But people are still watching this series based on being fans from previous series. That is what I am doing. You can be sure that I wont be watching next year unless big changes are made, though.

And I am sure I am not the only one. Why would you want to watch a show where everything is supposedly brilliant and 10/10? There is no variation or competition whyen its like that. You have a head judge that stifles a debate and a show a day late that real fans already know the result of. Its a farce. The people behind SCD have ruined a fantastic show.

Couldnt agree more- add to that the infantile camera work and pitiful script.So why do I watch?I love the dancing.

I thought this series was really good!

Apart from the sunday show being put in place. I thin it has been really good.

I have to say that i have been disappointed in this series - think the awarding of so many 10's for imperfect dances has really blighted my enjoyment ..especially when you consider how hard contestants had to work in previous series just to get a 10 . They certainly were not handed out like sweets . And the dance-off also seems pointless

My order of preference would be

SCD4
SCD3
SCD2
SCD1
SCD5

Absolutely agree. The Sunday night show means that all the excitement of the Saturday has been lost. A dance off at this stage in the competition is pants - even Simon Cowell raking in his millions on ITV and wanting to fix the competition doesn't have the brass face to have the judges deciding over the public at this stage.

I have now given up this series and would say it has been my least favourite - even less than SCD1. But the BBC have a surefire winner and then need to milk it to death, so that it dies a death. They could have managed another 10 years without all these tweaks. Now they will be lucky to get any viewers for a sixth series ( of indeed contestants at this rate - xcpt EastEnders 'stars' that is).

What a shame.

I so agree. Something should have been done to avoid a two person final for the second year running. It was probably too late to get John Barnes back the week Kelly dropped out. It's really annoying that tonight only the votes cast for the person who was top of the public vote counted for anything.

I don't mind the Sunday show that much, I can even put up with the dance off - despite the fact I think it's pointless and has spuriously given Len the coveted role of head judge...cough cough...and casting vote.

But what has really wound me up is Len and Bruno with their constant interruptions and silly marking.

The over inflation in the scoring has really irritated the hell out of me....the producers need to take them aside and say flashing 10's about does not heighten the drama it significantly diminishes it ... next year the 8'9'10 paddles need to be locked up until week 3 or 4.

For me the best series was SCD 2...partly because the Jill/Denise competition, partly because of the two shows filmed at Blackpool, partly because the scoring was tough but fair - improvement in ALL the couples could be demonstrated through the marks.......and getting a 10 was like finally finding the Holy Grail and it was special. (This might be a personal thing but even the drama of Aled not making the final but Julian Clary getting through...you could feel sad and pleased at the same time because Erin had been so gently encouraging to Julian...lots of great partnerships.)

But most importantly I think the judging seemed more reasonable because all the male dancers would dance say a paso , and all the female dancers would be dancing a waltz......so you could compare much more fairly.....I don't like the format of 4 different dances on a Sat night. I think it's had a significant detrimental effect on the scoring.

Also please can we insure there’s always a three person final....after last year I can't believe they didn't have a contingency plan???....It's ridiculous we get cheated out of a showdance and the 2 poor couples are worked even harder.

If this happens again they need to just have a week were there is no eliminations and the votes are combined.

hated the dance off, judges saving who they liked for spurious reasons, prefer the GBP to have the final say

should have been a 3 person final, contingency plans

Results show not being "live" takes the frisson of enjoyment away

fed up with the formula chosen to pick the celebs...............ex EE, soap stars, why do we need to have so many?

need different celeb backgrounds

now wondering about no. of hours of training celebs need to do to get to a "championship " standard mitigates against anyone having a "proper" day job, therefore quality of celebs falls......down to z listers

Order of Preference:

Series 2
Series 1
Series 4
Series 3
Series 5

I watched series 1, mainly to laugh at Chris Parker and I've watched all series since then. I think this is by far the worst.
The dance off and the 'non-live' results show has removed most of the surprise element of eliminations. I hate that the judges have so much pointless attention directed at them.
There is a complete lack of personality amongst the final few celebs. I've really liked how Gethin has surprised with his last couple of latin dances but on the whole the dances and choreography has been dull.

I'd rate them as:

SCD2
SCD4
SCD1
SCD3
SCD5

They desperately need to get some new pros in!

I'd rate them:

Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Series 5
Series 1

I didn't watch SCD1 but apart from that I probably agree with your order.

This might be a bit contoversial...but i think part of the problem with the choreography has been that some of the pros who do the best routines....haven't necessarily had the best celebs...so potentially WOW routines never quite materialised...also there has been a distinct lack of what I would describe as healthy competition until these late stages.

Don't know if anyone would agree, but for me quite a few of the dances have suffered from weird music choices. They've seemed less characterful as a result....I like having a clear sense of the dance through the music and characterisation in the movements used etc.

