Strictly Come Dancing 2012

[Janet]

Karen Hardy. Yuk, yuk, yuk!

[poppyshake]

Now I like Karen Hardy very much, but I hated the piece she (and Ian but especially Karen) did on the charleston, I know it called for it to be goofy but it was annoying .. or I was annoyed (I always forget that other people aren't as intolerant as me ) and I hate the intro to 'choreography corner' as well. ITT is making me lose patience (I didn't have much in the first place to be fair) with a lot of people I formally liked. It's the format I think .. so manic.

 

I thought everyone looked pretty good in training, it could be a good week as I said before and now that I've seen a bit of Lisa & Robin's Rumba .. I'm thinking it might be quite good (I thought that about Nicky's jive last week though and it went pear shaped.) Back in the studio though so far, far, better. We might even be able to see the dances properly. Please don't let them be doing cheesey VT's. Wouldn't be at all surprised if a big name goes this week .. a contender. I think Vicky has a lot of support and we know that Michael does (cos it's us ) Nicky may get the bounce-back vote so the rest .. bar Louis (crossing fingers and saying prayers) may be battling it out. It's getting to the interesting and nail biting stages.

 

'When Doves Cry' is an interesting choice for a tango .. love the song but will it work? and Dave Archer and the band are not Prince are they? could be a disaster. 'Single Ladies' I like too and also 'Imagine' but to an American Smooth? Very odd choices this year.

[chesilbeach]

Now I like Karen Hardy very much, but I hated the piece she (and Ian but especially Karen) did on the charleston, I know it called for it to be goofy but it was annoying .. or I was annoyed (I always forget that other people aren't as intolerant as me ) and I hate the intro to 'choreography corner' as well. ITT is making me lose patience (I didn't have much in the first place to be fair) with a lot of people I formally liked. It's the format I think .. so manic.

 

I love Karen Hardy, when she was competing, she was my favourite of the professionals, and I appreciate the fact that she knows what she's talking about from a technical point of view, but I totally agree about the Charleston skit tonight. The problem is that neither Karen nor Ian are ACTORS and were struggling to deliver the lines (not sure if was done via autocue, cue cards or from memory, but it just didn't work. As it was a black & white 20s feel, I have no idea why they didn't do it as a silent movie type skit with a voiceover or the text inserts you get for those films.

 

With regards to ITT generally, I'm hating the Julien MacDonald fashion review on Tuesdays (need to hit the volume button as soon as he appers to prevent my eardrums bursting) and I'm a bit peeved at the stats section with Russell Grant, but then that's probably because apart from the training hours, all the other stuff is on my website already, so they're not telling me anything new. Although I like Zoe, I'm missing Claudia more this year than I did last year, and would love to see her back, but I don't think that's likely to happen unfortunately.

 

'When Doves Cry' is an interesting choice for a tango .. love the song but will it work? and Dave Archer and the band are not Prince are they? could be a disaster. 'Single Ladies' I like too and also 'Imagine' but to an American Smooth? Very odd choices this year.

 

Vincent used When Doves Cry for the Argentine Tango with Rachel Stevens a few years ago, and I was worried about it before I saw the routine, but it ended up being my favourite of all her dances, and worked really well with a dramatic feel to it, so I think it'll be fine. Looking at the training footage, I think Single Ladies will be fine, and it looks like apart from the Beyonce step we saw in the clip, the bulk of the routine is full of proper samba steps, so I'm not too worried about it (and I can't help but remember that I was against using Crazy in Love for a cha cha cha, and Alesha & Matt absolutely stormed it!). On the other hand, I just can't see Imagine working for an American Smooth, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

[poppyshake]

With regards to ITT generally, I'm hating the Julien MacDonald fashion review on Tuesdays (need to hit the volume button as soon as he appers to prevent my eardrums bursting) and I'm a bit peeved at the stats section with Russell Grant, but then that's probably because apart from the training hours, all the other stuff is on my website already, so they're not telling me anything new. Although I like Zoe, I'm missing Claudia more this year than I did last year, and would love to see her back, but I don't think that's likely to happen unfortunately.

