SCD '20 #12: Two dances per couple means two threads for Mumsnetters! The FINAL approaches...

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread

@Annasgirl

Hi All,

I see I am not alone in feeling hard done by that we have to watch CC and Showdance (neither of which will be an actual "ballroom dance" style dance) in the final for 2 couples. They really should stop calling it Strictly Ballroom. I remember watching Come Dancing with my DM as a child - remember all those pink puffy tulle ballgowns? I can't believe that 2 of the finalists have not done a waltz either - wow.

Looking at this year, I think if I was a celeb who had been very good but knocked out in the semi final a few years ago, I would be kicking myself that I was not in there this year - the standard really was quite poor. I think it is only when we see highlights on ITT or some YouTube clips on here that we remember how fabulous some years were.

I also noted that the former winners on ITT picked the non-ringers as their favourites to win it - I suppose they know what it takes to "gel" with the public.

Except that you might have had to isolate away from your family, didn't get to go to Blackpool, didn't have a large live audience to dance in front of and various other things that mean that this year's cohort haven't had the full experience.

Excellent posts, LadyB'Stard. Very true, especially the culture of reality shows now. It has changed.
Watching ITT. Janette's shoes!

Except that some might have found isolating a bit of a treat (I probably would after all of this), some might not have been good enough to go to Blackpool anyway, some may have preferred the lack of audience and associated whooping (and if I were dancing that would have been a huge plus for me) and a chance to go through to the final (and get biggo bucks) on less than the full rota of dance...

The only thing I would have had the hump at would be the lack of lovely swishy frocks. But if I wasn’t flapping about in sneaks and jeans and maybe choosing a foxtrot instead, there may well have been lovely frocks.

It would have all been worth it, limited ‘experience’ or not for a bumper pay packet in Covidy times I’m sure.

And I am also contrary. I’m looking forward to seeing Bill and Oti do their couples dance again as well but I also hope they bang it out of the park with a fabulous show dance 💃

I'm another one who doesn't get why every celeb has done a CC but not been given the same opportunity to do more ballroom & Latin dances

It looks to me as though Maisie and Hrvy have the most likely to win combinations of style for their finals dances ... does anyone else think that? Maisie pulling out a lovely ballroom type show dance as opposed to more party Latin or street could be enough to clinch it.

On paper you would think so. Hrvy also has a big fan base.

But there is a part of me thinking that Bill might sneak it. Or Biscuits.

Obviously without seeing the dances (which I won’t till late as I’m working and won’t be home till 2200) it is hard to call.

But if it goes down to enjoyment of the dancing then an anti-judge win could well happen. It happens a lot eh?

...hard to call. But if it goes down to enjoyment of the dancing then an anti-judge win could well happen.

True.

Given that Jamie has been in the dance off 4 times, I very much doubt he will win even.

Maisie doesn't seem popular enough to win. I think HRVY has a good chance and possibly Bill. Don't mind either of the m winning.

But there is a part of me thinking that Bill might sneak it. Or Biscuits.
Jamie won't; he's clearly not popular (poor guy).Bill though? I think a lot of people either already loved him and are supporting him, or have been pleasantly surprised and delighted by him and are supporting him on that basis.
It's hard to tell how popular Harvey is as he's usually marked so high by the judges, but I suspect he has more audience support than Maisie or Jamie. His combo of dances might not go in his favour though; his American Smooth was good but I'm not totally sure that voters will love the jive.
I'm not sure about the showdance either; can imagine it being a bit messy, with that song.
Maisie does have a good mix of ballroom (I'm anticipating the showdance being 'romantic' ballroom, which will be a nice combo with the showier style of the QS) and probably her best –most fun anyway –Latin routine. I just don't know how popular she is.

It's an intriguing final!

I can't see BVB winning, given the number of times he's been in the dance off. Hard to call on Maisie because she's also been in the dance off. I don't think either Bill or NVWLS have been bottom two, so it's probably between them. I don't want NVWLS to win because I don't think he's as good as the judges make out.

"Best first week dance ever" Motsi? I don't think so. It certainly wasn't as good as Kelvin in week 1 last year!
As for saying he could come back as one of the pros.....!! I bet the pros were all muttering under their breath at that little gem! There is a vast difference between even the very best celebs and the pros, who often dumb down their dancing a bit so as not to highlight the completely expected and understandable inadequacies of their celeb partner.
Also, I think it was said on ITT this week that the couple who put together the CC and Charlestons choreographed all three of NVWLS final dances, which doesn't say much for Janette's choreography if none of her dances is there

I'm hoping Bill or BVB win but I'm preparing to be disappointed

kazza As for saying he could come back as one of the pros.....!!I bet the pros were all muttering under their breath at that little gem!
I KNOW! That was an outrageous comment.

