Strictly '21 #7: Two couples down this week, and we haven't even had a dance off yet!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

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Just getting ready for tomorrow.

I'm going to guess that Robert was hoping to follow the same kind of journey as Bill last year only to find himself handed rather forced comedy routines, dressed up like Will Ferrell and Kermit. In his day job he could thrash these things out and have creative input, but on Strictly you are told what to do, the cameras are rolling and you have to be enthusiastic and jolly all the time, even if you have to fake it. The show likes to spin the illusion that all the creative decisions originate with the couples and there's some kind of authentic connection between the celeb and the routine. (It's my lifelong ambition to dance as Spiderman/Homer Simpson/A Sex Smurf from Avatar.) Occasionally the facade slips and a celeb lets you know their true feelings but this is always glossed over. I remember when Tristan and Jamelia (of course) said they hated their foxtrot song (Celine Dion) on ITT, and you could see the panic in Zoe Ball's eyes as she quickly moved on.

I'm not sure how much of Adam and Katja's dance could be classed a AT. It reminded me of the early year of Strictly when every year (or it seems like every year) as part of the run up to the final (or possibly at the start of the final itself) they would have the world champions of what I think was called 'free dance' on and the man would basically throw the woman around for two minutes. This was presented to the horrified celebs as an example of a show dance.

@Runningupthecurtains

I'm not sure how much of Adam and Katja's dance could be classed a AT. It reminded me of the early year of Strictly when every year (or it seems like every year) as part of the run up to the final (or possibly at the start of the final itself) they would have the world champions of what I think was called 'free dance' on and the man would basically throw the woman around for two minutes. This was presented to the horrified celebs as an example of a show dance.

I admit freely, I thought that too, I just get mesmerised by Katya.

Have watched Greg's dance first. The outfit didn't help.

I was surprised when I heard Robert web was doing strictly in the first place it didn’t strike me as his sort of thing. You never know quite what’s going on behind closed doors though!

Although I long for the day a Celeb doesn’t jump for joy when they get their partner allocated 😂

‘Oh shit, who are you, I was hoping for Aliaz’ or similar…

Those world champion freedancers always put me in mind of (Gob Bluth-like) magicians and their assistants. If it wasn't for them, however, we may never have had Lisa and Brendan's showdance. Truly something that had to be seen to be believed.

Agree daisy those trousers Greig had on had a life of their own! Why didn’t he just have normal trousers they looked far too big!
Think he might go tonight, I like him and Karen but the Macarena did him no favours at all .

Mind you I wonder if there ever will be a strictly when I don’t say what is Claudia wearing fgs!! Last nights lace number and then cycle shorts, she really has a style of her own and I don’t mean that in a good way. I really like her when I was in the audience for strictly she was v funny and natural but some of the outfits she wears!

'Oh shit, who are you, I was hoping for Aliaz’ or similar…

The thrilled 'I'm sooo glad it's you, I really wanted you' are a bit 😟 when it's a brand new pro. I mean obviously they met at the initial practice/ pairing day but they were hardly dreaming of them as a partner when they signed up.

@FitYeDaeinYeMadRadge

I’ve watched it back a few times. His head snapped back the same way my hand does when someone at work catches me fishing all of the Maltesers out of the Celebrations box.

I truly hope it was just the ‘moment’ and that he isn’t being greedy.

Off topic, but does HE say "well done" to HER?? Her choreography is awesome.

@EsmaCannonball

Those world champion freedancers always put me in mind of (Gob Bluth-like) magicians and their assistants. If it wasn't for them, however, we may never have had Lisa and Brendan's showdance. Truly something that had to be seen to be believed.

Oh my sweet lord I had clearly totally wiped that from my mind. I've just watched it in fascinated horror. I know Brendan wasn't popular in these part he I always thought he was a fantastic dancer. My brain obviously utterly refused to process that abomination. I wonder if that's what made them stop dragging up free dance every year as it must be about the point at which they stopped. Be careful what you wish for eh?

I loved Roseand Sara - all the rest were "meh"to me except Gregs which was downright AWFUL!

However - am I right in thinking there was actually more dance content (rather than entertainment faffin' abaht in the routines tonight?

It looked like there were proper steps and everything to my untutored eye.

Wrong thread sorry.

Strangely looking back on last night I think my favourite bit was actually Tom and Amy's training video! That's what I want every week something that shows me the character of each dance, the steps to look out for and what the footwork/ armography etc should look like. So much better than we are dancing to Bat of hell by Meatloaf so this week we learned how to make a meatloaf, in the bat enclosure at Chester zoo or whatever nonsense we usually have to suffer while they sweep up the confetti and drag on the fake tube train/ pretend pizza restaurant/ pretend abandoned mine shaft or whatever for the next dance.

@Runningupthecurtains

Strangely looking back on last night I think my favourite bit was actually Tom and Amy's training video! That's what I want every week something that shows me the character of each dance, the steps to look out for and what the footwork/ armography etc should look like. So much better than we are dancing to Bat of hell by Meatloaf so this week we learned how to make a meatloaf, in the bat enclosure at Chester zoo or whatever nonsense we usually have to suffer while they sweep up the confetti and drag on the fake tube train/ pretend pizza restaurant/ pretend abandoned mine shaft or whatever for the next dance.

I totally agree Running, I really enjoyed that and I think there was at least one other VT about the actual dance techniques (oh yes there was Nikita explaining paso to Tilly, which we already knew but was still enjoyable).

Haha there are places hands go in lifts that are unbelievable 😂

I remember doing a lift once for a show and the guys hand was literally in the crease of my groin and he was holding on pretty hard. I had fingerprint bruise marks in the crease of my groin 😂 thank god I never had to explain them to anyone!

Ohh I missed Nik/ Tilly's VT I'll have to have a look at it. I often pop out while they are on as they are normally so pointless but Gorka did a technique one the other week so they are obviously a thing this year. I'll have to wait and see if it's a good VT or a trip to a llama tennis academy before I load the dishwasher or go for a wee.

Just caught up bit of a lacklustre week I thought
No one really stood out but Amy's dress and roses trousers were amazing!
Surely Greg will go?

I enjoyed Adam's dance the most.

10 minutes to go!

Whichever PP. said Shitley for Shirley well I spat out my tea brilliant 👏👏👏👏

Evening all

Evening all.
My guess.... Greg and Judi in the DO. Greg to go.

I can't really see what's going on in this pro dance.

Put 50p in the meter!

This is beyond awful!!!

Loving the group dance - one of the highlights of the week for me.