Lol, I wouldn't mind betting they get most of their info from your website Claire Yes, Julien McDonald .. he makes me want to stick pins in my eyes Zoe was better last year in my opinion, and how terrible as Friday panellists were Il Divo? they didn't know about anyone really, they weren't fans of the show whatever they said, quite uncomfortable when they were asked about who they thought was going to lift the glitterball (errrm .. the one wearing the lycra ) Brendan wasn't very happy with them as guests according to Twitter (he's in his 'say what you're thinking' stage now .. all pretence at enjoyment has flown ) Loved it last week with Richard Osman and Alexander Armstrong (though Biggins .. no!) and love it when they get real Strictly buffs like Marian Keyes or Miranda or past contestants (though not rubbish ones .. can't be listening to Fiona Phillips for example).

Vincent used When Doves Cry for the Argentine Tango with Rachel Stevens a few years ago, and I was worried about it before I saw the routine, but it ended up being my favourite of all her dances, and worked really well with a dramatic feel to it, so I think it'll be fine. Looking at the training footage, I think Single Ladies will be fine, and it looks like apart from the Beyonce step we saw in the clip, the bulk of the routine is full of proper samba steps, so I'm not too worried about it (and I can't help but remember that I was against using Crazy in Love for a cha cha cha, and Alesha & Matt absolutely stormed it!). On the other hand, I just can't see Imagine working for an American Smooth, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

Ahhh interesting, I hardly ever remember the music to past dances, unless they were particular faves. Oh well, the band will have had practice at it and that's always good. I never forget their version of 'Reach Out & Touch' which sounded like the lady was giving birth .. it was supposed to be a waltz or something too .. spoilt the romance a bit Yep, Dani should be good going on the footage and she probably likes a bit of old Beyonce so that will help with the bouncing. I don't know the Robbie Williams song, it's a new one on me. 'Imagine' seems an odd choice but Zoe said it was a different version so it may be like 'Walk Like an Egyptian' which I thought a no-no for the charleston but was a different arrangement and worked ok.

 

Not long now, I always feel a bit nervous around this time so I can't imagine how they feel. Hope wardrobe have been kind

[chesilbeach]

Lol, I wouldn't mind betting they get most of their info from your website Claire Yes, Julien McDonald .. he makes me want to stick pins in my eyes Zoe was better last year in my opinion, and how terrible as Friday panellists were Il Divo? they didn't know about anyone really, they weren't fans of the show whatever they said, quite uncomfortable when they were asked about who they thought was going to lift the glitterball (errrm .. the one wearing the lycra ) Brendan wasn't very happy with them as guests according to Twitter (he's in his 'say what you're thinking' stage now .. all pretence at enjoyment has flown ) Loved it last week with Richard Osman and Alexander Armstrong (though Biggins .. no!) and love it when they get real Strictly buffs like Marian Keyes or Miranda or past contestants (though not rubbish ones .. can't be listening to Fiona Phillips for example).

 

I'm not saying they do get it from my website, but last week I did a blog post about 10s and the stats section from Russell did have a lot of info that looked remarkably similar to the tables I've got set up on the website, but then, it's the same information that they would have, so I can't say they're copying I did, however, spot a mistake in their own blog post about the 10s, and tweeted them about it, but they haven't changed their mistake or replied.

 

I totally agree about the Friday panel - nothing worse than people who've not seen a single show in the series Would love to see Marian Keyes back again (although she won't have Lilia to fawn over anymore ) and adore Miranda on it too. Other favourites from this series I'd like to see back are Vernon Kay, Rufus Hound, Mel Geidroyc, Sarah Millican and the two Pointless guys - all people who genuinely watch the programme and can discuss with relevant references, but entertaining too.

