http://tellymix.co.uk/ratings/163535...gin.html?redir

What is strictly doing that X factor isn't? They've both been around about as long as each other... Yet strictly isn't ageing (only Bruce is) and X factor is most definitely ageing.

I'm surprised strictly had it's highest audience yet as I thought last week was much better but nevertheless.... YAY STRICTLY!

Do you know if the X-factor ratings are falling? I have turned off for good now and I know at least another 5/6 people who have also done the same.

I know this isn't a lot but if this is a national trend, it could be a big dent in the XF ratings.

Maybe they are all tuning in to watch Natalie dance.

Of course they are

What Strictly is "doing," is attempting to attract a younger audience away from X-Factor and is succeeding.

It's the reason for what many would consider, unsuitable contemporary music for dance, making up much of the content.

I also have switched off X factor this year. It's a complete snoozefest.

I'm afraid the return of Sharon Osborne killed off whatever interest I still had in the X Factor, which wasn't that much anyway.

I think Strictly is basically Saturday night family friendly variety show, which the BBC know how to do. Bruce might be creaking a bit now (well more than a bit) but he knows all about presenting a show to appeal to the whole family.

It sounds as if the X Factor this year has made the format even more unkind, I don't think that's what people want to watch nowadays.

Looks like the return of the ghastly Sharon Osborne has had the reverse effect of what they intended.

I have not watched it since Joe McEldery won...its too contrived and full of over large ego's...but Strictly has always been a favourite of mine anyhow.

In answer to the OP I think the reason why SCD is holding out so well against TXF could be because it's good old fashioned family entertainment. In my office several of the women have said their little girls dress up and dance along with their favourites. I know Brucie gets a pounding on here but, he is continuity. Many of the viewers grew up with him on their TVs and ok he may fluff his lines every now and again but, in a strange way I think the audience kinda expect it and just let him get on with it. In fact if you go into the live thread you can see the same old posters waiting to pounce on his every mistake. They may not like him but, it's almost like when you know a dreaded uncle/aunt will be invited to a family do and people sit in the corner just sitting in the corner waiting for them to do something which they deem to be unacceptable so it will make their night.

SCD works because it isn't trying to be something it's not and because of it that we trust it more than TXF. We all know that the glitterball is practically worthless and yet many of us have had heated debates over who should have really won it which will last for years (Colinwuzrobbed ). TXF is still trying to con the audience that the winner of a multimillion record contract was someone who was plucked out of obscurity, when chances are they have been waiting in the "Syco" wings for years. People no longer trust the voting for TXF because it will be changed at the last minute to suit who the producers want to win.

I have been turning off for years but I just cannot watch it now for the reasons you have mentioned and also because of the awful Sharon Osborne who I really dislike.

I have always watched Strictly too but out of them all I love Dancing on Ice.

I think the demographic for X-Factor is shrinking, it's lost the "water cooler" effect completely..how many of your work colleagues even mention the show any more ?

I did flick over at the end of Strictly and caught the woman singing The Power of Love..to be fair, she was superb. But it quickly descended into the usual glorified karaoke, with the chav screaming audience and inane judges remarks.

Well I like DOI too though I did struggle with it a bit the last series...in fact the only one I dont watch apart from XF is I'm a celebrity....though I have been known to watch if someone I really really like is in it.

I don't know anyone who is watching the X factor anymore, winners disappear into oblivion to pop up at Butlins a few years later and has no credibility that they will find a real multinational star. ok 1D going from strength to strength but they were manufactured by the show just as other pop groups have been before. SCD is family viewing, a bit panto at times but seemingly loved cross generational, my daughter (20) and mum (72) all love it texts flying throughout the show. BGT has got a more feel good characters, Gary's bailed and time for ITV to do the same.

On the money post

* There's only so much real 'musical talent' (everything else is ersatz)

* Even the dumbest viewers eventually recognise when they're being brazenly manipulated.

The public missed Brucie but YAY for strictly

Well, well , well said bravo. I love the little story about the little girls dressing up for scd, so cute and so true. Scd imo is the perfect Saturday night entertainment

Strictly has the feel good factor, where XF has the feel bad factor.

Strictly is a much more balanced show. Strictly features dancing and music for all ages, whereas X-Factor focuses on on the young and trendy. Strictly has a light-hearted spirit whereas X-Factor has a more sinister edge. Strictly tries to make you laugh, whereas X-Factor tries to make you cry.

That said, X-Factor is still doing the job for ITV and it pulls in the younger viewers under 30, which is what ITV really want. And I can't think of any other BBC show which would stand a chance against it. That says a lot for Strictly, and for the people involved, and it should serve as a word of warning for all the self appointed experts who would try and tinker with it.

I did exactly the same as you and drew the same conclusion both on that performance and the rest. I elected that a documentary about Julian Assage would be more entertaining!

Last night's Strictly was for me was an example Saturday Night feel-good, light-entertainment at its best. What made it so, I feel, was the off scripted moments. The contestants are all professional performers of one sort or another - or if you like trained experienced show offs (and I mean that in the nicest possible way).

Last night was entertaining not just because of the glitz and dancing but the repartee between judges, performers and presenters. Several of them made genuinely droll comments when being judged or interviewed by Tess. IMO Brucie is funny when he is being spontaneous despite being cringey with the scripted gags. The result was lively and pacey with a few LOL moments.

In comparison X factor has inexperienced performers who may be able to sing but have yet to develop the panache to talk on camera and sound believable and at ease. So they rely on giving them these bits of formulaic cheesy scripts to perform in their VT. Few of them are convincing and most trot out the same tired old clichés. The effect to my mind is uncomfortable viewing that makes most of the contestants seem plain annoying. eg;-

" I am doing this for Birmingham" - No you are NOT you are doing it for you.
"I want to give my child the future she deserves" - Right and that can only be achieved by becoming a major recording artist?
or most irritating of all
" I have worked my whole life for this moment" - Grrrr, even my 9 year old niece pointed out that at age just16 this is daft thing to say.

I manage about 2 of these VTS before I am at screaming pitch.

It seems SCD may have opted this year to lighten up on the scripting and allow a natural but tamed anarchism to provide the entertainment - I do hope so.

Because it is not boring

Actually, "what I think it says," is they've spoilt the programme somewhat with this obsession about chasing ratings.
I watch the show for the dancing, I really don't care how many watch the X-Factor.
I'd rather see the show without all the over-the-top nonsense that has increased over the last few years.

What I prefer about strictly is that any given week, someone could surprise you with the quality of their dancing, compared to the week before.

With the X factor they all sound the same week on week, their is no personality with the same "I've worked all my life for this" and "This is my last chance" and "I just want this so bad."

Also the winner of strictly isn't attempted to be catapulted into a brief career either which I like.

I think it's due the fact they are all pretty crap except Sam Bailey and the wee Scottish guy