Is it just me or are the performance skills lacking this year ? Every year by this stage a couple of the celebs start really performing. None this year seems to be doing it. The only one tonight was Tom Chambers but I find his style of performance camp instead of dramatic
Performance skills
I agree with you, alastair r, the performance skills seem to be sadly lacking. Alesha, last year, wasn't the amazing dancer so many people like to think, but what she did was perform.
I said in another thread that I feel part of the problem is that basically the celebs are all really nice people, but they've hardly an ounce of personality between them. The only exception, for me, is Lisa. Now she has got her nerves in check, she seems quite bubbly. And you are right about Tom - he did try very hard to portray the essence of the paso.
I said in another thread that I feel part of the problem is that basically the celebs are all really nice people, but they've hardly an ounce of personality between them. The only exception, for me, is Lisa. Now she has got her nerves in check, she seems quite bubbly. And you are right about Tom - he did try very hard to portray the essence of the paso.
Originally Posted by alastair_r:
“Is it just me or are the performance skills lacking this year ? Every year by this stage a couple of the celebs start really performing. None this year seems to be doing it. The only one tonight was Tom Chambers but I find his style of performance camp instead of dramatic”
“Is it just me or are the performance skills lacking this year ? Every year by this stage a couple of the celebs start really performing. None this year seems to be doing it. The only one tonight was Tom Chambers but I find his style of performance camp instead of dramatic”
Agree but its worse than that as the judges are quite random about who they think are performing and performing badly counts whilst understated doesn't.
I agree. I think this year's celebs are collectively a bit too earnest and lack a bit of showbiz pizazz.
Last year Alesha and Kelly were both great performers from the start and I think this pushed the others.
Last year Alesha and Kelly were both great performers from the start and I think this pushed the others.
I was not keen on Tom's performance but I think this is an area Jodie has really improved upon. She acted the dance beautifully tonight. Most of them seem quite nervous (except John and Austin) and this is having an impact on their enjoyment of the dance. I agree that in previous years the performance level has been better.
The biggest disappointment in this regard is Rachel. Talk about Ice Queen! And Heather too. I expected a lot of pzazz from her. Such a shame as I'm sure she could be good and IS good in training and I think Brian seems lovely and a good teacher.
Cherie is losing her lustre as well.
Relying on Austin and that's more to do with his sharp remarks than his dancing - although I do love his dancing!
Cherie is losing her lustre as well.
Relying on Austin and that's more to do with his sharp remarks than his dancing - although I do love his dancing!
I'm in the minority, I think, in that I'm enjoying this season more than last. I liked Alesha, but I didn't love her, I supported Matt but I was the first to admit that he shouldn't have got the scores that he did and so it was quite uncomfortable to watch him sometimes.
I absolutely love Austin and his personality, I love John and waiting each week to see what Kristina will do with him and I'm loving watching Jodie emerge.
I do get what you mean about them performing though. Heather, Rachel and lately Cherie are all disappointing me, but I think they are all very introverted, private women who wouldn't normally do a reality show, but love to dance. The trouble is their inhibitions are stopping them being the dancers they could be and that's frustrating us and the judges.
I absolutely love Austin and his personality, I love John and waiting each week to see what Kristina will do with him and I'm loving watching Jodie emerge.
I do get what you mean about them performing though. Heather, Rachel and lately Cherie are all disappointing me, but I think they are all very introverted, private women who wouldn't normally do a reality show, but love to dance. The trouble is their inhibitions are stopping them being the dancers they could be and that's frustrating us and the judges.
The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.
Originally Posted by ESPIONdansant:
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
This just about sums up how I feel too. I am enjoying this year as it is so open. I hope we have, if not a surprise winner, then at least someone in the final who was never tipped from the beginning. There's nothing like a good 'J' to liven up the competition.
Originally Posted by Alli-F:
“I'm in the minority, I think, in that I'm enjoying this season more than last. I liked Alesha, but I didn't love her, I supported Matt but I was the first to admit that he shouldn't have got the scores that he did and so it was quite uncomfortable to watch him sometimes.
I absolutely love Austin and his personality, I love John and waiting each week to see what Kristina will do with him and I'm loving watching Jodie emerge.
