Exactly! And they aren't biased.

I totally agree - this men one week, women the next for four weeks has taken the edge of the start of the series. I'm sure once everyone is dancing every week things will start to feel a bit more like 'normal'.

I wonder if the female celebs had to wait until after the famous Monday morning production meeting before finding out what dance they were doing?

I don't really understand either, Austin has said in his blog that Erin has taught him the basics of a lot of the dances, surely that's the thing to do during the 4/5 week run up

Someone please tell me my ears were playing up and Lisa and Brendan aren't dancing to that song

I noticed that!

And looks like we're getting a Samba from Andrew

That would make a lot more sense.

I know, and I'm scared

Arlene, Craig and Len all have regular spots on ITT. Where's Bruno?

Great idea. Loved Anton and Flavia's chorography segment, and Anton's contribution to the mid-week report. Compared to that, the panel with Arlene and Len was really uninformative. Plus, most of it was taken up with Len's attention seeking 'music these days is just noise!' act, which was boring. Would love the pros commenting instead, they seem more passionate about the dancing and you get the feeling that they'd focus on the dancers and their progress, not on themselves.

Now I'm going to get the brain bleach to scrub out the thought of Andrew's Samba

You're scared - I will have to book the puppy into kennels that week there is no way he can endure that sort of trauma!

Must be the only one then looking forward to it... *scurries off*

Looking forward to it in a perverse, car crash TV way is fine but if you are looking forward as in looking forward to it then, oh dear, your Mama has to have a word with you young lady

Car-crash I assure you pp.

What God awful song has Brendan chosen? Surely that song will ruin their dance - especially it being the rumba. It is so cheesy and yucky...arghhhh!!!

What are they dancing to?!

I really agree with this, I much prefer hearing from the professional dancers than the judges with their playing up and mugging etc etc tbh.

What song are Lisa and Brendan dancing to ?

Suddenly by Billy Ocean

Thank you (Ijust googled it - its not that bad).

With that god awful choice of music, Lisa and Brendan's Rhumba is going to be nauseating.

And please can someone feed Claudia some original questions to ask the couples - 'How nervous are you about Saturday?' is wearing thin.

Rachel & Vincent look so cute together! And Cherie seems to be anything but a one-trick pony - I think her Rhumba with James will be breathtaking.

For a minute there I got that confused with Suddenly by Angry Anderson!

In comparison, Billy Ocean isn't too bad

Agree its already got Len and Arlene's hackles up and that's even before they've danced. Bad choice Brendan.

I think you're right. Am I correct in thinking that the judges get paid more than the professionals for appearing on Strictly? Perhaps the Beeb is just trying to get its money's worth bringing the judges onto ITT (?) almost every day.

In an ideal world, yes, you're absolutely right. As Austin is so talented and seems quick to pick up new routines Erin probably had more time to teach him the basics of a lot of dances. With some of the weaker dancers or those with less free time the professionals may have had to concentrate on the first dance.

Presumably, if they're trying to keep things equal (which is a big 'if' with these producers at times!') that will leave Austin, Tom and Don doing the American Smooth.

Oh, and as to why Bruno isn't on ITT - well with his little slips of the tongue like he had last Saturday they're probably trying keep him off of anything that's live!

I am with Len on music. For me the dances look best with the traditional music, be it tango, paso, jive, waltz, anything.