I don't know if it's all been different for me this year because without Arty etc. it feels like a new show. Or perhaps it's because I haven't had time to watch ITT and so I'm only judging what I see on Saturday night and so I don't get why Mark is unpopular. I can understand the doubts about Karen's integrity but Mark strikes me as being okay (if a bit OTT) and I think he's made incredible progress really.

Having said all of of that, Soupy I'm liking our thoughts. Caroline is my favourite, I know she's not perfect but, like Bruno, I'd rather watch her emotional connection and a bit of messiness than dry, technical perfection.

Jake has gone off the boil - sad really - and I think he knows it. Love, love Janette.

Simon has improved so much and I like the partnership - sometimes I feel him and sometimes I don't and so I'll wait to see what happens next to know how much I'll be rooting for him or not.

Frankie has had some great moments and I loved her tango (that lovely slow horizontal decent at the beginning was yummy) but I don't connect to her and Kevin just doesn't help her cause.

Mark - as you all know I have more time for him than most I enjoyed the contemporary Rumba as a complete piece mainly because I usually find the 'male' Rumba so icky. Thought Mark did a good job too.

Got to say, I'm loving Pasta with Caroline. He seems very sympatico and lovely. I enjoyed the show tonight.

Such a lacklustre semi-final this year. You know things are bad when the judges don't go on about the standard being "the highest it's ever been". I think the problem is with the new pro's rather than the celebs. Kevin and Janette have not improved their celebs technique anywhere near as much as they should have done by this stage and imho Karen's choreography hasn't done Mark any favours.
Actually, I'm quite angry about their rumba tonight as I think the barefoot "never been done before" crap was just an excuse for her to not have to teach him to do recogniseable rumba steps. Janette has done the same thing with Jake too (iirc he didn't change direction in his VW without coming out of hold?) and in my eyes it's a form of cheating and just makes SCD more like a celeb version of SYTYCD.
I'd like Caroline & Pasha to win but if they don't do it then the only other pro I'd like to pick up the glitterball would be Kristina.

i want kristina and simon to win kristina has been on the show the longest and deserves to lift the glitterball. im not to much a fan of simon but i do believe his foxtrot was the dance of the night for me tonight. caroline and pashas wasnt a foxtrot for me wrong music all together and peferomance not good either. i didnt like carolines salsa either much prefered natalies and artems last year. im not a fan of kevin and frankie either, i dont like mark and karen either she should of been marked down for that rumba strictly doesnt do contempory thats on dwts.

BIB It feels like a different show for me, too, Nooney. I hated the idea of Strictly without Artem and almost gave up on it altogether, but I had to do a bit of mind magic on myself (otherwise known as 'giving myself a slap') and forced myself to enjoy it . I've loved Strictly from the first show, so I don't want to give up on it. (Still miss Arty, though. And Flavia. Even James a little bit.... and I didn't even really like him! ).

Mark may just be one of those Marmite people .

I actually like Karen, so didn't mean to cast aspersions on her integrity about the tears. It just struck me in the moment that it was all a bit unnnecessary and then I got irritated by Kevin being called on to comfort her. I have a Pavlovian response to him most of the time. Makes me twitch. What happened to him anyway? I heard his little voice from the back of the balcony squeaking something supportive, then some rustling and a-scuffling as he tried to scramble his way centre stage, but he never arrived. Did someone take him down? Or did the others just close ranks and block his path? Someone should buy them all a drink.....

Howdy Nooney, I'm kind of in agreement with you, although never been a massive Jake fan (it's the faces ) and always liked Simon, very happy he got through. Also liking Frankie a lot, but not as much as Flasha who are my longstanding faves to win.

And really rather enjoyed Mark's rumba, at least it wasn't hide behind the cushion icky which the raunchy (read 'bleugh!!!!) ones can be. I love his improvement and evident love of dancing, so all in all rather chuffed with the finalists.

And BIB - just because.


You're missing James ???? Soupster there is medication you can get for that, but I know what you mean, I think it's because he was a fixture for so long that it is slightly strange that he's not there and being all stroppy at least once a week.

Other BIB - that would be Brenda stepping in manfully, or as manfully as Brenda can be.

Have to say though, I had a gander on the main thread during lunch break, and I'm finding the continuous Kevin bashing very tedious,he honestly annoys me very little, maybe just needs to tone it down a bit but I'm sure someone could have a word in his shell like. Or maybe I'm getting the same ImustsupportthestrictlyprowhosgettingbashedtypethingIgetwithAliona.

On a complete off topic, totally loving this season of Homeland - Brody, Pah !!!!

With you there, Ninster! We have the divine Quinn back on form and (for a moment - until he went weasel) I was shipping Carrie and the Pakistani general

I assume Kara is on set here, as the guy at the back seems to have (what I assume is) fake blood running down his face?

http://instagram.com/p/wo6wXYQ50T/

Trailer for series 3 of Mr Selfridge - gorgeous costumes!

http://italktelly.com/2014/12/19/mr-...ies-3-trailer/

I've just seen on Facebook that an old school-friend of mine has a minor role in it - a double reason to watch!