I do get what you mean about them performing though. Heather, Rachel and lately Cherie are all disappointing me, but I think they are all very introverted, private women who wouldn't normally do a reality show, but love to dance. The trouble is their inhibitions are stopping them being the dancers they could be and that's frustrating us and the judges.”
“I'm in the minority, I think, in that I'm enjoying this season more than last. I liked Alesha, but I didn't love her, I supported Matt but I was the first to admit that he shouldn't have got the scores that he did and so it was quite uncomfortable to watch him sometimes.
I absolutely love Austin and his personality, I love John and waiting each week to see what Kristina will do with him and I'm loving watching Jodie emerge.
I do get what you mean about them performing though. Heather, Rachel and lately Cherie are all disappointing me, but I think they are all very introverted, private women who wouldn't normally do a reality show, but love to dance. The trouble is their inhibitions are stopping them being the dancers they could be and that's frustrating us and the judges.”
And yet they all signed up for it and after all these years of being fans they should have known what they were letting themselves in for. I think they need a dose of whatever Lisa had, she conquerecd her nerves, threw herself into the performing and it really shows - I loved her tango.
I didn't feel that Alesha was the clear-cut winner from the beginning, I thought Kelly was pretty good too. Later on it was apparent both Gethin & Matt D had a large number of fans and at the final I had no clue which one of them would win.
I also did not think Alesha was the clear winner last year. I felt very much it was all geared towards Kelly winning - once she left, things got interesting.
All of Matt and Alesha's routines had something, they were fun or exciting or just plain romantic and gorgeous. They both loved dancing together and had an amazing partnership. As did Jill and Darren and Lilia and Darren. I was not a huge fan of Karen and Mark but once again, they had a couple of dances one always remembers and they had chemistry.
I think this series is lacking something, not sure what. I am enjoying it, but not loving it. I don't really care who wins and that is the difference for me. I am voting at the moment because i love Matthew and don't want him to go out just yet and then I vote again for the dance I have most enjoyed, if it has not been his, although to be honest, I'm not really loving any of them.
When Alesha came on last year, I felt a buzz, a sense of excitement. Even Matt and Flavia, they had something too and although I didn't think Gethin would win, I enjoyed his, sorry to use the word, journey! This year, I like the celebs, but like I've already mentioned, they lack something. I know I am putting this poorly, but I honestly cannot put my finger on it.
All of Matt and Alesha's routines had something, they were fun or exciting or just plain romantic and gorgeous. They both loved dancing together and had an amazing partnership. As did Jill and Darren and Lilia and Darren. I was not a huge fan of Karen and Mark but once again, they had a couple of dances one always remembers and they had chemistry.
I think this series is lacking something, not sure what. I am enjoying it, but not loving it. I don't really care who wins and that is the difference for me. I am voting at the moment because i love Matthew and don't want him to go out just yet and then I vote again for the dance I have most enjoyed, if it has not been his, although to be honest, I'm not really loving any of them.
When Alesha came on last year, I felt a buzz, a sense of excitement. Even Matt and Flavia, they had something too and although I didn't think Gethin would win, I enjoyed his, sorry to use the word, journey! This year, I like the celebs, but like I've already mentioned, they lack something. I know I am putting this poorly, but I honestly cannot put my finger on it.
Originally Posted by kaycee:
“I agree with you, alastair r, the performance skills seem to be sadly lacking. Alesha, last year, wasn't the amazing dancer so many people like to think, but what she did was perform.
I said in another thread that I feel part of the problem is that basically the celebs are all really nice people, but they've hardly an ounce of personality between them. The only exception, for me, is Lisa. Now she has got her nerves in check, she seems quite bubbly. And you are right about Tom - he did try very hard to portray the essence of the paso.”
“I agree with you, alastair r, the performance skills seem to be sadly lacking. Alesha, last year, wasn't the amazing dancer so many people like to think, but what she did was perform.
I said in another thread that I feel part of the problem is that basically the celebs are all really nice people, but they've hardly an ounce of personality between them. The only exception, for me, is Lisa. Now she has got her nerves in check, she seems quite bubbly. And you are right about Tom - he did try very hard to portray the essence of the paso.”
I agree about Alesha. her famous cha cha had poor leg action but it was a fantastic performance.