 

Ahhh interesting, I hardly ever remember the music to past dances, unless they were particular faves. Oh well, the band will have had practice at it and that's always good. I never forget their version of 'Reach Out & Touch' which sounded like the lady was giving birth ... it was supposed to be a waltz or something too .. spoilt the romance a bit Yep, Dani should be good going on the footage and she probably likes a bit of old Beyonce so that will help with the bouncing. I don't know the Robbie Williams song, it's a new one on me. 'Imagine' seems an odd choice but Zoe said it was a different version so it may be like 'Walk Like an Egyptian' which I thought a no-no for the charleston but was a different arrangement and worked ok.

 

Not long now, I always feel a bit nervous around this time so I can't imagine how they feel. Hope wardrobe have been kind

One of the pitfalls of having the website is that I spend far too much time looking at old series and spreadsheets full of dance information, and I have one of those memories that is useless at remembering stuff I NEED but brilliant at remembering absolute trivial rubbish, so when I see the song choices, I can usually immediately remember if they've been used before but, yes, not worried about Kimberley's or Dani's songs, but still can't see Denise's working.

 

I've been rewatching series 3 this afternoon to be able to add some more information to the website, and gave me an opportunity to remind myself of some of the great dances of that series - Darren & Lilia's foxtrot and paso, Zoe & Ian's samba and tango, Colin & Erin's quickstep and American Smooth, Patsy & Anton's tango even Bill & Karen's cha cha cha! Plus, it was the first time we saw the Argentine Tango in a group dance, and Vincent & Flavia's first ever demo which was just breathtaking. I've had a great afternoon!

[poppyshake]

You've had a better afternoon than evening Claire I imagine That was all a bit more pants that I was expecting, though my hopes were high so there was nowhere to go but down. There were highlights but it seemed a bit .. flat not to say disastrous in some cases and just plain 'not good enough'.

Oh dear, oh dear, someone good is going to go I just know it .. it'll be K... Ki.... no, I can't bring myself to say it

 

If you are voting for Victoria Steve I will hunt you down and whack you with a bicycle pump her dance was a shocker but, though I thought they were spot on, the judges were quite brutal and that usually gets people voting.

 

I only liked Dani (wasn't always sure but liked a lot of it), Kimberley (but the pout was a bit odd and the upswept hair drew attention to posture and slightly wobbly head) and Denise (but I do prefer an old fashioned American Smooth). It pains me to say it but I didn't like Louis and Flavia's dance much ... there is something not quite there performance wise (wish they could bottle some of his training room spark). Judges scores for Nicky though surely a bit too generous. K.. Ki .. Kim will be in trouble if she meets him in the dance-off. Sadly Natalie wasn't able to turn Michael into a gaucho and Lisa's dance fell a bit flat, it was ok, but not right in places. I liked her hair and dress though (I'd give points for that).

Victoria .. even if you gave a faint approximisation of a dance you did whilst going out on the razz last Saturday, you probably could have made it look more like a party than she did. The lifts were ok, otherwise it was as bad as her week one (I thought that was better actually apart from the bit where she forgot and the dodgy opening spin). Brendan is almost pleading not to be saved, I'm almost tempted to throw them a vote but the lines are closed now.

 

Of course, it goes without saying, that I could have done ALL the dances much better and my music choices would be impeccable and my costumes would be gorgeous spotty

[poppyshake]

I may have been a bit harsh on Louis, I just watched it back and liked the cape swirling and all of the stuff out of hold, lovely arm shapes as well and great musicality because he punctuated all the right notes. Hope he's safe Didn't like Flav's dress though .. two in a row! Kimberley's was gorgeous though I thought Vicky wardrobe had said it would be white?

[poppyshake]

Victoria .. even if you gave a faint approximisation of a dance you did whilst going out on the razz last Saturday, you probably could have made it look more like a party than she did. T

I do believe I've made a word up I wonder what my tally is this year?

[chesilbeach]

A bit of a disappointing week for me. I saw someone on twitter say that the top scores were a bit overmarked and the lowest scorers were a bit harshly judged, and I think this sums it up for me too.

