Saved me from saying it, thanks

Craig claims to mark on performance. Ed gave a great performance so I don't understand his mark. He always scored Lisa Riley on her performance not her ability.

Quick! Get a rope we've enough evidence!

You seem to not appreciate, that anyone can make an observation about someone on TV, but it's a bit out of order to have a personal go at another poster for saying it, just because your opinion differs from theirs.
This show generates some polarised opinions, that some can't handle.

That's what I assume. I think Ed has dealt with more serious criticism in the past than someone berating him on his lack of swivel action and he looked not the least bit upset because.......he'd just had a standing ovation for heaven's sake! So all Craig is doing is helping stoke up that positive feeling for Ed.

You seem not to understand that when you post you put yourself and your comments out there to be judged by others and not everyone is going to agree with you.

I think that people just like complaining

"You seem not to understand" that I don't mind people having a different opinion from me, but to have a go at me for actually having one is out of order, but typical of many on DS.

I agree, there was no need to be so mean tonight and giving a 3 was insulting . The show needs people like Ed taking part and you should give some praise and hope to a complete novice .

Lmao

If you actually want someone to learn something you find something good to say and then one (maximum two) things to improve.

You never produce a long list because it's human nature to be downhearted and not to listen. So you select the most crucial issue but you also have to encourage so you say two nice things.

I'm not even being judged but even I switch off once his head looks down to his notes and it's clear he's starting on his diatribe.

Pack it in, mate. It doesn't help the dancer and it makes you look foolish.

Yes!

Craig often forgets "the first rule of management" when assessing someone's performance.

"Find some small merit in a job otherwise executed poorly."

Craig's playing his usual, designated role as pantomine villain.

I like him, at least he looks at technique unlike the others and is the only one to score accurately, Ed was attrotious last night (not as bad as Lesley but still), I gave him 5 for effort haha

Too true.

As for Craig, I'm not so sure that he's just doing it for effect. It seems to me that he has his own agenda regarding certain of the contestants (whether pro or con). And not just this series.

I'm not so sure. He certainly makes full use of the paddles (and that's a good thing), but does he score accurately? I've looked at his marking over the years, and consistency seems to be lacking (especially more recently).

And as for technique, surely he's always touted as the one who judges on performance rather than technique? (Mind you, Darcey and Bruno fall into that category too, I suppose.)

I hope Craig keeps that in mind the next time he's doing annual dialogues at the accounting firm he's a partner in.

For now he's on a Saturday evening entertainment show in which his role is "scary baddie who actually uses the 0-5 paddles, is strict about technique and sometimes wowed by show elements."

^This

Seriously no he doesn't!

Len looks at technique in Ballroom and Latin (not in the other dances admittedly) but usually doesn't explain his score.
Bruno surprisingly cuts straight to the most important thing about the performance. E.g. He was absolutely right about Lesley needing to get her top half under control.
Darcey....well no idea what she is looking at!
And Craig is a bit obsessive about certain things that are within his sphere of knowledge and dismissive about others (exclusions are quite a lot of ballroom and latin technique)

But last night, I expected that reaction to Ed. It was pure comedy/play acting from Craig and quite entertaining and Katya and Ed seemed not too bothered having gone down a storm with the audience.

This has obviously gone completely over your head, hasn't it?


The objective of criticism, anywhere, in any walk of life where "appraisals" in one form or another are conducted, isn't to reduce the subject to a wreck, but to encourage them to do better. Hence my mention of "some small merit."

That's what we want, the contestants to improve so that those of us who actually enjoy ballroom dancing get a better show.

As for "ballroom techniques" Craig has very little professional experience, though I do believe he is quite knowledgeable when it comes to "correct thumb positioning," mind you, we're all good at that to, aren't we?

Apart from about three occasions of unfair undermarking I thought his scoring made more sense than usual!

So many 8s!

Wonder if he's in love

Only with himself!

I can accept Craig's criticisms (although I do think he should temper them with a bit of praise too) but not when his marking is so biased. 3 for Ed, who was in time throughout, learned a difficult routine and didn't go wrong, yet last week 8 for Anastacia who nearly fell over and didn't have much content. Come on Craig - be fair. Someone could go home because of the way you affect the leaderboard.

That was exactly my point earlier.

Craig uses this programme more as a rather juvenile attempt at self-promotion.

Yes I know it's a bit of a pantomime, Len is Baron Hardup, Bruno is Buttons and Darcey Cinderella.

Craig's one of the Ugly Sisters, I couldn't suffer two of 'em!

Craig doesn't enjoy the show. Whenever the camera goes to wide shot of the judges - for example when Tess is about to introduce the next celeb to dance and the panel is behind - Craig looks so sour-faced. No warmth or enjoyment shown. I don't think that's an act, that's how he feels. He looks like he doesn't want to be there and just going through the motions. I think he does it just for the money not for any real enjoyment and personally I think when Len goes Craig should go too. Get two new judges for the 2017 series.

I think he fakes it a bit in It Takes Two when he smile a lot more. I get the impression he is a bit of a misery guts in real life but not that I've ever met him so who knows!

Craig knows that Strictly is a nice little cash cow for him. He's involved in other projects where there is a far greater financial risk. So he has to lump it, but he could try not to show that he doesn't want to be there.

The show survived and grew without the old codger. It could just as easily survive without him, we none of us mind a bit of pantomime, it adds to the entertainment, but he's become tiresome.
He needs to be told. I'd sack him.