Originally Posted by thenetworkbabe:
“Agree but its worse than that as the judges are quite random about who they think are performing and performing badly counts whilst understated doesn't.”
“Agree but its worse than that as the judges are quite random about who they think are performing and performing badly counts whilst understated doesn't.”
I agree and I'm not a Len basher, but he usually couches criticism in a nice way (especially with the female celebs), where as this year he has come over to me as really harsh several times and each time it was a real shock as he then goes on to give a decent mark.
Originally Posted by maltipom:
“I didn't feel that Alesha was the clear-cut winner from the beginning, I thought Kelly was pretty good too. Later on it was apparent both Gethin & Matt D had a large number of fans and at the final I had no clue which one of them would win.”
“I didn't feel that Alesha was the clear-cut winner from the beginning, I thought Kelly was pretty good too. Later on it was apparent both Gethin & Matt D had a large number of fans and at the final I had no clue which one of them would win.”
Me neither - I always thought there were several contenders last year although I was willing Alesha to win.
Austin is competent, but not remotely exciting. I think he's being marked up to make it seem like there's one very good dancer this year. Sadly, there isn't. Nobody is all that watchable.
Originally Posted by qwertyqueen:
“Austin is competent, but not remotely exciting. I think he's being marked up to make it seem like there's one very good dancer this year. Sadly, there isn't. Nobody is all that watchable.”
“Austin is competent, but not remotely exciting. I think he's being marked up to make it seem like there's one very good dancer this year. Sadly, there isn't. Nobody is all that watchable.”
I so agree.
A few individual performances have been exciting this year, but nobody remotely consistently so. Normally I well up and get goosebumps several times a show, but I could count the times that has happened on one hand this year.
Originally Posted by ESPIONdansant:
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.”
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.”
I agree with others that Alesha was most definitely not the clear winner from the start.
Adding Austin to the mix as the possible winner of this series, the first 5 weeks' leaderboard positions of the winners of series 1-6 are as follows:
Natasha Kaplinsky: 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st
Jill Halfpenny: 4th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st
Darren Gough: 8th, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 4th
Mark Ramprakash: 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 3rd
Alesha Dixon: 3rd, 1st, 3rd, 1st, 4th
Austin Healey: 1st, 1st, 4th, 1st, 1st
Apart from Darren Gough, all the other 5 seemed more likely to win by week 6 then Alesha. It wasn't until after chacha week and Kelly pulling out that Alesha became the firm favourite.
Originally Posted by ESPIONdansant:
“So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
“So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
What you actually mean is your favourite didn't win; Alesha won and that spoilt the series for you...
Originally Posted by ESPIONdansant:
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
“The problem with Alesha was that she was the clear winner from the start. That spoiled the last series for me.
I like it when the winners emerge from the pack.
Kaplinsky didn't enjoy it one bit at the beginning.
Ramps was a surprise.
Gough was a bl00dy miracle!
Jill (although fantastic from the start) was a down-to-earth lass so had the common tough.
So my loyalty to SCD is based on the first 4 series. I liked Gethin last year but Alesha's dominance meant there was no real tension or excitement for me.”
I didn't pick Alesha as the clear winner from the start. However, after first Kelly and then Gethin left I lost interest.
None of the celebs this year are as a good a "storyteller" as Alesha was. I think Lisas probably the best best of a bad bunch.
Saying that i do think technically Rachel, Austin and Tom are good but unless they can really look like they enjoy the dance they wont get lots of support.
Saying that i do think technically Rachel, Austin and Tom are good but unless they can really look like they enjoy the dance they wont get lots of support.
Originally Posted by beanbean:
“None of the celebs this year are as a good a "storyteller" as Alesha was. I think Lisas probably the best best of a bad bunch.
Saying that i do think technically Rachel, Austin and Tom are good but unless they can really look like they enjoy the dance they wont get lots of support.”
“None of the celebs this year are as a good a "storyteller" as Alesha was. I think Lisas probably the best best of a bad bunch.
Saying that i do think technically Rachel, Austin and Tom are good but unless they can really look like they enjoy the dance they wont get lots of support.”
Austin's "performance" on Saturday was cringeworthy. Presumably he put on the inane, manic grin because the judges told him he should smile more