 

I love Dani, but she still feels a bit too much of a learner - does all the steps well, tries to perform it, but it's not quite coming together in this samba. I felt like I could still see her "thinking" about what the step was, where her arms/hands should be, remember to smile at the audience. I wish she'd just look at Vincent and dance with and for him, and forget about the audience, and I think she might look a bit more natural then.

 

Kimberley was much better this week, but she suffers a bit from what we call the "Emma Buntons" in our house - the desperate face pulling to try and portray the character of the dance which resulted in the pout this week. But, her ballroom technique was much better, although you could see when she went wrong even if the camera wasn't showing her footwork at the time, as she suddenly looked at Pasha instead of keeping her head placement where it should have been. I did enjoy it though, and I think she's improving now and wouldn't want to see her go just yet. Wonder what happened to the white dress they described on It Takes Two in the week?

 

Victoria deserved her bottom place this week, and even OH (who is a big fan of hers) had to admit it's probably her time to go now, and even though he did say "maybe one more week?" it was a bit half hearted. Hated her dress too, and don't think it did her any favours.

 

The judges were far too harsh on Louis this week, too much focus on the negative again. I thought he had good content, got the shaping and lines right, and for me, it was a problem with the music not matching the dance. Yes, it could have had a bit more attack, but a 6 Craig? Really? I'm not a fan of the rumba, and another odd song choice, so Lisa was ok, but instantly forgettable to me, while Michael did a pretty good job, and probably like Louis a bit harshly marked (absolutely loved Nat's hair though ). Would not like to see any of them go this week.

 

The charleston is one of my bugbears with the last few series - I don't think it fits with Strictly. It would be fine as a group dance for a bit of filler and a bit of fun, but I find it hard to judge it against other dances because it has so little technique, it's more about choreography and performance, and I often think if the celebs can master the swivel in the ankle and remember to include the funny faces, they'll automatically get high marks, which when compared to the technique shown in a samba or a paso doble, seems unfair to me. Nicky did fine, and it was entertaining.

 

Another odd song choice for an American Smooth, but Denise danced it beautifully, it was just not my cup of tea, but I know that's my fault for being a traditionalist and wanting a Cole Porter/Irving Berlin type number and a bit more Hollywood.

 

You're right though Kay, I had a very enjoyable afternoon watching old series 3 dances, and I'm moving onto series 4 today and that was probably my favourite series ever - come on Ramps!

Edited November 25, 2012 by chesilbeach

[Booknutt]

It's not difficult to see that the judges thought it was time for Lisa to exit on Saturday night. It's possible to assess a performance without being so harsh.

Maybe she' not "winner" material - but I thought her performance was very good, and she didn't deserve that humiliation.

[Karsa Orlong]

If you are voting for Victoria Steve I will hunt you down and whack you with a bicycle pump her dance was a shocker but, though I thought they were spot on, the judges were quite brutal and that usually gets people voting.

 

Why the feck would I vote for Victoria? She's awful . . . and distinctly odd. Thanks for jumping to conclusions, though! Unlike some of the viewers (as seems to be the case every year), I vote for the dancing, not the person involved

 

The only dances I liked last night were Dani and Kimberley. I thought Nicky did alright, too. Louis deserved the comments he got - the dance was very average and he looked constipated as always. Denise was very good, as usual, but, at the moment, I would like to see Dani and Vincent win. Everyone else seems to have reached their peak already, but she seems to me to be improving all the time.

[poppyshake]

Why the feck would I vote for Victoria? She's awful . . . and distinctly odd. Thanks for jumping to conclusions, though! Unlike some of the viewers (as seems to be the case every year), I vote for the dancing, not the person involved

Oh ... sorry , I think I was misled by your Victoria Pendleton posts in the Olympic thread, not that I want to put all men in one basket or anything but they do sometimes overlook the dancing when it comes to gorgeous women .. Claire has proved my point on that one. Mind you Alan thinks the same as you but then he's thought she's odd for some time so he didn't have 'previous' I can't apologise enough, I would promise not to p*ss you off for the rest of the year but I'm pretty sure I'd fail. I'll dust your bookblog regularly .. how about that?

