SCD 21 #16 : Overmarked, Undermarked, Paddelling Free

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Started because @PolkadotsAndMoonbeams doesn't seem to be around

As you were

Usual Terms And Conditions Apply

Comedy contestants/comic routines were Tony's forte when faced with an older contestant without talent. Is why Dawn French said she wouldn't do it. So last comic routine of Tony's was Susannah Constantine's samba (which I still liked but everyone else hated).
Bill played it pretty much straight with Oti, Chris played it up a couple of times with Karen but not with choreoed intent, Robert's Rasputin was nearest we have had to a comedy-contestant routine of late, but we haven't had a 'so bad they're good/humorous' one in a while (not that I ever found Widdy amusing or John for that matter).
James Cracknell was just too awful to watch and didn't have it in him to laugh at himself anyway. Ed Balls and Jeremy Vine were watchable. Ruth and Russell were a mix of talent and camp.
Chemistry/comedy can't be forced though, needs to come naturally/organically. Hence what worked for Ruth was deemed try-hard for Susanna.

People's champions Dan?/Bill/Susan/Ed/Lisa/Ann/John/Batman is the typical British attitude to the underdog though. Tap into that and you're set.

I am loving Anton as a judge and hope he stays permanently but I hated him as a dancer as he turned all his celebrities into jokes - even when they weren't terrible. I don't believe he's a good teacher and that's why he did it. The worst was Laila Rouass (& still can't believe he kept his job after calling her the P word).

He was ok when people could dance and didn't need much teaching (like Honey from Eastenders) but getting the best out of someone like Oti, Nadiya, Gio, Katya or Nikita (to name my favourites) are able to is way beyond his skill set in my opinion.

Lesley Patsy Laila Fiona Katie Lesley Emma - he tried
Esther Jan Kate Gillian Jerry - not much to work with
Ann Nancy Judy Susannah - played up the comedy schtick
Ruth - did a mixture, she was in on the comic numbers

Laila came 4th, her jive was godawful because it just wasn't her dance and the P-word furore, there was more there than meets the eye (as in she allegedly used it herself but was in a custody battle with ex, didn't want to embarrass her parents and Anton took all of the flak despite their convo being private in the Star Bar. Craig said as much in one of his books that he can refer to himself as a rancid, old queen but noone else can. So Anton was absolutely at fault for using the word because not his to reclaim but she was allegedly fine with it, someone in the bar wasn't). He got her to the quarter finals though.

Anton suffered a bit as the ratio of ballroom to Latin decreased, and they stopped doing just two dances in a week I think. A tango that he teaches with good technique, movement and good hold and positioning would do better in a week against multiple other tangos than against a mixture of all dances I think.

In Anton’s defence he’s an excellent ballroom teacher. My dance teacher used him (pre-Strictly) to teach sometimes at her dance summer schools and she said he’s engaging, fun and communicates easily with children and adults alike. Very similar in teaching-style to Len Goodman.

I do agree that just because you’re a good dancer doesn’t automatically make you a good teacher (that applies across most skill sets).

We must have read different reports @SequinsandStiIettos as what I read, she was very upset he used it, even commenting on the fact that's she's not from Pakistan (& nor are her family).

Which kind of makes it worse if she was using it herself as a Brit with Moroccan parents and an Indian ex. I honestly don't know. She didn't return for the final show so clearly some bridges burned.
Craig (Tales from the Dance Floor) It was one of those things where she might have called herself various names, like I might call myself 'a big old poof' or 'a rancid queen' - or rap stars and singers like Rihanna use the n-word - but if someone else says it then it's not acceptable

Xmas special being filmed Tues - any of you get a ticket?
Full line-up
Anne-Marie + Graz
Adrian + Jowita
Fred + Diane
Jay + Luba
Mel + Neil
Moira + Aljaz
None of the pros have ever won it, so it will be nice for whoever wins.

If any of you are 'Charity Shop Sue' fans, you need to watch this 😂 Sue Tuke at Strictly

I saw that video but have never heard of Charity Shop Sue so didn't really get it.

Kai and AJ were good value on ITT last night. Not sure about Kai in a frog onesie but that was just a bit of silliness. Looking forward to seeing their salsa. Cartwheels in high heels??? She's superhuman.

Dan and Nadiya still seem to be having a great time despite the haters. Lots of videos on their socials which are mostly them giggling like kids. Will be interested to see their tango, will it predictably get slammed by Craig or will the judges decide to be nice to them this week? (As we know with all couples there are patterns where the judges laud them one week then knock them down the next just to vary things up).

Will the Dan vote hold up this week? If it doesn't then he's gone. If it does, maybe a Rhys vs John dance off with Rhys gone? Really feel like Rhys has had enough emotionally anyway.

I really hope Rhys goes - given how often he's been in the bottom 2, he really needs to be done now. I'd like a Rhys v John dance off as I think that's the only combination that guarantees Rhys will go. If he's up against Dan or AJ, then either of the other 2 will go & I don't ever want Rose in the dance off (but if she were, then Rhys would go then too).

I can see Dan surviving this week and potentially going next week when they have to do two dances each.

If Dan isn't in the dance off this week then it will be a real test of John, AJ and Rose's votes.

I'm looking forward to Rose's AS this week and AJ's salsa in particular. I hope Rose does a Charleston or an AT next week (ideally both but I think unlikely as both are complex and don't both require outside choreographers?).

@myanonname

I am VERY sorry about what happened to you, however I believe you intended this post for the childhood tragedies thread if you want to you can ask MNHQ to move your post to the right place. Best Wishes

myanonname, pretty sure this is not for the Strictly thread.

Am all ready for tonight...voting starts to REALLY count now!

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

Are you watching tonight to retake your place as OP ?

It's getting into nail biting territory now. Dan really should go this weekend but who knows what will happen!!

I'm now concerned that Dan is going to get to the final and we'll lose one of John and AJ. Still think Rose will win.

I'm here @EineReiseDurchDieZeit! But if you have a good title lined up, feel free.

evening!

I don't like the Pressure Polka

Evening all

I'll be soooo peed off if Dan goes through this weekend!

Oh I love this song