SCD '20 #4: <giant CGI elephant wanders slowly and unnecessarily across the thread>

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Last thread here.

It's movie week everybody!

Grab your popcorn and get ready for such blockbusters as Caroline as Mama Rose, Jamie as Hercules, Max painted yellow, Jason with a lightsaber, and Dianne after fancying a change at the hairdressers!

(Only kidding Dianne )

I usually hate movie week due to the over production in service to the theme, and no change this year.

I think that was one of the worst episodes of Strictly I’ve ever seen. Awful, inappropriate music choices. Clara and Aljaz were totally stitched up in that regard. Why can they not have music which suits the dance?
Nicola is clearly untouchable as far as criticism from the judges goes, I always watch the feet and she did so few actual steps and the constant side by side instead of partnering is just so dull with so little variety to the choreography.

Harvey has great natural rhythm but Janette will fuck up the great chance she has been given by being selfish with her choreography.

I have no idea what dance that Simpsons’ abomination was supposed to be, awful to watch.

So disappointing, Strictly used to be a great watch but whoever runs the show in production terms has no clue.

I really dislike the pro dances on the show - it's annoying as I used to enjoy them immensely. I think the last time they appealed was the era of Kristina, Aliona, Natalie Lowe etc. The gimmicks and props were definitely taking over then but at least the dancing was exquisite.

Jason Gilkinson seems to be in charge of most (all?) of the pro dances now and they all rave about him 😂
I don't see it! Imo they don't translate well to the small screen. Way too many dancers flinging themselves around and no finesse or technique. The camerawork is crap. Better suited to the west end stage? I don't know.

There was a single good one last year/year before for the series opener where the pro couples were dancing ballroom in Somerset House/ beside the Thames and they made it look like they'd danced their way into the studio ballroom to continue the routine.

SparklingDinosaurs

TheSpottedZebra
Did anyone else think Maisie didn't seem too thrilled to see her mum?

I thought same. I’m sure they are very close but I also get the impression that she’s very much a stage mum - Maisie mentioned her mum critiquing her in an interview once - so could be she was slightly derailed by having mum turn up dressed as Maisie in the middle of training

Right, I got led astray by a bottle of champagne last night, so I shall have a proper rewatch on iplayer.

And then might watch some bill Bailey comedy music bits on YouTube.

@augustusglupe

I don't think we'll get anything new now from Nicola..Shadow boxes, stomps about, smiles a lot, overmarked and repeat.. but of course she'll stay.

Exactly my thoughts.

Nicola is the biggest disappointment, really. She can't dance, and the pairing with Katya may have been a bit too much. I wonder if she'd been better off with Amy?

@SparklingDinosaurs

Does anyone know how long it takes for the episode to go in iplayer after the live show finishes? I never seen able to sit down (ie escape the children!) until 9 or after and the last two weeks it’s not been available for ages after I’m ready to watch - ended up watching ITT thur and fri episodes instead.

Really loving the thread. I pause my watching and read whats being said at each step (lot of things get picked up on here than I’ve missed so it’s fab!)

Love BB. Think he knew he’d be decent but the producers assumed he’d be a dud hence pairing with Oti (who is suppose to get a dud after winning last year?)

The Simpsons was horrific. I’m not a big fan of Dianne either something about her just doesn’t gel with me. I’m sure it was her than wanted to do the simpsons (maybe heard on ITT?). It’s more the make up and costumes that terrify me. I don’t like when they bring animated/cartoon figures to life. I was similarly terrified of the stage show version of peppa pig - very freaky.

Caroline ... oh she’s been my biggest disappointment. I think I had her all wrong and realise now I didn’t really know much about her at all. I sort of assumed she’d be fun loving and down-to-earth as PP said and she’s....just not is she. I don’t think she’ll gain many fans from this appearance she’s quite hard to relate to and appears to think she’s better than she is (maybe not so much this week as she tried the whole ‘here to learn from experts’ like but definitely the other weeks she clearly thought she was much better than she actually was).

Luba just isn’t a decent pro. She’s not getting the best out of Jason at all. I know she’s not got much to work with as he’s no dancer but she’s not making the best of what he could be.

Clara is lovely but I feel she’s quite overlooked and I hope she really is enjoying the experience being a massive strictly fan. And I love A and he’s probably my favourite make pro (or gio...I can’t decide I’ll have them both!)

BVB was hilarious. No blinking clue of he danced well or not but he should stay for pure comedy gold and wearing that outfit too. I can see why Karen choreographed the lift to be right at the end...he wasn’t exactly graceful and returning her to her feet at the end or when with Claud!!!

JJ was good but little dull for me. I actually am not a fan of Amy. Too sickly sweet for my tastes and her with K last year put me off as well.

Nicola wasn’t very good. I mean she’s got a lovely smile but i don’t think it’s a fair playing field at all although will hold judgement until I see her in a ballroom dance and in hold. Right now I actually don’t think the mirror side by side type dancing is doing her any favours and it’s providing a direct contrast to how a pro dances it especially when they are in same clothes. I suppose good for her for negotiating a no dresses/skirts contract if that’s important to her. I’m not a dress skirt type person so do get a little weary of the whole “oh I won’t wear a dresss it’s not me” on week one then “I feel amazing I love this dress” by week 3 in a massive full of glitzy dress (was it annaka rice that had that “journey” and others). Shoes are different though. I do think it must be easier to dance in flats (though maybe actually better in heels per PP mention of even males having heels in some Latin?) if that’s all your use to wearing. I can hardly walk in heels never mind dance so I’d have to overcome that as well as learn the dance. I’m sure Clara said she was always in trainers and never ever heels (didn’t Claud mention something like that at the launch show?)

