Main ones, scrap props and silly pre-performance VTs.
On the Results show scrap Len's lense.
Put the men in tails again for Ballroom.
On the Results show scrap Len's lense.
Put the men in tails again for Ballroom.
If you were the Strictly producer what changes would you make?
2 of 5
1) ditch the awful props
2) ditch the awful VTs and show actual training
3) let the professionals choose their own music and do their own choreography
4) let EVERY couple do a latin and a ballroom before being eliminated
5) keep the AT, AS and charleston until later in the series - AT only danced in the semi finals
6) ditch the dance off, the celebs have enough pressure on them already without having to worry about being in the dance off, let the public who vote have the final say
7) only 3 couples in the final
2) ditch the awful VTs and show actual training
3) let the professionals choose their own music and do their own choreography
4) let EVERY couple do a latin and a ballroom before being eliminated
5) keep the AT, AS and charleston until later in the series - AT only danced in the semi finals
6) ditch the dance off, the celebs have enough pressure on them already without having to worry about being in the dance off, let the public who vote have the final say
7) only 3 couples in the final
Appropriate music
No props
only 2 dance styles per week, one latin one ballroom
No theme weeks
no silly VTs
No props
only 2 dance styles per week, one latin one ballroom
No theme weeks
no silly VTs
No dance off.
Reduce number of celebrities to 14 (equal number of men and women).
I prefer a man to be the main presenter but if people are desperate for a woman to present then Maria McErlane (Graham Norton's pal) would be good (if not, get her on the show as a celeb).
Get rid of Darcy and replace her with a woman who has some sort of knowledge of ballroom/latin/choreography. Arlene Phillips may not be to everyones taste but she was knowledgeable and could hold her own with the men. Alesha Dixon and Darcy bring nothing to the table.
I've never missed the Darren/Lilia brigade but I do think other dancers deserve another chance eg Katya Virshilas, Brian Fortuna.
If you are going to bring back Aliona (fair enough) give her a decent partner occasionally rather than three first round exits.
Don't bring back Robin, he is very poor.
Get rid of Karen Hauer and Kevin from Grimsby.
Reduce number of celebrities to 14 (equal number of men and women).
I prefer a man to be the main presenter but if people are desperate for a woman to present then Maria McErlane (Graham Norton's pal) would be good (if not, get her on the show as a celeb).
Get rid of Darcy and replace her with a woman who has some sort of knowledge of ballroom/latin/choreography. Arlene Phillips may not be to everyones taste but she was knowledgeable and could hold her own with the men. Alesha Dixon and Darcy bring nothing to the table.
I've never missed the Darren/Lilia brigade but I do think other dancers deserve another chance eg Katya Virshilas, Brian Fortuna.
If you are going to bring back Aliona (fair enough) give her a decent partner occasionally rather than three first round exits.
Don't bring back Robin, he is very poor.
Get rid of Karen Hauer and Kevin from Grimsby.
Originally Posted by kaycee:
“1) Insist on using appropriate music for each dance, and making sure that the band plays it at the correct tempo
2) Have a "props" week (like they did in Dancing on Ice) and ban all props for all other weeks
3) Use only the 10 standard dances (5 ballroom, 5 Latin) dances for the first weeks, and not introduce AT or the party dances such as Charleston & salsa until the last couple of weeks
4) Put a time limit of 30 seconds as the maximum time allowed for "messing about" at the beginning, middle or end of a routine. The rest of the time must be used as authentic dancing
5) Replace Darcey with a ballroom/Latin expert. Even Bruno has learnt to talk some sense
6) Replace Tess; the main presenter needs to be a man who is witty but not necessarily a comedian. Someone like the guy who presents DWTS. Aled Jones springs to mind!
7) Stop the audience booing just because one of the judges says something they don't like!”
“1) Insist on using appropriate music for each dance, and making sure that the band plays it at the correct tempo
2) Have a "props" week (like they did in Dancing on Ice) and ban all props for all other weeks
3) Use only the 10 standard dances (5 ballroom, 5 Latin) dances for the first weeks, and not introduce AT or the party dances such as Charleston & salsa until the last couple of weeks
4) Put a time limit of 30 seconds as the maximum time allowed for "messing about" at the beginning, middle or end of a routine. The rest of the time must be used as authentic dancing
5) Replace Darcey with a ballroom/Latin expert. Even Bruno has learnt to talk some sense
6) Replace Tess; the main presenter needs to be a man who is witty but not necessarily a comedian. Someone like the guy who presents DWTS. Aled Jones springs to mind!
