Strictly Come Dancing 2012

[Karsa Orlong]

I think I would find this easy if I were a man .. (Flavia or Natalie )

 

Natalie's way too tall for me Flavia, maybe.

 

Ola Or, going back a ways, Lilia

[chesilbeach]

I'm sure I heard somewhere that Colin only had to go back for some reshoots and additional scenes, and that the production team managed to get all his scenes crammed into two days which he went back for last week, so I don't think he'll need to go back. I believe that in the US, if you sign on for a pilot that you are contracted NOT to work on anything else in case the series gets optioned, so I don't think he would have been allowed to sign up to Strictly in that situation, it must be that he's finished shooting enough of his role to be able to fit in Strictly.

 

As for the question of who I'd dance with - like you Kay, if I were a man, I'd want to dance with Flavia, or Karen Hardy from the past, but as a woman, it's a no brainer for me, it would have to be Brendan. There's something about the way he dances and I think he's the best choreographer as well.

[Karsa Orlong]

I'm sure I heard somewhere that Colin only had to go back for some reshoots and additional scenes, and that the production team managed to get all his scenes crammed into two days which he went back for last week, so I don't think he'll need to go back. I believe that in the US, if you sign on for a pilot that you are contracted NOT to work on anything else in case the series gets optioned, so I don't think he would have been allowed to sign up to Strictly in that situation, it must be that he's finished shooting enough of his role to be able to fit in Strictly.

 

His character must get killed off pretty sharpish - I didn't trust him for a second

[poppyshake]

Ola Or, going back a ways, Lilia

Ola Schmola .. oh, you like all the one's I don't If you'd have thrown Camilla and Katya into the mix I'd say it was my all time toxic line-up.

 

Flavia, Natalie, Erin, Karen Hardy & Kristina .. that's who I'd choose. Aliona is still an undecided .. I didn't rate her much until Harry Judd .. then I thought she improved but didn't get to see her much this year. I'm not liking Karen Hauer but Iveta seems lovely.

[Karsa Orlong]

oh, you like all the one's I don't

 

That wouldn't be hard, you dislike so many

[poppyshake]

That wouldn't be hard, you dislike so many

Oi .. in my defence I do like more of them than I dislike .. just I know they're dancers and so posturing about and all that is part of it .. but I find it does depend on the posturer sometimes I see them nelly plodging around (and it's usually the women although sometimes the men) and I think 'you're barred'

 

There's only one dancer I don't like the personality of and that's Mr Jordan.

 

Had to laugh at Ian on ITT yesterday .. were his trousers spray-on? Seriously good show for drooling though .. at Pasha & Robin in particular but Vincent was also looking mighty fine. Were there any women on there? Actually Kimberley is very pretty .. she is quite Kyliesque. I was thinking it must be nice to get up in the morning, look in the mirror and be greeted with a face like hers .. I wonder if you can buy one on ebay

[poppyshake]

Okay .. after seeing today's ITT .. I'm liking Karen Hauer a little better. She, Erin & Nat are doing a good job at trying to motivate/encourage their partners. Artem on the other hand is not very encouraging to Fern .. there's an atmosphere between them and it's stemming from him. That training footage looked terrifying .. I wouldn't want to be Fern with him barking at me. I liked him with Kara but I guess he hit the jackpot there .. with Holly it wasn't so good at times and now he's positively fuming. I was right to think he'd be angry if he got me though I think I could skirt waft as well as Fern

 

That was a bit of an awkward interview with Sid .. hope he manages to pull it out of the bag on Saturday but the training footage didn't look good. Iveta seems like a sweetie though.

 

I'm liking the look and the thought of Kimberley's paso but on the whole I don't much like theme nights.

Edited October 25, 2012 by poppyshake

[Karsa Orlong]

Was there anything good after Ola's hotpants? I was totally oblivious to the rest of the show

[poppyshake]

That was a bit of a game of two halves the second half being much the better. Great improvement from Victoria and Michael and lovely from Louis and Kimberley. I sort of Liked Dani but not as much as last week, Sid was , Fern is sort of going through the motions, Nicky is improving and so is his partner .. I almost like her now

Those training VT's are embarrassing aren't they? .. even Molly put her paws over her eyes They're NOT training VT's they're cringeathons. First we have to endure the Brucie jokes and then the VT's. It's all I can do to keep my hand from the remote control at that point. They used to have proper VT's .. what happened?

