I do agree 5 is 2 to many those guys are going to be knackered, by the end of this weeks rehersals, yet alone after saturday, I do agree the beeb really should have done a bit to cover Turbuck problem.

I think that 5 dances is far, far too many. Quality over quantity for me, I remember even the pro’s saying that they struggled in past weeks when they had to do 3! They are going to be wrung out by about the third dance and the other two performances will suffer as a result. The last dances should be the pinnacle of the entire series, which is why Darren’s got such a rapturous response last year, especially after the disappointment of muppetgate. I am really, really worried that if they are too tired to really go for it, on top of them having only the two couples in the final will prove to be a bit of an anti-climax.

Why not have the previous couples give a larger performance and give the lads a rest ready to come out all guns blazing for their show dances/ freestyle?

Well, to be fair, 3 of them will be dances they have done before.

1. Their favourite Latin dance
2. Their favourite ballroom dance
3. A Viennese Waltz
4. Judges' choice, giving same music to both couples to coreograph with whatever dance they think fits best. (This could also be mostly one they had done before)
5. Show dance.

That's true, but we have seen in previous finals couples being under stress, attempting to remember and polish just 2 previous routines whilst creating a new show dance. On top of that somebody else raised a very good point that by the end of the evening, when we should be getting the cream of the crop, we will likely be voting for the person with enough stamina to get through the performance. I might be wrong and they might both do very well, but having to spread their energy over five routines is never going to deliver the same amount of sparkle in each individual performance than if they’d done just the usual three.

OK, only my third post and still getting to grips with things so not sure how to quote previous posts....but that post from Olliphant *points helpfully at screen* was spot on. The BBC seem to feel the need to constantly fiddle with something that was absolutely fine the way it was. I realise that Tarby's exit was not planned but they have had a number of weeks to come up with an interesting Plan B....and have failed. Would much rather have quality over quantity...the winner shouldn't simply be the last man standing!

Oh look, I've found the grumpy faces

The worry wart in me thinks the finals might very well turn into a meltdown. To see them panting pathetically on the dance floor after their dance and the judges slagging them off, not the best sight to behold!

LOL! Welcome to the board.




If you wish to quote click on the quote button on the lower right side of the relevant post, it will take you to the reply page and you can just type your response under the coded quote.

Are they performing all 5 dances in the one show or are they performing the showdance in the results show? It would give them a chance of a rest.

I think it is ridiculous and expecting far too much of the competitors. I would be sick backstage if I had to do this. I would also get all the dances mixed up and probably make mistakes, as I would be trying to learn/re-learn too many different styles of dancing. It is OK for the professionals as they are used to this but for the Mark and Matt it must be a nightmare!! I would have preferred an item on the previous winners. For Example, I missed the first series and I have never seen Brendan and Natasia dance!! I would like to see them Tango etc. I have heard they were electric on the dance floor!! I loved Jill and Darren too and Zoe and Ian, although I know they did not win but they did some magical dances! I think the BBC are expecting nearly the impossible for the guys to give electric performances when they have so much to cope with.

I fear the performances could suffer, it MUST be expected that at least one dance will never be up to the standard we have come to expect.

I am worried that in the final which should be pinnacle of the competition could be remembered for mistakes and one couple 'blowing it'. Or even worse various disgruntled fans of fallen couples moaning that their chosen couple would obvious messed up the way Matt/Mark are likely to do with so many dances.

The only thing to say in defence of the finalist is that being who they are, of any celebs have the background and experince to take strength from either the pressure of five dances or a mistake or slip in one routine, it is two top sportsmen.

They could have had no elimination week 3 , or had an " understudy "on call .

I'm afraid that it won't be just one dance that's not up to standard, but that all dances will be sub-standard, but without being a disaster, because they just have too much to remember and too much to do. If in future years they go back to normal, then this year's final will be remembered as being sub-standard - and that would be really unfair on Matt and Mark. After all no one's going to remember the reason, they're just going to remember that they weren't all that good compared to other finalists.

But I'm being too pessimistic here. Hopefully I'm wrong and both competitors will do a fantastic job.

I could have cried when I heard the news about this marathon - Bruno was right, there. There were 3 couples in the final show last year with only 2 of them going on to the actual final, if I remember rightly (apologies if I am wrong).It seems to me that the BBC obviously knew how long the final show was going to be and should have made plans accordingly after Tarby's departure. Leaving just 2 couples to fill the time with 5 dances in which Mark and Matt, (Lilia and Karen, too, come to that) have to overcome nerves and pressure in addition to remembering all of the routines...IMO this is very bad for the whole competition. People have already said that this could well be a case of 'last man standing'.

Rita1 could well be right...perhaps in future BBC will go back to the original format if this doesn't come off.....and if it does, well, I pity any future celebs, if they think that they're in for a slog in the final....would as many people agree to compete? or would they all try and get knocked out before getting there?? pessimistic, I know, worst case scenario and everything, but I am hoping that sense will prevail.

The showdance was in the results show last year.

Ballroom and Latin was in the first show. Then the eliminated celebs came on and did their 30 second routine each. The first show finished on that.

Results show opened with group VW. Then film montage of all 3 couples. Then first elimination (Zoe). She and Ian did their showdance. Then Colin and Darren. Then Bruce did a number with all the eliminated couples, then the result.

Obviously with only the two couples and the added 'judges dance' it could be different on Saturday, and I have a feeling we may not be getting a number from Bruce this year.

It's cracked I think. Committing to memory 5 dances, and performing to a high standard on each is going to be very difficult to say the least. It's more an endurance test than a dance contest.

Feel very much for both Mark and Matt.

I think it is excessive and it has crossed my mind whether Little Louisa would have been expected to cope .I hope this isn't because it is two sportsmen but I know it is to make up for nothing being sorted out when they were one celebrity down .

Stupid. Should have had a no elimination week.

Don't think they've given any thought to this at all.

Hard enough last year. Louisa and others may be quite relieved they're not in the final.

I too feel it will certainly be a test of their endurance but hopefully it should still be fantastic. However, last year, although they only danced four on the night, they were also rehearsing for the christmas special at the same time and they seemed fine. So maybe it won't be such a problem.