Anyone who doesn't say "You did great / good" to every couple. I hate the use of Americanisms on a British show. What's wrong with traditional British English "You did (very) well"?
Who would make a better presenter on Strictly?
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Originally Posted by Pet Monkey:
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do.
But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK.
It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do.
But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK. It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
BIB - I think you are also describing Claudia there. She is constantly saying "oh no, no you were superb" "no-one even noticed when you went wrong" "well I for one thought you were marvelous". Tess and Claudia are very similar.
Originally Posted by PERILLA:
“BIB - I think you are also describing Claudia there. She is constantly saying "oh no, no you were superb" "no-one even noticed when you went wrong" "well I for one thought you were marvelous". Tess and Claudia are very similar.”
“BIB - I think you are also describing Claudia there. She is constantly saying "oh no, no you were superb" "no-one even noticed when you went wrong" "well I for one thought you were marvelous". Tess and Claudia are very similar.”
Yeah, you need a different energy in there. To be fair, Claudia's double-edged though. Her humour makes it sharper. Like when she said someone lowly and rubbish was 'top of the leaderboard, in a way', or maybe it was 'top scorer tonight', can't remember exactly what she said. There's a little kick in her kindness when she says what's obviously untrue.
I think Tess could rein it back simply by being more strict and continuity-announcerish with the judges. We don't need to see her spit-wash Gregg's face just for her to be a link between the dance and the judges' section.
Originally Posted by henrywilliams58:
“Anyone who doesn't say "You did great / good" to every couple. I hate the use of Americanisms on a British show. What's wrong with traditional British English "You did (very) well"?”
“Anyone who doesn't say "You did great / good" to every couple. I hate the use of Americanisms on a British show. What's wrong with traditional British English "You did (very) well"?”
Hmm.
Maybe, presenters try not to say that, as it stops them looking and sounding like, "Young Mr Grace" from "Are You Being Served?"
Originally Posted by Pet Monkey:
“Yeah, you need a different energy in there. To be fair, Claudia's double-edged though. Her humour makes it sharper. Like when she said someone lowly and rubbish was 'top of the leaderboard, in a way', or maybe it was 'top scorer tonight', can't remember exactly what she said. There's a little kick in her kindness when she says what's obviously untrue.
I think Tess could rein it back simply by being more strict and continuity-announcerish with the judges. We don't need to see her spit-wash Gregg's face just for her to be a link between the dance and the judges' section.”
“Yeah, you need a different energy in there. To be fair, Claudia's double-edged though. Her humour makes it sharper. Like when she said someone lowly and rubbish was 'top of the leaderboard, in a way', or maybe it was 'top scorer tonight', can't remember exactly what she said. There's a little kick in her kindness when she says what's obviously untrue.
I think Tess could rein it back simply by being more strict and continuity-announcerish with the judges. We don't need to see her spit-wash Gregg's face just for her to be a link between the dance and the judges' section.”
But Bruce used to muck about just as much - comments on the men's shirts last year
and his standing ovation commentaries and talking over the judges. At least every judge has got to comment on every dance so far this series 
Obviously the 'you're may favourite' has also been retired, but I think the whole you were great thing is a cue for the audience to clap so the couple don't just slink off the dance floor with a Craig filled nappy comment echoing around the walls. It's supposed to be a feel good Saturday night show not a walk of doom
It's interesting that Sept last year 9.3 million watched SCD. This year it's down to 6.8 m. With the new presenters. Went up to 8.8 m this week but it's still a long way off the highest figure of 14.28 m in 2010 when Bruce was presenting.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.
Originally Posted by aggs:
“But Bruce used to muck about just as much - comments on the men's shirts last year and his standing ovation commentaries and talking over the judges. At least every judge has got to comment on every dance so far this series ”
“But Bruce used to muck about just as much - comments on the men's shirts last year
and his standing ovation commentaries and talking over the judges. At least every judge has got to comment on every dance so far this series ”
I think the thing is that we were all so well-trained to zone out through Bruce that it didn't seem so obtrusive.