The only dances I liked last night were Dani and Kimberley. I thought Nicky did alright, too. Louis deserved the comments he got - the dance was very average and he looked constipated as always. Denise was very good, as usual, but, at the moment, I would like to see Dani and Vincent win. Everyone else seems to have reached their peak already, but she seems to me to be improving all the time.

Kimble looked good, I agree with Claire that the pout was odd but I think that was so she didn't laugh. Such a lovely dress and I can't begin to tell you how important that is .. did you vote for that dress Steve, because I know I did Dani I liked but when I watched it back I only liked her Beyonce moves, the actual samba moves I didn't think were that great or she looked like she was concentrating and not giving it the oomph that Kimberley gave it last week but the Beyonce moves were mighty fine. No problems with her marks but couldn't see why she was given extra to Kimberley because to me they both had equal plus and minus points. Louis I have to agree about, he doesn't get the emotion across enough .. I really, really want him too though. The charleston suited Nicky and it was a fun dance (and equal to Chris Hollins' so I've no problem with people raving about it) but his high marks mean that people like Kimberley or Louis would lose out to him in a dance-off and that would be madness going on previous dances. I will be chewing my sequins off later. Michael wasn't quite as good as I hoped he'd be but tough ask .. the ATango is one where you must look sharp or it's not convincing. I think he is miles better than he was and that's great. I don't need to re-iterate my views on Denise, lovely dancing but I can't get excited about it (still she most definitely deserves to get to the final and will) Victoria is just wooden, I don't think it's a confidence issue because she is not too bad when standing still and dancing, she gives it plenty of attitude then (on steps and on judges table) but get her to move as well and it all goes out the window. Lisa is good and she brings to the performance what Louis can't (and he brings to the performance what she can't) .. the rumba is not a fave of mine and she was better than I thought but some of it looked cumbersome (what's that leaning back rumba move? .. I hate that anyway and here it looked awful).

 

The judges are a mystery this year, either sour as lemons or over-excited as fizzy coke and with a few arguments thrown in .. really tedious.

 

I know what you mean about 'Emma Buntons' Claire but don't find it with Kimberley. I'm drawn to the quieter people though as long as they're not so quiet they disappear and as long as I can see they have a sense of humour. I do tend to like the ones everyone else says 'meh' about

[poppyshake]

Victoria deserved her bottom place this week, and even OH (who is a big fan of hers) had to admit it's probably her time to go now, and even though he did say "maybe one more week?" it was a bit half hearted. Hated her dress too, and don't think it did her any favours.

This actually should be punishable by law .. how is it possible to make Victoria look awful? they do it with Flavia and others as well. No wonder Jerry brought her own in from home .. she was right, it was much better than anything they would have given her.

The charleston is one of my bugbears with the last few series - I don't think it fits with Strictly. It would be fine as a group dance for a bit of filler and a bit of fun, but I find it hard to judge it against other dances because it has so little technique, it's more about choreography and performance, and I often think if the celebs can master the swivel in the ankle and remember to include the funny faces, they'll automatically get high marks, which when compared to the technique shown in a samba or a paso doble, seems unfair to me. Nicky did fine, and it was entertaining.

I agree, pull some faces, charge about like a loon and smack someone's bottom .. even I could do that (and regularly do ) It seems unfair to judge it against the other dances. Have a group thing like you say, it wasn't so bad when roughly half of them had to do it (against what was it? Lindyhop or something?) and then roles reversed but just one or two doesn't seem right. It's always going to be a vote puller and a judge pleaser (though I've just remembered Widdy's ) and so it gives those that do it an advantage. Half the time they don't get the swivel right even and they still get high marks

You're right though Kay, I had a very enjoyable afternoon watching old series 3 dances, and I'm moving onto series 4 today and that was probably my favourite series ever - come on Ramps!

