It's the judges I find big headed in that way. A complete nightmare. On the preview show they've finally dipped into self parody.

As for missing Karen, yes I did last year, as I honestly didn't find any of the pros choreography for whatever reason very interesting after that save Brendan's and Camilla's and so you can imagine what last year was like for me.

If she goes out relatively early this year, I won't be distraught as I think there's a better mix lineup for me to be engaged by.

Shame...

But glad that you like me had a great time.

They are all successful and talented and like it or not it's a business of self promotion. It's not like working on a checkout.

By the way, I've worked in a shop before somebody leaps on me.

You are forgetting that 1) not everyone has seen all 5 previous series (personally I only caught the very end of the first one and didn't get into the 2nd one till part way through) and 2) that "not being the same without X" is a subjective comment... for all you know, some people may have felt that it wasn't the same *before* Karen joined the show. Such a feeling is not made redundant just because Karen was not part of the first two series.

To use someone else as an example, Lilia only joined in series 2, but she has made such a big impact and is such an enjoyable (to me!) personality to watch both on and off the dance floor that (although I disliked Dom and was glad to see him go) I really felt her absence when she left early last series: nothing to do with how long she's been on the show, everything to do with how much I have enjoyed her appearances on it. Conversely, Anton and Camilla have both been on the show since the start, but I am not especially fond of either of them: despite their longer tenure, I have never missed either of them when they exited early, though I know others have greatly missed their presence. Subjective, see? Each to their own.

Fair enough that you do not like Karen, each to their own and I personally have no problem with that, (though I do sometimes think the level to which some people take their personal dislikes is OTT) but it is perfectly legitimate for someone who does like Karen and her dancing to feel that there was something missing when she exited the show. Hey, I recall posts along those lines from people when Kelly left, and she was a celeb who competed in one series - time on the show does not necessarily equal impact.

It's not about how long any one dancer has been on the show, it's about how the dancer (in this instance Karen) has affected the person who is watching, and in nancy1975's case it is clearly a lot.

As others, I find the people with the biggest egos on the show are the judges... I think the judging panel could certainly use "freshening up"... I live in hope!

I always like your posts sarah, as you have a firm grip on the truth.

I was actually pleased for Lilia's sake when she went last year as I felt it'd be cruelty to put it mildly to keep her with Dom any longer but for me she's an electrifying personality on and off the floor in too many ways to quantify, and again when she went there was a massive hole. Also a celeb who you really take to and exits, will affect your enjoyment of the series to a degree.

As for the 4 egos on the side...well, the preview show reminded me why I wanted to put a fist through the screen too many times last year and I know it'll be just as bad again this year. The fake arguments are a total turn off and soured series5 for me in a big way.

I think Karen is wicked, i love her routines and she makes it exciting

I quite like Craig who tells it like it is and is at least consistant but I got really annoyed with Len during the review show for saying that Kate and Matt should have gone home when he supported them during the show - struck me as total hypocrisy or pandering to public opinion to the contary after the event. Anton's 'Kate was the best' was a stupid thing to say but at least it can be put down to Anton being loyal to his partners which love him or hate him is a trait of his that is a constant.

I also thought that them praising Gaby's QS and Matt's Rhumba was hypocritical too when they weren't so nice about them intially.

Can they even understand that they come across (especially Len) as complete idiots?

Len particularly made/makes me want to scream by offloading all the blame onto the public for who stays in or out. If he wants to abdicate the responsibility that he took upon himself without our say so last year on the dance off, he's more than welcome. I for one can live with the public's decision far better than I can his inconsistency.

It was a little 'odd' last year! The criteria on which they judged seemed to change from week to week!

it would be nice if they could apply the same set of rules every week this time, regardless of personal favourites. Plus, toning down the nasty remarks might help the better dancers stay in over those who aren't as nimble on their feet. The GPB loves the 'underdog' (as they have proved year after year after year ... . You'd think the judges would have learned by now that the more they carp and criticise someone, the more votes that person will receive (at the expense of better dancers).

Mind you, if we didn't save the 'underdog' then how would we have the celebrity 'journeys' (yes, I used the 'J' word already! I do sincerely and humbly apologise!) - and how would someone who began the series as seemingly the least talented come to the fore later?

And where would we get our entertainment? Half the fun is in watching those who can't try their utmost and fail miserably (thus invoking our sympathy and prompting viewers to vote for them anyway!). I personally love to watch all the celebs - those whose pro pairing is magical and who seem to glide across the dancefloor and those who can't seem to find their feet (or can, only to discover they have two left ones!).

