Some of the things said here are seriously prudish and ridiculous!!

The rumba is a DANCE, its about seduction yes, but it doesn't HAVE to be sexual, I have danced rumbas before with loads of different people (most of them female, irritating lack of men at my dance class ) and you don't have to wrythe around them looking sexy, its all about a beat! I've seen children compete and its honestly not sexual and smutty at all. If thats how it is portrayed tonight I will be very annoyed!!

I'm not being prudish not wanting to watch the children dance it, I have hated every version of it I have seen, i'm not discriminating against any version!

I don't think the show will portray in a pagentry, sick, way, I would guess after the show finished I will be judging the parents for being pushy (just guessing have only seen a brief advert)

If it is those kids from ITT I probably won't watch at all, thought they were horrible and a credit to no one!

Just watched American's Ballroom Challenge on raphael's blog www.raphaelpungin.com (click the dance tag). On the dropdown menu he has all the dances (American Smooth division).

On the programme they have two samba exhibition dances from young dancers (13+11 and 13+15). Thought they might be difficult to watch but they were amazing.

Well worth a trip over to watch some lovely and innovative dancing.

I second that Dippy.

Ditto.

Of course I am still going to watch it

Yes, there are some kids from SCD in it, at least one I know of, he was in it last series doing the quickstep.

Just out of interest what does everyone have against these kids?? Is it jealousy?? They're very talented and are pushed hard to get where they do in life. I enjoy watching them and think they're lovely to watch!

I am thankfully past the stage of being jealous of an 11 year old child!

No I have no time for rude children mocking a lady in her 40/50's (Claire) for doing her best to learn a new skill - just because they learn't dancing when they were young and it came easily to them, let's see them learn a skill they may struggle with.

I thought they were revolting, they to me were every reason why kids shouldn't be in the limelight

Are the kids dancing some of those who were on the alternate panel this year and last year the ones Brendan and Bruno labeled the children of the damed

how pushy are some of them parents!!!!!

I know the programme makers are slanting it to make the parents look as pushy as possible (not difficult!) I want to take the children away from their parents and give them to the SCD pros - they'd be much more supportive and effective teachers! Poor little Ellie - a beautiful dancer, with all the personality and character knocked out of her by her charmless parents. Praps her mum fancies a bit of dancing to shift her stomach. Ooo, miaow!

Some of these parents are way too pushy. Also, these kids are just 8 & 9, yet they're caked in make-up.

They really are pushy ST, and I second that Slinky.

These parents are a sign of the times. I see it all the time. It's not dancing but swimming, piano, violin etc.

If it's not that they're going to be doctors, lawyers etc.

Hard being a child these days.

Well....all I can say is that i really hope that the parents watch this back and are utterly ashamed of themselves at the way they have "encouraged" these kids....let them be kiddies ffs!!!!!!!

Hear, hear. These parents are making my skin crawl

some of these parents are so pushy it's no wonder the kids turn out to be "children of the damned" as Bruno put it so well!!! I know though from experience that to do well in competitive sports you need to have someone there to push you, but I think these parents are the extreme, me thinks some clever editing might have happened.
Last edited by cheekymonkey85 : 06-02-2007 at 21:24

You're all making me glad I decided not to watch!

This is disturbing viewing to be honest. The parents are basically not letting their kids be kids.

My god, these parents will do anything.

I agree.....far too much makeup. Reminds me of American pageants. They are so talented and cute without being ott with costumes and makeup.

yeh agree!!!

I have all of Series 2 on video . most of ITT too

I think that was Conrad

I never saw any of series 2!

Have started watching the ballroom thing and it's nothing short of disturbing.

Watching some of them look so uncomfortable with some of the dances is yukky!

So why was Mark given such a low score when they all said his timing etc was pefect , but it lacked passion ?

I can confirm that the parents of many children who take up ANY competitive hobby can be absolutely appalling . I can think of worse descriptions .
They are often nasty and unpleasant and encourage their children to be the same .
I admire the skills of these youngsters , my own daughter had lessons and was good but finished and didn't compete , she was made to feel awkward by her friends at the class as she was not slim and pretty and therefore she had no chance of getting far anyway .
It isn't just dancing , it happens in sport of all sorts and even extends to which reading book one's child is on .

After watching this programme, I know that I will NEVER let my daughter compete on the circuit. Dancing for fun, yes - but these kids didn't look like they were having fun at all!!!!!!!!!!