katmobile.... I saw Aljax, Pasha chatting with the people by the stairs, daughter saw Anton chatting with some people. At end when the celebs were being interviewed, Ore came up to chat as well.
review from my Strictly experience....
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Hi Karen!
Firstly, thank you so much for sharing your experience of your Strictly time, a very interesting read (booo to the rain)
I'm curious to know, as you were behind the judges, did you see where Tess goes during each dance? I often wonder where she clears off to and why she's sometimes late going back to the Judges desk
Thanks in anticipation
Firstly, thank you so much for sharing your experience of your Strictly time, a very interesting read (booo to the rain)
I'm curious to know, as you were behind the judges, did you see where Tess goes during each dance? I often wonder where she clears off to and why she's sometimes late going back to the Judges desk
Thanks in anticipation
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“katmobile.... I saw Aljax, Pasha chatting with the people by the stairs, daughter saw Anton chatting with some people. At end when the celebs were being interviewed, Ore came up to chat as well.”
“katmobile.... I saw Aljax, Pasha chatting with the people by the stairs, daughter saw Anton chatting with some people. At end when the celebs were being interviewed, Ore came up to chat as well.”
Thank you for that
It makes sense they all seem like nice friendly people especially Alijax - he always comes across as having an absolute heart of gold. Ore seems like a nice man too. I don't understand the flack he gets on here.
Originally Posted by 80sQueen:
“Hi Karen!
Firstly, thank you so much for sharing your experience of your Strictly time, a very interesting read (booo to the rain)
I'm curious to know, as you were behind the judges, did you see where Tess goes during each dance? I often wonder where she clears off to and why she's sometimes late going back to the Judges desk
Thanks in anticipation”
“Hi Karen!
Firstly, thank you so much for sharing your experience of your Strictly time, a very interesting read (booo to the rain)
I'm curious to know, as you were behind the judges, did you see where Tess goes during each dance? I often wonder where she clears off to and why she's sometimes late going back to the Judges desk
Thanks in anticipation
”
Yes, seated behind the judges, but to the left of Bruno a few rows back, Tess zooms up the stairs and there are chairs right at the very back where she sits and I saw her looking through papers
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“Yes, seated behind the judges, but to the left of Bruno a few rows back, Tess zooms up the stairs and there are chairs right at the very back where she sits and I saw her looking through papers”
“Yes, seated behind the judges, but to the left of Bruno a few rows back, Tess zooms up the stairs and there are chairs right at the very back where she sits and I saw her looking through papers”
Thanks Karen x
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“Yes, seated behind the judges, but to the left of Bruno a few rows back, Tess zooms up the stairs and there are chairs right at the very back where she sits and I saw her looking through papers”
“Yes, seated behind the judges, but to the left of Bruno a few rows back, Tess zooms up the stairs and there are chairs right at the very back where she sits and I saw her looking through papers”
Yeah iirc she has a seat behind a pillar with her script.
I appreciated how hard she works. She runs about all over the place in heels. We were right next to where she sits and she chatted to people a bit too.
Originally Posted by VicsMum:
“Glad you enjoyed and I'm sorry about the rain, it must be such a pain to be queuing in the rain.”
“Glad you enjoyed and I'm sorry about the rain, it must be such a pain to be queuing in the rain.”
Lol - I think there's a song in there somewhere!
Thanks for your report Karen - I hope you found it all worthwhile, sounds like quite an ordeal to me!
Thank you OP for a really interesting account. I am glad you had a lovely time. But tell me what WAS the weather like? 
Thanks for a really interesting review!
One thing I've always wondered is when the "Sunday" dances are done. So the order was
1) Andre Rieu
2) Remembrance Day pro dance
3) The Saturday show
4) The "Sunday" show?
How long was there between the pro dance and the main show, as the professional dancers would have needed to get their hair and make up done (though not as much as some weeks!)
One thing I've always wondered is when the "Sunday" dances are done. So the order was
1) Andre Rieu
2) Remembrance Day pro dance
3) The Saturday show
4) The "Sunday" show?