Only a few more days to go now too. I'm getting excited already! (Come on, Karen and Gary!)

Seriously for me the whole series went up the creek on the dance off idea, as I felt totally disenfranchised by the system and I didn't even vote until the semi final. And much good did that do. On the positive side it saved me a few quid.

But it will be the same again THIS year. Why on the preview was it all about the gruesome foursome? When did they become the stars of the whole thing? The last time I polled the GBP at large they didn't watch SCD because of them.

I felt something rotten in the state of SCD by the ludicrous overmarking of all couples and overpraising of mediocre dances and the desperation that somehow THIS series must be regarded as the best ever. As if the general public give a monkey's. They only want something entertaining to watch on a Saturday night and they kept voting Kate and Anton back in because they provided the only light relief on a show that was frankly getting tiresome otherwise.

This is hijacking the thread on Karen and I do apologize for going off topic..only that I don't think the public at large cares less about one professional and how he/she comes across, but the all the faux arguments and silly judgements might get up their noses far more.

Thanks Nancy *grin*


Beautifully put. I hope that Don will be a bit of a dark horse this year - he does at least appear to have much more of a sense of humour and be far more likeable. I really don't want Lilia going early... missed her such a lot (though Dom not at all!)


It would help. I tend to agree with those who think that from the producers' POV, it's a good thing to have controversy, shock exits and so on. I'm pretty sure that there would be ways and means of avoiding so much of that if they actually wanted to. (Taping the judges' mouths shut and only letting them give scores not comments would be favourite )

Just to put in my twopence I was far too busy being annoyed by the judges to have time to find fault in any of the pro's, particularly faults that had nothing to do with their dancing ability and everything to do with not liking their manner, laugh, or the shape of their nose

Why on earth have the judges started acting up to the degree they did last year? I'm sure they were altogether classier in earlier series...

Three out of the four have cottoned on to the fact they can make more money as villains without which no pantomime will work. Their pay rise this year will bear witness. The public want to shout at the screen, but not to switch channels -- showrumpus, a variant of showmance.

Strictly Punch and Judy now.

I like Karen .
I don't like all the pros , or rather what I see on my TV , which is what the BBC wants me to see .
However I don't go around starting up threads asking for views on this or that pro dancer whom I don't care for so much .

What I do not understand is why every year ( yawn ) threads are appear vilifying one professional dancer for showing exactly the same traits which the posters admire and cheer in others. What is that all about ?

Big headed, arrogant , want to win too much ?
Now that could apply to every one of the 16 professional dancers !

How badly does Camilla want to win? or Brendan , or Anton and |Erin or teh Jordans? They all want to win , they all tell us each week how good they are and they all display the confidence and yes , arrogance , of the person who has reached the top of their chosen field .

They are good , world class , and they all know it and show it .

Can't abide the woman, she is just so OTT

I've never taken to her either, though I did enjoy some of her routines with Mark Ramprakash

Its just her bragging of her "win" that gets to me.

I love ALL the pros and my favourite part of the whole show is when the pros dance together.

Agree 100%. If she would just shut up a bit and listen to herself she might be better.

I've heard most of the pros say some pretty questionable things at times! Karen is maybe a bit more direct about her ambition and confidence, but I doubt she's any more competitive than all the pros are.

In the preview show most of the pro's declared they wanted to win. And that is what is needed. It's no good going into it with a don't care attitude.

I love Karen. Her's and Lilia's choreography are both interesting to watch.

I think people don't like Karen is because she has so much personality, more than most of the pro's.

I had to laugh when she said Gary ( rhodes) never stops talking, thought well she knows all about that, good pair together

winnie

I like Karen - and as a judge herself, she probably feels qualified to answer the judges.

I didn't hear the 'history was made,' comment but agree that was a bit OTT and might irritate people.

After tonights performance, Karen & Gary need to improve... I wonder will they get the sympathy vote.

I don't think they should go purely because of the score. Ok, he got a one, but not even Brian or people got that low a mark, he was bad, but he wasn't one worthy, the other judges could see that.

He came out, enjoyed it and tried his best, and I know this is a dance comp, but yes it's the first week, but he had SOME basis of a cha cha unlike Chris Parker etc.

I thought they looked ok in training, but I'm sure I heard Tess mention something about being dropped in rehearsal, so perhaps that was playing on their minds?