7) Stop the audience booing just because one of the judges says something they don't like!”
Agree with you - I would also:
Get rid of judges 'making an entrance'
Replace Anton and Karen Hauer (difficult as she and Kevin seem to come as a package).
Add Matthew Cutler or Ian Waite to the judging panel instead of Bruno
Get Lilia or Erin Boag to replace Darcy
I'd cut the 'intros' to 10 seconds. They only dance for 90 seconds.
Get rid of the ridiculous VTs which add NOTHING to the show.
Try to get better celebrities. I personally am fed up with reality stars.
Get rid of the guest judge idea. Donny Osmond was a disaster.
Definitely replace both Tess and Claudia. Perhaps let Anton have a chance of presenting .
Originally Posted by Danny_Girl:
“So you are in charge of producing Strictly and have been told you can do anything you want to change it as long as you ballpark keep to the current budget. What would you do?
Just for starters:
1) Get rid of the silly cringeworthy VTs where they do some staged visit or activity.
2) Use the time saved from the VTs to feature a different amateur ballroom club/dancing school each week and allow them to dance on the show. Maybe allow viewers to vote for their favourite on the final show.
3) Get rid of Bruno - can't stand him. Replace him with a current or past pro dancer. I know I will get one flack for this but I think James or Ola ( or both) would be good.
4) Replace Tess and Claudia as the main presenters - it's not working. Graham Norton would be so good.”
“So you are in charge of producing Strictly and have been told you can do anything you want to change it as long as you ballpark keep to the current budget. What would you do?
Just for starters:
1) Get rid of the silly cringeworthy VTs where they do some staged visit or activity.
2) Use the time saved from the VTs to feature a different amateur ballroom club/dancing school each week and allow them to dance on the show. Maybe allow viewers to vote for their favourite on the final show.
3) Get rid of Bruno - can't stand him. Replace him with a current or past pro dancer. I know I will get one flack for this but I think James or Ola ( or both) would be good.
4) Replace Tess and Claudia as the main presenters - it's not working. Graham Norton would be so good.”
They must be the worst set of ideas I haver ever heard. Not one good one there, terrible.
I loved graham Norton but he would not be good on the show, the VTs are great to watch, and couldn't care less about some amateur dancing club.
In reality there is not much wrong with the show, that needs to change. Over 9 million viewers prove this.
Originally Posted by Gill P:
“I would stop recruiting "personalities" (Scott, Tim, Judy and the like) This makes an imbalance in the voting off. In other words people should vote for the best dancers, not their favourite!
No props or scenery!
No tight trousers for the male dancers, and sew up the pockets as they gape and spoil the line.”
“I would stop recruiting "personalities" (Scott, Tim, Judy and the like) This makes an imbalance in the voting off. In other words people should vote for the best dancers, not their favourite!
No props or scenery!
No tight trousers for the male dancers, and sew up the pockets as they gape and spoil the line.”
BIB - absolutely agree about male dancers' tight trousers; also properly made mens' dance trousers are NEVER made with pockets for the reason you state, which makes me wonder who is making the guys trousers this year, or are they just buying them off the peg?
1) No more than 12 couples. Sitting through 13+ in one night is too much imo.
2) No more than 2 different dances per night...1 ballroom, 1 latin.
3) Appropriate music for the style of dance.
4) Ditch the dance-off when at the final 5 couples.
5) No more than three contestants in the final.
6) The showdance is to be the final dance for the final two and it should not be marked by the judges.
7) No props at all. No jumping out of cars, irrelevant hoopla stalls etc.
8) No theme nights. The couples have to spend too much time incorporating the theme and it affects the dancing quality imo.
9) Live results shows.
2) No more than 2 different dances per night...1 ballroom, 1 latin.
3) Appropriate music for the style of dance.
4) Ditch the dance-off when at the final 5 couples.
5) No more than three contestants in the final.
6) The showdance is to be the final dance for the final two and it should not be marked by the judges.
7) No props at all. No jumping out of cars, irrelevant hoopla stalls etc.
8) No theme nights. The couples have to spend too much time incorporating the theme and it affects the dancing quality imo.
9) Live results shows.
Originally Posted by RocknRolla:
“They must be the worst set of ideas I haver ever heard. Not one good one there, terrible.
I loved graham Norton but he would not be good on the show, the VTs are great to watch, and couldn't care less about some amateur dancing club.
In reality there is not much wrong with the show, that needs to change. Over 9 million viewers prove this.”
“They must be the worst set of ideas I haver ever heard. Not one good one there, terrible.