I don't mind Tess really. Think she'll get the hang of it. Would love her to relax a bit
Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“It's interesting that Sept last year 9.3 million watched SCD. This year it's down to 6.8 m. With the new presenters. Went up to 8.8 m this week but it's still a long way off the highest figure of 14.28 m in 2010 when Bruce was presenting.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.”
“It's interesting that Sept last year 9.3 million watched SCD. This year it's down to 6.8 m. With the new presenters. Went up to 8.8 m this week but it's still a long way off the highest figure of 14.28 m in 2010 when Bruce was presenting.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.”
The problem is the obsession with ratings by both the BBC and some viewers.
In their constant attempt to increase the ratings by bringing in elements which would attract X-Factor viewers, the BBC have in my opinion, made it less of a show.
However, for me and I'm sure for most, we don't give a monkey's whether it beats the X-Factor on numbers of viewers or not.
We, unlike the BBC who see it more as a ratings competition, see it as an entertaining dance competition.
The question should be, do still you enjoy it?
Not whether it beat the X-Factor or not.
Originally Posted by Doghouse Riley:
“Hmm.
Maybe, presenters try not to say that, as it stops them looking and sounding like, "Young Mr Grace" from "Are You Being Served?"”
“Hmm.
Maybe, presenters try not to say that, as it stops them looking and sounding like, "Young Mr Grace" from "Are You Being Served?"”
Are you saying "You did great" is now preferable British usage to "You were great" or "You did well" or "It was great" or "you did a great dance"?. And she repeated it after every dance. "Great" is an adjective and not an "adverb", Its yer adverbs and adjectives innit cool like omaigawd ...
"You did great" is a new Americanism and I dislike it over here.
And Claudia is 40++ and should know how to speak (British) English and not a teenager.
Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“It's interesting that Sept last year 9.3 million watched SCD. This year it's down to 6.8 m. With the new presenters. Went up to 8.8 m this week but it's still a long way off the highest figure of 14.28 m in 2010 when Bruce was presenting.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.”
“It's interesting that Sept last year 9.3 million watched SCD. This year it's down to 6.8 m. With the new presenters. Went up to 8.8 m this week but it's still a long way off the highest figure of 14.28 m in 2010 when Bruce was presenting.
No I don't want him back but these are the facts.”
If you're going to quote ratings please try and get your facts right. Both of those highlighted figures are time shifted officials ie they include a week of recordings. The other figures you quote are overnights. The first Friday show this year was down because of an x factor clash which they didn't have last year.
Last night's show was up 600k year on year btw and Saturday was down just 250k.
The 14.28m figure you quoted is utterly misleading it was for the final in 2010 during the big freeze and includes a week of recordings.
Originally Posted by Osusana:
“Bradley Walsh or Brian Conley would do a great presenting job for me. Put Tess back in her pit and Claudia back as a filler in. Disappointed in Claudia so far.”
“Bradley Walsh or Brian Conley would do a great presenting job for me. Put Tess back in her pit and Claudia back as a filler in. Disappointed in Claudia so far.”
I'd go along with most of that.
I've long thought Bradley Walsh would be absolutely fantastic in that role, but he seems to be an ITV man. Conley is in the same mould, certainly, even though he's a bit more manic. And I reckon he might have damaged his reputation a bit when he went into "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here".
Matt Baker would be a good shout. Not only a former celebrity competitor on Strictly, but a pretty well seasoned presenter of light entertainment programmes.
And he's very smiley and nice, which is no bad thing for a family show.
I'm with you on Tess and Claudia, too.
Originally Posted by henrywilliams58:
“Are you saying "You did great" is now preferable British usage to "You were great" or "You did well" or "It was great" or "you did a great dance"?. And she repeated it after every dance. "Great" is an adjective and not an "adverb", Its yer adverbs and adjectives innit cool like omaigawd ...
"You did great" is a new Americanism and I dislike it over here.
And Claudia is 40++ and should know how to speak (British) English and not a teenager.”
“Are you saying "You did great" is now preferable British usage to "You were great" or "You did well" or "It was great" or "you did a great dance"?. And she repeated it after every dance. "Great" is an adjective and not an "adverb", Its yer adverbs and adjectives innit cool like omaigawd ...
