SCD '20 #5: The next thread in the caterpillar of dancing and chatting

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Last thread

Gosh we're a chatty bunch!

Let's face it, Nicola was never going to win was she? I don't think she was particularly terrible but she'd have to have had a Major Breakthrough in several different areas to have reached the semi-final. Yes it's sad that she's had to finish early but she's not the only one.

Isn't Maisie doing her CIN dance tonight? (not the actual one, obviously)

I read something by one of the celebs that had done one of the one of specials for Children in Need or Christmas (sorry can't remember who it was) then went on to do the full series and they had to start training a week later than everyone else.

I can't really understand this - why do they have more of an advantage than a RINGAH! would?

It doesn't bother me hat hey won'r get asked back - just can't see the logic of this particular reason.

@callmeadoctor

Isn't Maisie doing her CIN dance tonight? (not the actual one, obviously)

I think the CiN dance was just a generic ‘party latin’ group dance with some cha cha steps included, rather than a ‘proper’ cha cha like Simon did on the Xmas show.

I can't really understand this - why do they have more of an advantage than a RINGAH! would?

Because they’ve already had a week of specific ballroom/latin training from one of the Strictly pros.

If you’re applying the ‘ringah’ caveat to training time, Anne Widdicombe should have started rehearsals fifteen years before everyone else, whereas Ashley Roberts should have been booted directly out of a taxi and straight into her first dance.

I can't really understand this - why do they have more of an advantage than a RINGAH! would?
I think it's weird too. Basically I think it boils down to the fact that, while it's possible for the Beeb to deny that a ringer has a particular advantage ('it was years ago they were at stage school', 'they only did a bit of dancing' etc), they can't deny that someone has been on the show and trained for x number of weeks.

Basically I think it boils down to the fact that, while it's possible for the Beeb to deny that a ringer has a particular advantage ('it was years ago they were at stage school', 'they only did a bit of dancing' etc), they can't deny that someone has been on the show and trained for x number of weeks.

I don’t think the BBC have ever made any justifications or denials regarding the extent of the previous dance experience of the contestants and their qualification for a place on the show, have they?

There’s never going to be any sort of a level playing field when you’ve got range of backgrounds from Olympic gymnast to retired politician. But the BBC aren’t remotely bothered about that because it’s not actually a dance competition per se, it’s light entertainment themed around dancing, hence the extortion to ‘vote for your favourite’ rather than ‘vote for the best dancer’.

If they were after a legitimately egalitarian dance contest they wouldn’t have had Debbie McGee and Brian Conley in the same cast. Because obviously Brian Conley was a stone-cold RINGAH!!

I've seen in the media the Beeb (and TBF more often the slebs themselves) defending people's previous experience.

All change tonight it seems, interesting to see what Anton brings to the judging panel. I’m not keen on Motsi but one thing I will say is you do forget she’s Oti’s sister so bias hasn’t been a problem so far.

My concern about the judging is that I think the producers tell the judges not to get too technical as the public won’t understand what they are saying.

Personally I think that’s the wrong approach, I’d advocate for the pre-dance training vids to be cut (or dropped altogether as let’s face it most of them show next to no training!) and replaced with a 60 second “here’s what to look out for in this dance” video - brief explanation of the rhythm, the “feel” of the dance and a couple of standard figures to look out for. They could put the videos on the website too for fans to check.

@CaveMum - good call. A demo from Ian & a partner with a voice over what to look for is a really good idea.

There was something where they did demos in a palace or something? At the bottom of stairs, with a piano. I have a very strong mental image but can't think what it was from!

I like that idea CaveMum.

And I think that to say the public won't understand is insulting - the BBC should realise that anyone who watches a programme like this wants to be entertained but is also interested in learning more. I think most people are TBH.

It annoys me when everything is "dumbed down".

I’m with you cavemum and schade

Bake off could do with similar. (It has changed from something quite wonderful to a time trial that is setting folk up to fail)

I want to be entertained but I also want to learn something. They may argue ITT does that but I can’t always make the time.

I don’t want to see someone having a meltdown or watch someone plug pile cream or moan about blisters. You are being paid. You know what you are taking on.

Some vignette and a trip out to a telescope or the races makes not for an ounce of interest to me. Sure, your journey might be nice to look at if you make the final but not every two minutes.

I know nowt about the dance. I’d love to know what points I should be looking out for or which moves should be in each dance.

I need to know dod all about your journey or your pulsating feet.

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

There was something where they did demos in a palace or something? At the bottom of stairs, with a piano. I have a very strong mental image but can't think what it was from!

I've asked my family is anybody else remembers, and they think it might have been Len's Dancing Feet programme.

I would like something like that on Strictly CaveMum. And then adter the dance they could put a voice over on the slow-mo bits they're doing now, saying the names of a few steps they did. It might encourage the pros to choreograph in more of the standard steps for dances too, which would be a good thing!

checking for later.

I wouldn’t mind if Nicola came back in 2 weeks. It’s not like she’ll be getting any extra training in the meantime.

Polkadots they did used to show that. It was Graziano and Luba at one point. A demonstration narrated by that Australian choreographer. It was a gorgeous room.

I hate those vignettes, too, Sheldon. I have no interest in their afternoon at Monkey World or wherever.

@Redcrayons

checking for later. I wouldn’t mind if Nicola came back in 2 weeks. It’s not like she’ll be getting any extra training in the meantime.

But she would be skipping two potential weeks if going home. I'm sure that some people who have had to drop out in the past because of injury/illness/a death in the family would have liked to have come back the following year or X weeks later but they weren't allowed to.

It would be fine if there was a monkey teaching us how to do a fleckerl and how to get a lump who isn’t six stone off the floor without it looking as though they were airing a mattress maireas

😂 😂 😂 Too true. By the way, Sheldon have you been in that mint green housecoat all day?

🤣

Aye. Until about 30 mins ago. I am now dressed in my best waynetta slobs for I am doing housework.

I long - long - to wrap myself back up in my polyester 😉

Put that j cloth down and get the glitter hot pants on. You know you want to!

I’d actually go further if it was up to me and have set figures for each dance that must be shown by everyone. Nothing too demanding but 2 or 3 Silver/Gold syllabus figures to try and avoid all the faffing about that so many of them try to get away with.

I might want to. I should imagine hot pants on me would be like expecting a face mask to cover the arse end of a cow.

No dignity involved.

Kylie’s drawers are safe.