Wow, wow, wow! Great routine. Full of character, if not technique. Ed's come a big way from his early weeks. He looks so confident, has lost loads of weight and looked great in white. I LOVE Katya.
The Ed Balls and Katya Jones Appreciation thread
8 of 22
Originally Posted by star89:
“He's getting so much better AND not bottom of the leader board
”
“He's getting so much better AND not bottom of the leader board
”
That's right, first time he's not bottom!
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“Wow, wow, wow! Great routine. Full of character, if not technique. Ed's come a big way from his early weeks. He looks so confident, has lost loads of weight and looked great in white. I LOVE Katya.”
“Wow, wow, wow! Great routine. Full of character, if not technique. Ed's come a big way from his early weeks. He looks so confident, has lost loads of weight and looked great in white. I LOVE Katya.”
He was bang on time again (wasn't he?)
And you're right about his confidence. I'm sure he doesn't expect to go out and execute a perfect cha cha, but he does look confident to go out and do the very best that he's capable of, irrespective of technique! Just such brilliant fun. I reckon Yvette's luckier than we ever suspected!
Originally Posted by Fuchsia Groan:
“He was bang on time again (wasn't he?)
And you're right about his confidence. I'm sure he doesn't expect to go out and execute a perfect cha cha, but he does look confident to go out and do the very best that he's capable of, irrespective of technique! Just such brilliant fun. I reckon Yvette's luckier than we ever suspected!”
“He was bang on time again (wasn't he?)
And you're right about his confidence. I'm sure he doesn't expect to go out and execute a perfect cha cha, but he does look confident to go out and do the very best that he's capable of, irrespective of technique! Just such brilliant fun. I reckon Yvette's luckier than we ever suspected!
”
It's not just timing though. He lacked the sensual rhythm of a rumba but ... I forgive him
His confidence seemed to be the one of the best things about his dance. This signifies to me that he believes he can I prove and deserves to be in the competition still. Well done Ed!
And did you know I love Katya? Can't get enough of her. Loved her outfit last week.
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“It's not just timing though. He lacked the sensual rhythm of a rumba but ... I forgive him
His confidence seemed to be the one of the best things about his dance. This signifies to me that he believes he can I prove and deserves to be in the competition still. Well done Ed!
And did you know I love Katya? Can't get enough of her. Loved her outfit last week.”
“It's not just timing though. He lacked the sensual rhythm of a rumba but ... I forgive him
His confidence seemed to be the one of the best things about his dance. This signifies to me that he believes he can I prove and deserves to be in the competition still. Well done Ed!
And did you know I love Katya? Can't get enough of her. Loved her outfit last week.”
Katya is fantastic, isn't she? Lovely sense of humour and looks to be great fun to work with. She's done a fabulous job with Ed and I suspect will be 'rewarded' with an able celeb next year. Bet she'll never have as much fun as she's had in her first Strictly season, though.
Off to watch the clips on the Strictly site again.
Originally Posted by Fuchsia Groan:
“Katya is fantastic, isn't she? Lovely sense of humour and looks to be great fun to work with. She's done a fabulous job with Ed and I suspect will be 'rewarded' with an able celeb next year. Bet she'll never have as much fun as she's had in her first Strictly season, though.
Off to watch the clips on the Strictly site again.”
“Katya is fantastic, isn't she? Lovely sense of humour and looks to be great fun to work with. She's done a fabulous job with Ed and I suspect will be 'rewarded' with an able celeb next year. Bet she'll never have as much fun as she's had in her first Strictly season, though.
Off to watch the clips on the Strictly site again.
”
I agree. Katya's all sorts of wonderful but she may not enjoy the experience of teaching an Ed ever again. They seem to get long well. I'm glad she's having a good first series and he's working so hard.
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“Ha! I meant the sensual rhythm of cha cha cha, not rumba!”
“Ha! I meant the sensual rhythm of cha cha cha, not rumba!”
Yeah, I know.
If he could learn to use the floor to get the hip action, that dance would have looked completely different. Instead he sort of prances around on top of the floor which makes him - and the dance - look really quite camp. Admittedly, it was that element that made me laugh like a drain - well, that and his expressiveness. His enjoyment is palpable.
Ooh, I luv 'em!
Originally Posted by Fuchsia Groan:
“Yeah, I know.
If he could learn to use the floor to get the hip action, that dance would have looked completely different. Instead he sort of prances around on top of the floor which makes him - and the dance - look really quite camp. Admittedly, it was that element that made me laugh like a drain - well, that and his expressiveness. His enjoyment is palpable.
Ooh, I luv 'em!”
“Yeah, I know.
If he could learn to use the floor to get the hip action, that dance would have looked completely different. Instead he sort of prances around on top of the floor which makes him - and the dance - look really quite camp. Admittedly, it was that element that made me laugh like a drain - well, that and his expressiveness. His enjoyment is palpable.
Ooh, I luv 'em!
”
Have you danced fuchsia? I ask because i'm not sure I would know ho to use the floor without stomping. Of course I'd hope my teacher would enable me to learn, but ... I might consider the floor a hindrance whereas it's obviously a great source for resistance. It would be great to see Robert achieve this before he leaves.