Watching Mark Ramprakash dance is like watching Mr Darcey come out of that river .. very, very good in other words but, as Arlene said, the boy could dance.

 

Not long now

[Janet]

What the heck is Tess wearing?!! Weird.

 

I hope Victoria goes tonight. I'll be gutted if it's Michael!

[Janet]

I'm encouraged by Victoria's dance - she's fluffed more steps than she did yesterday! COME ON, Michael!

 

ETA: Yesssssssssssssssssssssss!

Edited November 25, 2012 by Janet

[poppyshake]

Phew .. I thought Michael was a gonner .. until they called Victoria

It was her chance to really let go but she didn't, it was probably worse than her earlier one, I didn't think Michael's posture was right but it's such a difficult dance and he lives to fight another day (hooray). His remaining dances look hideous though and he's bound to get a latin (paso rumba or samba ) Actually the paso might be a good one for him. A samba I think will be car crash (practically everybody's .. especially the males .. is)

Back on the charleston, it's Louis' dance next week and so he should be safely through. Ballroom for Dani I hear so possibly a VW or an American Smooth, Kimble is bound to get a latin .. so jive maybe or the dreaded rumba (totally guessing) Nicky must be ballroom (or is the charleston considered ballroom?) Lisa might get an Argentine tango or an American smooth and Denise has the rumba, salsa or samba.

[chesilbeach]

Louis is Charleston as he said on the results show, and Nicky's got Argentine Tango next week, but not sure about anyone else yet.

[poppyshake]

Louis is Charleston as he said on the results show, and Nicky's got Argentine Tango next week, but not sure about anyone else yet.

That might suit Nicky because he's quite good when given a character, I don't think his footwork will be suitably sharp but think he can get the gaucho going anyway. Louis should be fine, I wonder what the music will be?

I'm not sure I like Karen Hauer as a dancer .. but then I didn't like Aliona until Harry (it may have been that I just liked Harry though ) and I wasn't keen on Kristina at first.

[chesilbeach]

I'm on the fence about Karen at the moment, I think I need to see her dance with someone else if she's back next year.

 

Just seen James say that he and Denise have salsa this week.

[Karsa Orlong]

Oh ... sorry , I think I was misled by your Victoria Pendleton posts in the Olympic thread, not that I want to put all men in one basket or anything but they do sometimes overlook the dancing when it comes to gorgeous women ..

 

Oh I backed her all the way in the Olympics, for sure, and she is naturally pretty, but I wouldn't vote for her just for that reason. Heck, if I voted for the dancers just based on their looks I'd still be voting for Kelly Brook every year

 

 

I can't apologise enough, I would promise not to p*ss you off for the rest of the year but I'm pretty sure I'd fail. I'll dust your bookblog regularly .. how about that?

 

You'd have to touch sf and fantasy books . . . might make you ill, can't have that

 

 

Kimble looked good, I agree with Claire that the pout was odd but I think that was so she didn't laugh. Such a lovely dress and I can't begin to tell you how important that is .. did you vote for that dress Steve, because I know I did

 

Um, no . . . and what the hell did they do to her hair??

 

Louis I have to agree about, he doesn't get the emotion across enough .. I really, really want him too though.

 

That's why I agreed with the judges - he's got all the moves, now he just needs to perform. His biggest problem, for me, though is that I spend more time watching Flavia than I do watching him

 

 

The judges are a mystery this year, either sour as lemons or over-excited as fizzy coke and with a few arguments thrown in .. really tedious

 

Why is that a mystery? They seem like that every year, to me

[poppyshake]

I'm on the fence about Karen at the moment, I think I need to see her dance with someone else if she's back next year.

I agree and it's rare that I like a new dancer straight away .. because I HATE CHANGE I liked Nat from the start though and Pasha because, well, it would be like kicking a puppy otherwise.

Just seen James say that he and Denise have salsa this week.

