One of the things which made me a Strictly fan in the first place was the fact that they had a real 'all comers' attitude - alongside the young and fit contestants there were older, out-of-shape ones too.

I thought this was really good, because it gave everyone someone to identify with - also was good in the way that you got some surprises (like snooker player Dennis Taylor being quite a funky jiver - same happened this time with Willie 'light on his feet' Thorne).

But increasingly, I feel that the judges and the general programming is trying to push the 'less groovy' contestants to one side and treat them as an embarrassment that will clutter up the first few shows and then can be got rid of.

Having contestants like Alesha (who seems a really lovely person) but who has done lots of professional dancing in the past seems to skew it even further - towards it being more like a 'professional dancers' contest rather than a one with amateurs giving it a go and seeing how they get on.

What do other people think about this?

I think you're right.

One of the reasons I liked the American version so much was because the older contestants, like Jerry Springer and George Hamilton , and sometimes they suprised you with how good they were and sometimes they provided some of the most entertaining routines of the series. George and Edyta's 'Dynasty' style rumba or Jerry and Kym's samba, for example, are two of the most entertaining routines ever (for me).

And I love watching the technically proficient younger dancers as well, of course I do, but they're not always good and neither are the older contestants always bad.

But this season, it's changed and there has been a surprising amount of vitriol directed at Wayne Newton for anything and everything (from 'it's his fault Albert was kicked out' to 'he's fat' to 'I bet he smells'! ) And I hate that, because - there are people saying he should drop out and be 'dignified' and let Albert take his place, but he can't do that (for voting reasons if nothing else), and it just seems mean-spirited to me, and against the point of the competition (a fun entertainment show) in the first place.
Last edited by quackaquacka : 09-10-2007 at 19:10

I agree to a point. Just from a fitness point of view, most of the youngsters will have a real advantage. It's a bit unfair to compair the more mature contestants with the younger ones when it comes to the livelier dances especially. That said, the older ones should be able to bring a bit of grace to the dances.

I do agree with you but I'd just like to point out that Alesha isn't a professional dancer, in fact although she loves dancing she never had the money for any dance training, one of the reasons she why she wanted to do strictly.

Exactly! She seems to be a natural dancer, but she's never been a professional dancer or even trained. If you look at any dancing that has taken place in her videos, it's all quite basic with loads of attitude rather than technical, controlled and disciplined like ballroom.

I am beginning to find the constant remarks about Willie a bit much to be honest. We know he's an older gentleman and won't be the most natural dancer, but they don't have to keep going on about it.

I think they should treat everybody with respect. After all the BBC invites people onto the show, and presumably chooses a wide demographic of contestants to appeal to a wide group of viewers. It is very unfortunate when people have to retire on health grounds or due to injury though. I don't think it helps throwing newcomers to Ballroom straight into a difficult and fast QS, like Kate, who has injured herself. Her muscles are still learning to do what's required, and a more sedate Waltz should've been allocated to the Ladies as to the Men, building up gradually to the more difficult dances.

I do think the attitudes have changed towards the older celebs since the first series, mainly because the show is getting bigger and more competitive, the amount of training someone like Mark did last year must have been at least three times the amount done in series 1. It makes you wonder how well Lesley Garett would have done if she had been in a later series.

Well, Wayne Newton isn't the most naturally talented dancer...but really comments should stick to the dancing and not get personal.

That's what I mean. If people think he should go because he's a bad dancer, then fair enough (he is!) but when it gets into the biting little personal comments, those are just nasty.

I agree. I like to see the older contestants and I do think they deserve a bit of respect for taking part. Those judges' comments on Saturday were very harsh to many of the celebs, and I don't think it's really necessary. Fair enough if they've spent to episodes telling them to stand up straight or whatever - but this was the first show. A little diplomacy wouldn't go amiss!

I suppose it's hard to score dancers when some are physically capable of much more than others, but I think the judges should take into account what they would normally expect someone of that age to achieve, and how much progress has been made that week.

Yes, I do agree. My friend and I are always saying how great it would be if the Beeb would do a special Strictly for senior celebrities. Just a short series, maybe six or eight couples.