Loved some of the costumes .. and make-up etc .. it must be great fun to dress up. And on the whole Dave Archer and his band didn't murder any songs .. well except maybe 'Killer Queen' .. Freddie they are not.

 

I do hope Michael is not in the bottom two again.

 

Was there anything good after Ola's hotpants? I was totally oblivious to the rest of the show

That was the one good thing about the performance .. Ola looked amazing .. when the great outfits come out you know the dance will be (quite literally) pants

[Ophelia]

Delighted for Michael, he looked so happy. Rather hoping that Sid departs 'tonight' . I agree with what others have said about the VTs.

[chesilbeach]

Natalie has definitely won me round this year, and I loved the improvement in both Michael's ballroom and with Victoria generally (when his celebrities have an ounce of dance ability, I find it hard to beat Brendan's ballroom choreography).

 

To be fair to Sid & Ola, I don't think Ola's heart was in it, and I thought when they were talking with Tess afterwards, she was trying hard to look happy and be positive. I do like Sid and before Ola was away, as a couple I enjoyed watching them on It Takes Two, but I think, understandably, Ola's head and heart are back in Poland at the moment.

 

Hated the song choice for Dani & Vincent, and felt that is was too weak to make a great cha cha cha, and coupled with them being first, it wasn't as good as their previous dances. Still think she's going to improve, and I want them to stay in the competition.

 

And doesn't everyone hate those cheesy VTs? I've never found anyone who likes them.

 

Hopefully, that's the last of the theme weeks and we can get back to proper dancing now, although I suspect the Wembley week will be OTT as well, and I'll grumble about that one too.

[karen.d]

Natalie has definitely won me round this year, and I loved the improvement in both Michael's ballroom and with Victoria generally (when his celebrities have an ounce of dance ability, I find it hard to beat Brendan's ballroom choreography).

 

To be fair to Sid & Ola, I don't think Ola's heart was in it, and I thought when they were talking with Tess afterwards, she was trying hard to look happy and be positive. I do like Sid and before Ola was away, as a couple I enjoyed watching them on It Takes Two, but I think, understandably, Ola's head and heart are back in Poland at the moment.

 

Hated the song choice for Dani & Vincent, and felt that is was too weak to make a great cha cha cha, and coupled with them being first, it wasn't as good as their previous dances. Still think she's going to improve, and I want them to stay in the competition.

 

And doesn't everyone hate those cheesy VTs? I've never found anyone who likes them.

 

 

I agree wholeheartedly on all of the points that you have raised. I think Michael vastly improved last night and I didn't feel as uneasy watching Victoria dance, as I normally do when she is dancing.

 

I also think that this week's song choice for Dani and Vincent was rubbish, although I have to say that the award for worst song to dance to was a few weeks ago, when Dani and Vincent had to dance to 'Mama Do The Hump'.....it was a terrible song! I know that the producers are trying to appeal to a younger audience (due to the fact that Dani is in a children's programme), but surely they could do better!?

 

You can't blame Ola's heart not being in the dance last night, her mum has been really ill. I think that it was brave of her to be there at all.

 

Oh a finally, those VT'S they're so cheesy!

[Ophelia]

I didn't know about Ola's mum. Hope she makes a full recovery soon

[poppyshake]

It was brave of Ola to continue but surely Iveta should have danced with Sid? She had trained with him all week and it just seemed odd for them not to dance together. Maybe Ola would have wanted to come back anyway (to see James) but I can't see why she danced. I think though that Sid has reached his potential .. he has got progressively worse every week and there's nowhere to go now. Even with Iveta I doubt it would have been much better. He seems as if he's switched off.

 

I felt really touched and quite emotional about Michael's improvement because he had been quite shockingly bad before .. I love Nat already though because she's good fun .. I can't see latin ever working for him though. Victoria had improved vastly and I think the routine suited her. I can understand this week why she was marked as high as Kimberley (and Michael) but feel she's been a bit lucky with the dances as she is much better in hold than out of it. If she had danced Kimberley's paso I think we would have seen a vast difference in ability between the two (I know I'm biased) .. still, Kimberley has had dance training and Victoria not (though she is getting plenty of the good stuff now) so that's understandable. Rather like Lisa getting a lot of the dances that suit her (though her charleston wasn't great) .. Victoria has fared pretty well with the latin dances. I could be wrong but I think a jive/charleston/salsa would test her to the max (if they came along soon). Brendan is indeed working wonders with her though and so who knows what might come of it and it'll be one of this years success stories because she really couldn't dance to begin with. Denise .. whilst not doing anything particularly wrong .. didn't shine as much as she normally does and I'm not even sure why .. she looked a bit uncomfortable with it that's all and James was testy (as usual).

