padded out with far too many ad breaks.

Karen Barber's position on the show itself is ridiculous, is she a training mentor or a judge? If she works with them on the Ice, she has no place on the show for me.

I used to respect Robin but this year some of his comments and actions have been ridiculous, particularly re Samia.

Ashley? She has about three phrases, I expected more, we had fun, or well done!!

Jason, love him or loathe him, he often hits the nail on the head even if he sometimes does it in an unkind way.

There is too much favouritism, I honestly believe they decide who they want in the final and work to that end. I have never really felt like that with this show until this year. I am sure that like X factor etc it goes on but they have been so blatant this year with it.

Finally, it's called Dancing on Ice, I like the lifts but only one or two a routine. I definitely don't want to see the bloody headbanger ever again. It makes me mad when they talk about needing to up their game and want more 'tricks' in thir routine. I want to see good ice skating with rhythm to music, is that really too much to ask.

If it does get another outing, please let's just get back to basics, skills tests and required elements. How about a rule that their skates must be on the ice a percentage of the time?

I wouldn't say I'm sick of it but,I broadly agree with your other points.

I agree with all of this.

Just a case of ITV rocking out the same old tat without much change or decent investment over the years.

DOI has always been naff and as with X Factor seem to hire just anybody now for the sake of it to judge contestants.

SCD & BGT don't feel anywhere near ready for the compost heap yet in my opinion. They still feel like worth while family entertainment. They've only ever had two miserable series between them. X Factor & DOI have had four in the last two years alone!

Its inherent in BGT though - you can give them an operatic singer one year, some acrobats the next, and then a smart dog with that format and it always looks different. SCD hasn't been good the last couple of years - dull not very capable male winners, tiring finalists doing other day jobs, male bias in the marking from all 3 male judges, underperforming females and people without support in relation to their ability.

DOI just has a lack of good routines, and now a male bias with all 4 judges. Its had two good female finalists this year and last who never got a really good routine - and Beth has actually added 3 or 4 moves to the standard repertoire. There's good moves still, but no great routines or even music that really suits the competitors Its just not taken off as a competition, and its now lost its third competitive finalist - which would have been another first if he had made it.

Its going to be interesting to se what happens on the tour if they choregraph new routines/use different pros and someone else does the choregraphing.

Nothing to add, really. Lacklustre is the perfect word to sum it up. I think there are contestants who would've been capable of delivering something memorable - Beth, Matt - but they haven't been given the material.

I agree about bringing back the technical element and have previously suggested on the show thread that the SO hould be a technical routine with the same required elements from each skater and a new element being added each week. This would give a level basis for comparing their competence.

One key element is missing - Holly Willoughby.

in my opinion its the choreography that is tired, dont get me wrong, I love T&D and they are complete skating legends BUT the I do feel that they are trotting out the same tired choreography over and over again - the show needs to take a break - not a permenant one but just a break so they can refresh their ideas - maybe give the professional skaters a hand in the choreography from time to time - I dont really understand why T&D feel the need to choreograph everything, they have a great bunch of professional skaters whose input could and would improve their "stale" choreography

I'm not sure if there's an endless supply of "celebrities" who'd want to take part in the show and who could actually do it. Keith Chegwin, OK, he wasn't bad, and he did improve. People like Todd Carty or Leila Morse, no point in even turning up, they're simply dreadful and a waste of time. I've watched the competition from the beginning, and I'm sure the standard was higher at the start. They were lucky with the Olympics last year, and getting Luke and Beth.

The most sensible comment that I have seen on the DOI threads so far.

Well done for bringing it up now - pity that the producers didn't think more about the concept at the start of the series.