I loved graham Norton but he would not be good on the show, the VTs are great to watch, and couldn't care less about some amateur dancing club.
In reality there is not much wrong with the show, that needs to change. Over 9 million viewers prove this.”
You're entitled to disagree but no need to be rude
There is plenty that could be improved but maybe some of the 9m watch despite the issues with elements of the show. eg. gimmicks Tess Daly, Len, pointless 'come and meet members of my family' videos, obviously never gonna cut it dancers like Ann Widdecombe
Originally Posted by kaycee:
“BIB - absolutely agree about male dancers' tight trousers; also properly made mens' dance trousers are NEVER made with pockets for the reason you state, which makes me wonder who is making the guys trousers this year, or are they just buying them off the peg?”
“BIB - absolutely agree about male dancers' tight trousers; also properly made mens' dance trousers are NEVER made with pockets for the reason you state, which makes me wonder who is making the guys trousers this year, or are they just buying them off the peg?”
A job lot from Top Man?
Whatever else changes, keep Claudia.
Get rid of the dance off. The public votes more sensibly most of the time when they don't expect the judges to save the good ones and no dance off creates less 'teacher's pet' contestants.
Keep Bruno but glue him to his chair. I think he's calmer this year, most of the time, and his advice, when he gives it, is good.
If I was going to change the judges at all, I'd replace Len, but not straight after ditching Brucie.
Let the pros pick the music.
Go back to the days when the VTs showed how the training was going, including when things were going wrong. We used to get to know the celebs much better (or my memory is playing tricks on me, always possible).
Establish at the beginning of the series that 5 is a good score for a learner and that nothing over 2 should be booed.
No setting people up with songs that were never meant to be danced to.
Get rid of the dance off. The public votes more sensibly most of the time when they don't expect the judges to save the good ones and no dance off creates less 'teacher's pet' contestants.
Keep Bruno but glue him to his chair. I think he's calmer this year, most of the time, and his advice, when he gives it, is good.
If I was going to change the judges at all, I'd replace Len, but not straight after ditching Brucie.
Let the pros pick the music.
Go back to the days when the VTs showed how the training was going, including when things were going wrong. We used to get to know the celebs much better (or my memory is playing tricks on me, always possible).
Establish at the beginning of the series that 5 is a good score for a learner and that nothing over 2 should be booed.
No setting people up with songs that were never meant to be danced to.
Originally Posted by Lolly_Du_Beke:
“ I'd keep Kristina if she promised to wear a chastity belt.”
“ I'd keep Kristina if she promised to wear a chastity belt.”
Good one.
1. Get rid of Tess
2. Get rid of pop songs that don't fit the dance being done ( c.f The Best as a Paso Doble, Spice Girls Tango
)
3. Have a masterclass slot where the pros teach a few basic steps
4. Stop pretending it is Sunday on the results show
5. On ITT ask some in depth questions instead of " I loved last weeks dance,how is training going, silly VT bye"
6. Bring an ex pro on to the judging panel instead of Darcey, Matt Cutler,Lilia, Camilla, Karen
7. Maybe spotlight a pro each week, where they came from,what they have done, how they choreograph
2. Get rid of pop songs that don't fit the dance being done ( c.f The Best as a Paso Doble, Spice Girls Tango
)3. Have a masterclass slot where the pros teach a few basic steps
4. Stop pretending it is Sunday on the results show
5. On ITT ask some in depth questions instead of " I loved last weeks dance,how is training going, silly VT bye"
6. Bring an ex pro on to the judging panel instead of Darcey, Matt Cutler,Lilia, Camilla, Karen
7. Maybe spotlight a pro each week, where they came from,what they have done, how they choreograph
Keep Claudia, bring in Brian Conley.
Bring it to 16 celebs
Axe Kristina, Aliona, Ola, Trent and most likely Anton after next series
Bring in Vincent, Flavia, Robin, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson and Matthew Cutler.
I'd make the results show a bit more of an event, live preferably with 2 live performances, one danced by professionals and one danced by the whole group of celebrities and professionals, on top of this have a guest dancer every week from the American version performing one of their classic dances with their professional, I wouldnt get rid of Lens Lense, but move it to ITT.
ITT would be on a week before and a week after like suggested previously.
I'd get rid of Darcey, replacing her with either Erin, Karen Hardy or Shirley Ballas, keep the other 3 as they are.
Bring in Linda Robson, Tameka Empson, Tyger Drew Honey, Rustie Lee and Dave Benson Phillips as contestants finally!
