I wrote some time ago about my feeling that SCD had gone downmarket and events of recent weeks have if anything reinforced this belief. But now it's more than a dip in standards; I feel the whole credibility of the show is at stake and that there has been a massive loss of trust in the BBC on the public's part. This of course concerns programmes other than Strictly but this is the show that interests me particularly.

(1) The Fundamental Aim of the Programme

Is this a dancing competition, entertainment, a popularity contest or an easy way to raise money for charity? Can it possibly be all four at once? Does the confusion of aims not cause irritation and controversy (witness numerous posts on these forums) ? Does the BBC not add to that confusion by using the injunction 'Vote for your favourite' at every turn? By having the phone lines open all week?

(2) Financial Gain

Children in Need benefits from the programme, obviously. But a full 50% of the revenue goes elsewhere: to the phone companies and the BBC, for example. That's a lot and we are never told how the split works.

(3) Judges and Judging

There is a basic confusion with regard to the judges' role: are they there to judge, with all the power that this implies? To advise? To entertain? This year has seen a huge increase in their power, without a noticeable increase in their sense of responsibility, and my feeling is that the public voting in the earlier rounds was skewed by the necessity to keep one's 'favourite' out of the clutches of the judges and the dance-off. With the dance-off system, it is entirely possible for the judges to carry their 'favourite' right through to the final; obviously the system is open to abuse and manipulation by the BBC, with an eye on the dreaded ratings.

As to these particular four judges, it is time for them to go. Len and Bruno have become caricatures of themselves, doubtless due to their insane weekly pond-hopping (what a carbon footprint those two must have!) and Len in particular has a grossly inflated sense of his own importance. Arlene appears to say everything in capital letters and her pre-prepared alliterations drive one bonkers. Craig is the best of a bad bunch but even he seems to have taken his eye off the ball recently and to be making some strange judgments.

(4) The Voting System and Transparency

We are never given the voting figures and we have absolutely no idea whether the system is corrupt or not. Do we even know whether the votes are scrutinised by an outside body?

(5) Tasteful or Tacky? The Slide Downmarket

A number of elements in the programme appear to show a decline in standards. Many of the costumes have been notable for their garishness and/or unsuitability, veering between Dowager Duchess and Teenage Tart. The guest singers have mostly mimed. The resident band and singers are not as good as in previous series. The 'raunch quotient' appears to have risen where the resident professional dancers and guest dancers are concerned: the close-to-pornographic Kama-Sutra-goes-weightlifting demo in the semi-final is a case in point.

(6) Saturday Night Live, Sunday Night Dead

The move from live to recorded for the results show has been a disaster, removing much of the excitement of previous years. It would be interesting to know how it has affected the number of votes cast: I personally was much more likely to vote several times when I got caught up in the excitement of Saturday night, whereas this year I often forgot.

I don't have all the answers but for a start I would:

- Sack all the current judges and replace them with two experienced competition judges and two musical theatre people.
- Do away with the dance-off and restore the power to the public, however deluded we may be.
- Get together a decent team of costume designers to work in-house for the duration of the programme.
- Appoint a new band and singers.
- Make a point of being totally transparent on the numbers, whether it be voting figures or money.
- Stipulate that all guest singers have to perform live, like everyone else on the show. Try encouraging some new talent in this way - I personally have had my fill of ageing pop stars and Irish boy bands.
- Restore the results show to a live slot on Saturday night.

Sorry this is such a long post but I have been mulling it all over for ages and I care what happens to SCD. I hope there's some response or I shall crawl away into a corner and never speak again.

Excellent post summing up what many of us feel.

What about replacing Brucie and Tess?

Good point - I forgot them. I guess I'm less bothered by who presents than by what they're presenting. But I would be happy with a clean sweep, while we're about it! And certainly from the figures I've seen, they are paid FAR too much.

The problem is in changing many things wholesale is to say there are problems with it, and so from that point of view I don't see it happening. There are changes needed, but think they may come rather too gradually for some. I would agree with the ones you have suggested though. (Might keep Craig.)

ETA: flaws aside I am really enjoying this series, so while I think there may need to be some changes, I wouldn't call it a "decline"

Decline??? What decline?? I don't see a decline! It's just a TV programme and still very entertaining in my opinion.

Although I do think the judges need changing.

