in not liking Mark and Karen's AT (actually I know I'm not because my other half didn't like it either, but that doesn't count really).

I didn't find it sexy and I thought the lifts were really ugly.

As may be obvious I have no dance experience at all it was just the way I felt having watched it the first time. After reading all the comments on here I watched the Sunday repeat really trying to like it but I just couldn't.

Is there even one other person out there who agrees?

Probably loads!

I am however am not one it was to me a simply stunning dance and the connection between the two of them made it.

Am so glad the judges saw it for what it was and I read Vincent on the commentary was proud too and it's his speciality, they must have done something right!

Did you prefer the other 2 AT or not like the dance in general or don't like Mark and Karen?

There are quite a few M& K dances that I didn't get or didn't do it for me (but thats just a matter of personal taste) however I adored the AT and have watched it about 50 times (at least!)

I do like Mark and Karen and they were my "tip for the top" but that dance just didn't work for me. The odd thing is that I said nothing as it ended but my husband immediately said that he didn't like it which is very unusual for him as, unless the celebrity is very poor (Fiona Phillips for example) he nearly always says "that was pretty good". So, in our house at least, there was uniformity.

I actually thought that Emma performed well but Darren was weak and I loved Matt and Lilia's routine but admit that Matt did very little and it was Lilia that really drew the eye. I actually thought the way they held each others gaze was sexy.

However having heard the judges comments and read the views on this forum I realise that I obviously have no taste .

Can't agree with you - but there probably are some that do.

I have watched this dance loads of times and never get bored with it.

I thought it was good but not a '10'. I agree the lifts weren't great - Mark always seems hesitant and the lifts never end up looking effortless and smooth.

Matt and Lillia lifts were a lot better but i don't know if it's Matt's skill or just because Lillia is so little that makes it easier?

Still think Mark's was the best AT of the night though, imo he got the sexiness and sold the dance better than anyone else.
Last edited by ashley85 : 19-12-2006 at 10:00

That'll be it!

The panel from ITT last night were pretty cold on the AT until Mark and Karen's.

The dance that leaves me is the Rhumba unless the pros are doing it I just cringe, have hated all of them this year!

I agree with you completely about this bit, but sorry I'm with everyone else - I though Mark and Karen's AT was wonderful and it looked like a genuine AT which is what made it so special for me! (The AT does include some ugly lifts I must say!)

No you are not the only one not liking M&K 's AT , I will not claim to be a dance expert but both the other couples AT entertained me more. Mind you Mark did look the part, with his long hair and no neck, he did look like a gangster on heat
Last edited by Seymour : 19-12-2006 at 11:28

I really liked it, no that's not strong enough - I adored it, no still not strong enough, actually I can't find the words to describe my feelings about the best dance on SCD ever, and I am currently obessing over it....

........but I don't expect everyone to think the same way I do.

I loved it Definitely goes down as my favourite dance of the series. Mark and Karen both looked, acted and danced their parts really well.

As for Emma and Darrens AT, she was excellent and it was Darren that let them down imo. Matt and Lilia had the connection but it appeared to me that Lilia did most of the work.

I've said on another thread they moved a bit too much round the floor for my liking more like a ballroom tango in places, but that aside I did enjoy the presentation.

I liked M&Ks routine very much but felt that Matt and Lilia's had far more passion

My husband wasn't keen on it which made it awkward for me - I couldn't do what I wanted to - jump up and down waving my arms above my head yelling Yes, yes, yes! I had to sit decorously but I did say that it was miles better than Emma and Matt's. When they got three 10s my husband said that it was ridiculous. However as he knows nothing about dancing I am ignoring his remarks.

I have watched it so many times. Just off to watch it again.

I liked it and thought it was the best dance of the night. I did not think it was the best dance of the series (although amongst the best - preferred Louisa's jive and Emma's tango). It did not make me think, "Oohh, I'd love to see that dance again," the way I did with Jill's jive.

Loved that routine, like nothing else I've seen in any of the series.
That's saying a lot I know, but that's how I feel. It just oozed passion (due to unmistakable chemistry between Mark & Karen) where as Matt resp. Emma's efforts left me stone cold (note that Darren was mostly looking at his and Emma's feet/or towards the audience and Matt (I think) just has a hard time with intimacy with anyone but his own girlfriend). Now they both may (or may not) have been technically more sound than Mark & Karen.....just didn't 'float my boat' so to speak.


To answer the initial question of this thread. No you're not alone I guess, but part of a (imho) limited group of folks.......no matter though; to each his/her own, don't you think?

dance is quite subjective so what impresses one will surely leave someone else cold. That's the beauty of it though...bit surprised people have a go at the judges for having differing opinions when it all boils down to personal taste. Lack of dance experience shouldn't make anyone's opinion less valid and the argentine tango is a bit of an acquired taste in my opinion. But I though Mark did a fabulous job...it's not easy doing the steps and acting intimate but I thought he nailed it (so to speak).

No, you are probably not alone, but I am not with you.

Well since Vincent and Flavia are the experts and they chose Mark and Karen as the best , and they gave them moves etc , I suggest the question of technical correctness and lifts is immaterial .
Each couple had lifts and the leg decorations and is it cicadas ? etc but only Mark and Karen sold the story , there was no siory in the others at all .
I think Matt and Lilia were better than Emma and Darren and for some reason I felt Darren was not at his best in either dance.There is no connection between the othe rcouple's at all .

It is all a matter of taste I suppose , I have to say it was the only one of the 3 which in any way even approached the sensuality of Vincent and Flavia

Could add more : having seen Vincent and Flavia give their masterclass it is obvious why Mark's AT was a runawy winner .
Also they had the hold correct , Emma and Darren didn't and it wasn't great with Matt .
Total connection with Mand K , no looking at feet , moving as one , kept eye contact throughout , moved together . It was a complete performance ( I direct plays and have theatre studies qualifications BTW)

This was the complete package
Last edited by arddunol : 19-12-2006 at 13:33

Their routine was good, but I've never really understood the hype surrounding their dancing anyway.

Possibly you then don't understand dancing and performance per se . It comes from inside , not from being the best technically etc .That is the problem with Matt and Emma and is the reason why Matt improved so much after Lilia had the drama tutor in .

I'm not having a go , just passing comment as a performer .

Seen a lot of dancers who are technically very good but zero chemistry. Connection is extremely important to me and Mark and Karen's connection is greater than E&D or M&L - but that's just my opinion.

I do agree with you. It was actually the AT I liked the least on the evening. My husband liked it instead.

I thought it was wonderful but I think it was everything together, the music was wonderful, the costumes were super, the dance was sexy and they have a fantastic sexual connection when they dance. I just think they are electric when they get it right and they both adore dancing and you can see it. I think most people loved it but hey you are entitled to your opinion. Lots of times I thought that Emma and Darren left me cold and the judges loved it. Sometimes I thought they must have been watching another couple!! That is what makes Strictly and this Forum so interesting, different opinions, points of view.

Sorry forgot to mention Matt. I liked their Arg.Tango, I thought that was sexy too and I was shocked by Arlene's you have the sex appeal of a nat comment!! Obviously the public liked it.