 

Louis I really like (have I mentioned that before ), Flav knows how to get the best out of him. He does play a good zombie (some would say it's not far from reality .. but not me ) Their partnership improves every week. Dani and Vincent .. wrong song .. wrong theme .. wrong outfit .. and it was all a bit clumpy. First out is never easy and I think she was nervous .. it's only a minor blip though .. she can do better and she will. Should she find herself in the dance-off she'll be saved .. unless very unlucky.

 

I don't really see Fern and Artem going much further, Colin is not fulfilling potential, Nicky is improving (he's the sort of reverse of Sid), Richard wasn't bad but too much faffing around and not enough charleston from Lisa which is a shame cos she said it was her favourite dance. I don't want to blame Robin though .. I could never blame Robin for anything and anyway he's worked wonders with her.

 

Outfits of the evening .. Kimberley's and Victoria's (celebs) ... Ola's and Karen's (pro's)

[Karsa Orlong]

No more Ola Was Sid a bad dancer then? I never watched him Still, on the plus side, the dance off meant more hotpants

[poppyshake]

No more Ola Was Sid a bad dancer then? I never watched him Still, on the plus side, the dance off meant more hotpants

Awww .. she'll still be in the group dances I doubt Iveta would have looked as good in the hotpants .. good .. but not AS good. Sid may have lost but he got to dance with Ola in her pants .. most men on the planet would swap places .. although looking a bit of a tw*t on national TV does rather take the edge off Poor Sid .. I'm not surprised though .. he was bad and he seemed grumpy about it. Shame about Colin though .. hope he can improve.

[poppyshake]

Another week where the judges confused me with their scores. Louis & Victoria given the same mark from Craig?? .. I couldn't see it .. Victoria was struggling and totally unable to sell the dance (apart from the faffing about bits on the judges table) I swear I could see her counting her way through (nice dress though .. she looks good in anything). Samba is a horrid dance though .. I've hardly ever seen a good one. Nimble Kimble was totally able to sell her dance but then her experience with GA helps enormously with that. Denise looked and danced beautifully .. like we'd all want to if we could. Dani was brilliant .. jive totally suited her and Vincent. Richard bless him - a bit of a ****-up but I like the way he dealt with it. Colin & Kristina .. the height difference is too distracting (feel Erin should have had him.) Nicky .. well the Rumba is lousy if you're not a good hip swiveller and it's a totally embarassing dance for guys anyway (I remember Mark Ramprakash's wasn't good .. and he looked good doing anything), it turns out that boy band experience is not as useful as girl band. Nat & Michael I'm still enjoying. Didn't like Lisa & Robin's Tango much .. music seemed wrong and it's difficult for her to look serious and sharp. Artem was using some of Ola's tactics (and it totally worked .. I didn't notice what Fern was up to at all )

 

This year I'll be writing to Father Christmas and asking him to make me look like Kimberley in her salsa outfit (he can do wishes right?) .. just for one day ... mind you where I'd go on that one day I don't know. I could sashay around Waitrose I suppose .. I'd better take a cardi with me though

[chesilbeach]

I agree that it was another odd week for scoring! I'm sure Craig will be asked to justify that on It Takes Two tomorrow night

 

I didn't think there was enough salsa content in Kimberley & Pasha's routine, and agree about Lisa's tango music being totally unsuitable. I don't think Richard covered at all for forgetting his steps but at least Erin managed to keep him moving around the dancefloor. Loved Denise & James, although when I first watched it I thought she'd missed a couple of heel leads, but watching it again, I can't see it again. Like you said, Kay, samba is rarely any good - I can only remember a few that I thought were great, and Victoria looked uncomfortable all the way through, but I thought Louis did a reasonable job, although I would have said 7 was a reasonable score for him. I'm not sure what it is about Colin that isn't quite working for me, but I thought his foxtrot was ok, but nothing more. Nicky looked like he was trying not to laugh all the way through his rumba, but at least he can put it behind him now. Fern may have picked up some good tips from the flamenco dancer in the training video, but it looked like she forgot them all in the main show, and she didn't use the floor at all, so it was all a bit floaty with no assertion in her performance at all. Natalie certainly knows how to get the best out of a ballroom routine, and I loved their foxtrot too, although Michael needs to keep more upright in some of the steps and lines. Dani was a joy to watch, and my dance of the night, although she still looks at the floor occasionally and she still needs work on arm placement.