I think it was said on ITT this week that the couple who put together the CC and Charlestons choreographed all three of NVWLS final dances

Is that true? Do they usually do the American Smooths and jives, not the pros? And I'm surprised about the showdance; somehow I'd imagined the pros did that –well, I can imagine them having specialist input if it includes moves that are outside their real expertise, but the whole thing?!? That'd be a bit sad if it's true and if he wins on that basis.

I keep forgetting that biscuits has been in quite a few dance offs so good point on that.

It’s been a funny old year strictly wise and I don’t think I’m as invested as I have been previously.

Eurovision and Strictly are usually viewing highlights for me and though they both did a good job of getting a show out there, I can’t help but feel robbed.

It may be unfair but I’m hoping for Bill to win as he has tickled me. I’ve enjoyed the majority of his dances (whether it be for the right reasons or no!) It would have been easy to go down the funny route for every dance but he hasn’t and I applaud him for that.

As for the slebs come back as a pro comments? That would be a right hoof in the teeth for the pros who have dedicated most of their lives to this art.

Thinking on it Parps it may be BVB that has all the dances choreographed by the other couple. That would make more sense, given the dances he is doing in the final, although I had it in my head that it was Janette Guess it was Karen instead!

kazza, that might make more sense, yes – Couple's Choice and Charleston are certainly always outside-choreographed.

Don't know about the showdance though. They're sometimes (usually) so personal to the couple dancing that somehow I imagined the pro choreographed them, at least in large part.

I would like Jamie to win s his attitude and joy has been superb. I actually think HRVY will win though.

Soup, I agree on both points. ALTHOUGH a little bit of me says Bill's captured the public's hearts and will prevail...

I don't think he's captured their hearts, I think he just has a good fan base.

It's impossible to tell how many are voting for HRVY.

This is an odd final as neither Jamie or Bill really ought to be there.

This is an odd final as neither Jamie or Bill really ought to be there.

Who should have been there in their place though? Ranvir possibly, depending on your point of view - I liked her but found her a bit boring and predictable at times - ditto JJ... Max and Jason may have been improvers if they’d stayed in longer, but I don’t think Caroline had much more left in the tank, which leaves Clara, who I would have loved to have gone all the way and who clearly had more natural ability, but she made a lot of mistakes, so should she have been there? I don’t know, but agreed, it has been a strange year.

.... Jacqui, obviously, was never a contender, and I don’t think Nicola was either if I’m being honest, so I think that’s everyone.

I’d like it to be Biscuits who scoops it, but don’t think he has a chance after 4 DOs.

My favourite is Bill, mainly because he’s likeable and has challenged the Strictly view that oldies are duffers. There’s been a few people just treated as a joke but actually were learning and improving. Biscuits is second for me now as he is just so pleased he is doing it!

... on the other hand (having nothing better to do at this moment and still thinking about Strictly) the final puts a different complexion on everything that’s happened up to this point in the competition. We may be more open minded, our favourite could already be out so the remainers are level pegging, someone may have drastically improved, one of them may forget the steps, there may be a sudden swell of public sympathy for the one who was always in the DO....
There’s everything to play for when you think about it I still think it’ll be Hrvy or Maisie

This is an odd final as neither Jamie or Bill really ought to be there.

Why shouldn't Bill be there?

There's an feasible argument that Jamie is there solely due to the judges' intervention, but Bill has sailed through to the final on the strength of the viewers' votes (and this programme, like all programmes, is made for the viewer).

He's trained hard, thrown himself into it with serious (perhaps at times too serious) intent, and a large percentage of the voters/viewers clearly like him.

On what basis should he not be there?

Who should have been there in their place though? Ranvir possibly, depending on your point of view - I liked her but found her a bit boring and predictable at times - ditto JJ... Max and Jason may have been improvers if they’d stayed in longer, but I don’t think Caroline had much more left in the tank, which leaves Clara, who I would have loved to have gone all the way and who clearly had more natural ability, but she made a lot of mistakes, so should she have been there? I don’t know, but agreed, it has been a strange year.

I think Clara and Max both left too early although it's difficult to tell. Clara was probably on a par with Ranvir but with added joy. Maybe better as she had trickier dances/routines I think. Difficult to say what Nicola would have gone on to be.

I don't necessarily have anyone in mind that I think should be in the final instead though. Just that looking at previous years, neither Bill nor BvB are really final material.

Why shouldn't Bill be there?

Because his dancing has plateaued and not up to the standard of previous years. Viewers votes can't be relied upon as good judgement - John Sergeant is a good example.I believe (but before my time). There is a vast gap between HRVY and Maisie and everyone else. Usually the final is closer in ability.

I think you missed my point. I was talking about compared to previous finals, not compared to the other people this year of that makes sense.