Is three weeks too long?

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Nina_Blake

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by Lou_Black:
“It would be interesting to see the footage of their initial training though. Perhaps they could have an interim off shoot programme called "First Steps". It would give us something to talk about anyway!”

I think it would be nice if It Takes Two had a launch show in between the main launch show and the first dances. They could show a bit more of the rehearsals, with some of the old professionals (Ian Waite, Karen Hardy etc) giving critiques on what they should work on to be ready for their first performance.

mirandaweb

23-09-2015

I agree, it would be good to see how the pairings are getting on, how the training is, how they are finding it, etc. With so many people they could at least fill a half hour slot once a week!

tortoiseperson

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by Alleycat666:
“I do think that maybe a Saturday early-evening ITT-style magazine show, with a few interviews/training clips etc would be an idea, just to keep everyone's interest before the dancing really starts.”

I agree - the three week hiatus is a curious limbo period (no pun intended and certainly not wanting to give Ola any ideas

)

fatskia

23-09-2015

My vague recollection from about Series 6 was that they had about 6 weeks to train before the first dance.
I remember Vincent saying that he had tried Rachel with all the dances and thought she would be very good at the Rumba. This was before the first dance, in an interview including Erin and Austin.

I think it gives the beginners more of a chance against the celebs who are already trained dancers, if they have more than 3 weeks for initial training.

fatskia

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by katt:
“and for some of the celebs it might take them that 3 weeks to just learn the basic steps - for others its much easier and they pick up the steps in no time at all

Tony Jacklin for example, who had never danced a step in his life, had terrible trouble remember his steps where as someone like Denise Van Outen, who had danced before, didnt have that trouble

everyone learns as a different speed - some of them can nail it straight away, others struggle

I personally dont have a problem with a 3 week wait but I guess others do”

From some of the optimistic things he said, I got the impression that Tony hadn't watched the show and thought everyone was starting roughly from scratch to learn to dance. I'd like to have been there when someone explained that Natalie Gumede was one of the celebs.

Ann_Dancer

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by BuddyBontheNet:
“I preferred when it was longer than 3 weeks (there was no launch show then) because pros would spend time teaching their celeb some basic dance steps. The idea was that time would prove well spent as the series progressed. The whole thing is different now and it's all about learning a routine in time for the first weekend, with the more able learning two.”

I agree, 3 weeks is too short a time to learn basics. I enjoy watching the journey, and love the genuine beginners, but I don't want to see the equivalent of a first lesson. I think people underestimate what learning to dance (from scratch) involves.

StrictlyEastend

23-09-2015

I agree with this but it certainly didn't help Quentin Wilson, Christopher Parker, Fiona Phillips etc..

When was the first launch show by the way? I've been watching since 2005 but I couldn't remember when the first launch place was.

claire2281

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by spursboy68:
“The launch show should be the week before the series starts and only isn't because it allows the show to finish at Xmas, not three weeks before. They tried extending the run with more couples but didn't work. Also, having a launch show in early Sep means TXF doesn't steal as big as march.”

No the launch show is 3 weeks before the series starts properly because the press wouldn't keep the pairings secret and the celebs need at least 3 weeks basic training before they start.

I should imagine they do basic lessons in simple steps, posture and hold before they then move on to the dance they're doing first.

spursboy68

23-09-2015

Originally Posted by claire2281:
“No the launch show is 3 weeks before the series starts properly because the press wouldn't keep the pairings secret and the celebs need at least 3 weeks basic training before they start.

I should imagine they do basic lessons in simple steps, posture and hold before they then move on to the dance they're doing first.”

I understand that but obviously that hasn't always been the case. In previous years you had a preview show then the series would start the following week, both being in late Sep.

TerryM22

23-09-2015

That seems sensible

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