I'd like to add my comments to this .

I totally agree with Miss Poppy on this .

I have almost had a falling out with a forum friend this week due to comments about Brian and Karen

"If she hadn't been given an old man she would have done better "

"Why couldn't they have given her a decent young partner "

being two of the comments

As a more mature woman this didn't go down too well with me

Watching the programme too I feel that SCD itself has forgotten were its fanbase mainly lies (If I remember rightly in the 48-56 age group , female )

Age brings wisdom , life experience and class

I like to see the young celebs with all their energy , but also I love the older celebs such as Willie , Brian and Stephanie for the depth , self deprecating humour and intelligence they bring to the whole show

I agree with you Inner Self. The diversity of participants is a great attraction of the show to me. I enjoy their personalities and also the way the professional dancers have to adapt their styles to bring the best out of their partners. It makes it much more interesting for me.

An older dancer will have lost some stamina, strength and agility, but they won't lose natural rhythm, or even style if it was there in the first place. In fact they should have more experience.

I agree - we need a good mixture - however I have a concern that the SCD producers are more concerned about beating X factor in the ratings than they are about the loyal SCD viewers so the format could change again as they bring in a greater number of younger supposedly glamourous stars which in my view would be such a shame

Brian, Steph and Willie have all been great and added to the quality of SCD

The show definitely has got bigger (lasting longer) and more competitive, so obviously the celebs are putting in more hours now, but towards the end of the first series those left in were doing fairly long training sessions too. Lesley was putting in 12 hour days herself. And when it came to energy I think Lesley had more than most of the celebs put together!! But then she was physically fit, whereas some of the older contestants they have now aren't.

I do sometimes feel the BBC have the older celebs now just to show they aren't being ageist, but I just wish they'd select them a bit better. There must be loads of older celebs who are fit and agile, yet having someone like Jimmy Tarbuck you know they aren't going to last the distance before they even start.

I wasn't saying that an older contestant couldn't be a natural dancer - I was saying Willie (specifically) was never really going to be a natural dancer, based upon what I have heard him say in interviews regarding how he never dances as he has never been very good at doing so etc. I completely agree with what you say, age has nothing to do with rhythm, musicality etc.

He has done well though and has obviously worked hard and picked ballroom up quite nicely.

Hi, this is my first post, I had to come in and say I agree with whats been said. Much of the enjoyment for me was seeing how people who danced like me could improve. Having too many good dancers does take away a lot of the enjoyment.

Lillie --- Welcome to DS. Hope to see you sometime on the Ian and Penny thread --we're a friendly bunch.

Miss Poppy --- Have to agree with you. A mix of ages and abilities makes it more fun and interesting to watch. This year's intake of tall, leggy and lithe females (Gaby, Kelly and Penny) who all have gymnastics or dance in their backgrounds does make it a little harder for some of the other celebs. However, although I'm an Ian fan and hope he does well with Penny, I am so rooting for Stephanie, because I think she's a hoot. And, I think she might just surprise some people -she may be up there age wise, but she's not 'old.'

I don't think the judges should adjust their scores according to age, but I do think that they should take age, and previous fitness and experience and basic ability into account when they give their opinions.

The celebs are there to learn, and comments should be constructive and pitched at a level that doesn't insult or patronise. If on week four or five one of the celebs keeps making the same mistake, because they think they don't need to listen, that's when the judges can get stroppy with them. But there is no need to be rude because someone thought they might enjoy dancing despite not having the requisite ability.

Welcome Lillie - having only started dancing for the first time ever a few months ago, I know exactly what you mean. Great post, don't remain a newbie, just jump in.

I agree as well. One of the things I love about SCD is that its not full of (and this isn't having a go at younger posters here) lithe and gorgeous 23 year olds. I love that the pros are mostly in their 30s or late 20s. I think having older contestants gives it a good balance - old doesn't mean hopeless - margaret fonteyn was dancing ballet in her 70s!!!

That's because they are.
I don't mind them being contentests though (as long as they don't dribble). I just hope they stay until "jive" week because that's always a laugh...

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Thank you for welcoming me. I have lurked for a couple of years but will be dipping in a lot now.