SCD#5!!!!

[HeadlessHorsemad]

Here!

On week one Alex went on about 'what an honour' it was to be on strictly, in a really fake looking way. However she dies sometimes produce some really watchable dances, so I'll forgive her.

Debbie to win though!

Was Anton meant to trip and fall at the end of their routine? And was Ruth meant to lie on top of him? Or was it all an accident/mistake/improvised? (I don't know Victor/Victoria so can't tell how much of that might have been referencing it).

I want someone who knows about dance to come on here and explain why Debbie's tango was so amazing. Maybe it was just the atrocious song, but I didn't get it at all. I thought she was 'bobbling' about rather than stalking the floor; her head kept bobbing.

I dislike Alexandra not because she's a strong, confident, successful, outspoken black woman but because she's a ringer. As are Debbie and Aston. I don't know which if any of them are the biggest ringer; I think they're all about the same. Recent West End experience and/or intensive stage training are equal to rigorous ballet training years ago, followed by some time as a jobbing dancer and a long career in the physically demanding role of magician's assistant IMO.

I've just rewatched Mark and Karen's salsa (fab). But more stunning is the dress Tess was wearing in the Tessatorium (or whatever we called it). How has she gone from that to the horrors of the last few seasons?

I note that the criticisms Aston is getting are actually V similar to the criticisms Peter Andre (yes, I know you have all tried to forget, lol) was getting. Basically that he was too "club" in every dance.

Aston is a terrific dancer, but he's really struggling to be versatile. In every dance his shoulders are popping and he literally jumps from one step to another.

Whereas there are people who haven't the natural talent (Davood) who are proving to be surprisingly versatile. They are like blank slates and have nothing to undo.

Just watched Davood - thank you Nadia for not making it all about yourself - it was lovely

Also - all the judges definitely hold Aston to a higher standard - he may be a bit club and you are right he is a brilliant dancer. Debbie is always ballet dancer with her leg in the air and stiff hips but the judges don't complain about that

I think that the fact Johnny has 1 and a half legs must affect his hips and poss. the amount of pain he feels

Having see some of the more energetic dances he has done, it seems unlikely. I have been truly amazed at some of the things he has done.

Of course, no one of us know and can only comment on what we see and what the judges have mentioned (personally I suspect they've been briefed on the things not to pick him up on)

I also watch Jay and Aliona's tango back sometimes - I love that performance. Also have a look at Kara Tointon's tango and also her beautiful beautiful Viennese Waltz - my favourite SCD dance ever.

I think it's clearer this year that the judges have their most definite favourite - Debbie - who is consistently marked highly and fawned over. That worshipping thing by Craig was just awful and cringeworthy.

I do get that they're trying to mix up the people who have danced a bit with the total novices. I still don't think people who have had a lot of dance experience like Debbie, Alexandra and Aston should be on the show. And non-dancers doesn't have to mean a dreadful show, I'd much rather watch Joe, Susan, Ruth or Davood who you can see are making real progress.

If you want to watch a professional dancing show with dancers on the top of their game then there are shows full of amazing dance, but that's not what Strictly is about.

I’m watching on skyq.

I loved the little VT of Susan and Kevin when Susan’s wife came along to training and Susan’s face lit up . I liked their jive but hated their creepy costumes. Why do they keep giving her horrible outfits?

Sadly, I didn’t like Gemma’s dance. She was all strapped up on her right hand side though, so I wonder if she’s nursing an injury which made her less flexible and less confident in her movements? I thought her face when Alexandra was talking to Claud was interesting.

Aston just bores me, for some reason. I don’t know why. Same with Mollie. I think they just seem personality-free.

Enjoyed Joe & Katya and Davood & Nadiya. I think Nadiya’s choreography was much more weighted to showcasing her partner this time and all the better for it. Obviously still loving Debbeh.

Dance off? Ruth & Jonnie.

Ruth and Anton, the novelty act. Anton seems fun but he just doesn’t get the best out of his partners and I agree that they become the butt of the middle aged woman joke. It might get them some sympathy & Anton fan votes but possibly disadvantages them in terms of progression they might enjoy with another pro.

Jonnie seems to have reached the end of the line, to me.

Can anyone with dance know how explain what the problem was with Aston’s VW please? I know from looking at it that something was definitely wrong, but couldn’t work out what, and I missed the judges’ comments.

Why do they keep giving her horrible outfits

Probably to make people think oh bless, I really have to vote for her, she's special.

