SCD#4

[MoonriseKingdom]

New thread, boring title

Really dislike Tess's patronising ageism re Lesley today.

Thought Lesley handled it brilliantly.

Hate the way Tess holds contestants' hands - eg Claudia Fragipane. Yuk. They are not dolls or children, but people.

Back to school/work today so of course I'm checking Monkseal, the Guardian live blog and clicking on links. Shakes fist at self.

Rather, stops Basil Fawlty fist shaking, extends the top line, drops shoulders, elegantly finishes arm and hand extension - I think?

Enjoy these SCD threads just as much as the show.

Can a dancey person please explain the attraction/main points of the Cha Cha Chaaaah? After the Charleston it's my least favourite dance. I don't get it.

The Charleston is your least favourite dance? What?!!!!

I love the Charleston. Full of action and fun - it entertains me even though I'm not sure what's meant to go in one. I am now recognising steps that seem to be an integral part of it though.

I think rumba is at the bottom of my list as I don't understand it and it is often done poorly on strictly. Argentinian tango is down there too (that's the spikier one with all the leg waving isn't It?)

American Smooth and quickstep are up at the top, I quite enjoy watching a good waltz and the rest are in th middle somewhere.

I'm with you soup I love the Charleston and the quickstep. Don't understand the rumba or tango.
The choice of music is a make or break for me. Do you think the pros choose their own music?

Think Denise van Thingy's Egyptian horror put me off it Don't remember disliking it as much before that.

Do love an American Smooth.

Argentine Tangos usually suffer in my eyes as I often remember seeing Flavia & Vincent perform it first time she came on as a guest dancer. Stunning.

I like the strong, angry dances the best, but only if they're done well, the tango, paso and Argentine tango are all fab when done cleanly and with intent. If the dancers are rubbish but lovable then I usually prefer their salsa or charleston because they can be messy and still enjoyable.

I'm not that keen on the Charleston - it tends to be all bounce and funny faces, and no elegance. I love the quickstep, though, which sometimes has some Charleston steps thrown in but it's so much more fluid and graceful.

I always, without exception, ff the rhumba which I don't understand or enjoy. It just doesn't seem like a dance to me.

Quickstep, paso and jive are probably my favourites, but I do also enjoy the waltz and Viennese waltz when done well. I also have a strange liking for the lindyhop and I wish they'd do that more often - I'm not sufficiently educated to be able to tell the difference between lindyhop and jive, but the 40s music that they tend to use for lindyhopping is wonderful!

I don't think the charleston can be messy, it needs to be precise in the timing and mirroring, which daisy's wasn't. Just watched DVO's charleston back and it was pretty precise but there was too much Egyptian stuff in there to be a great charleston. I don't understand why it's so hard for celebrities to swivel, its not tricky at all compared to a lot of other steps they've learned.

I'm sad about Lesley but why was her tango so uninspiring? Was it Anton's fault? It seemed to be repetitive and a bit boring despite the music . "Whatever Lola Wants " is very old, from a musical isn't it?

I LOVED the group dance . I thought that Leanne had terrific voice. Blimey, hold me down!!!! a star is born !!!! Gorka is phenomena ll!!!!

Lucky Anast. ! He even gave her some fire!

Im usually a lurker on here but I was so sad to see Lesley go. I like Ed also because he gives it his all.

I really don't like Danny & Louise - they just seem to be going through the motions as far as I can see.

Back to lurking now.

I love the Charleston! Although it's not the sexiest or most graceful , it's bouncy, cheeky and full of energy. I took a few lessons a while ago and really enjoyed it, part of its appeal is that you don't need to look so serious.

Yes I like it too. I thought that it was the better dance let night. Though Daisy's hairstyle was a bit odd !

I love the Charleston when done well - so Sophie and Georgia are standouts. Hate the rumba, not that fussed on foxtrot or waltz. My favourite, though, is the quickstep.

I hate the slapstick type Charlestons, they are just awful, I have nightmares remembering Chris Hollins effort. Sophie and Brendan's Charleston is my absolute favourite, classy and controlled.