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“Have you danced fuchsia? I ask because i'm not sure I would know ho to use the floor without stomping. Of course I'd hope my teacher would enable me to learn, but ... I might consider the floor a hindrance whereas it's obviously a great source for resistance. It would be great to see Robert achieve this before he leaves.”
“Have you danced fuchsia? I ask because i'm not sure I would know ho to use the floor without stomping. Of course I'd hope my teacher would enable me to learn, but ... I might consider the floor a hindrance whereas it's obviously a great source for resistance. It would be great to see Robert achieve this before he leaves.”
Cha cha is a greasy, slinky dance. You have to imagine your feet are moving through thick grease on the floor. Feet pressed down into floor (pressure through balls of feet), upper body picked up. The getting onto the standing leg and settling of the hip is fairly fast. (Rumba is slower and so you imagine you are moving through sand and take more time in settling the hip).
Ed didn't do that badly for a beginner. I really enjoyed his performance.
Originally Posted by Ann_Dancer:
“Cha cha is a greasy, slinky dance. You have to imagine your feet are moving through thick grease on the floor. Feet pressed down into floor (pressure through balls of feet), upper body picked up. The getting onto the standing leg and settling of the hip is fairly fast. (Rumba is slower and so you imagine you are moving through sand and take more time in settling the hip).
Ed didn't do that badly for a beginner. I really enjoyed his performance.”
“Cha cha is a greasy, slinky dance. You have to imagine your feet are moving through thick grease on the floor. Feet pressed down into floor (pressure through balls of feet), upper body picked up. The getting onto the standing leg and settling of the hip is fairly fast. (Rumba is slower and so you imagine you are moving through sand and take more time in settling the hip).
Ed didn't do that badly for a beginner. I really enjoyed his performance.”
Hi Ann. I'm all over the place tonight - I meant to write Ed, not Robert! Anyhow, thanks for the description. With the cha cha cha, how do you imagine walking through grease at pace? That's what would stump me. I can feel the foot movement but not at speed. I've started doing barre classes at my Pilates reformer place and the double time movements challenge me completely! Hence my uncertainty about pace. With rumba you have time, depending on music phrasing, although self consciousness would make an appearance.
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“Have you danced fuchsia? I ask because i'm not sure I would know ho to use the floor without stomping. Of course I'd hope my teacher would enable me to learn, but ... I might consider the floor a hindrance whereas it's obviously a great source for resistance. It would be great to see Robert achieve this before he leaves.”
“Have you danced fuchsia? I ask because i'm not sure I would know ho to use the floor without stomping. Of course I'd hope my teacher would enable me to learn, but ... I might consider the floor a hindrance whereas it's obviously a great source for resistance. It would be great to see Robert achieve this before he leaves.”
I see Ann Dancer has answered your question below. She knows her stuff.
No, I'm not a dancer, but I do exercise to music and - as a result of watching Strictly since Series One - I know that using the balls of your feet to push into the floor moves and rotates the hips (and all the other adjoining bits and pieces like waist and thighs!). It really isn't difficult at all and doesn't half shape the old body up!
Originally Posted by Fuchsia Groan:
“I see Ann Dancer has answered your question below. She knows her stuff.
No, I'm not a dancer, but I do exercise to music and - as a result of watching Strictly since Series One - I know that using the balls of your feet to push into the floor moves and rotates the hips (and all the other adjoining bits and pieces like waist and thighs!). It really isn't difficult at all and doesn't half shape the old body up!”
“I see Ann Dancer has answered your question below. She knows her stuff.
No, I'm not a dancer, but I do exercise to music and - as a result of watching Strictly since Series One - I know that using the balls of your feet to push into the floor moves and rotates the hips (and all the other adjoining bits and pieces like waist and thighs!). It really isn't difficult at all and doesn't half shape the old body up!
”
I was more curious about how you acquired your know-how. I've asked Ann about achieving the footwork at pace. Glad you're getting shaped up!
Originally Posted by MaggieMcGee:
“Hi Ann. I'm all over the place tonight - I meant to write Ed, not Robert! Anyhow, thanks for the description. With the cha cha cha, how do you imagine walking through grease at pace? That's what would stump me. I can feel the foot movement but not at speed. I've started doing barre classes at my Pilates reformer place and the double time movements challenge me completely! Hence my uncertainty about pace. With rumba you have time, depending on music phrasing, although self consciousness would make an appearance.”
“Hi Ann. I'm all over the place tonight - I meant to write Ed, not Robert! Anyhow, thanks for the description. With the cha cha cha, how do you imagine walking through grease at pace? That's what would stump me. I can feel the foot movement but not at speed. I've started doing barre classes at my Pilates reformer place and the double time movements challenge me completely! Hence my uncertainty about pace. With rumba you have time, depending on music phrasing, although self consciousness would make an appearance.”
