Is it me or are the new intake of pro dancers showing the old hands a thing or two?

In particular, we've been impressed with Aljaz' clean choreography, but Kevin, Anya and Iveta are all impressing.

Incidentally, given that this range of talent is available, why is Anton still around? (And much as I like them, I'm also finding Kristina and Ola a bit less impressive this year).

Even though I'm not an Anton fan but he is obviously popular & well known

As for your original question it depends on who you are comparing and what you mean by old hands

The best pros & teachers on strictly to me include Lilia, Darren, Ian and Matthew C 'who were put into the troupe' and Vincent, Flavia and Camilla who left I don't know how the new intake would do compare to these pros. Also even with duds they were able to do at least one good dance same with Erin who no matter what your opinion on Erin's Latin she was able to get at least one good ballroom dance out if each partner she was given.

Yes Kevin and Alijaz are great but they have capable partners too and a great connection with their partners and it is only their first year. Anya and Iveta have done a superb job as well but again they have a great partnerships. None of the new pros excluding Janette got a dud.

Brendan 'an old hand' is doing a great job this year with Sophie

I think it is pretty even, love some of the new and some of the old hands are excellent

PS its a good question ... looking forward to some of the replies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZK4W...&feature=share

In answer to that question I'm glad he was around this year for this dance alone.

The move away from the ballroom dances towards the more modern showstoppers is obvious (how many foxtrots have there been this year? )

The newer pros bring loads with them that enhances the show but the ballroom side of it is what makes Strictly unique and is what a lot of people who may be less vocal look forward to.

Ye Oldie Come Dancing (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF3Z8w1oBZY

Can't find any older clips, appears to be fronted by one of Brucies younger female relatives.

It took me a couple of seasons to appreciate new pros till Pasha, maybe partly because of Chelsee. So maybe who new pros get as partners and/or how they gel, is key. This year I' ve taken to the newbies. I like Karen more this year than last, she seems to have relaxed into it, maybe Dave made her have fun.

Is it meant for people to laugh all the way through the dance? I did. If it's not meant to be, then my apologies...

Sammy stoppford though was a great competitor and teacher and his first wife (Shirley Ballas) too seem so old hat love the Come Dancing clips have you seen Ian Waite one )

Ian at 2.19 with the lovely Mel and Tony follows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeRxCS0tl-Q

I generally agree to all that but I wonder what the popularity of 'traditional' is via more show-dance.
I have just been looking at the viewing figures for some last season BBC official youtube vids. Now I liked Pasha/Kimberley's Tango,but the combined viewings of their week 6 and final performances add up to about 67000,less than half what their showdance does at 174000,
The winner Louis Smith's showdance is a runaway success at 753000 typically four times as popular as anything else he danced.

As the Yanks say,go figure.