Argentine Tango and Ballroom Tango when done well and properly, unlike Ore's and Joanne's - ugh, are probably my favourite dances followed by Quickstep, American Smooth and Salsa.

I thought Joanne and Oti were the ballroom dancers in the group dance?

I thought the pro in the red skirt was Chloe? The spare female - AJ's usual partner.

That AT from DWTS was amazing - I missed the sound on the first bit and actually thought the female was the pro! Dancing in the rain always looks so good though

I LOVED Sophie andBrndans Charleston. I'm still gutted we didn't get to see it in the final because I think it would have been superb with all the extra experience. Watching it again I can see messy bits but it was only in the early weeks. It really suited her aloofness which is odd givenhow goofy the Charleston usually is on Strictly (and that is my only experience of the charleston!)

I can't help thinking the music is assigned to the couple by someone else. Some of it is dire.

I thought Lesley looked uncharacteristically stiff in her tango. She wasn't fluid when climbing on the table, it just looked awkward. Still miles better than I would have been!

I so wanted Sophie and Brendan to win that year, I think she brought out the best in him.

I always thought the professionals chose the music but comments made by them last year gave the impression that the music choice is selected by committee and you are right Soup some of the choices are absolutely dire and then couple that with the props and faffy storytelling it becomes even worse.

I forgot the Foxtrot in my favourite dances list when it is done well it is beautiful.

I thought they were undermarked throughout.

In yesterday's pro dance the two lovely ballroom ladies were Oti and Natalie. The three in the flappy skirts were Karen, Chloe and Katya, though I can't remember which colours they were all in. Karen was the lead flappy one. And I thought the wig looked terrible on Janette. Someone up thread mentioned that Chloe would have been better as Millie and I agree.

Or Jo... Although that could be literally anybody under that wig

I like tango and Argentine tango best but they need to be dark and fiery. Really miss Vincent and Flavia.

I also like Charleston a lot. Loved Georgia and Giovanni last year. Also liked Caroline Flack and Pasha, although might be because olive the song they performed to.

I find a lot of the Latin dances seem quite interchangeable. Probably just my lack of knowledge. Rumba is probably my least favourite dance. It maybe suffers the worst in the hands of the celebrities.

I don't mind/prefer any of the dances particularly - it depends who is doing them and how good they are. Worst thing in the world (nearly) is a bad paso....

All things being equal, I'd go for AT, and quick step. I remember the woman who used to shout "Rickyyyyyyyyy" on EastEnders doing a tango and she shimmied her bared shoulders in a rather pleasing manner..

Not seen ITT for a few years now. Zoe B really got on my tits (or rather pecs) with her gushingness and 'love you all' nonsense, and hero worship of the pros esp Ian Waite.

I did learn a lot of tap dance a few years ago - the shoes still wink at me now and then! It's bloody hard, sweaty work and no-one to hide behind. Would be fun to see some tap on Strictly, but it would be tres difficile to learn and practice anything in a week.

I would want to learn Tango, Paso, Salsa and Viennese. Rumba and traditional waltz my least favourite.
I am in the minority but thought Gleb's AT was just dire.
The pros used to have control over the music. Now producers have more say (acc to Tristan, Kristina, James). Pros can put forward songs they want. If another pro wants the same song I got the impression from Robin that the producers chose who got it.
On top of that are the songs/themes/props/vts foisted on them...and songs to do with slebs' names/occupation. Then you have slebs requesting their favourite songs for a routine. Finally the pros can steal an eliminee's future song if they prefer it to their own. Also as you can see on Ultimate Strictly Songs website, there has to be a certain amount of recycling each series as Dave Arch et all cannot be expected to learn a whole series' worth of songs from scratch.

Examples off the top of my head
Kevin chose his paso music with Susannah
Brendan chose his paso music with Kirsty
Artem had Killer Queen foisted on him
Tristan wanted Jump the line but was refused
Steve requested Use Somebody
Anita liked Take on me, hence that ''salsa"
Brendan took He's a tramp from evicted couple

There are more but I need