I agree on music choices. For a 90 second routine you need something with a few highlights or a strong intro and ending. I hope it isn't lack of choice after 5 series, because it will mean next year will be worse.

I agree about the pro's also. I feel that especially with Camilla and Matthew their routines have been simple and basic but clean. There's not much to criticize (especially by the judges) but nothing to excite.
I'd have liked to have seen more of Ian's choreography - his routines are very original and you know that another pro would not do the same type of thing and they are proven to be memorable. I'd also have liked to have seen how Vincent would have choreographed for someone with Stephanie's ability.

Still rate SCD2 the most....it was a more innocent time...less editing of VT clips, less overall irritating factors, just dancing pure and simple, and a trip to Blackpool for the Finale. It was brill.
So many of the dances still remain my faves of 3 of the couples from that series.

I agree with a lot of this. I think Ian is one of those pros that can take a potentially difficult piece of music and really pull something out of the bag. (It's difficult to admit on here...I'll whisper .....but something about Matthew's latin chreography has just left me utterly cold....weirdly..felt it's all looked a bit samey....but will freely admit I know nothing)

Would have been very interesting to see how Vincent worked with Stephanie ..I remember the brilliantly sensitive Waltz+Rumba routines Darren choreographed for Gloria Hunniford.

Series 3
Series 2
Series 1
Series 4
Series 5

I think I've only watched 2 of the Sunday Night shows and about 3 ITT this series. I don't know why but, I just haven't got into this one as much as the others. I haven't missed a Saturday night show but, can't be arsed to wait until Sunday to watch a recording of the result. There has definitely been something missing for me this time around. I'm unsure as to whether it's the format, the judges or even the contestants but, this series will not go down as memorable. Despite the judges making Alisha the highest ranked contestant "ever" I have yet to see her dance a "wow" dance. Denise, Jill, Zoe, Mark, Natasha, Louisa, Matt, Darren and of course Colin they all had at least one dance they made their own. Sadly, as lovely as she is, Alisha hasn't done that for me, I will admit that she's probably the best dancer in the competition and, maybe that's the problem. She is technically so much better than the rest of the dancers that we can't see who would/could beat her and therefore it's not been as competitive as previous years.

In the same way that I don't compare BB5-BB8 with BB1-BB4, I think Strictly has moved into a new - and not remotely improved IMO - era this year. Far too much manipulation, hype and phoneyness and generally taking the viewers for mugs now - although in fairness it works.

The writing was on the wall with the dance-off. In retrospect it was heavily sign-posted.

Certainly this has been the least enjoyable series for me (I didn't really watch Strictly I).

Ridiculous public voting up until this week.
Real contenders going early and removing much of the competition.
Kelly's departure.

But on the other hand......... its not last year.

As a quick comment , I agree about the choreography , I've been banging on about it for weeks . Great post kazmson.


I also fear SCD will struggle to get over this series and agree wholeheartedly with Mr Bickle

SCD2 is my favourite season. Denise and Jill = Amazing final 2! Although this one is equally as good due to the wonderful Alesha.

I have felt the same and I have been very disappointed with his choreography for Alesha, especially as he is a latin is his thing.
It looks like the freestyle will be the chance where the pros can show something extra. I'm not sure if there will be a judges choice again.
Last edited by Stella Street : 16-12-2007 at 02:45

[quote=Mr Bickle;20138023]But people are still watching this series based on being fans from previous series. That is what I am doing. You can be sure that I wont be watching next year unless big changes are made, though.

And I am sure I am not the only one. Why would you want to watch a show where everything is supposedly brilliant and 10/10? There is no variation or competition whyen its like that. You have a head judge that stifles a debate and a show a day late that real fans already know the result of. Its a farce. The people behind SCD have ruined a fantastic show.[

You are not the only one - I have completely lost interest in this series and seriously doubt if I will watch the next one. Completely agree about Len as well.

well I have loved this series - I really do think it depends on who your faves are

in order they are:

S2 (only beats this season because the marking was more realistic and a 10 was hard to get)
S5
S3
S4 (didn't even bother watching the final)
S1 (still a joke competition, couldn't abide Natasha's stilted dancing)

Best: Series 4 (Karen won)
Good: Series 3
Average: 5 (Karen went out first )
Poor: 2
Worst: 1

(sorry am a MASSIVE Karen fan, am a bit biast)

I've absolutely loved this series. Myself, family and friends have been obsessed with it. The contestants have gotten on so well, it's been fun and the dancing has been been a joy. If this thread is anything to go by I must be in the minority.

However I do think Len's lost the plot a little.

Sorry but I really can't stand Karen Harding she ruined last year for me, she's was all about winning, she treated SCD like a professional dance competition and it always seemed to be about her not Mark. Again I know I'm in the minority with this opinion and could possibly get jumped on for voicing it but this is a forum after all.