But if the pro is involved with the choices - which I think they are - the this is part if the competition. Some are just better at selecting suitable music, just like some are better at choreography and some are better teachers etc.

What I regret is that we don't see more of the process of them choosing, adapting the choreography to their celeb etc rather than a lot of silly mash ups from the training room.

The producers determine the music with no input from the pros or celebrities. The producers also insert the silliness into the choreography - bicycles, tennis rackets, cakes etc.

It is no longer a dance competition but "light entertainment".

And I agree that not just some but all of the pros would be better than the producers at selecting music from the celeb's collection and also having sole control of the choreography.

according to James they don't have the same choices anymore with the producers even sending people in to check their routines mid week - do not believe anyone in their right mind would want to do charleston to fifties theme and that it was obviously something picked by producers - am suspicious that Happy Days which is touring at the mo were tweeting about the theme being used and therefore pushing the show. I can live with producers picking themes and music if it was done fairly - but not give some appropriate music etc and others terrible choices - Mamma Mia for instance is not even a movie theme and is more akin to Tango or Cha but never a foxtrot

FACT!

What we need is a popular mid-series rebellion amongst pros and celebs and whovever else in the support staff will join the barricades. Great to get a judge on side. If no one will take the shit the producers will have to give way in order to put out the show.

IF they all made a stand that would be good

I wonder if the music selected is effectively product placement and money or some benefit in kind changes hands. It is difficult to imagine any other rationale for the very many crass selections by the producers. Surely they are not all tone deaf?

Better artistically and ethically cleaner if the pros and celebs choose the music to avoid such such suspicions.

def suspicious and wonder if as you say product placement or monetary benefits are going on - wonder what is in production in uk from this weeks music list

What is particularly frustrating is that the SCD website asks the user to let them know what we think of their music choices and the reply section is filled with largely positive comments. It seems that all the pent-up rage for daft music choices is saved for DS.

Not that I think they'd change anything even if every one of the replies was negative- I've contacted the BBC on the subject and they pretty much responded by saying "The viewing figures speak for themselves". An exercise in futility.

I still think it sounds about right that the only element of choice about music is a choice of two or three songs the producers have chosen. So if all are poor choices then what chance does the pro have of producing a good routine?

It is just the one "choice" assigned to the pros,

It really spoils a show when the powers that be start to interfere too much. I stopped watching Big Brother (back in its Ch4 days) when they started blatantly fixing edits & trying to tell people what to think of the contestants in the satellite shows.

I stopped watching X-factor when they also started trying to over-steer the audience, and then ignored the audience's vote when it wasn't what they wanted (compare the publicity & support Joe got versus what was given to Olly Murs, for example.

I wanted to love The Voice, but they made it all about the sob stories & got rid of good singers in order to keep in those with better 'stories'.

I love Strictly, I will be very sad if the producers ruin this show. Someone drag them away from the pros, chain them up in a room, and tell them it's not their job to micro-manage every tiny little bit of the show. Pick the themes, choose the edits for the pre-recorded stuff - but leave the choreographing to the pros - ESPECIALLY if you're not a former pro.

If they have producers who aren't and have never been pro dancers (or dance costume designers) making calls on choreography/costume/etc., then something has gone seriously wrong.

That's not my understanding, although I can see that happening when it's Halloween. As I said before, I'm sure a year or two ago one of the female pros (Ola maybe) said when they meet with the producer they are told what their theme should be and are given two or three songs to choose from. Of course, maybe that's changed and there is no choice at all.

I also think the degree of control by the producers has made the pros much less competitive. I don't get the impression any more that there is any friendly rivalry between the pros and they now see the show as 'just a job' rather than a competition.