Interesting, I've heard he's chosen not to samba (maybe just rumour) .. can't say I blame him if so, they should all choose not to samba imo .. or rumba .. though when anyone gets either right it's sensational .. it's just few do (both high cringe factor dances for male celebs anyway). Of course no samba's or rumba's would be a bit of a disaster in terms of variety.

Oh I backed her all the way in the Olympics, for sure, and she is naturally pretty, but I wouldn't vote for her just for that reason. Heck, if I voted for the dancers just based on their looks I'd still be voting for Kelly Brook every year

Oh but Kelly was a good dancer so you had camouflage there

You'd have to touch sf and fantasy books . . . might make you ill, can't have that

I'll wear my mask, goggles and gloves .. that should do it.

Um, no . . . and what the hell did they do to her hair??

Have to agree the hair was wrong, it made her head wobble It looked so much better scraped back in practice, you need scraped back hair for a tango. That hairstyle looked more American smooth. I think the hair lost her points but then the dress gained points but .. though I loved it .. and enough couldn't be said about me wanting to be able to fit into it and look as good and wear it to all my Christmas engagements even though it would be the most unsuitable thing ever to wear for Christmas dinner with my family (think bear pit ) it wasn't tangoish enough .. it was too floaty. Something tight, possibly red or black with red showy bits, with a slit and scraped back hair and she would've got all nines. Vicky Wardrobe is rubbish. It's not even the dress she said Kimberley would be wearing .. that was white (for a tango???) I imagine Kimberley must have said something like 'are you having a laugh Vicky Wardrobe .. start again'

That's why I agreed with the judges - he's got all the moves, now he just needs to perform. His biggest problem, for me, though is that I spend more time watching Flavia than I do watching him

A perennial problem for anyone dancing with Flav

Why is that a mystery? They seem like that every year, to me

Well they are of course but, it seems to me, they've gone large this year. They've tip-toed around some contestants .. Victoria for instance .. even this week Len & Darcey avoided saying the obvious and Lisa as well but then hammer down on Louis and say things which are more likely to inhibit then encourage.

[Karsa Orlong]

Well they are of course but, it seems to me, they've gone large this year. They've tip-toed around some contestants .. Victoria for instance .. even this week Len & Darcey avoided saying the obvious and Lisa as well but then hammer down on Louis and say things which are more likely to inhibit then encourage.

 

Hmm, yeah, I've noticed everyone tip-toeing around Pendles - they obviously realised how emotionally fragile she is. Not that it's any excuse. I thought all along that Brenda should have been tougher with her - but he seems to have become a big softie since Kelly kicked him into shape a few years ago

[poppyshake]

Hmm, yeah, I've noticed everyone tip-toeing around Pendles - they obviously realised how emotionally fragile she is. Not that it's any excuse. I thought all along that Brenda should have been tougher with her - but he seems to have become a big softie since Kelly kicked him into shape a few years ago

Brenda's hormones are all over the place He sort of went from indulging her to being a bit exasperated and there was no in-between .. or none that we saw I should say but it's very difficult because she is likely to have a meltdown if you get really tough with her and you would feel a bit mean. Jo Wood was hopeless but he was pretty good with her, I think she was fun and Victoria's not fun .. she laughs a lot but it's the sort of mad-eyed .. 'if you push me I'll become hysterical' .. sort of laughter .. very hard to deal with. All credit to her for finding something she COULD excel at in life .. although that gave her meltdowns too.

I can't talk because I'm the sort of person whose feelings run high but ole Pendles could give even me a run for my money in the 'mad woman' stakes and in anycase I try not to put myself into places and situations where it's likely to be exacerbated. Still, she's pushing herself and all credit for that. Brendan needs a nice long lie down now in a darkened room before the baby comes and ruins the rest of his sleep/life

[Karsa Orlong]

ole Pendles could give even me a run for my money in the 'mad woman' stakes

 

Dear Lord, that's scary

 

Is it worth taking bets on whether or not Pendles cries on ITT tonight?

[poppyshake]

I don't think she did but it was a close call. Brendan did .. with relief