How long was there between the pro dance and the main show, as the professional dancers would have needed to get their hair and make up done (though not as much as some weeks!)
Great account 😊
I have to say every year I apply for tickets but sfter I read previous tips about crazy early queueing and the whole day trying to get in without guaranteed good seats i really wouldn't bother. I know being in the atmosphere of the studio is 📯🎉🎆 but I'd rather pay for a show where i turn up at a reasonable time, good seating without the anxiety that must loom in preparation for scd shows.
Ps 🌧🌧🌧🌧☔☔😁
I have to say every year I apply for tickets but sfter I read previous tips about crazy early queueing and the whole day trying to get in without guaranteed good seats i really wouldn't bother. I know being in the atmosphere of the studio is 📯🎉🎆 but I'd rather pay for a show where i turn up at a reasonable time, good seating without the anxiety that must loom in preparation for scd shows.
Ps 🌧🌧🌧🌧☔☔😁
Originally Posted by bahbah:
“Great account 😊
I have to say every year I apply for tickets but sfter I read previous tips about crazy early queueing and the whole day trying to get in without guaranteed good seats i really wouldn't bother. I know being in the atmosphere of the studio is 📯🎉🎆 but I'd rather pay for a show where i turn up at a reasonable time, good seating without the anxiety that must loom in preparation for scd shows.
Ps 🌧🌧🌧🌧☔☔😁”
“Great account 😊
I have to say every year I apply for tickets but sfter I read previous tips about crazy early queueing and the whole day trying to get in without guaranteed good seats i really wouldn't bother. I know being in the atmosphere of the studio is 📯🎉🎆 but I'd rather pay for a show where i turn up at a reasonable time, good seating without the anxiety that must loom in preparation for scd shows.
Ps 🌧🌧🌧🌧☔☔😁”
Yes thank you for the report,always interesting to get inside snippets. I agree though, I have always applied but wonder now if I would bother going. You didn't used to have to get there at such a ridiculous time did you?
Originally Posted by An Thropologist:
“Thank you OP for a really interesting account. I am glad you had a lovely time. But tell me what WAS the weather like?”
“Thank you OP for a really interesting account. I am glad you had a lovely time. But tell me what WAS the weather like?
”
wet, horrible, heavy wet rain!!! I suppose really should be thankful it wasnt snowing!
Originally Posted by POTD:
“Thanks for a really interesting review!
One thing I've always wondered is when the "Sunday" dances are done. So the order was
1) Andre Rieu
2) Remembrance Day pro dance
3) The Saturday show
4) The "Sunday" show?
How long was there between the pro dance and the main show, as the professional dancers would have needed to get their hair and make up done (though not as much as some weeks!)”
“Thanks for a really interesting review!
One thing I've always wondered is when the "Sunday" dances are done. So the order was
1) Andre Rieu
2) Remembrance Day pro dance
3) The Saturday show
4) The "Sunday" show?
How long was there between the pro dance and the main show, as the professional dancers would have needed to get their hair and make up done (though not as much as some weeks!)”
Think we went in just after 5.00pm so AR/pro dance was done first, but it all took time because of the lights going out etc...and the OJ/kit kat break we had. Then ready for the Saturday show.
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“Think we went in just after 5.00pm so AR/pro dance was done first, but it all took time because of the lights going out etc...and the OJ/kit kat break we had. Then ready for the Saturday show.”
“Think we went in just after 5.00pm so AR/pro dance was done first, but it all took time because of the lights going out etc...and the OJ/kit kat break we had. Then ready for the Saturday show.”
I guess that's why the audience always applauds wildly when the guest artist is on and the pros appear, as it's the first sighting.
I must say I applaud you and your daughter for going through that experience! It would be too much physically for me to cope with.
La Rhumba.... at one point the warm up guy had us just clapping/cheering/laughing at nothing... think they needed it for recording, Claudia also had to do that...so funny just to see her sat there nodding and smiling...for no reason!
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“My very long review..... do love a long review!!
So.... daughter and I travelled down on the Friday evening to Elstree. We stayed at the Ibis, before we checked in, we walked up the road where we had to queue. Found it no problem. Ibis is the perfect hotel for the studios, close by ....basic, but ideal!
