Mm. Nothing really seemed to go right for Series 7. We went into it with the ageism row and the controversy about Arlene being dropped, only to go straight into the Laila/Anton race row the minute that had died down. The calibre of celebrities was one of the lowest it's ever been (seven soap actors say hello), and one of its biggest names was eliminated first over that guy off Crimewatch. The quality of dancing itself was similarly low, with one of the few good dancers going home in week seven and another popping their leg open or summat and having to withdraw. That left two contestants who were very good but slightly... lacking in the personality department, allowing Chris Hollins of all people to win by default as the only person left who didn't seem like a robot. Paired with the length of the series, the fact that five of the pros were axed afterwards and, most of all, the presence of Ronnie Corbett, I think that was the closest Strictly's ever been to being axed. The next year wasn't perfect, nor was it without its criticism/controversy either (replacing fan favourites like Ian and Matthew for Robin Windsor and Jared Murillo was always a risky move), but I think it managed to set the show back on the right path again. People are always going to complain about how they miss the good old days, but if the show had continued like series 7, I doubt we'd even have a show today.

You are just mentioning one. And no, I am not stuck in the past, just answering a post that previous pro;s were better and they were. As lovely as Jo is, she is not in the same class as Hazel Newberry.

No, I agree it's just that I think the rot set in with series 6. It was such a nasty, bad tempered series all round and finished on such a downbeat note that it needed something lighter and fun to follow it - and we got series 7 where the judges were still angsty with the voters and the viewers were still mardy with the judges and the power struggle contined.

Series 8 seemed to take note that on a Saturday evening entertainment show what the viewers really want is to have a bit of respite from the week and a bit of sparkliness, not grumpy judges and being told how wrong they are every week - but for me persoanlly it was only after the elimination on week 10 I could think that yep, Strictly's back.

I really enjoyed series 7, because the results were shown live, and usually the results were quite unpredictable.
I think they should have held onto the series 4 and 5 line up of pros for as long as they could, if they had kept them all they would all be "well-known" by now. We now have only four pro dancers from series 1-6 left, and several of the new pros to have joined since then have gone too.

Given how much time the Pros actually put beyond training their celebrity, I am surprised some are still hanging on for dear life.

Refreshing the line up of Professionals keeps things interesting, especially given the younger celebrity participants. Would look slightly seedy otherwise.

This series seems like a forgone conclusion really. Everyone seems to staying about as good or bad every week. Apart from Scott who is getting worse.
So in regards to surprises, one of the worst.

I think this is about the most pointless post, because it seems to be copy-pasted from similar posts in 2013, and 2012, and 2011 - oh, er, also 2010 .. ad infinitem.

We are only in week 3, so, pal, so ain't seen nuffink yet. Wait until after Blackpool before you pontificate.

And you used the word "fake" - that is very 2012, other words are now trending.

I don't believe that 'Strictly' is purely an entertainment show, there is some competitive dancing going on (perhaps reserved to the 4 judges as they make their entrances each show, which the purists HATE with a fervour that smacks of Puritanism).

What I love about the show this year is the informality, the relaxed and more jokey atmosphere without a legend in sight. VTs are shorter and less embarassing, and Tess and Claudia make it obvious they are reading out "jokes" off the autocue. They do their best to cheer up downcast contestants who know just how bad they were, and the odd bits of slapstick and Winkleman diversions will improve with practice.

Even Brendan Cole's split trouser crotch was treated with a light touch - - there should be a more appropriate smiley.

I don't think this series is necessarily better or worse than most of the other series; I do admit to getting bored tonight, but then most years have had at least 1 week that's gone flat.

My main dislike though, is that even the standard ballroom and Latin dances are all being turned into showdance/fun routines, and I wonder how much that is necessary?

A lot of people remember the jive and the paso danced by Jill and Darren Bennett, and say how wonderful they were, and how exciting. But they were straightforward, authentic routines, danced really well and I tend to wonder if audience viewers wouldn't like to see routines go back to that style, and leave the "party-dance" antics for such as the Charleston, etc.?

You read my mind - and based on the viewing figures, we're not the only ones.

Considering the standard of 'Celebrity' has now limbo danced under the bar of being somebody else's mum, the camera work is done by drunken moth, and a replicant of uncertain linguistic origin is hosting the show... I'm surprised how much I like it.

