I don't think Brendan needs any help to stay in the papers and I doubt an extra lift in the American Smooth would really interest them (and I am a Brendan fan!) I had a feeling as the dance went on there was another lift coming (I do agree the 3rd lift wasn't up to much but the point was it was there) other than that I did think the dace was very good and Kelly must have known about lifts so they were both to blame.

I think the main focus here is Bruno if he wanted to mark higher than 8 then it was a 9 you HAVE to mark down for the lift! The other dancers must be annoyed but four 8's would have kept them up there - the 10 is a mystery to me but Craig was floating the idea (if not for the lift) what is going on with the marks this year its WEEK 4 - forget Brendan I think BRUNO wants to be in the papers more.

In conclusion Brendan you're a do-nut/Prawnhead (normally I defend you tonight you were a muppet) and Bruno - er get some help you'll be in the US there's a shrink on every corner

Rant over

Brendan obviously thinks the rules just don't apply to him as he has blatantly flouted them on more than one occasion.

I sincerely can't understand why he would be so stupid as to do so in this AS, because he has a decent partner this year and it was otherwise a nice routine. As soon as I spotted they'd done the 2nd lift so early in the routine, I just had a feeling he was going to put in another one and was so disappointed when he did.

It's not just the disregard for the rules that angers me, it's his total lack of respect for the other professionals, who all manage to choreograph within the rules whether they have decent partners or not.

Ignoring Bruno's mark as an aberration, I don't think they were marked down enough. Personally I think he would need to get marks of a 1 or 2 from the likes of Len or Arlene before he'd learn a lesson.

If he knew their marks would suffer enough for them to possibly end up in the bottom 2, that might stop him doing it again. As for that being unfair to Kelly's performance - she knew the 3rd lift was illegal and should have had the guts to refuse to do it.

Pity the GBP sense of fair play that makes them vote for lame ducks doesn't also have them penalise cheating.

Haven't read every post so sorry if already said but...

The judges have to inform the director of their score right at the end of the dance while the dancers walk to their spot with Bruce. They used to do it very amateurish with a bit of paper which CRH used to pass to a runner by his side and in the old series you could catch it happening sometimes. Now they use buttons. This is so the subs can be prepared to flash on the screen when they hold their paddles up.

Long story...sorry! There is a point...

I think Bruno MISSED that there was three lifts, thought it was a '10'/wanted to get the first '10' in as he often does, had to give his score to the director while K+B walk over so pressed his little button, then the other judges point out there were three lifts and he didn't say anything cos then he'd look really stupid so had to stick with his '10'.

It will be interesting to see the other dancer's reactions to the entire liftgate thing over the next week. Usually 10s are greeted with screams from everyone and for such a supportive group as we have this year to be almost silent speaks volumes!

Remember when people actually deserved 10's. If they had marked season two like they have the last few seasons they'd have to start marking up to 20.

Weird, I was watching too and they all seemed to be clapping and cheering in the background, must have been watching a different programme

The difference is K&B's dances are exciting - sorry to say but Alesha's so far haven't set the floor alight and have been a bit bland and nice but not WOW and FAB. Don't get me wrong I like Alesha BUT I don't think Matt is giving her enough to do - he seems happy to settle with 'nice' rather than pushing her to do WOW.

Well people see things differently depending on who their favourites are. I love Matt & Alesha's routines and I find Kelly & Brendan really dull.

I think you might be right. She's got real potential and he could afford to let loose and push her a bit more with the choreography... although not with silly tricksy moves and gimmicks please

Back on topic ... Bruno really is an irritant sometimes.... and I agree with Cityof Roses - I wish they'd reign in the scoring ala season 2, even if it is only for the first few weeks.

Jill and Denise had to work their butts off for a 9 or 10 - It gives the couples something solid to aim for other than just "getting to the final", which with the public vote is always going to be unpreditable.

