yes they can be harsh but dont you think its part of the show ?? The usa choreographer makes Arlene look like a pussy cat

I know it is part of the show, but I'm finding Bruno & Arlene more and more tiresome; if they were not in next year's panel, I wouldn't miss them.

I know what you mean about the other pros.

If Arlene were to at least make a half decent attempt at good solid fair criticism, well explained and reasonably delivered, I would not have my aggressive attitude toward her. The plain fact is though, that throughout this entire competition, she has lacked, or seems to lack both the technical knowledge and verbal skills to deliver this type of criticism. If (and on what I have seen I can only doubt it) but IF she has the ability to make informed comment, why on earth doesn't she do so, at least occasionally and leave her "fish wife" personality at home.

but why does being totally rude and behaving like a crazed lunatic have to be part of a family show. What message are we giving to young people watching?

"Oh, its OK to scream and shout abuse at someone if they are trying their very best but perhaps not quite making a professional result of things"

I am afraid that Arlene and Bruno are giving a very poor account of themselves on this show and proving (to me at least) that they have no idea of how to properly interact with their fellow human beings.

I'm loving this series. The only thing that i'm not happy about is the cruelness of the judges. I understand they are giving their professional opinions but do they have to be so nasty. There are times it almost feels like bullying. They can be honest about how they felt a particular dance went without being horrible. Poor James i felt suffered the most, especially in the last few weeks, he may not of been the best dancer but a little bit of praise for what he did well would of been nice. When they did finally rave about something he did they didn't give him the score he deserved.

Very true

But Arlene is perfectly able to judge on artistic performance rather than exact technical qualities, as are Craig and Bruno. There needs to be a variety of opinions and perpectives to keep the judging from becoming formulaic and one note. Do we really want a bland, insipid "Nicki Chapman on Pop Idol" kind of judge? I'd rather a screaming banshee than a shrewish mouse for enertainment factor alone. It s a lot better than Sharon "Fabulous/ Can I hump you young man" Osbourne and Louis "I like You" Walsh on the other side

Another ballroom judge would balance the panel better but i believe the Beeb sees it as more about entertainment than a real technical competition.

i can understand how she is annoying to the dance hardcore, as she is judging in the wrong way for a real competition but i think she gets it right for the average viewer.

I would be more annoyed if the competiton had more at stake, real careers and money for example. With an entertainment show, we cant get too het up as the judging is secondary to the main enjoyment aspects of the show for the majority of the audience, the emotional journey of the celebrities and the dancing in itself. If this wasn't the case, we wouldn't have the celebrities, just pro's.

In the end, the best dancers won both of the first two series and the best three dancers got to this week's final. I dont see any major faults with the judging when looking at the big picture. Of course, if it all goes tonto on Saturday night, i'll be here bitching away here afterwards.

HCG

Hannah
The info I've had said that Lorna Lee was not available at the last minute for the pilot program when the judges were tested for their suitability for the show so Arlene took her place. I believe Lorna was available for the actual series but the BBC went with Arlene.

imo the BBC, having tested Arlene out for a show which they had reservations about in terms of its appeal and success at that time and having a limited timeframe to work within to get the show in production for last summer decided to go with the panel they had tested therefore Ms Phillips stayed.

Michael Styllianos is mentioned in the Torvill and Dean book by John Henessey, which was originally published in 1983. I believe he worked with quite a few of the British Ice Dancers during the 1980s. How about having him on the Panel, to replace Bruno?

BTW, I found Arlene deeply irritating on the Strictly Dance Fever panel too, especially when she told a couple of amateur dancers they had "2 weeks to become legends", when comparing them to Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse!
Though, in fairness, she did redeem herself later by offering the girl a part in the Ensemble of her show "Grease" in Manchester.

Michael is great dont know how he would be on such a panel - Can think of a few top pros that would be good Donnie Burns, Sammy Stoppford, Marcus Hilton (maybe too nice)

I agree, but only if she decides not to dance