I like them both. Firstly, our SCD is the original and will always be the best. But SCD and DWTS are catering to very different markets. Our version focusses a lot more on proper dance technique and the US version seems to have different standards and they are definitely big on the performance aspect.

I have noticed though that the pro-dances this series on SCD are a bit more flashy and have more pizazz --a bit more DWTS. Not complaining, I like pizazz. A biased opinion I know but I do think our professionals are a cut above the US ones.

Bruno seems to be becoming a caricature of himself. At least he's an equal opportunity guy --overmarking wherever he goes.

And I'm another shallow person. As much as I love Ian's chest, Maksim's chest display following his brilliant jive had me palpitating!

All in all, both shows are great entertainment.

I do enjoy DWTS, but as has already been said the marks are a bit too high (make them earn those tens) and I'm not keen on what Len calls "all that messing about at the start" in the ballroom dances. I'm also not a big fan of the way the results are dripfed throughout the results show, so you get "here's two couples that are safe, now let's go off and do something else".

SCD, whilst not perfect (*cough*Sunday show*cough*) will always be my first love, but I'm glad to have access to them both, really.

Sadly I prefer DWTS. I don't have to press the mute button whenever the presenter speaks, I can see the dancers' heads and feet at the same time, and the judges comments don't make me angry.

I don't mind the high marks as long as they are relative, which they seem to be.

DWTS by a mile this time! Their chosen music are way better than SCD. Dancers are far too good (even Wayne Newton) & have more personality than SCD . Costumes are definitely more fabulous.
You can actually pick immediately few dancers on DWTS you want to champion from day one!

SCD this year is exact opposite of all of the above! And it doesn't help that they have taken away the momentum of the show from start to finish by padding it out all the way to bloody Sunday with nothing but repeats after repeats of the Saturday show!

Last but not least DWTS presenters are a hell lot more professionals than those 2 of SCD.

DWTS is unmissable whereas SCD...I just don't care much about it this year.

Have to add that I agree with the last two posters. Wish we could have the two US presenters over here instead of B&T.

Much as I enjoy DWTS I prefer SCD by a country mile. Some of the dances are barely recognisable with the annoying American Smooth aspect to the ballroom (and I enjoy American Smooth but not in every single dance). The DWTS professionals are not a patch on ours when it comes to choreography. I've always had a go at Len and Bruno for overmarking for the SCD show but the 10's they hand out on DWTS make my jaw drop (altho I sense the hand of the networks in that respect).

A good point. The camera work on SCD is dreadful, especially in th group dances, it makes my head spin, you can never see the dances properly.

SCD more at the moment. DWTS has too much gimmicks, though I have to say I wish we have people like Helio Castroneves in our SCD. Helio is competitive, yet looks to be having fun with himself, has good rapport with his pro dancer Julianne Hughes and they put up some amazing dance considering he's not have any dance training.

BUT, the judges' scores are beyond ridiculous in DWTS and Bruno looked like he's on speed. Dreadful how he kept interrupting the other two judges when they gave their comments (esp. to Len).

The host is professional but a little boring at times, but at least he didn't forget or fluff up his lines, or even, God forbid pro dancers' names!

But overall, SCD is better in that it's STRICTLY about ballroom dances, not like the flashy choreographies we get from DWTS, some of them aren't even remotely close to the type of dance they are supposed to do!

edit: oh yes, the shoddy (and giddy) camerawork of SCD is very off putting. They never learnt

There has been a lot of criticism of the SCD Sunday results show. I think DWTS does this much better.

The show does not have repeats of the main show (unlike SCD's Sunday repeat of that awful group dance).

The typically have some big stars with a new professional dance and the judges call for the favourite dance to be danced again. With SCD we get to see a dance off of the worst dances.

Although the judges are a bit liberal with their 10s, at the moment I reckon the DWTS best dances beat ours.

DWTS wins for me all the way.

For a start I think ABC treats dancing with more respect compared to BBC who just see it as a bit of sillyness useful as entertainment on a Sat evening. The celebs - even the ones who are pretty hopeless at actually dancing (the boxer guy springs to mind) are full of enthusiasm and determination, and their pro dancers are young and vibrant - especially Mark Ballas, Julianne and Derek Hough....

The costumes, music and whole set up seems way way more professional.

The DWTS music is so much better then ours imo, but apart from that SCD for me by a country mile, can't be doing with their OTT ways, everything about the show seems so exaggerated . I must admit I have only watched it twice.

Yes, yes, yes. This is what I've been thinking for a while. I really think that SCD needs some fresh young blood to liven things up. I still love our pros and Lilia is a great choreographer but I'm really excited by the dancing and choreography of the young 'uns in DWTS and would love to see SCD livened up in this way.

I liked DWTS (series 4) better in some respects - it was more dignified and polished and did not go for laughs all the time, the host was not a professional comedian, the costumes were awesome, and they did not have that ridiculous steadicam (or rather "unsteadycam" as I call it) that we have on SCD, which is a hand-held camera worked by some guy who is wandering about the floor, probably getting in the dancers' way. They try to keep him out of the shot but you can sometimes see him. All that looping, panning and zooming makes me slightly seasick - they should give a warning like they do for flashing lights.

And I was hugely impressed by Julianne Hough, the winning professional. She has a dazzling technique, takes her dancing very seriously and has an intensely dramatic style. I wish she would visit here and get a spot on SCD.

On the other hand we get people in SCD that we know and can relate to better.

DWTS has one MAJOR advantage over SCD - you can vote for your fav online - regardless of where you live, unlike SCD where non-UK viewers can't vote

see my thread on this on the DWTS board
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/s...d.php?t=693311

We're at series 5 for Pete's sake and they still haven't cottoned on to the fact that they could make a bit more money if others could vote. e.g tonight I will be able to donate to CIN coz the Northern Ireland portion of the show will have a number I can ring so WHY CAN'T I VOTE FOR SCD?

I haven't much of DTWS, but it seems that the marking criteria aren't as demanding as SCD > SCD is better.

(DWTS has some amazing professionals though)

I prefer SCD ..I did enjoy the last series of DWTS but haven't got into this one as much

I agree. Those three talented and young pros have really brought so much energy and creativity to DWTS. I would have loved to see them on SCD.

I love them both but so far nothin beats last season of DWTS for me, that was fabulous, Apolo & Julianne rocked!

Even Len commented that the standard of dancing was the highest he had ever seen (on both series). A lot of memorable performances which I haven't seen too much of this season of SCD.

Also what has been said before:
-great camerawork
-great professionals
-great costumes
-great band

And personally I love Tom (the host) and his comments in regard to Len:
"Remember, right now we're already past his bedtime.."
and
"As to what Len's problem is.., we don't have the time!"

I like them both, but prefer SCD by far because on DWTS -

The presenters have no personality at all, they are so bland and when they speak it is like blah, blah, blah

The judges mark far too highly and hardly criticise bad performances

I HATE ALL THE ADVERTS

I hate the drip feed of the results show (in fact I rarely watch it and just check the result online most weeks)

But DWTS does have better camera work, and I hate to say it, generally a higher standard of dancing from the celebs.

I doubt that I would watch DWTS if I didn't know any of the celebs and BTW did I mention I HATE ALL THE ADVERTS?