"You did great" is a new Americanism and I dislike it over here.
And Claudia is 40++ and should know how to speak (British) English and not a teenager.”
Err..
I said what I said.
It was meant as a bit of a joke, or did I really need to include a smiley?
Sometimes these days, I wonder how Shakespeare managed to write comedies without them.
Err... that was another joke.
We're discussing a light entertainment programme here. So let's keep it "light."
Claudia is fine its Tess that is not coping Graham Norton,would be great, how about Bill Turnbull?an ex contestant and speaks beautifully and is charming.
I like the two presenters as they are because they're not trying to make the show all about them; instead, we can focus on the dancing and the judges who are what make the show IMO.
If a male presenter was added, like Bradley Walsh for example, much as I like him he would take over and act like the 'main' presenter, as in the traditional male presenter with a female hanger-on type stereotype of old game shows.
I say give Claudia and Tess time to settle in and don't be too quick to assume that a more outgoing presenter with a loud personality would be better - Bruce wasn't.
If a male presenter was added, like Bradley Walsh for example, much as I like him he would take over and act like the 'main' presenter, as in the traditional male presenter with a female hanger-on type stereotype of old game shows.
I say give Claudia and Tess time to settle in and don't be too quick to assume that a more outgoing presenter with a loud personality would be better - Bruce wasn't.
I would keep Claudia and replace Tess with Graham Norton. He's camp and glitzy, he can do the big, live showbiz events and he can ad-lib. The likes of Brian Connolly and Bradley Walsh are far too dated and ITV circa 1990.
Originally Posted by leahyie:
“I think Graham Norton and Claudia would be amazing. I thought he was great on the Andrew Lloyd Webber shows.”
“I think Graham Norton and Claudia would be amazing. I thought he was great on the Andrew Lloyd Webber shows.”
Me too.
Originally Posted by Pet Monkey:
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do. But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK.
It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do.
But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK. It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
I always found her too mawkish when she was in the Tessanine.
Her reaction to Sunetra's admission that she felt like crying made me shudder with flashbacks. I can imagine Claudia saying the same words with a stifled giggle that would have lifted the moment, rather than have Sunetra bury her head in Brendan's shoulder like a 3 year old (I like Sunetra!).
As you say, it is an admirable trait to want to mother people, even if a rather stifling one. If after her death we are told her tv persona was in fact only that and behind the scenes she was a cold, ruthless bitch, I suspect I will like Tess a whole lot better
Oh yes - Graham Norton and Claudia would be a dream ticket for me.
Graham is almost an eminence grise of light entertainment these days, despite the fact that he can still boast tales of spending the night dead drunk, propped up against a lamp post. Well, haven't we all?
He's reportedly said that SCD would be too much like hard work - well, BBC, offer him mega bucks then! The ratings would be stratospheric.
Graham is almost an eminence grise of light entertainment these days, despite the fact that he can still boast tales of spending the night dead drunk, propped up against a lamp post. Well, haven't we all?
He's reportedly said that SCD would be too much like hard work - well, BBC, offer him mega bucks then! The ratings would be stratospheric.
Originally Posted by Hotgossip:
“I can't see that the combination of Tess and Claudia is working. Neither looks comfortable ....... Say what you like about Old Brucie but he was successful on there for many, many years or they'd have got rid of him long before he left.
But he's gone and we have to move on.. No shortage of people out there who could present the show and they pick Tess who always looks presentable but doesn't give off much warmth.
Then there's Claudia who people seem to either like or dislike. She would be alright on a kids programme where her clunking about in high heels and stumbling all over the place might be seen as amusing but it isn't right for Strictly.
People I think would have made much better presenters are Amanda Holden, Kara Tointon, Louis Smith, Chris Hollins, Natasha Kaplinsky and Jill Halfpenny. I think any of these would look professional, have poise and would be able to interact with people without drawing attention to themselves.”
“I can't see that the combination of Tess and Claudia is working. Neither looks comfortable ....... Say what you like about Old Brucie but he was successful on there for many, many years or they'd have got rid of him long before he left.
