Christmas Special is one where I feel it's 'allowed' to be a little generous with the scores. But I never expect their generosity to be this much.

Also, oftentimes the judges allow for lifts in other dances besides the AS. The normal rules of strictly don't apply that much. It's been like this since Christmas Special series 4 (didn't watch earlier series so can't vouch).

One more point regarding lifts: normally celebs taking part in Christmas Special are of higher calibre, so even the male celebrities are not really at a disadvantage because they can do lifts pretty well too.

The DOI Christmas Special is probably better because the participants have more time rehearsing. As for Christmas Special of Strictly, bear in mind the current contestants only have like two days to rehearse (if Christmas Special is filmed before the finals like in series 4 and 5, they have even less time), so it's too much I think to expect them to do group dance(s).

My take, have a relaxing Boxing Day.

I quite enjoyed it. I did like Jill's dance the best, and really thought Alesha was the 3rd best of the top ones. Rachel for me was second, but I suppose Jill's AS just pipped it because it was a routine that was new to me and very well executed indeed. I was impressed. I was also glad she didn't do the jive because good though it was I've seen enough repeats of that to last a lifetime. I'm pretty sure they know that anyway and that's why they did something different.

I found DOI literally unwatchable...because I did make an effort thinking I might be in the 'mood' to enjoy it for once.

There's just something really tacky about the production and unsatisfying about the limitations on what the celebs are able to achieve...although I've no doubt they're as accomplished in their way as the Strictly contestants.

Plus the team theme was all a bit phony for me.

While I enjoyed the Christmas Special, I do feel it that with Tom being the only male celebrity it was too weighted on the female side. I don't know who they could have left out of the three couples invited though, just to bring in another man (Austin?)

The marks were as predicted but still didn't reach the 40 which Gethin and Darren achieved last year!

Hi Folks,

Haven't read through all of the thread so excuse me if I'm repeating.

To answer the discussions about "overmarking" the Xmas final is really an "end of term jolly" where anything goes. It's always been far more generous than the main show and that's why no Christmas scores are included in my stats.

Excluding Evander Holyfield (who was dire and got a 3 from Craig) since and including 2005 the lowest Christmas score has been 35 and there have been four 40s. So this year has actually been quite stingey in comparison!

By the way...interesting to see that the over/undermarking debate is happening on the DOI forum as well so it's not just SCD

I thought Bruce's jokes were dire, the judges were struggling to say something even more gushing than they have before, the music arrangements were poor and the choreography often did not flow.
Overall, it just seemed to fall a bit short, and there wasn't anything I could pick out as a highlight - and I'm generally quite positive about things.
Maybe next year, if the series ends earlier, they will take the time to make the Christmas special Special.

Bruce was lame. He had a couple of good programmes this series and that's all.
Tess - what's the point of even discussing her?
The judges - also pointless other than Craig.
The costumes were better than I expected.
The music dire.

There was some good dancing. I do think the dancing was the best bit of the evening.

But that proves that the programme isn't simply about good dancing. It's a combination of many elements and if the music and the comedy and the "people" side of things is poor then the whole programme suffers.

What in the blue hell was going on with tess' dress, I couldn't stop staring at her breasts. They were suspended in motion 0_0

A reasonable show marred by snipes at John Sargeant.

To me the choice of those taking part in the Christmas Special sent out a clear message. If you are not in your youth, or are overweight or balding...get off the dance floor.

This programme is in danger of taking itself far too seriously, why last night could they not have a routine involving dancers who went out in the early rounds?

In the final how many videos were there of contestants saying this will 'mean so much to me' and it's 'changed my life' etc.

I did like the Christmas Special although you could tell it had been edited between Tom's Foxtrot and Len announcing his Leader Board. Obviously everyone had got a bit tense and tired over the hour whilst they were deciding what to do about the tie.
Alesha and Matthew were great but I still prefered her last Viennese Waltz.
Lisa and Brendan were the worst of the night for me and I'm suprised none of the Judges mentioned the gapping and even more supprised by the 10!
Jill and Darren were amazing and just showed how much better than the current series they are. It was one of my favourite pieces of choreography ever on the show also too
Rachel and Vincent did a good Rumba but I wasn't amazed by it. The best out of the three from this series though...
Kelly and Brendan were brilliant, and Brian was a great partner for her . Really suprised by Arlene's 9 though
Tom and Camilla were okay but I think Tom was more focusing on putting on a show like his showdance than the actual dance itself. And the 10 from Arlene was undeserved seeing as she only gave Kelly a 9.
Very pleased with the result in the end though

LOL! Catching up with this thread have made me laugh. I love that not even the Spirit of Christmas can lighten a DS SCD discussion.

