As an avid fan of Strictly since it started, I've noticed that they used to give all the couples one of two dances each week, with gradually more intricate dances further on in the series (I remember when they brought in the Argentine Tango it was quite far in to begin with)

I presume it was with the Rainbow arrival and horrendously staged VTs that she also thought it sensible to "mix things up"?

IMO it was easier to compare 4 or 5 couples doing a Jive in week 3 than one in Week 1, but another not getting it til Week 7? I understand with 15 couples that could be 8 waltzes and 7 jives (which some might get bored by) but surely it's easier to compare like with like?

Am I alone wishing we went back to that?

ps - first time creating a thread so be nice! 😂

I think it preceded Louise Rainbow's time. Perhaps it was EvilMoiraRoss wot done it?

I agree it can make for unfair comparisons, but also think it makes better entertainment. It's one of the show's developments I'm relaxed about. (Stupid VTs and no real insight into the training room, not so much). A competant judging panel <cough> ought to be able to make the right allowances in the early weeks and inform the viewer about relative merits.

Personally I prefer it too. But I take the point that it isn't really a competition but an light entertainment programme with elimination providing an element of jeapoardy. However I reserve the right to contradict and ignore that statement and to complain bitterly, at any time of my choosing, over the next 14 weeks.

Series 8 and 9 (the Moira Years) they kept to the two dance split until they hit the first theme week, Series 10 (the Two Co-Producers Whose Names I Can't Remember Year) it was the usual Cha-Cha/Waltz Week 1 split but random after that, and from Series 11 (the Reign Of Rainbow) it's been mixed up from the start.

I prefer it the way it is now OP, but from what I remember of how the discussion normally goes most people here are on your side. Welcome to the board, welcome to the madness!

Tbh I really don't mind either method. I think they both have their pros and cons. Mixing it up gives more variety. When you're not particularly keen of watching a dance (hello 'the rumba') then at least you don't end up having to watch six of them in one night!

Generally I prefer not to mix up, so that I can compare.

However one argument for mixing up is that we are more likely to see a better waltz during the series if more celebs do it later on.

I prefer it mixed up. Having to sit through 7 Waltzes, which I don't like even when they're good, when they all range from average to terrible is not fun.

I would like the first two weeks to be just two dances, then you can really compare the dancers. Mix it up as much as you like in the following weeks.

BIB: Nope, I much preferred it when there were just two dances each week and then you properly could compare the celebrities on how they did in the same dance.

I too agree. Two dance styles per week was about right. But that would appeal to the more informed viewer, and most of the audience seem to be punters - or that's what they'd have you believe.

BIB - I'll be nice if you let me play Devil's Advocate?!

From a dance interest point of view, I'd much prefer to see all the couples work on the same couple of dances, as they did when the show first started - i.e half the couples doing waltz, the other half chachacha in week 1, then the reverse in week 2..

However, now with 15 couples instead of the initial 8 (I think it was in series 1) I do think that 8 waltzes and 7 chachachas in one sitting would actually make for a pretty boring show. Then you'd have week 2 with 7 waltzes and 8 chachachas before the first elimination. To be honest, I think by then viewers (a lot of them) would have completely lost interest, and switched off because entertaining it would not necessarily be.

One thing I would like to see though, would be all couples doing the standard 10 dances before they start bringing in the likes of Charleston, salsa, AT, AS.....

for what its worth, and its my opinion only, I would like each celeb to do a latin and a ballroom before the eliminations start

if that means double eliminations later in the show then so be it but I think they should be given the chance to do both

I would also like the Argentine Tango saved for the semi finals

I can see that for a lot of viewers mixing up the dances makes for more interesting viewing. I did prefer it with just two dances a week though. Not just because it's easier to compare, but also because the dances seem to vary quite a lot in how difficult they are to learn. I don't like the unfairness of a less able dancer who has struggled to learn an Argentine tango (with a pro who may not be brilliant at it either) competing against a very able dancer doing an easy waltz. I know this used to happen anyway closer to the final, but everyone had more training by then and I think they used to pair up the dances according to difficulty levels in the earlier weeks, which made it fairer.

I thought that is what they do? Week 1 half the couples dance bb, the other half Latin. Week 2 it is reversed, and only then is the first elimination.

I think it used to - I only remember Gregg Wallace (shudder) doing 2 latin dances before he was eliminated

unless it was a request from Aliona to get them knocked out in week 2

sorry to double quote you

Ive just had a quick look at Ultimate Strictly and interestingly it changes every so often

Series 1 - no elimination until everyone had done a latin and a ballroom

Series 2-7 - a couple was eliminated week 1

Series 8-13 no one was eliminated until they had done a second dance

They could always do it so there are four dances each week, two Latin and two Ballroom, then there'd be enough variety to stop the casual viewer being bored and enough of a direct contrast option for those who like to compare.

I agree with this. I also miss the pro dances on the results show where they would do a demonstration of the dances that were going to be coming up the following week.

I preferred the old method

I feel mixed about mixing up the dances! I like the comparison but agree that 7 or 8 of the same each week would be boring, probably. Perhaps they should limit the choice of dances in the first two weeks to a choice amongst four dances, e.g. cha cha cha or salsa and waltz or VW. I think the jive, foxtrot or tango early on is a disadvantage and a waste of a dance since they require a skill level higher than novice. And I know not all celebs are novices but nonetheless.