BIB But The ratings dont prove that though.
I know a lot of us moan about the changes and I do too but it hasn't affected the success of show like I thought it would. So apparently the majority of the audience don't mind those daft Vts and a lot of other changes....

I think the relatively good viewing figures in recent years may partly reflect a decline in X-Factor, so I think its wise to also consider how other things are changing as the show doesn't achieve the viewing figures in isolation.

Just like for the tour, it may also get more difficult to get a good cast of celebs. I'm hoping they can manage better than the names being speculated for this year.

Interesting to note than when Strictly started adding gimmicks, it started turning the tide on the X Factor.

I do think it's now effectively becoming DWTS UK, what with more and more theme weeks and slightly more obtuse choreography, but I happen to like DWTS so I'm not as aghast as others might be.

I concur...

In fact, hasn't its popularity increased somewhat?

BiB - or maybe they just love the show despite the daft VTs & other changes?

I would guess that we all have things we don't like about the show, but they are out-numbered by the things we do like?

It has

True.

That would be awful! Look what happened when DWTS did an all stars season!

The show's still running a little on the fumes of the Series 8 relaunch - there's actually been a very slow decline in the ratings over the last two series, but the press have spun the show as ever more successful to fit the current anti X Factor agenda (can you imagine the current Emma Slater mess and lacklustre cast rumours happening anywhere around Series 7? It'd be "STRICTLY IN CRISIS! SHOW CAN'T ATTRACT A LIST NAMES AND PROS ARE JUMPING SHIP TO GET AWAY FROM THE TRAINWRECK!" all over the place). The press are fickle, and that could easily change.

However if the producers don't change the better elements of the revamp (trying to get celebs that appeal to a wide range and age of people, preventing cast bloating out of control, a generally positive upbeat atmosphere, cross-promoting the pros effectively, keeping a Results Show set-up that's good for ratings) they should be able to fend off the next downturn for a while yet.

When Strictly started it was more focussed on the dance contest side, all the pros had to have ballroom experience and Len was there to ensure everyone stuck to the rules.

There always was an 'entertainment' side to the show in terms of judges, choreography and dancing, but there was always the learn to do it and learn to do it right basis underneath that.
The Strictly part is the part that seems to be drifting towards Vaguely Come Dancing.

IMO Ballroom has been the type of dance where we are most likely to see someone who can't dance at all become really good. eg. Matt Dawson.
With Latin, it seems to take a lot longer for them to become really good and even then, they seem to need a bit more of a dance gene - like Mark Ramprakash.

The seeming drift away from Ballroom may turn out to extend the life of the program or it may contribute to its demise.
Either way, its not making the program more to my liking.

Providing they can keep the mix fresh (presenters, panelists, pros and celebs), I can see it lasting for another 20 years - if the BBC can afford it and continues to exist.

I quite agree with what you have said here.

I cant help but feel that the changes and the verring away from what was traditionally Strictly (for 6 series) means that the quality of the end product of dancer is not as good as before.

I think it is one of the reasons why I was supporting Louis last year (because every type of dance that Flavia choreographed had the figures for that genre. There was not so much of a "salsambacha" with Louis but his Samba had samba figures, his Viennese had all the Viennese figures (and none of the time wasting flummery) and his waltz had waltz figures, etc.

You knew immediately what genre he was doing - rather than the sort of mix hotch potch that I remember of some of the celebrities (particularly Nicky B) last year.

Yeah, I really do miss the format Strictly had for the first 6 series

Two dances per week till week 6, all finalists had danced each dance at LEAST once and it felt more serious back then without the stupid VTs.

All they need to do is put those things right (and ditch any type of theme weeks until Week 7) and Strictly will be perfect!

However, I don't mind the props and I really like the Tesspit they've used since Series 8

But, I don't think they will change anything with the success of the last three series...

I agree

Strictly is one of those shows I can't see going away for a long time, I'd say 10 years at least, Bruce will be gone by then but Graham Norton will be the King of Saturdays nights by then defeating Ant & Dec for once

I expect some of the previous winners wouldn't want to take part in an all star series (there would be no point in it being just a one show episode imo) as their lives would have moved on and they're happy with having to have just worked hard for one show and get the rewards from that experience.

as for Striclty timeline, maybe at least 3 more years. But as someone said, after Bruce has gone might make a difference.

As a big event Saturday night entertainment Strictly is the successor to Noel's House Party and the Generation Game. Noel's House Party lasted about ten years but had lost the plot by the last series. Strictly is more skill based and could go on for ten, maybe twenty years for that reason.

Watching celebs going outside their comfort zone to learn new skills is always interesting and unlike the Gen Game features people trying to do something quite well, and many of them become reasonably good dancers.

Seeing celebs becoming quite good at dancing is more interesting that watching trained dancers doing it brilliantly, which is why I think the original Come Dancing finished. However, there will need to be a continuous supply of celebrities willing to have a go to engage people' interest.

If the BBC did decide to get rid of Strictly what would they replace it with ? It would have to be as good as Strictly, which would be a tough ask.

That is a very good point, especially so considering the dearth of good/popular light entertainment on BBC one on a Saturday evening. The BBC are really struggling at the moment, and their latest attempt at light entertainment/family entertainment has given us That Puppet Show, a show so bad that it has now slipped below 2 million viewers.

The viewing figures and the amount of people who apply for tickets are an indication that its popularity is not yet on the wain.

You only have to look at the old dross that has been on tv over the summer weekends to see that strictly is still their jewel in the crown, so I can't see them getting shot of it anytime soon.

Well I hope so anyway, I would be bereft if I didn't have strictly to look forward to

My opinion: Not much longer if the calibre of this year's line up is anything to go by...

As pointed out in another thread, not only has SCD never attracted big-name A-Listers, but it's the quality of the dancing, the willingness to learn, and the characters of the celebs that seem to keep the audiences interested.

Sorry it's off topic, but I'm by this statement . Please explain .

Every show has a shelf life . I'd say its got a few more years yet .
A make or break milestone is when Bruce and Tess go .

Forever..........seriously, I don't really know probably until the ratings start plummeting but that won't happen this year or next

I completely missed the plot on Strictly Come Dancing and found myself complaining that it was much more about celebrity tittle-tattle than dancing.

Well SCD is primarily a celebrity show and the dancing is incidental. Personally I would have preferred the old Come Dancing format with no celebs - but that is a different show with little popular appeal.

One good thing is that it has made me dance regularly and go to Argentine Tango twice a week. I'm much more interested in doing than watching. And real Argentine Tango is not the so called "Argentine Tango" 90 second show dancing on SCD - no lifts for example.

Check this out for some young Brazilians dancing at home - much more entertaining (and copiable) than anything on SCD.

http://youtu.be/Fmq7CwSauTc