But he's gone and we have to move on.
. No shortage of people out there who could present the show and they pick Tess who always looks presentable but doesn't give off much warmth. Then there's Claudia who people seem to either like or dislike. She would be alright on a kids programme where her clunking about in high heels and stumbling all over the place might be seen as amusing but it isn't right for Strictly.
People I think would have made much better presenters are Amanda Holden, Kara Tointon, Louis Smith, Chris Hollins, Natasha Kaplinsky and Jill Halfpenny. I think any of these would look professional, have poise and would be able to interact with people without drawing attention to themselves.”
Of those mentioned I would say Chris Hollins and Natasha Kaplinski.
I think my ideal team though would be Bradley Walsh and Kirsty Gallagher.
Originally Posted by Pet Monkey:
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do. But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK.
It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
“I do like Tess, or rather, I don't dislike her as many of my stupid friends do.
But she has that woman's thing of trying to make everything safe and nice for everyone, and that has the effect of making the judges' comments a bit gabbly and even more talk-overish than usual. Bruce would support celebs on occasion, but he didn't have Tess's need to make everything OK. It's not a bad thing in itself. Most women would do the same. I know I would, but it doesn't give a solid enough frame to the show. It just lacks a bit of definition at the mo. Maybe she'll learn how to make it work though... Early days”
You analyze this so well! I hadn't thought about it but that's exactly what's wrong with Tess. Smothering mothering - coupled with her inability to ad lib, which, to be fair, is a rare skill. (I still think we're on to something with Russell Brand, but Graham Norton would be great - oops, I should have said he would do very well indeed
)
Originally Posted by Espresso:
“I'd go along with most of that.
I've long thought Bradley Walsh would be absolutely fantastic in that role, but he seems to be an ITV man. Conley is in the same mould, certainly, even though he's a bit more manic. And I reckon he might have damaged his reputation a bit when he went into "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here".
Matt Baker would be a good shout. Not only a former celebrity competitor on Strictly, but a pretty well seasoned presenter of light entertainment programmes.
And he's very smiley and nice, which is no bad thing for a family show.
I'm with you on Tess and Claudia, too.”
“I'd go along with most of that.
I've long thought Bradley Walsh would be absolutely fantastic in that role, but he seems to be an ITV man. Conley is in the same mould, certainly, even though he's a bit more manic. And I reckon he might have damaged his reputation a bit when he went into "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here".
Matt Baker would be a good shout. Not only a former celebrity competitor on Strictly, but a pretty well seasoned presenter of light entertainment programmes.
And he's very smiley and nice, which is no bad thing for a family show.
I'm with you on Tess and Claudia, too.”
Matt Baker would kill the show. He has zero personality. Strictly needs a big charismatic type
Originally Posted by Elsa:
“You analyze this so well! I hadn't thought about it but that's exactly what's wrong with Tess. Smothering mothering - coupled with her inability to ad lib, which, to be fair, is a rare skill. (I still think we're on to something with Russell Brand, but Graham Norton would be great - oops, I should have said he would do very well indeed)”
“You analyze this so well! I hadn't thought about it but that's exactly what's wrong with Tess. Smothering mothering - coupled with her inability to ad lib, which, to be fair, is a rare skill. (I still think we're on to something with Russell Brand, but Graham Norton would be great - oops, I should have said he would do very well indeed
)”
I just can't imagine Russell Brand doing the programme and I don't think the BBC would trust him with a live family show. Most of the names suggested, including Brand and Norton, would try to make it 'their' programme. Tess is just fine in the job and does not try to dominate the programme, she also treats Claudia as her equal and not a junior assistant as others would.
I will take whoever the BBC decides - viewers have no say.
I wasn't happy with the old codger, but had to put up with the BBC's choice even if it meant muting the previous presenter to make it bearable. Tess and Claudia are fine in my book and I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole show so far this year.
I wasn't happy with the old codger, but had to put up with the BBC's choice even if it meant muting the previous presenter to make it bearable. Tess and Claudia are fine in my book and I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole show so far this year.
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