And some of them are frankly close to being muscle-bound.
Last edited by wildwestlady : 19-12-2013 at 11:12

Well maybe it's not the show for you then? It's an entertainment show, most people watching couldn't give a stuff about the standard of the professional dancers. They want fun and entertainment on a Saturday night and that's what they are getting.

Strictly is not a show for dance snobs or purists. Part of its charm is that good old fashioned fun and doesn't take itself too seriously.

Edit. I've just read that you wrote a letter of complaint to the BBC after series one. Please tell me this is a wind up?!

It's a good thing they did not listen.

Well I wish you luck watching whatever you watch next year then.

There may be changes but not all of your list & frankly thank goodness.

But one thing I can be sure off. Kevin will be back, the only way he won't be is if he chooses not too.

I won't watch Strictly in 2014 unless.....

it's not on.

Otherwise, warts and all, and fates willing otherwise. I expect I will.

Then you are already aware that what the BBC considers to be a "success" for SCD is reflected in the increased viewing figures and is unlikely to change.

BIB I wouldnt say I dislked Kevin but I too dont get the gushing about him and his choreography - and no, I am NOT a fan of either of the Jordans

Yes, he is a good danceer and I am sure he is a lovely bloke but I wouldnt miss him if he wasnt in the lineup next year - I am sure he will be tho

I am brainwashed, when I saw 'fans of Jordan's' I thought of Katie Price

Go home you mess!

I wish the judges would have two scores, one for technique and one for performance.

There has been such a variation in each this year.

No, you misunderstand me - I didn't even see series 1. When I say 'at some stage' I mean I can't remember during which series it was but it was some years in - could be three years ago. By the way, I think you should be careful about using the word 'snob' but I'll accept the label, since I also enjoy Scandi drama, reading Anthony Trollope and listening to Mozart.

Can someone tell me what BIB and VT stand for please. I read all the posts talking about these things and I haven't been able to work out what they stand for. (haven't been on here all that long so I am still catching up)

BIB - bit in bold
VT - video tape, as in the clips of training etc

I think maybe one of these suggestions for improvement will actually happen.

I doubt Kevin will be dropped after this year at all, given the impression he's made. Anton (as much as it's ughblugh to say this) does have a role on the show and does stand out as a professional, even if sometimes for the wrong reasons.

If Bruce goes, it will be of his own accord, and I somehow don't see it happening just yet. Still, it's an inevitability at some point...

I don't see Len being fired - why from their perspective would they do it?

The music choices being bettered is hard to call. It's a maybe, maybe not. I doubt the pros will get more of a say about the music than they do right now, but otherwise... we'll see. I'm doubtful, but we'll see. You'd have to watch to find that one out anyway!

The VTs have actually been better this year, or at least less directly grating. I doubt the superficially relevant ones will ever be entirely purged, though.

Would be very surprised to see an actual SCD rulebook. Mention of the rules seems to exist only to cause controversy when they're broken on occasion (and the castigation isn't consistent). And, hey, I've bought into it on occasion, so.

The judges being more consistent in their marking... well... they've been pretty consistent this year, actually! Consistent overmarking all round.

~

I'm not saying your ideas are all bad. Maybe just idealistic in today's show world. I'd really like them to stop dumping obviously bad songs and themes on people they want to do badly that week; it's very unsubtle machination. I can live with being manipulated because all reality shows do it to play a more interesting narrative, but I prefer it when they're a touch more subtle about it. (And, frankly, I'll still live with it either way, so whatever.)

But yeah, the show's a constantly evolving thing, and it'll probably evolve further from its original form if that's what gets the ratings.

I didn't call you a snob, merely pointed out that the show isnt intended for people who take dance very seriously and are particular about details and the like. Most of the viewers won't know or care about heel leads and turns pr whether or not you are allowed to put lifts in a waltz, they just want to be entertained on a Saturday night.

Thank you cadiva for that info. Now I shall be able to understand some of the posts LOL

I agree. Ola's choreography has been very poor this season, and I never liked James. Kevin, as you say, outdances his partner and that Paso was cringe-worthy. Shan't be sorry to see the back of him

Excellent thoughtful, measured post. Thanks.

I didn't know anything about dance when I first watched the show, but I enjoy learning about it and would like to hear more of the technical detail. Separate marks for technique and performance would be fun to try.

I find that the judging inconsistencies become more irritating as the series goes on, I also think that the camera work during the dances is abominable and detracts from our appreciation of the performances, because we can't see what the couples movements are in favour of the cameraman dancing around them..

I admit, I have given up on this series, and not for the first series, either.
It seems that the judges want to force their version of a winner, without realising its the public who says who stays and who does.
Became disenchanted after Ashley was voted off.
Every year, I say, I'm not going to let myself get wound up, but I failed miserably.....

Are you serious?!
For one Kevin is NOT from Grimsby. Two, what's with the deliberately geeky glasses? And, three, he's completely OTT when dancing.
What has that got to do with 'the Jordans'?

Anton is excellent entertainment value and retains the trad, class and 'strictly', as do Bruce and Len. Otherwise it would be a lacklustre, brash free for all.

Respect.

A last bastion and national treasure. Long May it last.

Careful Vody.

I would agree with that wholeheartedly, but only if they had 4 judges who actually understood the technique. As it stands, Len is the only expert when it comes to technique, Craig knows a little, because of the amount of time he has been on the show, Bruno probably understands 'some', but will still choose to ignore it, and Darcey - bless her - knows about posture and arm movements, but nothing of technique.

No props. Please. No "hilarious" costumes for the "comedy" contestants. How can they dance dressed as a bear, etc? And no news/Holby/Casualty/eastenders actors, the Beeb does realise it employs hundreds of "talent" surely?