[karen.d]

 

This year I'll be writing to Father Christmas and asking him to make me look like Kimberley in her salsa outfit (he can do wishes right?) .. just for one day ... mind you where I'd go on that one day I don't know. I could sashay around Waitrose I suppose .. I'd better take a cardi with me though

 

Same here! Has anyone been watching 'It Takes Two' lately? I like the section where people with different professions go to work in 'Strictly' costumes. Today a lady plumber was fixing a sink in a very short sparkly number.....not very practical!

[chesilbeach]

I watch ITT religiously, karen! I don't mind the different professions wearing the SCD outfits, but I could do without the fashion section generally - Michael & Natalie only got 5 mins compared to 10 discussing the fashions from last weekend, and I wish Julien would stop squealing, screeching and being generally SO LOUD!!!!

[poppyshake]

Yes, I love ITT too (though slightly prefer Claudia to Zoe) but you're right Claire they don't give the couples enough time and there are too many bits that are a waste of time. I'm all for wearing a SCD outfit to work though Even Ian gets on my nerves and he's always been a fave (and I hate Karen Hardy's intro VT .. cringe .. why would they do that to such a fab woman?). I think it's the format though .. they want it to be more light hearted while I want to know about the couples and the dances.

[Karsa Orlong]

Yes, I love ITT too (though slightly prefer Claudia to Zoe)

 

I think Zoe's made it her own - I didn't think I'd like her at first, but now I much prefer her, and I'm glad they haven't given the job back to CW.

[poppyshake]

I think Zoe's made it her own - I didn't think I'd like her at first, but now I much prefer her, and I'm glad they haven't given the job back to CW.

Well that's your opinion and you're entitled to it .. I suppose Last year I liked Zoe on ITT very much but this year she's got a bit more confident and that means shouty. Anyway it's only a slight preference .. I feel Claudia was a little less manic .. though not much.

Zoe is the much better dancer though but I do miss laughing at Claudia & Len and her 'will she break her neck' shoes.

[Karsa Orlong]

Well that's your opinion and you're entitled to it .. I suppose

 

 

Who are you and what have you done with the real poppyshake??

[poppyshake]

Who are you and what have you done with the real poppyshake??

Oh dear - am I that opinionated? (don't answer )

 

Having watched ITT tonight Zoe irritated me even more .. it's almost descending into farce now (not totally her fault I know but she is so loud). I liked her last year cos she was so sort of touchingly naive about it all .. and quieter. She's very competent though .. there are no awkward bits or anything but then there isn't room .. it's the most manic half hour .. and some of the VT's make my toes curl and it looks like the pro/celeb's toes curl too (and that's not going to help the dancing is it?) I did laugh plenty at Louis's impressions of the pro's doing latin though (and Flavia's cry of 'not Anton' .. 'anyone but Anton' )

 

Dances this week .. Louis & Flav get a waltz .. lovely dance but it's a bit hard to get the wow factor in there, unless you do a brilliant one it can be forgettable. Michael's salsa .. this is going to be all sorts of bad isn't it? .. awww I'm feeling for him already, Fern also has a salsa .. might need to hide behind a cushion for that one (that frock they put her in last week? they should be shot ), Denise looks like she's getting on well with the paso, Kimberley's run through of the VWaltz didn't look that brilliant, Victoria's run through of the quickstep looked worse but it's early days and she's better in hold, Richard has got a charleston .. should be fun and up his street, Dani has a tango .. not sure .. always think tango suits tall people but she's sparky and he's the tango king, Lisa is doing the foxtrot .. think that might be ok and Nicky is also doing the foxtrot .. think that might not be ok .. he's a trier though.

If I was the meercat or whatever it is I'd probably go for Denise again to get top marks or poss Louis.