Originally Posted by Ms Babs:
“I think Joanne is a revelation this year. The first year she danced and last year in the pro routines I didn't like watching her as she was always pulling funny "Karen Hardy" faces and her VTs on ITT were dreadful, such a strange voice. BTW love Karen Hardy and really want her to replace Len as head judge but she pulls funny faces when she dances. Anyway back to Joanne, I think her choreography is very good and she choreographs to her partner's strengths which not all professionals do. Remember her Halloween dance to "the Addams family"? I know she's been having acting lessons and I think has also done some straight acting in the last 12 months and so because of that I think she's toned the voice and facial expressions down.
Karen Clifton seems ok but it was a very bitchy thing that she said to Ola, although it was still blown up out of all proportion in the papers which was neither woman's fault.
Kevin, well he's just Kevin, Kevin from Grimsby, Kevin training in the silly hat, Kevin in the silly glasses trying to look intelligent, Kevin who can't choreograph segments involving benches.......... etc etc etc.”
Joanne I always liked - lovely to see her and Oti spread their wings and come up with great rountines. Everyone was so down on her about what she produced for Scott but nice chap that he was he was a dead loss as a contender - he wasn't even extravert enough to be a comedy gold. However she produced two great routinues in the jive and AS.
Karen I didn't like at first (she came across as unrepent rule-breaker to get ahead possibly put up to it by the producers) and I suspect she has a quick temper even now at doesn't always work in favour (although those who know me perhaps will understand I'm not immune to that). However she really won me over with Dave Myers - just for the joy and energy of that first dance he had and I think she's done that with the less able just made it fun for them and encouraged them to really give their all. Yes ok some of the stuff is gimmicky but it's fun to watch mostly.
Kevin I think someone raised a really good point with him - I said he's not been given a dud yet and they pointed out that he's been given not that many obvious ringers either - neither Susannah or Kellie were - he made them good and bought out the best in them. Yes they were a tad over-rated at times and not the best but he made them contenders. I liked him with Susannah and I liked his showdance for Frankie Bridge. I'm a bit more on the fence about him but he probably doesn't deserve the levels of hate he gets in some quarters.