Checked in and then went to the big 24 hour Tesco's which is close by.
Back to the hotel to try and get some sleep... was so excited, I didnt sleep...up at 2.00am made a flask of hot chocolate up, took a blanket, chair, wrapped up warm...got there 2.30 and already there were some people there, first lady got there 12.30am!! we were 9th and 10th in the queue.
There was a security guy there who would pop out from time to time. We had a laugh with our new found friends.
Was easy enough to go back to the hotel to refill flasks/hot water bottles etc!
A lady in front of us had got some little heat pads (almost like a tea bag) she had got them from one of the £ shops, and they were brilliant. I was well wrapped up, but my feet got cold, despite having layers on!!
About 6.00ish it started to rain...and rain...and rain! Up until then the time passed quickly.
Tickets supposed to be validated at 9.00am, but 9.15 still nobody there to validate....dont think they wanted to get wet!
The queue behind us, stretched as far as I could see ....just one mass of brollies! Did I mention the rain!!!!
Eventually we got our tickets validated with the sticker and went to Tesco's for breakfast... although its a big Tesco, it was only a Costa Coffee cafe....we had a toastie and went back to the hotel. Hoped to have a sleep, but still in a Strictly bubble no sleep to be had.
We had to be back to the gate at 3.15,
Glammed and glittered up, we had a slow walk (both in heels, it had to be slow!) in the drizzly rain up to the gate.... I had planned to leave my phone at the hotel, but as we had to wear coats, carry brollies, I took it as I knew we would be queuing up for coats. Met up with the brolly brigade again, another long queue. Eventually started to move forward into the marquee, Handed in coats on one side, phones on the other.
There was the 'photo booth' with various props you could use and have 2 photos ... they are good quality photos as well.
There is a bar in there, tvs and seats.
Toilets outside, apparently 6 toilets (very small though)
A lady announced what was going to happen when we went through for seating, not sure what time we went through, but the first 10 people were taken through, first to the area opposite the band, in like a covered seating area. I knew the seats were small...but they were very, very small! One thing, although they emphasise the fact to go in number order....we found there were a few who did push in, we had another couple behind us and we were 9th and 10th! The couple behind, wasnt the couple that was behind us in the queue early hours of Saturday morning!
Wasnt pleased at all, but the person who seated us had us in the wrong section... so was taken to the seats behind the judges.... we was on Bruno's left side, a few rows back... the best seats were reserved for Production .... so not fair, I didnt see them queueing for 7 hours, and in the pouring rain! (I think I mentioned the wet rain!) People complained, but it didnt do any good, because of the Remembrance show, Service Men and Women had the front seats.....understandable, they should. But not the Production staff.
So really had to rely on the tv to see the dancers.
The show was amazing, really, really enjoyed it. First of all we saw Andre Rieu ... performing Hallelujah, followed by Brendan and Natalie dancing. Beautiful... so moving when the poppies fell.
Loved the dancing, the pro dance was very moving as well. Did have 2 attempts at it, due to lights going out, and a dancer missing a step! Third time lucky.
We had a break, orange juice and kit kats handed out. Some of the pro dancers chatted with the audience by the stairs. It was nice to see the celebrities mingling with family and friends... Judge Rinder with his grandparents, such a tender moment.
Elimination process.... we had a good view of Judge, and really felt for him, so nervous.
The ones on the dance floor, couldnt properly see them.
They are all so supportive of each other.
There is a warm up guy there and certainly gets the audience involved, clapping, booing, cheering, laughing.... by the end of the evening you are worn out, with all the standing up, sitting down in those very small chairs!
By the end of the evening I was feeling like I had jet lag (that was obviously due to lack of sleep) but without the flight!
Once the person who was out was announced, you see them doing their last dance and then the interviews of the remaining celebs.
Then a massive queue to get out, we had AJ/Oksana/Joanne pass by us. Some people were lucky enough to get autographs, as they stood by the dance floor.
