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The attitude towards the older and less fit contestants |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,170
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The attitude towards the older and less fit contestants
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? |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Preparing for The Fishcake War
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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. Reason: Wow, do I ramble! Sorry! |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Inverness
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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.
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#4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Quote:
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. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Quote:
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.
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. |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London
Posts: 10,467
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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.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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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.
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#8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: North London
Posts: 485
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Well, Wayne Newton isn't the most naturally talented dancer...but really comments should stick to the dancing and not get personal.
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#9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Quote:
Well, Wayne Newton isn't the most naturally talented dancer...but really comments should stick to the dancing and not get personal.
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#10 |
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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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. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 412
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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.
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#12 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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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
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#13 |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
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Quote:
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
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#14 |
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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Quote:
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. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Feb 2007
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Quote:
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.
Brian, Steph and Willie have all been great and added to the quality of SCD
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,359
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Quote:
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.
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. |
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#17 |
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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Quote:
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.
He has done well though and has obviously worked hard and picked ballroom up quite nicely. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 66
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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.
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#19 |
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 744
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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.'
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#20 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
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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. |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South East
Posts: 3,273
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Quote:
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.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.
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#22 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,122
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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!!!
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#23 |
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,040
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Quote:
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...
![]() 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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#24 |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
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Quote:
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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#25 |
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 66
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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.
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) 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.



could improve. Having too many good dancers does take away a lot of the enjoyment.
