Maybe he wants to be a comedy contestant like he wants to be called Judge Rinder instead of Robert? Anyone think of that yet

Robert seem to be having the time of his life, I don't think he is taking it very serious...good on him.

His first dance was his best, I reckon.

The Fred Flintstone routine - a few weeks later - didn't do him any favours and made him look like the 'comedy' contestant (along with Ed Balls, of course!). Ed and Robert dancing together would be funny.

I think the producers may have dictated he be called Judge Rinder as its the breakthrough name for which hes known. I guess Rob doesn't care as long as he stays in and wouldn't rock the boat.

I think that he has a very good chance of being in the final.

He doesn't seem to have more than one or two days to train.... so that's got to impinge on his performance.

Yes, he mentioned that didn't he, which, given the amount of time he does have it is a fairly decent effort.

I think the main thing with Rob is you want to see a celeb diversify (if can) and display those changes in skill/performance that make us feel they are improving and adapting. While the themes of his dances have been different, and obv the dances themselves, I don't always feel the tone has differed as much. I know he can't help his expressions, as he said as much that he couldn't, but dancing and controlling the face as well as the body are one in the same, so actually if he wants the dance to be certain way from head to toe he does actually need to apply even those seemingly small and hard things to control aspects in order to feel a progression is occurring overall.

He's not bad, he can move, he can stay in time, he can hear the beat, but he's got to remember dance is about all the subtle and small details as well as the big and obvious, and that's where he falls short. He has plenty to learn (and hope he does). His previous dances have allowed for a more up mood/character display, so I'd actually really like to see him in a Paso or even a Rumba, something where he really has to rechannel his dancing senses.

Or he wants to be called Judge Rinder as its the name of his show and we wants people to associate him with the show so they start watching it

Obviously. And he was really plugging it this week. I wonder what his viewing figures are.

I felt from the introductory show that we were going to get a lot of "free style" from Rob. Aided and abetted by the producers, no doubt, that is exactly what we've had. He has the physical equipment to be a good dancer - overall fitness, core strength, musicality - and he's clearly working very hard on technique, but once he gets on the floor his temperament seems to turn him into a rampant exhibitionist and he can't help going over the top.

Is my (probably flawed) analysis.

I find him surprisingly good and hope he sticks around.

I thought his Jive was one of the best dances this week - he danced it well and entertained...... and undermarked!

I record it and watch it after work. Best trashy TV around and I'm learning a lot about British small claims which might be handy.

I agree! I was peed at Craig until he gave 5 and 4 to the next two dances.

I think it's pseudo-confidence and that's why it's so over the top. When he's standing up with Claudia during the other contestants scoring, he looks so self-conscious - he loojs like he's concentrating really hard on just standing and smiling.

^this^

He seems to be having a good time and that's that, basically. I suppose that he knows fully well that he (possibly) won't win and is enjoying while it lasts. What's wrong with that? That's the spirit of the whole thing after all.

I thought I heard Voice Over man, sorry can't remember his name, maybe Alan, anyhoo, he introduced him as the Star of Judge Rinder, Robert Rinder. I'd like him to be called Robert or Rob. I think by calling him Judge sets him up for the comedic routines and I think he is way to good a dancer for that.

I've seen him improve each week. He's less frantic, his routines are full of content, and Oksana highlights his dancing, and doesn't hde him behind hers.

He's not actually a judge and has never been. It's not real or even a real approximation of a court.

But the law is correct, he's a barrister, he takes the law bit very seriously.

Not flawed IMO. I think that's a pretty good summary of what's been happening with Judge Rinder thus far.

About as seriously as he takes his dancing. If he took the law seriously he wouldn't be making trash TV.

Why? Who says a barrister can't have fun?

Trash TV eh?

What are you doing here?

Not so. He is conflicted in that he's trained to be a barrister but has, had, a hankering after scriptwriting and acting. Given his two passions he's the best of both with his show.

If that's the case, then it is a big handicap.

Rob doesn't seem to have as much potential as a dancer as I expected, but it's not all about the dancing and he could stay a long time.