Not in terms of Salsa moves as we would have to eliminate one couple

But in terms of raunch and flith

1. Carol and Matt
2. Karen and Mark
3=. Louisa and Vincent, Lilia and Matt
5. Claire and Brendan

I wonder when walking around the stage and pulling faces was ever considered sexy (each to his own I suppose)

I really didn't see what I would consider to be raunch and filth in any of the Salsas....even form the "bad girl" and "bad boy" themselves

1) Carol and Matt.....didn't like the disco flavour...but Carol positively sizzled in the dress...more sassy than sexy

2) Karen and Mark.. Best routine of the night...more Notting Hill Carnival than salsa....not sexy, but just the pure unadulterated joy of dancing.

3)Louisa and Vincent/Matt and Lillia....again didn't like the music...it may have been Spanish but not spicy enough for me....Laughed out loud was shaking his booty for the crowd but agree with Arlene about the passion...when he dances I can see "the wheels turning" as it were.

5) No raunch, no filth and definitely no Salsa. Claire "strutting" does not constitute a Salsa for me and music choice sucked big time

Karen and Marks routine was pure Cuban Salsa all the way through and damn sexy. You say
'...just the pure unadulterated joy of dancing': that IS Salsa!

I agree with everything else you said.

when claire and brendan watch their dance back they should be embarrassed to still be in the show on that performance

Sorry I took from Saturday's first appearence of the salsa on SCD as being a b****y good example of just how difficult and how much of a mind set the salsa is.

None of them were particularly 'sexy', 'raunchy' or even free flowing as I had been led to believe this dance is.

I had thought the salsa should look a little more spontaneous than any performance this week. OK you have to have a routine and keep to it and maybe that is where all the celebs were going to fall down, in 'acting out' not so much a role but this idea of free form 'go with the flow' aspect I was expecting.

Maybe next time I will appreciate the chubby pro and his rubber hipped partner.

1) Mark and Karen
2) Carol and Matthew
3) Louisa and Vincent
4) Matt and Lilia
5) Brendan and Claire

Brendan's and claires might have been sexier if they looked like they were as much into their partners as they are themselves, and if they had some actual contact during the dance

Mark & Karen actually made me semi like salsa for the first time!!! Even Chris & Jaci couldn't do that last week!!! Whether it was 'salsa' or not, it kicked ass!

You are right Salsa has a mind-set and you have to get through it to enjoy it.

Performance Salsa, which that was, does look less spontaneous than club Salsa. Salsa performances and those which are in competitions do tend to have a theme to them. I recently saw a great Pink Panther inspired routine which was anything but spontaneous but was great to watch.

The chubby pro and partner should have done something like Mark did which was infinitely better. It showed me that the pro's let salsa down.

Agreed - it was what it was supposed to be ie entertaining and flirtacious . I really don't think they need to overdo it to make watching enjoyable. Arlene needs a cold shower.........or maybe some action with Brendan ( that would probably cool them both down for different reasons).

Bring on the dancing..............