Preferred it when she kept her clothes on, charging about in her bathing costume was embarrassing.
World Latin Dance Champions
3 of 4
I thought they were amazing. Another reason why I would live Come Dancing to come back to TV. Still love SCD though
Merely echoing what many others have already said:
Their rhumba was technically execellent (well controlled turns, both fast and slow, and elegant matching arm lines, etc).
But...
Gethin's rhumba had been slated earlier for lacking romance and chemistry (although he was technically competent).
It was particularly noticable with these 2 pros that they never made eye contact with each other, certainly during the whole first part of the dance. How can you have chemistry if the couple never look at each other.
And then when the skirt ripping moment came. I can hear Craig now:
"B-r-e-n-d-a-n, why do you have to mess it all up..."
Their samba was also techincally good, but it didn't really have anything of the party feeling about it, did it. I wonder what mark Craig would have given that: 4?
I guess John Barnes might be more convincing.
Their rhumba was technically execellent (well controlled turns, both fast and slow, and elegant matching arm lines, etc).
But...
Gethin's rhumba had been slated earlier for lacking romance and chemistry (although he was technically competent).
It was particularly noticable with these 2 pros that they never made eye contact with each other, certainly during the whole first part of the dance. How can you have chemistry if the couple never look at each other.
And then when the skirt ripping moment came. I can hear Craig now:
"B-r-e-n-d-a-n, why do you have to mess it all up..."
Their samba was also techincally good, but it didn't really have anything of the party feeling about it, did it. I wonder what mark Craig would have given that: 4?
I guess John Barnes might be more convincing.
Originally Posted by little_me:
“Preferred it when she kept her clothes on, charging about in her bathing costume was embarrassing.”
“Preferred it when she kept her clothes on, charging about in her bathing costume was embarrassing.”
The reason she usually uses this costume is that in the "bathing suit" part, they do lots of lifts - then the dance goes back to normal and so she goes back to a dress.
I don't see the difference between her 'bathing suit' and costumes worn by Kelly, Alesha, Ola and Lillia this series, all of which showed full legs????
It must be me though because I thought the costume change thing was very clever, and after all it was a show dance wasn't it???
It must be me though because I thought the costume change thing was very clever, and after all it was a show dance wasn't it???
Always very difficult to judge these things when it's a demonstration as these routines are NOT the routines they perform in competition - the competition routines always have more feeling and expression than demonstratons
Originally Posted by Suzeie:
“Cold, showy, gimmicky, obviously very technical but I thought Gethin's rumba was so much more romantic (and it set my heart thudding
) - I think the judges need their eyes examined 
.”
“Cold, showy, gimmicky, obviously very technical but I thought Gethin's rumba was so much more romantic (and it set my heart thudding
) - I think the judges need their eyes examined .”
Extremely disappointed in the coldness and lack of connection in the dance. It was just like watching a gymnastics display. Technically very good, but I like to be moved or entertained by a dance - not left out in the cold.
I expect it was foot perfect, but it bored the pants off me, too much postulating (as Len would say) 
Originally Posted by Erinfan:
“I feel really sad reading these comments. I think they are incredible dancers and Joanna in particular is immensely skilled. I challenge anyone to watch them live at full throttle and not to be amazed...obviously there will be some who don't like them, but usually they drive audiences mad!
Each to their own, but personally I'm very proud that they have supported Strictly by appearing.”
“I feel really sad reading these comments. I think they are incredible dancers and Joanna in particular is immensely skilled. I challenge anyone to watch them live at full throttle and not to be amazed...obviously there will be some who don't like them, but usually they drive audiences mad!
Each to their own, but personally I'm very proud that they have supported Strictly by appearing.”
The lady dancer's spin was superb, much better than even Nicole Cutler. They finished their lines beautifully in their Rhumba and wriggle their hips like there's no tomorrow in the 'Samba' (?) . But like last year's vulgar showdance, it left me stone cold.
Sorry, Erinfan.
Originally Posted by bendymixer:
“Always very difficult to judge these things when it's a demonstration as these routines are NOT the routines they perform in competition - the competition routines always have more feeling and expression than demonstratons”
“Always very difficult to judge these things when it's a demonstration as these routines are NOT the routines they perform in competition - the competition routines always have more feeling and expression than demonstratons”
I agree COMPLETELY.
I thought it was very sharp and controlled and could see the extra level of difficulty. That is not necessarily going to make it more entertaining.
I find ladies tennis better than the mens and wheelchair basketball better than the fully fit version.
I find ladies tennis better than the mens and wheelchair basketball better than the fully fit version.
Originally Posted by SCD-Observer:
“The lady dancer's spin was superb, much better than even Nicole Cutler. They finished their lines beautifully in their Rhumba and wriggle their hips like there's no tomorrow in the 'Samba' (?) . But like last year's vulgar showdance, it left me stone cold.
Sorry, Erinfan.”
“The lady dancer's spin was superb, much better than even Nicole Cutler. They finished their lines beautifully in their Rhumba and wriggle their hips like there's no tomorrow in the 'Samba' (?) . But like last year's vulgar showdance, it left me stone cold.
Sorry, Erinfan.
”
No need to be sorry! Everyone has there right to their opinions and I would never expect people to love certain dancers just because I do.
As I said before, I have seen Michael and Joanna many, many times and so perhaps my view of them on the night is slightly biased due to the brilliant dancing I usually see from them.
Yes Joanne Leunis' spins are absolutely incredible. She's the only latin dancer I would ever say can spin better than Nicole.
I love Michael and Joanna, but I think they should have done a faster dance such as their full samba or jive.