Went back into the marquee and daughter queued for the coats and I queued for phone....it is well organised and the queue does move along steadily.
Then...back to the hotel....certainly slept better Saturday night!
So that was my Strictly experience, would I do it again.... I doubt it (I say that, might be different if I was lucky enough to get tickets!) they really need to look at how tickets/seating is done.
Just need now for my brolly and shoes to dry out... I know I mentioned the rain!!”
“My very long review..... do love a long review!!
So.... daughter and I travelled down on the Friday evening to Elstree. We stayed at the Ibis, before we checked in, we walked up the road where we had to queue. Found it no problem. Ibis is the perfect hotel for the studios, close by ....basic, but ideal!
Checked in and then went to the big 24 hour Tesco's which is close by.
Back to the hotel to try and get some sleep... was so excited, I didnt sleep...up at 2.00am made a flask of hot chocolate up, took a blanket, chair, wrapped up warm...got there 2.30 and already there were some people there, first lady got there 12.30am!! we were 9th and 10th in the queue.
There was a security guy there who would pop out from time to time. We had a laugh with our new found friends.
Was easy enough to go back to the hotel to refill flasks/hot water bottles etc!
A lady in front of us had got some little heat pads (almost like a tea bag) she had got them from one of the £ shops, and they were brilliant. I was well wrapped up, but my feet got cold, despite having layers on!!
About 6.00ish it started to rain...and rain...and rain! Up until then the time passed quickly.
Tickets supposed to be validated at 9.00am, but 9.15 still nobody there to validate....dont think they wanted to get wet!
The queue behind us, stretched as far as I could see ....just one mass of brollies! Did I mention the rain!!!!
Eventually we got our tickets validated with the sticker and went to Tesco's for breakfast... although its a big Tesco, it was only a Costa Coffee cafe....we had a toastie and went back to the hotel. Hoped to have a sleep, but still in a Strictly bubble no sleep to be had.
We had to be back to the gate at 3.15,
Glammed and glittered up, we had a slow walk (both in heels, it had to be slow!) in the drizzly rain up to the gate.... I had planned to leave my phone at the hotel, but as we had to wear coats, carry brollies, I took it as I knew we would be queuing up for coats. Met up with the brolly brigade again, another long queue. Eventually started to move forward into the marquee, Handed in coats on one side, phones on the other.
There was the 'photo booth' with various props you could use and have 2 photos ... they are good quality photos as well.
There is a bar in there, tvs and seats.
Toilets outside, apparently 6 toilets (very small though)
A lady announced what was going to happen when we went through for seating, not sure what time we went through, but the first 10 people were taken through, first to the area opposite the band, in like a covered seating area. I knew the seats were small...but they were very, very small! One thing, although they emphasise the fact to go in number order....we found there were a few who did push in, we had another couple behind us and we were 9th and 10th! The couple behind, wasnt the couple that was behind us in the queue early hours of Saturday morning!
Wasnt pleased at all, but the person who seated us had us in the wrong section... so was taken to the seats behind the judges.... we was on Bruno's left side, a few rows back... the best seats were reserved for Production .... so not fair, I didnt see them queueing for 7 hours, and in the pouring rain! (I think I mentioned the wet rain!) People complained, but it didnt do any good, because of the Remembrance show, Service Men and Women had the front seats.....understandable, they should. But not the Production staff.
So really had to rely on the tv to see the dancers.
The show was amazing, really, really enjoyed it. First of all we saw Andre Rieu ... performing Hallelujah, followed by Brendan and Natalie dancing. Beautiful... so moving when the poppies fell.
Loved the dancing, the pro dance was very moving as well. Did have 2 attempts at it, due to lights going out, and a dancer missing a step! Third time lucky.
We had a break, orange juice and kit kats handed out. Some of the pro dancers chatted with the audience by the stairs. It was nice to see the celebrities mingling with family and friends... Judge Rinder with his grandparents, such a tender moment.
Elimination process.... we had a good view of Judge, and really felt for him, so nervous.
The ones on the dance floor, couldnt properly see them.
They are all so supportive of each other.
