Thank you for the thread Pawnee
Waves to MrsTommy, Fuzzy et al
Okay folks - I haven't actually spent two days under the table in the pub, but I did get rather moved pissed than I intended (just as I was about to leave, slightly squiffy, a bitching session started about someone I loathe with a passion don't much care for, so I stopped to listen, my half pint glass (I'd gone on to halves of lager as a way of "warming down" before staggering home) - anyway, my half-pint glass was miraculously filled with wine, just like the magic porridge pot, that seems to just appear and I got my second wind.
Yesterday I was busy with church and things I should have done before but didn't, and hen watched Strictly on catch-up. I found most dances disappointing (I don't know - there's a strange flat vibe this year) and only really liked Ashley's (though I thought beige wasn't't the best choice for a Latin American costume (they are hardly famous for their vibrant shades of taupe, are they?) and Faye's, which was lovely - I almost wept!, and the horror that was the Lindyhopathin made my eyes bleed.
Joe was dreadful - good on Craig for calling him out on it - Lauren was rubbish and Graeme was absolute crap. Stacey was too clumpy and her make-up made her look a bit like me on Sunday morning like she'd been dug up and reanimated. Poor Charles (never thought I'd see myself type that) seemed to be crouching and bending his knees to try to dance at the right height and it ruined his spot. Must have been very uncomfortable, too.
And the scoring fiasco! As someone wisely said - :When Bruno is the voice of reason on that panel you know the Apocalypse is round the corner the show has lost all hope.
I enjoyed that Ramps and Karen Tango, it does put into sharp relief the differences between the earlier series and now - the lack of faffing, the standard of dancing expected, adherence to the technical aspects of the dance, the scoring, I could go on and on and on. The later incarnations of SCD feel like a cheap imitation of the earlier ones, why did it go so downhill?
I've been watching the little videos kindly provided by people clever enough to do these things, and totally agree with the above comment (from previous thread, and can't remember who posted it, so apologies for not giving credit where it's due). Everything above is spot-on, and I would add that in general the music was much more appropriate - it not only makes the dancer's job easier, but it really sets the mood for the viewer and increases the pleasure we get from the performance. Costumes weren't as cheap and nasty either!
I actually didn't mind Ashley's WTF face after the "thon" - it made her much more human and less sugary and hypocritical = I like her better for it.
Joe's the one I'd like to see out, from the hight scorers, but he won't be. I'm hoping Lauren to go next - I'd love to think Chucky would stay in over Joe, but I can't see it happening. Would only occur if the DO had Joe vs Ashley/Faye - they won't let that happen.
Show has lost all integrity. I am joining the Revolution. You will find me in the shed, sharpening my bayonet and loading my musket.