Although all credit to them as they were probably unaware of how the audience would behave, and it's different to what they're usually used to performing in front of, as their demos are obviously done infront of people interested in dancesport rather than SCD.
Although all credit to them as they were probably unaware of how the audience would behave, and it's different to what they're usually used to performing in front of, as their demos are obviously done infront of people interested in dancesport rather than SCD.
Originally Posted by Socha:
“Looked to me like a lot of 'posing': look at me, see how fast I spin and suddenly come to a standstill and poooose.. hmm
”
“Looked to me like a lot of 'posing': look at me, see how fast I spin and suddenly come to a standstill and poooose.. hmm
”
my thoughts entirely, the posturing could put someone like me off latin dances.
I've got those World superstars of latin dvds and they indeed are amazing in those demonstrations. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal tastes.
I love Michael and Joanna, couldn't believe it when Bruce said they were going to be on. Rumba's not my favourite dance that they do, but it still blew me away.
They were very good, no doubt about that. The bathing suit type costume differs from the SCD pros' costumes in that it wasn't fancy or particularly decorative and did just look like a bathing suit - to me anyway. Technically they were superb, at times almost balletic but at other times gymnastic. I wasn't keen, much prefer Darren and Lilia.
The way the judges judge the SCD dancers - looking for connection, passion, sex on legs, romance, etc, etc, and watching the cold, calculated pros dance with the tacky costume trick, I think they would give the pros 5 each 
I was virtually spat on when I didn't like the pros the other week but I'm allowed my opinion. Left me cold, sorry.
I was virtually spat on when I didn't like the pros the other week but I'm allowed my opinion. Left me cold, sorry.
Oh well, I still thought they were brilliant. 
Maybe I was enjoying the dance rather than looking at the technical points?
Maybe I was enjoying the dance rather than looking at the technical points?
Let's be honest though, it is showdance after all. It's not right to expect a full on competitive routine, and if that's what you're expecting, well you're gonna be disappointed. One of the shows that they danced on the programme they have peformed at the world South American Showdance championships, and that's just exactly what it is.
Although I absolutely admire their technique 110% and think they are absolutely wonderful exponents, I can't say that Michael and Joanna have ever been my favourite professional Latin couple. For me personally, compared to my favourite couples of all time (Bryan and Carmen, Paul and Hanna, Michael and Beata, Dmitri and Anna, Donnie and Gaynor, Slavik and Karina, Jukka and Sirpa) they lack characterisation. Sometimes I watch them and I can barely tell their Rumba from their Samba from their Cha Cha. I look at my all time favourite couple, Paul and Hanna, and I see beautiful, gorgeous, perfect fundamentals, and that's really what does it for me. I also find their dancing overly agressive sometimes, it is like a battle where you can hardly tell who is leading. I also thought this about Bryan and Karen's dancing together, which is why I prefer him with Carmen so much more; so beautifully balanced and truly characterised.
Have to say though that Michael and Joanna's dancing has gone a lot further towards the direction I like in Latin over the last few years, as opposed to earlier on in their partnership. Not as many tricks, not as many gimmicks, not as much rolling around on the floor, just genuine, good dancing.
I always use this as an example, but how many couples would DARE to dance basic to WIN a competition like the British nowadays, like Sammy and Barbara did?
How many couples would come out in the middle of the Dutch Open championships and dance a purely beautiful, basic Rumba as a showcase?
I guess people just know what they like.
I like Michael and Joanna. I have watched them perform in many competitions and shows and thoroughly enjoy their dancing and can appreciate it fully, but they are not my favourites. I appreciate their talent and skill and believe they very much deserve the world titles that are ahead of them, even if I would really prefer them to go to Slavik and Elena!
Very nice to see them perform on the show.
Although I absolutely admire their technique 110% and think they are absolutely wonderful exponents, I can't say that Michael and Joanna have ever been my favourite professional Latin couple. For me personally, compared to my favourite couples of all time (Bryan and Carmen, Paul and Hanna, Michael and Beata, Dmitri and Anna, Donnie and Gaynor, Slavik and Karina, Jukka and Sirpa) they lack characterisation. Sometimes I watch them and I can barely tell their Rumba from their Samba from their Cha Cha. I look at my all time favourite couple, Paul and Hanna, and I see beautiful, gorgeous, perfect fundamentals, and that's really what does it for me. I also find their dancing overly agressive sometimes, it is like a battle where you can hardly tell who is leading. I also thought this about Bryan and Karen's dancing together, which is why I prefer him with Carmen so much more; so beautifully balanced and truly characterised.
Have to say though that Michael and Joanna's dancing has gone a lot further towards the direction I like in Latin over the last few years, as opposed to earlier on in their partnership. Not as many tricks, not as many gimmicks, not as much rolling around on the floor, just genuine, good dancing.
I always use this as an example, but how many couples would DARE to dance basic to WIN a competition like the British nowadays, like Sammy and Barbara did?
How many couples would come out in the middle of the Dutch Open championships and dance a purely beautiful, basic Rumba as a showcase?
I guess people just know what they like.
I like Michael and Joanna. I have watched them perform in many competitions and shows and thoroughly enjoy their dancing and can appreciate it fully, but they are not my favourites. I appreciate their talent and skill and believe they very much deserve the world titles that are ahead of them, even if I would really prefer them to go to Slavik and Elena!
Very nice to see them perform on the show.
It seems to just showcase the difference between the technical dancesport side of things and dance as an entertainment form. The first is technically more impressive but I prefer the latter.
3 of 4