Bring it to 16 celebs
Axe Kristina, Aliona, Ola, Trent and most likely Anton after next series
Bring in Vincent, Flavia, Robin, Sharna Burgess, Witney Carson and Matthew Cutler.
I'd make the results show a bit more of an event, live preferably with 2 live performances, one danced by professionals and one danced by the whole group of celebrities and professionals, on top of this have a guest dancer every week from the American version performing one of their classic dances with their professional, I wouldnt get rid of Lens Lense, but move it to ITT.
ITT would be on a week before and a week after like suggested previously.
I'd get rid of Darcey, replacing her with either Erin, Karen Hardy or Shirley Ballas, keep the other 3 as they are.
Bring in Linda Robson, Tameka Empson, Tyger Drew Honey, Rustie Lee and Dave Benson Phillips as contestants finally!
Reduce the no of celebs to 12 maximum...saving in their money and cost of pro dancers
No fake training, trips out VTs every week for everyone...saving on camera crew, edit suite & associated costs...do them every 2/3 weeks max
Re-invest savings in proper costumes especially for males.
Use the programme time saved from the silly VTs to show a pro routine or to showcase a particular dance or maybe dance styles not used or traditional dances from elsewhere in the world. Or maybe showcase kids dancing ballroom etc.
Maximum of two dance styles per week with certain dances (Arg tango, American Smooth) left until the last six before anyone attempts them.
Ditch the Charleston and ditch the scenery/props.
Include compulsory use of a prop which must be integral to the dance (hat or cane for example) to one semi final dance.
Ditch Halloween week....maximum of two other theme weeks eg movie music, sixties music or Brit tunes.
Ensure the leader board is ranked 1 to x each week...if judges give contestants a tie score before it goes out to the public vote they must split them.
No fake training, trips out VTs every week for everyone...saving on camera crew, edit suite & associated costs...do them every 2/3 weeks max
Re-invest savings in proper costumes especially for males.
Use the programme time saved from the silly VTs to show a pro routine or to showcase a particular dance or maybe dance styles not used or traditional dances from elsewhere in the world. Or maybe showcase kids dancing ballroom etc.
Maximum of two dance styles per week with certain dances (Arg tango, American Smooth) left until the last six before anyone attempts them.
Ditch the Charleston and ditch the scenery/props.
Include compulsory use of a prop which must be integral to the dance (hat or cane for example) to one semi final dance.
Ditch Halloween week....maximum of two other theme weeks eg movie music, sixties music or Brit tunes.
Ensure the leader board is ranked 1 to x each week...if judges give contestants a tie score before it goes out to the public vote they must split them.
I would have the results show on Saturday night. Watching it on Sunday when it clearly isn't live has never worked for me.
Interesting thread. It made my wonder when forum members consider Strictly was at its prime?
For me it was series 2-5. Series 1 was something of a concept with only eight couples participating and not knowing if it would be a successful format; but after that it was at its best. It began to wane in Series 6 with Tom Chambers winning despite being the worst dancer in the final (though you can argue Darren Gough wasn't the best dancer either) and the fiasco of the semi-final voting/scoring.
It remains the biggest show on television and I still enjoy it very much. Changes I would make include bringing in a new presenter, stopping the judges new "entrances" and making it less gimmicky. Oh, and I would not repeat the experiment of an additional, guest judge.
For me it was series 2-5. Series 1 was something of a concept with only eight couples participating and not knowing if it would be a successful format; but after that it was at its best. It began to wane in Series 6 with Tom Chambers winning despite being the worst dancer in the final (though you can argue Darren Gough wasn't the best dancer either) and the fiasco of the semi-final voting/scoring.
It remains the biggest show on television and I still enjoy it very much. Changes I would make include bringing in a new presenter, stopping the judges new "entrances" and making it less gimmicky. Oh, and I would not repeat the experiment of an additional, guest judge.
Some things to consider.
The VTs and intros between the dances are there as a buffet time to set up the studio, put in props take out props put cameras in the correct positions. Also gives the camera operators and gallery a few minutes rest time between active times on the dances.
All live shows use these.
Judges introduction well its far far far better than X Factor when the judges have a five minute slot and introduced twice by the voice over and then Dermot again. The slick ten seconds on SCD isn't a lot really and replaced Bruces jokes at that time.
The results show adds increased value to the BBC and spreads the budget nearly six million over two nights, giving economies of scale and more value for money. The Sunday show is popular and only looses about 500 viewers being recorded. An old style live results show wasn't watched by the final as up against X Factor, The dance off is the main reason people watch on a sunday.
