It was David James. There were two David Jameses somehow, but one did the AT analyses. Can't find his page though

I have been back and read it. It was good but not quite the wail of dismay I had expected. I did fulfil my promise of a supporting cuss but I had to keep it short and to the point as I had to go out.

Yes that's right. Don't know where I got John Curry from. He was an ice skater!

However there is a flaw in this proposed analysis. In order to analyse an AT there has to be some AT. There are no names, indeed no words, to analyse most of what we saw tonight.

I just rewatched it to make sure I hadn't imagined 6 lifts. It's bizarre, they do some mirroring stuff which... just isn't AT. How does the lead er... lead the follower to do something and do exactly the same move at the same time? Jay and Aliona's had it's problems but there was at least an acknowledgement in there that it shouldn't look choreographed.

Should be grateful for the 6 lifts. At least they weren't doing a pastiche of AT when she was in the air...

Found it & linked to the 2011 ones with his review of the Greyson & Kristina horror
http://www.learningtango.com/Reviews/Strictly2011.html

The mechanics, for want of a better word, are achieved by a number of factors. In the first instance the couple are leaning into one another. Not leaning on, one another, each needs ot be on their own balance point, but there is a sort of shared axis that is between the couple. (Imagine a plumb bob hanging exactly betwwen them). Once they have this shared axis the slightest movement in the mans torso is felt by the woman. Her golden rule is to stay in front of him where ever he goes. So as she feel him move his chest ( and its more of a change in tension or energy than actual moving) she moves to stay in front - hence the mirror.

Also because the upper bodies are fixed and solid (or supposed to be) in a constant and firm frame, if he moves the energy travels through her body to the point of least resistance which is her free leg. So her leg moves in response to the energy generated from his chest. You can't see it but you sure can feel it and your leg will move almost of its own volition. And that ladies and gentleman is the essence of the magic of this dance.

Oh, so good. I wonder if he's seen tonight's effort

Oh, I get that. It's a while since I've danced it (and never to the level obviously of some here) but I got that. I'm talking about in this routine when the singers start their first "He had it coming". It's only a short bit but annoyed me - it just set the stage of the rest of the dance of being "looks enough like AT, don't need more than that".

Just watching strictly now.
I agree with the general consensus.
Georgia - good but saccharine sweet
Anita - WTF
Kellie - liked it
Katie - boring
Helen - that's not a paso. But as a production was the best musical adaptation.

Jay - I wanted that to last 5 minutes. Too short.

This, exactly


Still annoys me as well and I'm definitely not your mum


Loved it, first ever 'dance in own clothes' on Strictly surely, if it wasn't his own shirt I'm fairly sure it's gone home with him


Oh dear the possibility of that happening I'm really not appreciating .

The forum is such a fun place to be tonight. When you support someone you know has done amazingly it's really easy to laugh at the bitter comments.

Does anyone know which page? I missed it

Given the complete lack of PP in the audience, is it safe to assume he's not doing any backstage reporting and next week's ITT will be a completely Andre-free zone

Page 62 - here you go

Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease...

What a lovely description

I've just remembered my favourite moment from last night: Katie getting coaching from her own daughter to sit on a chair during a dance. I hope DVO was watching and approving whole-heartedly.

Yes, sorry. I had some really bad news this week AThrop, which somewhat dimmed my ire about such things a TV show (they seem petty in contrast) so I did not rant as much as I might have done.


I concur. That was not an AT routine and nothing about it was AT quite frankly. It was a made up dance. I have never been on to pick apart dances anyway.

I judge each one as a whole, because it's not just about steps but about musicality, control, emotion, finesse, interpretation and the dancer's own unique style.

My good friend David J (we always dance together when we meet at milongas) is a very analytical man - a science/tech/numbers guy - whom loves to take things part and put them back together again. I am the complete opposite being a creative, and look at dance with a different eye.

Nah, DVO was sat at home singing "It should've been me!"

I am itching to start a Least favourite poll for this week.

Would highlight how the various supporters have firmed up their anti choice.

Now he's out, I'm sure he's far too busy bathing his kids to travel all the way to Elstree for a two minute segment on ITT. Priorities and all that

I can tell you Jay would win that poll too!
Specially this week. Whoever tops the leaderboard and it's not their favourite...

I'm extremely appreciative of how much he loves his kids

This Fan Warz out there, I may buy some popcorn

Just as well you can only vote positively for real.

That what was so great about DavidJames' analysis.

Full of lines like
And, no, I've no idea what's going on here either.

Have a read of his blog as linked above.
It's a bit hard to navigate as there are some earlier reviews hidden away.

Interestingly, he seems more able to identify proper named steps in earlier routines. It seems that as Strictly has become more "fluid" in regard to the underlying dance (in all dances, not just AT), the pros have been more interested in producing something that looks like AT but actually isnt.

It's quite hard to blag a waltz unless you just run round on tiptoes like a 5 year old. Unless you want your feet trampled into pulp,, it's most probably easier - and safer - to just learn how to do a proper waltz.

However to 99% of the viewing public, the only AT they have ever seen is a SCD AT.
Therefore as long as it has random knee flicks, swivels with an extended leg, and a bit of gusset flashing, it's brilliant.
So Gleb fullfilled the SCD AT brief perfectly.

Looks like a Duck
Walks like a Duck.
Quacks a bit like a goose.
Is actually an albatross