Calman, they said it was too jerky and not fluid enough and that a VW should just flow endlessly and gracefully. DISCLAIMER I do not know about dance but do remember (some of) the comments.

nettlethelf I agre re lifts. I think they rarely add much to the dances (particularly that horrible ‘woman as floor mop’ one that seems to be shoehorned into every single dance this series ).

rosy you’re probably right

I can't stand the ‘woman as floor mop’ lift either. In general I think lifts are there to impress the voting audience (I don't know why or if they do, though; I don't find them impressive) and to fill in time/mask lack of content or ability.

Personally I'd rather see people just dancing on the floor together. I find salsa lifts particularly tiresome; you just want the dance to slink round the floor continuously and rhythmically, not lots of people being hoicked up on their partners' shoulders and gusset-flashing.

Calman The VW is such a lovely smooth dance (done traditionally) I was surprised that Karen decided to do it like that, it was crazy. It ruined it for me. stupid music too .

I agree about lifts on the whole but that amazing woman Oti's lifts were A MAZ ING.

Re. Aston and Janette, I agreed with whichever judge it was (Craig?) who said that it just didn’t capture the spirit of a Viennese Waltz in any way.

I love them like Aljaz and Abbey (who I loved as a partnership).

I voted for Johnnie on the week he did the jive and he looked as if he was having a ball then. I agree with others that he has probably gone as far as he can, and appears to be giving up which is a shame. Perhaps it would have been different if they did a ballroom number?

I'd really like to see Joe in the final as he's improved week after week under Katya's tutelage. He and Katya make a great team. I didn't realise Katya was also an accomplished pianist until I had a peek at Joe's Instagram account.

Alexandra is due a ballroom and I'd like to see her do something gentler and more elegant. Perhaps a quickstep or foxtrot to show foot discipline.

I'm very pleased with Davood's breakthrough with the AS and I think ballroom suits him. He's had a real boost of confidence after last night and I hope he will continue to keep that up.

Sorry for epic post!

Don't apologise for epic posting ☺ I agree AB needs a ballroom dance.

To the pp who asked about Victor /Victoria (wonderful film) Anton's paso is in homage to that : the end routine when Robert Preston covers for Julie Andrews (she had been pretending to be a female impersonator to get work, she is amazing in this). Robert Preston does the whole routine in one take playing for laughs and it involves slapstick/prat falls, at the end (4.09) 'she' falls on the matador character.
It might not be to everyone's taste but, like their salsa, it was decent homage/parody.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=EV6-Fgfc7Lk

Alexandra needs a slow, smooth ballroom dance. I expect she'll get the Argentine tango though

Elspeth Flashman I haven’t warmed to Alexandra Burke but I think you’re absolutely right to point out that Mollie has a similar pop/dance background and she doesn’t get anywhere near the criticism for her very similar faux “Really, you think it was good??” (gasp) reactions to good comments.
Standout dances for me were Joe’s Charleston – not a great fan of Joe but loved the routine and that he remembered to thank the Charleston choreographer which I haven’t heard any other pro or celeb do – and Davood’s dance. Of course Ruth’s routine was utterly memorable as well.
I do like Debbie and would be happy if she won but I didn’t think they deserved a 10. As others have pointed out, many previous contestants have had considerable dance experience including Jay McGuinness, Natalie Gumede, Caroline Flack, Emma Bunton, Jason Donovan, Denise Van Outen. Louise Redknapp www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/2r9VDhzzTr5ZqtvPXbrtc83/louise-redknapp and Aston metro.co.uk/2017/08/16/why-celebrities-like-aston-merrygold-should-be-banned-from-strictly-come-dancing-6854428/ have both been judges on dance shows. So refreshing for the older woman not to be a joke contestant.

I agree with PP saying Johnnie seems not to be bothering so much. I suspect he may be doing minimal training - even the VT of them had him at the dress rehearsal in the studio as tho they he hadn't been around enough to get footage in the week perhaps.

I also agree about Aston's Viennese Waltz losing the spirit of the dance , very little of that lovely whirling around you usually see. But I thought Craig's marking was too harsh.

I think the judges have gone a bit early on the 10s this year. Giving 10s to dances with clear mistakes in them and the Shirley and Craig Latin Crown/salaming have been a bit cringey and unnecessary. Loved Darcey's 'well that was wierd!'

Also dislike the obvious over and undermarking and favouritism. Especially at this stage as it is more likely to send the wrong people out.