Music/Songs Are limited to what Dave Arch and his band can do, they have little rehearsal time , they are a real band with other commitments, and so there are songs they cant do, and in some places restricted or expensive rights.
The show is still the most popular LE show and people seem to be never happy, it won the ratings again this weekend, some people say loose Bruce, loose Tess, its very very difficult to present a live two hour show, and mistakes and timing will run out on one dress rehearsal, time is limited. Performers have other jobs and commitments.
I would only make slight changes.
50% of the leaderboard each week have an automatic pass, We vote for the bottom 50% only, this (1) Makes is clearer who is at risk, (2) ensures the best dancers stay, (3) allows the results show to stay but flow better. (4) Stops unfair endings, for people such as Gabby Logan going too fast.
I might suggest in early weeks two shows, Team A and Team B maybe programmes going out on different nights, mixture of male and female to cut show length, and the sunday show to have the two bottom stars one from A and one from B battle it out, until the numbers reduce, Maybe start off with a few more stars. Ten in each until its down to seven each.
Start at 7pm each Saturday and forget X Factor,
The VTs and intros between the dances are there as a buffet time to set up the studio, put in props take out props put cameras in the correct positions. Also gives the camera operators and gallery a few minutes rest time between active times on the dances.
All live shows use these.
Judges introduction well its far far far better than X Factor when the judges have a five minute slot and introduced twice by the voice over and then Dermot again. The slick ten seconds on SCD isn't a lot really and replaced Bruces jokes at that time.
The results show adds increased value to the BBC and spreads the budget nearly six million over two nights, giving economies of scale and more value for money. The Sunday show is popular and only looses about 500 viewers being recorded. An old style live results show wasn't watched by the final as up against X Factor, The dance off is the main reason people watch on a sunday.
Music/Songs Are limited to what Dave Arch and his band can do, they have little rehearsal time , they are a real band with other commitments, and so there are songs they cant do, and in some places restricted or expensive rights.
The show is still the most popular LE show and people seem to be never happy, it won the ratings again this weekend, some people say loose Bruce, loose Tess, its very very difficult to present a live two hour show, and mistakes and timing will run out on one dress rehearsal, time is limited. Performers have other jobs and commitments.
I would only make slight changes.
50% of the leaderboard each week have an automatic pass, We vote for the bottom 50% only, this (1) Makes is clearer who is at risk, (2) ensures the best dancers stay, (3) allows the results show to stay but flow better. (4) Stops unfair endings, for people such as Gabby Logan going too fast.
I might suggest in early weeks two shows, Team A and Team B maybe programmes going out on different nights, mixture of male and female to cut show length, and the sunday show to have the two bottom stars one from A and one from B battle it out, until the numbers reduce, Maybe start off with a few more stars. Ten in each until its down to seven each.
Start at 7pm each Saturday and forget X Factor,
Easy. Tess and Claude to go before the next series and a serious effort made to get the type of bloke who would suit the show. Yes, I'm thinking Norton, Walsh, Clary - in that ilk.
Sorry, forgot Anton. It would be a risk but watching him last night I think he could do it. The girls are ill at ease, too frenetic, and Tess has no personality. Claudia is good but this is not the show for her.
Originally Posted by RocknRolla:
“They must be the worst set of ideas I haver ever heard. Not one good one there, terrible.
I loved graham Norton but he would not be good on the show, the VTs are great to watch, and couldn't care less about some amateur dancing club.
In reality there is not much wrong with the show, that needs to change. Over 9 million viewers prove this.”
“They must be the worst set of ideas I haver ever heard. Not one good one there, terrible.
I loved graham Norton but he would not be good on the show, the VTs are great to watch, and couldn't care less about some amateur dancing club.
In reality there is not much wrong with the show, that needs to change. Over 9 million viewers prove this.”
Your view. Gracefully put!
Originally Posted by penelopesimpson:
“Easy. Tess and Claude to go before the next series and a serious effort made to get the type of bloke who would suit the show. Yes, I'm thinking Norton, Walsh, Clary - in that ilk.”
“Easy. Tess and Claude to go before the next series and a serious effort made to get the type of bloke who would suit the show. Yes, I'm thinking Norton, Walsh, Clary - in that ilk.”
Graham Norton has said that he would not be interested in it.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbi...-Graham-Norton
Originally Posted by mossy2103:
“Graham Norton has said that he would not be interested in it.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbi...-Graham-Norton”
“Graham Norton has said that he would not be interested in it.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbi...-Graham-Norton”
Pity. Thanks for that.
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