I don't think they should replace anyone, that would lose the essence of the show. But I would really like the producers to sit down with the judges and basically tell them how to mark a bit more objectively. Giving 8s for effort (not looking at you La Goodman) and never using 1-6 paddles is silly as it's a 1-10 scale . Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind

I agree with much of that except money shouldn't be involved period. The voting should be web based free and one per IP address or better if it's really for charity a donation is made on registering and only registered people can vote once each week. That way the charity gets all the money. It won't happen because despite protestations I believe this is a "cash cow" for the BBC. The secrecy surrounding the whole funding business reinforces that opinion.

Did you ever read the posts from the band member who gave us an insight into how the music is put together.If you had, you would`t be calling for their replacement.Basically they rehearse all the music for the show in one day....and that day is show day.....Yes thats right, the band are given the music and the arrangement on the Saturday. The band member posted under the name of Ncorners....worth looking up his posts as they make an interesting read.

I do so agree, bobajot. If only ......

Strictly's Decline?

The ratings have been higher than ever

Under the BBC charter they are not allowed to make any money from phone votes.The only people making any money are the phone companies(other than CIN)

I don't think the BBC will agree there has been a decline as it beaten the X-factor in the ratings and the Sunday show has been a great ratings success too.

As someone who initially emailed the BBC to complain about the change to a Sunday show, I've accepted how it will be from now on.

I also think everyone involved with the programme will look back on the series to see if anything else needs changing, so who knows what will happen next year?

I certainly don't think it should stop raising money for CIN.

I think BBC did say officially how the money is 'split'. They get no profits from it. I know there was a link posted here somewhere (and it's in that inane thread entitled 'BBC is out to scam us' or something like that).

As for the costumes, I disagree. I think they have done a marvellous job (though as a guy, I don't really both much with their clothes), and as for the music, the are pros. Yes, some odd singing here and there, but good on the whole.

And lastly, the ratings speak for themselves.

but if they have to cut the budget then I say get rid of one judge and maybe Brucie and Tess and bring in Dick and Dom (kidding!!!)

Perhaps the other 50% get taken by the phone networks and to cover admin costs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies/competitions/

Thanks very much, Swnymor, I have started to read them and they are indeed fascinating. I will return to them.

Dick and Dom???

THAT will be the beginning of the end for Strictly.

I think we need to pester the BBC to get the breakdown of the weekly viewers' votes published. The voting needs to be absolutely transparent otherwise the conspiracy theorists (and there are lots after this weekend) will simply give up paying to vote

Thanks for the reference. As it's dated November 2007, I take it this is a follow-up to the scandals already revealed.

Possibly unpopular, but I wonder whether Matt beat Gethin in the voting. At this stage, they want as many people and as much money as possible, and I'm sure the final gets more viewers and money than any other episode, and so it would make sense to have the two most popular go through to the final.

I honestly think 99% of the perceived problems are down to the producers. I think they drip feed most of the ickiness to the press, I think they've gone for the sensational in the VT editing and I think they've instructed the judges to ham it up. It's been little by little, but as the show's popularity has increased, I think the producers have been unable to resist the temptation to, as the OP says, send it all bit downmarket, tabloid-cum-X Factor it all up. I think the dance off and Sunday show all add to this.

They are looking for ratings-boosting short term controversies.

I think this is a real shame for all sorts of reasons. Firstly, it's the BBC for heavens sakes. Can't we expect better than red top standards from them? Secondly, it's a family show. We want our children to see a sporting, generous-hearted competition, not a bitchy gossip-fest. Thirdly, it's about dancing. We don't want to be distracted from beautiful dancing by hamming judges and backstage gossip. Fourthly, and most importantly, I think it's such a short-term position to take. Yes, all these things might generate headlines and immediate viewing figures, but eventually, they will turn people off. I think we can all see that the X Factor is on its last legs, disappearing up its own backside in a miasma of PR stunts and embarrassing shenanigans.

SCD could become a national institution that runs for years and years and years. But it won't if the slide into cheap TV continues.

I honestly think all the problems are production value problems. Sort that out and you'd sort it all out.

That doesn't say anything about REDUCING COSTS! My option gets rid of all those phone companies. If what you say is true why is there such reticence about producing the actual figures?

Fine, show us the figures and then we'll know for sure rather than everyone second-guessing and drawing their own conclusions. If they've nothing to hide, they can publish the results

Thank you, Gorlagon, for your full comments. I think you are dead right in all you say, especially about the short-termism which appears to have hit the BBC.