There is a warm up guy there and certainly gets the audience involved, clapping, booing, cheering, laughing.... by the end of the evening you are worn out, with all the standing up, sitting down in those very small chairs!
By the end of the evening I was feeling like I had jet lag (that was obviously due to lack of sleep) but without the flight!
Once the person who was out was announced, you see them doing their last dance and then the interviews of the remaining celebs.
Then a massive queue to get out, we had AJ/Oksana/Joanne pass by us. Some people were lucky enough to get autographs, as they stood by the dance floor.
Went back into the marquee and daughter queued for the coats and I queued for phone....it is well organised and the queue does move along steadily.
Then...back to the hotel....certainly slept better Saturday night!
So that was my Strictly experience, would I do it again.... I doubt it (I say that, might be different if I was lucky enough to get tickets!) they really need to look at how tickets/seating is done.
Just need now for my brolly and shoes to dry out... I know I mentioned the rain!!”
Many thanks for taking the trouble to describe your experience which I really enjoyed reading.
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“La Rhumba.... at one point the warm up guy had us just clapping/cheering/laughing at nothing... think they needed it for recording, Claudia also had to do that...so funny just to see her sat there nodding and smiling...for no reason!”
“La Rhumba.... at one point the warm up guy had us just clapping/cheering/laughing at nothing... think they needed it for recording, Claudia also had to do that...so funny just to see her sat there nodding and smiling...for no reason!”
Thanks Karen.
Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.
Originally Posted by La Rhumba:
“Thanks Karen. Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
“Thanks Karen.
Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
That's such a good point- to have the couples assemble, then disassemble, and then re-assemble does seem -as you say- rather cruel as well as a faff. But then the show does seem geared towards winding them up to genuine levels of tension and suspense, no matter how much they might have it all in proportion.
Originally Posted by dippydancing:
“That's such a good point- to have the couples assemble, then disassemble, and then re-assemble does seem -as you say- rather cruel as well as a faff. But then the show does seem geared towards winding them up to genuine levels of tension and suspense, no matter how much they might have it all in proportion.”
“That's such a good point- to have the couples assemble, then disassemble, and then re-assemble does seem -as you say- rather cruel as well as a faff. But then the show does seem geared towards winding them up to genuine levels of tension and suspense, no matter how much they might have it all in proportion.”
Indeed, one thinks of Judge Rinder last week. He was left till the end and was mouthing "oh, come on" with the endless wait for a name to be called, when previously he hasn't looked nervous at all!
Originally Posted by La Rhumba:
“Thanks Karen. Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
“Thanks Karen.
Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
^^^^ I would also like to know.
Originally Posted by Hitstastic:
“Thanks for your review Karen, a brilliant summary of your SCD experience.”
“Thanks for your review Karen, a brilliant summary of your SCD experience.
”
Seconded.
I loved reading it all.
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“ wet, horrible, heavy wet rain!!! I suppose really should be thankful it wasnt snowing!”
“
wet, horrible, heavy wet rain!!! I suppose really should be thankful it wasnt snowing!”
hahaha
Originally Posted by La Rhumba:
“Thanks Karen. Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
“Thanks Karen.
Can I ask when they film Len's Lens? And are the results of who is staying/in bottom 2 really broken up into different segments? It seems very cruel.”
I had just assumed that the ones not announced in the first half just stood there hanging around during the intervening bits, but perhaps you are right and it's all done by editing.
Also, presumably you had another break at the end of the 'Saturday Show', while the voting and counting goes on?
Originally Posted by Karen_Rutherfor:
“La Rhumba.... at one point the warm up guy had us just clapping/cheering/laughing at nothing... think they needed it for recording, Claudia also had to do that...so funny just to see her sat there nodding and smiling...for no reason!”
“La Rhumba.... at one point the warm up guy had us just clapping/cheering/laughing at nothing... think they needed it for recording, Claudia also had to do that...so funny just to see her sat there nodding and smiling...for no reason!”
Thanks Karen, the fakery that goes on in these TV shows is mind blowing .
I suppose its the Producers through the warm up guy who controls all the clapping, cheering, booing and so called standing ovations ?
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