That must've been exciting - it looks like a lovely set to work on

It looks like Kara will be doing an American accent as well - I don't think I've ever heard her do one before, but I think I remember her saying she'd been taking lessons in various accents.

A sweet pic from instagram - not sure what Kara was doing dancing in an underground bunker

http://instagram.com/p/wdV9geQPv2/?modal=true

Peevey, lovely to see your post, I occasionally see your wise posts on the main board, righting some wrong.
I am looking forward to the final this year, with a more open mind than usual.
I would like Simon or Caroline to win, it would be lovely for Christina and I might use my on line vote for them. We will see.
I am a bit sad that strictly is about to be over, not sure what will happen to this thread.
Maybe mr selfridge will keep the flame flickering.
Thankyou for the link and photo Ellie, that bloke looks so pleased..

That's what I thought - cute

I don't have a favourite this year, but I might throw some votes Simon's way as it would be lovely to see Kristina win - I think she'd make Camilla's reaction look understated

Hello!

Enjoy the show tonight Clartem. I hope you are watching it on your new TV!

I'm heading out so shall miss it 'live'. I haven't really watched the show since Pixie went . Len was so horrible that night, he really put me off! History now but I hope the scoring is fair and consistent.

I don't mind who wins - well, I should clarify, I do- anyone but Mark! Funny I was out last night and SCD came up and Mark seemed quite popular ( he has had the best 'j' word) so it looks like I am in the minority.

Wishing everyone a strictly fantastic evening and a very Merry Christmas. x

Hmmmm!

Want Caroline, Simon and Frankie in the final three with Caroline lifting the glitterball I think, though I wouldn't mind Simon lifting it either.

All my votes went to Caroline tonight. Hope she wins.

Hello, Clartem! *waves frantically across the Channel*

I chucked my online votes at Caroline and Pasha but haven't picked up the phone. It seems strange when I remember the frantic dialling I did when Kara and Artem were at this same stage four years ago, while at the same time trying to text Tangerine to keep her up to date with what was happening as she was on a works Christmas do and missing the show. These days I'm twiddling my thumbs with half an hour until the show resumes.

So although I'd prefer Caroline to win, I won't mind terribly if either Frankie or Simon pips her to the post. Just so long as Mark doesn't win. I don't dislike the man, it's just that his dancing has been for the most part forgettable (except for the emo-rumba, which was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons).

Loved Pasha's choreography for that show dance, which has finally laid the ghost of Bacofoil to rest and will, I hope, allow other dancers to take the risk with a slow show dance in the future. I also liked the Fred & Ginger show dance that Frankie did, although it was 'safe'. Loathed both Simon's and Mark's, which were your typical frantic bung-everything-in show dances that they churn out every year.

As for their first dances, I liked Frankie's samba and Caroline's fringe-y cha-cha and, again, hated the bloody Charleston. I've already forgotten Mark's cha-cha. Has anybody other than Alesha ever done a good cha-cha in the history of Strictly? Just askin'...

Right, I think I'd better eat some oranges or something (isn't that traditional for half-time?). Roll on the second half!

Evening!

I started the show hoping for a Simon and Kristina win, but would be happy for Caroline to take it and after the show dances, think I've switched around.

Caroline danced her contemporary with her heart and soul and the choreography was gorgeous.

I thought Simon's was good but I'd have liked more dancing and fewer lifts. Thought some of the lifts were a little ungainly and the costume changes stopped it flowing so well.

Frankie's dress was fantastic and she danced a lovely American Smooth, but the bit on the benches was lame, so overall, it was nice, but not special enough.

I've had a downer on Mark for weeks now, but tried to be open minded this evening. Afraid I really didn't rate the show dance and didn't like the cha cha.

Think it should be Caroline who wins and that would be great, but I would be very happy for Simon and (especially) Kristina to win. I think she would explode with joy!

Hi Peeve! YOu made me laugh out loud.............several times! Agree with all you say. Have not picked up the phone at all this year. Two votes to Caroline and one vote bunged Simons way. A far cry from the old K&A days when several pages went by and it was hard to keep up on here. Happy days!

Hi Soupy..........YES, agree with all of this too! I think Caroline deserves it and Pasha, but do have a soft spot for Kristina, so wouldn't mind at all if S&K won the glitterball.

Hi SQ I'd be happy with that too!

peeve! Lovely to see you posting here. It's been a bit quiet this year, but I think that's been true of DS overall...

Waves to Suzie, Clarty, Wrennster and anam!

Of the first dances, I thought Caroline rocked the chaaaaa, quite liked Simon's charleston , thought Frankie made a great second go at the samba. Nowt more to say on Mark .

I haven't picked up the phone this series. I have enjoyed it, but I'm not invested....

Looking forward to seeing the shambles of the group number in the second half! I want to see my Judy again!

HI Wrenny

I try not to think too much about the huge phone bill I racked up during Kara and Artem's time