It was different in our house. My family and I enjoyed the Christmas Special and thought that everyone looked pretty and did good dances. We laughed at how dreadful the band were (especially for Alesha! ), we groaned at some of Bruce's jokes and booed at the pantomime judges.

There have been too many annoying problems with SCD this year but this was just a fun Christmas show and we all thought it was terrific entertainment.

I don't often post but I thought Jill was wonderful.

I also noticed that when Len was asked about placing the top 4 in order he said something like 'we've discussed this' and they all nodded, so it wasn't just his decision, which I thought was a nice, democratic touch.

There was a tie and the audience had to vote again, after waiting over 90 minutes. A lot of the audience had already left, so it wasn't a full audience vote, so no true popularity comparison can be made

I thought it was a great show with all the Christmas spirit you could want (and a little of the alcholic kind too, from the looks of it)!

Everyone looked like they were having fun and letting loose. I particularly loved Brian and Kelly and Alesha and Matthew.

After a lovely lunch with family & friends, it was just a real treat to round off Christmas Day.

Bravo to each and every one of them!

I loved Kelly & Brian's Jive.

My favourite part - as so often this year- was the Pro dance with Vincent & Flavia, Brian & Kristina.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a1393...y-ratings.html

folks, why was it controversial.......I watched it and apart from the brandy before each score that the judges gave (were they not given their 1-7 paddles) and the fact that Kelly was there (why????) - why else was it controversial..............????

I enjoyed it as a whole but it could have been better...a group dance would have been nice.
The problem seems to be because it is recorded so soon after the final that this seasons competitors are already at a disadvantage. It is really difficult to get the timing and polish with only a day to practice. I suppose a group dance would have been too much to ask.

A group dance would have been brill!
But yes it would have been too much to ask of the 3 finalists from this series with not much training.
Kelly,Alesha and Jill could have done something together i guess.

I dont know what it is but since Brian's return from the US he has been rather less ebullient and effervescant. His demeanor on his last ITT was somewhat quashed, and on yesterday's SCD he didn't seem as confident, it was as if it had all drained away, perhaps tired? Either that or he was wary of Kelly's OTT enthusiam and flirtyness and thought it was funny the way he stood next to her, his left arm resting on his hip ..... some body language expert must read something into that stance.

Still loved his dancing and although I knew in advance that Jill won I didn't realise that Brian and Kelly were runners-up ..... must have had a very good vote from the audience, which of course I assume that all the votes were because of Brian. His pro dance was great too, I get the impression that the BBC know that he is well liked by the GBP, hope he goes home with a warm feeling that he will be welcomed back here anytime.

I thought Kelly was more huggy than Brian and put it down to them being on the front pages with that kiss. I don't know if Kelly's fella was there but even so Brian maybe isn't used to that kind if publicity, if he'd put his arm round her who knows what the papers would have made of it, she was having his baby most likely.

I loved their jive and it was my winner but I enjoyed the whole show. Alesha and Matthew looked beautiful, that was my second and Tom and Camilla were great fun. But it seems churlish to mark and have losers etc, it was a fun Christmas show.
I also love the pro dance to Russell Watson and thought it was great that he joined in too. Vincent, Flavia, Brian and Kristina did a beautiful job, they all look great together. And Brendan made me laugh! I don't think that's ever happened before.

I didn't see that!! When did that happen? Perhaps that is why he appeared a bit demure.

Kelly's 'fella' was there in the audience. And seeing he's a rugby guy, Brian did the right thing.

LOL I put 'fella' because I couldn't remember his name, sorry! I'm more football than rugby. I think he plays for England too.

Stunty it was a kiss after training in a taxi I think that made it to the Sunday papers a couple of weeks ago.

I was a bit disappointed, mainly because it was yet more competition and neither the judges or Bruce came across as relaxed and up for a laugh. I realised by the end of it that I'd been yawning during parts of it (nothing to do with the over-stuffed belly, booze, or lack of fresh air all day. Of course not

The current celebs will have been tired, had enough of competing and it'd have been more fun to have just let them do show dances or whatever with no more 10 paddles being flashed about.

Maybe if they'd done more of Xmas Party style of show, we could have had some surprise guest/comedy dancing, group dances, or embarrass-the-judges-dance-routine etc. The latter idea I'd especially like.