Every year about this time, we ask that.
Sadly, I think this year it could be true.

Trouble is, the "hype" now out-strips the dance content.

Worst Series so far?

I really don't have to think much to answer... Imo this series by a country mile, SCD is almost unrecognisable, everything about it seem second rate, I like Tess but she is not good enough to carry a Saturday night prime time Show, she was right as second in command. The dreadful costumes the camera work all down hill. I am lucky to have sky+ and I watch the bits I want to watch which took me about 35mins last night.

I have been bored with SCD over the last few years. I resorted to watching in but doing other stuff. This year I have given it my full attention and I wish I could say I was hooked but I am not.

Presenters - Tess needs to move on. I quite like Claudia but she is not as amusing as she thinks she is.
Judges - ditch Bruno. He thinks he is the star of the show. Ditch the judges dancing on. I find it embarrassing, particularly when Craig does it. He is my favourite judge and I cringe for him. Don't repeat the guest judge idea.
Pros - a lot of them are clones of each other. The newer ones don't have much personality.
Celebs - the most interesting part of SCD is that dreaded word - The journey. I can't get interested in stage school performers. They already have a good base of competency. Remember Mark Ramps, totally unexpected. People like Frankie from the Sats, however good the dance, is just yawn.
Costumes - they seem really cheap this year. I wonder why that has happened?
Props and staging - too many props and faffing about. Sound like Len!
Lighting - a big thumbs up.. They do good stuff with the lighting these days.
Singers - really good set of singers, particularly one of the girls.
Band - good
Musical choices - some really strange ones.
The Green Room - too much attention seeking going on. Even the unassuming Jake Wood kept trying to get his head in the shot when he is in the background.

I will still watch but will revert to doing other stuff at the same time.

Well said and I thoroughly agree. I find it almost unwatchable and I'm saying that as a die hard SCD fan. and series 7 was for me way better.

The worst one for me was the year Chris Hollins won. Overall there was not much dance talent or couple competition and I wouldn't have chosen Chris as the winner myself (being a cute couple with Ola just wasn't enough for me).

For me, it's the best series in some ways as finally BF has gone. I like Tess introducing the show, though I find Claudia unfunny, childish, repetitive. I do wonder if she will survive - somehow I doubt it. I do dislike the props though and the move away from the "proper" dancing which made the prog successful in the first place. Also I do miss some of the previous pros and feel that some of the replacements are just so-so. But overall the pro team is ok, I think.

Series 7 was awful but I can't remember ever being as bored with that series as I am this one. People say switch off if you're bored - half a million viewers did last night compared to the same show last year.

The thing is I like Tess and Claudia together and the majority of couples. It's just the total mass doesn't seem to equal the sum of it's parts. I think a lot of that has to do with the awful song choices, pointless props, the over-scoring clichéd judges, the exaggeration from the audience... it's as though production are doing all they can to get the show to play a role rather than let everything develop naturally.

Agree with all of your points especially bib. Also the costumes seem cheap and tatty this year, the male participants look horrendous. Ill fitting trousers and shirts and weird combo's...Pasha's outifit last week was horrendous, Brendans last night also shockingly awful

It's just not working for me and I'm so dissappointed..I ADORE strictly.

The worst costumes ever!!!

Sack the styliist ffs and hope they do not get hired again next year!!!

All dancers might as well wear tea towels with sequins if they are saving money as it won't make any difference with this years costumes which are nasty ,naff and very cheap!!

Yep, spot on. Horrendous.

I remember the 'Vote for who you thought danced best.' , it has been for the past number of years 'Vote For Your Favourite.'

The judges don't really critic now, and if they try get booed by the audience. They use well that was entertaining and add a few helpful tips.

I like Tess and Claudia.

It's still early days, but I'm not really enjoying this series at all. The ratings are down, so it seems we're not the only ones.

I think there is a better mix of talent this series - the middle order are really having a go at it and hopefully one of them will make it through to the final. The two pop princesses are both very good but it would be nice to see someone with less performance experience break through.

Tess and Claudia are doing a good job [esp Claudia] though I am not keen on the judges entrance the novelty of that is wearing off.

I just can't seem to warm to the celebrities as I did other years. Also the music and outfits in my opinion are really bad this year.