For some celebs the faffing is the only coherent bit of the performance.

I personally would not agree with this.

If they are not dancing whilst using a prop it is unnecessary. There should be a minimum of 75 seconds of proper dancing, not 60 seconds of faffing with only 30 seconds dancing.

Next you'll be saying that you had a soft spot for Russell Grant's helmet...

I'm not a fan of the props but I can put up with a small one (oo-er) if it doesn't get in the way of the dance. Similarly, I can put up with the larger props on theme nights, but again, not at the expense of the dance.

The one prop that did thrill me was Erin Island

I hate props, mostly (there are exceptions) they are a lazy way of filling time when celebs can't learn a full routine. If celebs can dance they don't need to clutter themselves up with props - they just dance!

Having said that, I think props are here to stay, in which case I wish they would do as they do on Dancing on Ice and have a props week - and not allow them to be used any other week.

I dislike most use of props and stage furniture. They are unnecessary time wasting devices and detract from the dancing. One of the few times I thought a prop didn't detract from the dance was Scott's jive with the door, but only because Natalie cleverly kept him dancing in front of the door whilst she disappeared behind it...and it fitted with the theme of the song of Jack being thrown out.

There's no such thing as a good prop, IMO. Knowing nothing, but just how I feel. They irritate me and I'm totally with Len on this one, much as it pains me to say it.

Am I right in saying it was the first ever Halloween Night in 2010 that triggered the pro's obsession with props? Series 9 was a bit of overkill to be honest...

For some reason, I really dislike the lamposts they insist on using.

I really didn't like that prop Anton insisted on dragging out week after week a few series back.

It didn't enhance his dances at all. Quite the reverse in fact.

This horribly true!

I loathe props. I hated dancing with them too. The only excuse for a prop - like a hat or a cane - is a Bob Fosse number.

Amen.

Neva4get Natalie

"I'm standing on a bridge......."


*stands on bridge*

Err..I have forgotten it . Which Natalie? What bridge?

You mean that old Italian piece of wood with Botox and a hair piece? Or that antique English oak table?

This

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HfzP_tPGgg


The obviousness of lyric and prop made me laugh at the time

Natalie (Lowe) and Audley's VW to "I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne - the very first line is 'I'm standing on a bridge', and they had a bridge to stand on in the actual routine

Ha, ha! Brilliant! (and a lamp post too, to go with 'waitin' in the dark' )

That is the epitome of an unnecessary prop!

Would the exact dance be danced without the prop? If the answer is yes, why the prop? Beyond annoying.

For all the flack Aliona gets for using props, I am pretty sure all pros use them with the same regularity, yet they are never equally criticised for it.

She actually wanted to dance to Down in the Tube Station at Midnight (by the Jam) but the producers said the show's budget couldn't stretch to it

I don't mind props so long as they serve the purpose of setting a scene or establishing a theme or story. For example, I think the fans in Kristina and Jason's Tango was a good use of a prop because they could be sensibly incorporated into the dance, established the Priscilla Queen Of The Desert theme and were quickly disposed of so that the real dancing could begin.

Props just become annoying when they're pointless (Natalie's bridge, Flavia's swing set), a bit ridiculous (Aliona's gardening prop filled Cha Cha Cha with Matt springs to mind) or an obvious ploy to waste time (Victoria's bike, Russell's canon).

Except there are no fans in argentine tango - ever That was bizarre, but then AT on SCD is bizarre. Make it up as you go along AT I call it.

Totally agree with your views on all the others though. Used to cover up mediocre choreography!

The fans were in their ballroom tango. Have you forgotten the of their serial killer sniffer AT?

mimi you'll have to add some of your posts to your 'post of the day' thread!