Ranvir seems proper lovely. Just genuine person. I hope she goes far. And not just because I want Gio on my screen each week. He’s a good teacher too. I’d love if they are more than dance partners def seems a little spark there.

The Pro dance was a bit of a let down. Didn’t seem to be much dancing considering. I’d also never have known there we’re 3 bonds if they hadn’t told me In ITT. Very strange.

Alright that’s enough rambling from me. Except to say I wish they’d just show the results on Saturday so I can watch to whole lot!!!

Agree with all this

They must have discussed doing the Simpson routine and Diane obviously doesn't like anything too sentimental for the couples dance. It was odd and a bit too screwball for my liking , but he is good and I like him , so I can forgive this.

Opening a shocker
Max and dianne shocking
Jason and Luba awful

I like BVB it was jolly

Not one to remember

Dianne getting a lot of heat on Twitter for all the knicker flashing

Caroline very odd. Nice dance, I thought she put her all in to it then was told she hadn’t. But terrible attitude.

Ranvir was lovely but will really struggle with Latin. I think Gio is a brilliant teacher who really gets the most out of his partners.

My favorite couples dance last year was Chris Ramsey and ' let's get ready to rumble' , he had a ball! It was fun.

Just caught up.
Really didn't enjoy it, agree with all the previous comments.

Yes Gareth That Jason Gilkonson they interview occasionally, is responsible for the 'staging' and not much effing good at it (she said politely ).

He doesn't seem to see anything wrong in the kitchen sink, there's no doubt a shortage of them around the Strictly studios.

@ohidoliketobe I agree I think the BBC thought Bill would be the comedy interlude, giving Oti a year off from the glory, and HRVY would be set up to win with Caroline in the 'game old bird' spot. I like HRVY, and I've nothing against Caroline, but I don't think that it's falling into place that easily.

I hope Bill is being nice to Oti, though. I am getting a very 'driven' vibe from him.

@Maireas

Nicola is the biggest disappointment, really. She can't dance, and the pairing with Katya may have been a bit too much. I wonder if she'd been better off with Amy?

She’s like a lot of sports people on Strictly, I think, in that she’s ‘mechanical’ about it: she’s physically fit and used to bring ‘trained’ with a goal in mind, so she learns to execute the correct moves fairly competently and in the right order and thinks that’s ticked the necessary boxes. But there’s no expression, flow or storytelling. I said to DH last night that she seems to stop between moves/dance phrases: there’s ‘this bit of the dance’ plus ‘this bit of the dance’ followed by ‘the next but of the dance’, but the ‘bits’ aren’t connected. She pretty poor overall, and Katya’s gurning and over-dancing really doesn’t help. Plus they’re hampered by the ‘carefulness’ of not trying to appear sexy or romantic because they don’t want to scare off the more ‘conservative’ voters so it’s all ‘buddy’ routines - same as the same-sex couple on DOI.

Really enjoyed your post Dinosaurs.

I know you had to do it on "catch-up", but it was a lovely read!

@Maireas

Nicola is the biggest disappointment, really. She can't dance, and the pairing with Katya may have been a bit too much. I wonder if she'd been better off with Amy?

Agree - a stunning smile isn't enough, but it's a shame to think that she may be kept on by the judges at the expense of more worthy dancers.

It's a pity she's so anti-dress, too - Anneka Rice hadn't wanted to wear a dress, but when she had to she said she was surprised how much she had enjoyed it - and she looked fantastic.

I said to DH last night that she seems to stop between moves/dance phrases: there’s ‘this bit of the dance’ plus ‘this bit of the dance’ followed by ‘the next but of the dance’, but the ‘bits’ aren’t connected.

We thought that here, too. It's very sloppy-starty - no flow.

It's a pity she's so anti-dress, too - Anneka Rice hadn't wanted to wear a dress, but when she had to she said she was surprised how much she had enjoyed it - and she looked fantastic.

I wonder if a female competitor in a non-same-sex pairing would have been ‘permitted’ to refuse dresses throughout?

I’m guessing a lot of the participants didn’t get any say whatsoever in what they wore last night and likely felt fucking ridiculous in their ridiculous costumes.

I think that if you sign up for Strictly you sign up for all it entails. Personally I think less of Nicola for refusing to wear dresses/skirts/heels - it's part of the whole thing.

She’s like a lot of sports people on Strictly, I think, in that she’s ‘mechanical’ about it: she’s physically fit and used to bring ‘trained’ with a goal in mind, so she learns to execute the correct moves fairly competently and in the right order and thinks that’s ticked the necessary boxes. But there’s no expression, flow or storytelling.

Louis Smith was like that until he did the Charleston which seemed to flick a switch in him. Before that he had the steps, the fluidity etc but lacked the expression part.

Louis was more graceful than Nicola from the start though. I reckon she's probably being very 'driven' by Katya (who's famous for it) and feels stressed , having to remember all the steps, because she does want her approval.

The football guy with the nice smile seems the same with Luba, who's not the best teacher IMO

I agree with everyone above about Nicola, there's no fluidity or engagement with the music. I don't actually think Jason is any worse than her - he has the same kind of problems, but at least tries to engage with the dance.
Last year Johannes and Catherine had a lovely partnership, they really progressed. I don't know quite what's not clicking with Caroline.

Yes, like I said he had all the fluidity etc but just lacked the expression.

I thought Nicola was fine in weeks 1 and 2 but last night really wasn't good.

I don't actually think Jason is any worse than her

I agree. He was stitched up on all fronts this week!