Well you keep your feet close to, preferably on the floor in both dances and keep the steps small which makes best use of time. However with rumba there is more of a slight rise and fall. In a forward rumba walk you would slide the foot forward first (point, toe turned out) and then there is a slight rise as you move the body on to the standing foot. Then once weight is transferred you can settle into the hip slowly. Cha cha is more down and dirty in that you need to keep the weight lower. For a forward walk you still slide the foot forward first but with a sharper movement and you get onto the standing leg as soon as possible and so there is less rise, and you immediately settle into the hip and so there is less finesse in the settling action (however for a checked forward walk which you would use in a basic or new yorker you wouldn't transfer full weight). The lock/chasse steps (4 and 1 beats) are different technique and more complicated in terms of weight transfer, but keep steps small and feet close to floor still applies, even more so in fact.
Like you I do Pilates. I'm supposed to be strengthening my ankles at the moment and so lots of reformer work.
Originally Posted by Fuchsia Groan:
“I see Ann Dancer has answered your question below. She knows her stuff..”
“I see Ann Dancer has answered your question below. She knows her stuff.
.”
I'm not very good at cha cha though! or jive!
Originally Posted by dancing-girl:
“ I think he can dance but is pushed into the clown act by the SCD producers. Without him and other no hopers the show is flat. It's a first for me to look out for the bottom feeders instead of the better dancers. I just find the who thing quite predictable and beige”
“ I think he can dance but is pushed into the clown act by the SCD producers. Without him and other no hopers the show is flat. It's a first for me to look out for the bottom feeders instead of the better dancers. I just find the who thing quite predictable and beige”
Well said - I just love this pair
I LOVE KATYA!
What a fabulous addition to SCD! Easily, the best female pro this season. Ed is so lucky to have her. And he is definitely improving.
(I had to say it or I would have burst.)
What a fabulous addition to SCD! Easily, the best female pro this season. Ed is so lucky to have her. And he is definitely improving.
(I had to say it or I would have burst.)
Originally Posted by Olivia_P:
“I LOVE KATYA!
What a fabulous addition to SCD! Easily, the best female pro this season. Ed is so lucky to have her. And he is definitely improving.
(I had to say it or I would have burst.)”
“I LOVE KATYA!
What a fabulous addition to SCD! Easily, the best female pro this season. Ed is so lucky to have her. And he is definitely improving.
(I had to say it or I would have burst.)”
Haha, I totally agree with you Olivia. I think we're all a little bit in love with Katya
Originally Posted by Ann_Dancer:
“Well you keep your feet close to, preferably on the floor in both dances and keep the steps small which makes best use of time. However with rumba there is more of a slight rise and fall. In a forward rumba walk you would slide the foot forward first (point, toe turned out) and then there is a slight rise as you move the body on to the standing foot. Then once weight is transferred you can settle into the hip slowly. Cha cha is more down and dirty in that you need to keep the weight lower. For a forward walk you still slide the foot forward first but with a sharper movement and you get onto the standing leg as soon as possible and so there is less rise, and you immediately settle into the hip and so there is less finesse in the settling action (however for a checked forward walk which you would use in a basic or new yorker you wouldn't transfer full weight). The lock/chasse steps (4 and 1 beats) are different technique and more complicated in terms of weight transfer, but keep steps small and feet close to floor still applies, even more so in fact.
Like you I do Pilates. I'm supposed to be strengthening my ankles at the moment and so lots of reformer work.
I'm not very good at cha cha though! or jive!”
“Well you keep your feet close to, preferably on the floor in both dances and keep the steps small which makes best use of time. However with rumba there is more of a slight rise and fall. In a forward rumba walk you would slide the foot forward first (point, toe turned out) and then there is a slight rise as you move the body on to the standing foot. Then once weight is transferred you can settle into the hip slowly. Cha cha is more down and dirty in that you need to keep the weight lower. For a forward walk you still slide the foot forward first but with a sharper movement and you get onto the standing leg as soon as possible and so there is less rise, and you immediately settle into the hip and so there is less finesse in the settling action (however for a checked forward walk which you would use in a basic or new yorker you wouldn't transfer full weight). The lock/chasse steps (4 and 1 beats) are different technique and more complicated in terms of weight transfer, but keep steps small and feet close to floor still applies, even more so in fact.
Like you I do Pilates. I'm supposed to be strengthening my ankles at the moment and so lots of reformer work.
I'm not very good at cha cha though! or jive!”
Thanks for that Ann.
The detail you've provided means I understand why cha cha cha can be done with speed. I can see why ballet would be an advantage for rumba but a hindrance for cha cha cha.
Ed has tweeted that he has the QS next week. A few thoughts: QS is my favourite standard ballroom and because it's upbeat, it can be a crowd pleaser. I think Ed has many ingredients to deliver a competent QS but that's a danger. It will be hard to play fool and engage the audience humorously. Also he might score better from Craig, for example, and lose audience sympathy. Ed said he liked the latin numbers more than he expected. I can see why as you can inject personality, performance and humour as a novice that is more challenging for a beginner in the standard numbers. I'm looking forward to and fearing next week for Ed.
I think QS is the best of the ballroom dances for him to be doing as it is upbeat. Loved the Tweet. https://twitter.com/edballs/status/792828451493408768 I like to think Ed will be bouncing along like that.
8 of 22