Totally confused by what Matthew can do to push Alesha more than at present. Yesterday, she was given complicated changes of rhythm (mentioned by Craig); a tap-style sequence and a change of mood at the end. I'm not counting seconds: but with one lift and a very small lift, Alesha most probably spent more time dancing than any other AS.

Can you given examples of what other professionals are doing to showcase their celebrities talents more than Matthew is doing Alesha?

There have been three great routines so far, danced really well by Alesha but choreographed by Matthew.

It's OT so I'll be quick..Maybe "push" is the wrong word - don't get me wrong I think Alesha is fab but for me there's something ... I don't know missing in their chemistry on the dance floor... but hey, maybe it's just a personal taste thing in terms of their routines thus far. She wowed me in the girls group dance though. (If you pushed me on other professionals... I'd say Darren and Flavia brought out the best in their celebs this week.)

Absolutely correct.

Since Craig would have given a 10 they lost at least 4 points anyway which is the normal deduction so the 10 didn't make any difference to their overall score. The first lift was practically before the dance started, a sort of introduction. As someone pointed out, the scores are decided fairly quickly after the dance for technical reasons. The red button commentator didn't notice the first lift either. I still don't know why they did it though, completely unnecessary.

Same here - I'm yet to be excited by a Kelly and Brendan dance. I put them in the same category as Gabby and James - technically good but deeply dull. I'm sure others find them as breathtakingly exciting as I do my own faves, but there's nothing about their dancing that gets me rewinding or whooping.

I hardly noticed the first lift. This is a lot of fuss about nothing. Matt Cutler put in an extra lift last year. Len compensates when Craig and Arlene vote too low. Bruno was only compensating for the other three miseries.It's time to lighten up!

I think Bruno was wrong and he definalty should have taken points off for the ilegal lift!

When Matt put in 3 lifts year (and was subsequently penalised) I remember him pointedly arguing the toss that the 2nd lift was not a lift as Carol's foot was still in contact with the floor. The VT didn't appear to shed any light in that respect. But the point was for whatever reason (even if one thinks Matt was trying to pull a fast one) Matt felt he had stayed within the rules. Brendan flagrantly broke the rules as there was nothing but air between the floor and Kelly's feet every time.
As for Bruno. To his credit he has admitted to overmarking before if it keeps his favourite celeb in. Which is why a 10 from him deserves all the derision it's currently getting. A 10 should mean something and be saved for perfection. Not to keep your favourites in, or to spite the other judges. Bruno had better learn the difference between this show and DWTS he and Len give out 10's like smarties
Last edited by Diamondlife : 28-10-2007 at 08:51

But why does it have to be this way. I love Matt and Alesha, but I thought Brendan and Kelly's dance last night was really good. However I agree that he should be punished for the 3 lifts, because last year he had Claire King and I understood why he was trying to get some extra attention. This year he has a real potential with Kelly and he is fluffing it up. That's downright stupid.

He should have taken one point off because that is the penalty for an extra lift. Since Craig took off two, the overall score was probably OK, at least 4 points deducted. The first lift was unnecessary and not that noticable - the red button commentator Philip didn't seem to register it and erin said it wasn't much of a lift. It could have easily been left out though.

I just meant that you can appreciate someone is a good dancer but not really find them entertaining, not that you have to like one couple and dislike the other.


Craig's never given a ten outside of a final I doubt he would have given them a 10.

Hi guys - those of you who know me know I very rarely - if ever use angry man

I have to say - If Kelly's was a 10 then why wasn't Matts's

Bruno TENioni is a big numpty head

Matthew Cutler did not put in an extra lift last year. There were only two lifts in the routine. The third happened when Carol lifted her foot off the ground unintentionally making it a lift...it's easy to do for the inexperienced and if you watch carefully, little tippee toes come off the floor quite often in this way They jumped on Carol and Matt for it on that occasion but that is different from the intentional inclusion of a lift.

Also, can't blame Kelly, or indeed any of the celebs for the routines. The routines are up to the pro and they must take responsibility for the choreography if it's inappropriate etc..