I wonder if any of the couples dancing American Smooth will include quickstep in their routines? If they do, then they are the ones who should be hammered by the judges, and eliminated tonight - even if they are the best dancers.

I'm sure the professionals will be aware enough of what steps are permitted in the American Smooth to choreograph an appropriate routine.

I'm a complete non-dancer, so I don't understand the first post. Is that not allowed in the rules? Out of interest, why would they do that if it's not allowed and has anyone included it in the past?

Yes jt, Quickstep is not one of the dances used in the American Smooth - I think that's what the OP was getting at.

Like you said, and I said, the pros will be aware of this so I don't think there's any chance of them putting any quickstep into their routines.

Just out of interest here's a description of what the AS should be from the BBC site to clear up any confusion made by the first post:

The quickstep is basically a fast foxtrot anyway. There are no hard and fast rules against adding one's ideas to a routine, as Len pointed out in ITT last night when he commented on Louisa's American Smooth. However, there should be elements of the waltz, viennese waltz, tango, foxtrot and almost as much time in hold as out of hold, with a lift or 2 for added effect. If anyone chooses to add anything besides the above to their AS it's up to them!

To me it seems a routine that should be left to nearer the end of the show than in the first couple of weeks to do the dance justice.

Yes I agree, than it probably is more a joy to watch .

American Smooth is basically a stage dance and does not really belong in a ballroom. It's very like a style which we used to have in this country, called Ballroom Exhibition, which I understand was Len's speciality, so no wonder he likes it!

I have danced in ballrooms for something like 40 years, including 4 years in America, and I never saw anyone doing anything like that!

This is all to do with the BBC's traditional dislike of real ballroom dancing and their determination to sneak stage dancing into it whenever they can. Look at the judges - not one former ballroom champion among them.

Bob: the 'American Smooth' danced on stage (ala Fred & Ginger) is known as Broadway. Ballroom American Smooth is danced in comps all over US, and there is even American Smooth (& American Rhythm) World Champs; they are danced in the style danced on strictly, minus the lifts.

As mentioned above: the Pros being aware of what is, and what isn't, American Smooth.... clearly not so as quickstep was included in the pros demo dance which was announced as American Smooth, the previous week, and Matt Cutler's whole routine was quickstep. Whichever way you look at it, it proves the ignorance of the Strictly producers.

I love the American Smooth. I think a bit of quickstep is allowed in it now. It is a versatile and evolving dance. It gives the couples a chance to show what they are capable of. When it is done well, it is quite something. I thought they all did very well last night but Matt di Angelo's was particularly good.

It's not a case of 'a little bit of quickstep' is now allowed - American Smooth Quickstep just does not exist! If it's quickstep, then it isn't American Smooth.

Agree about Matt di and Flavia; they were excellent. Flavia is an excellent dancer and great teacher; she was so wasted on Tarbuck last year, I'm glad she has got someone with some potential this year - providing the public don't vote them out, of course, instead of Kate!!

No it's not a true competition AS and never has been since they've put it in the show. They've always allowed the couples to use quickstep if they wish and the rules have basically been, 'certain percentage in hold, certain percent out, 2 lifts max'. It is basically a ballroom showdance (which is a good thing because the ballroom often gets short changed against the flashier Latin stuff).

Then they should stop calling it American Smooth, and call it Ballroom Showdance.

I wonder how much more popular this thread would have been had K&B done a quickstep AS rather than a foxtrot? As it is, only A&M did one and not a word said about it.