Strictly '22 Thread 5 — Grab your popcorn and snuggle up with Neil in the back row of the cinema...

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here

As always, a reminder that this is a SPOILER-FREE THREAD, so please don't comment on the result before the result show.

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

No, I get why the judges critique as they do, I just didn't think general viewers cared lol.

The format is what it is, I dont think there's much they could do to shake it up.

I dont mind Shirley - she comes across well on other things, seems a good laugh.

I like the rest of the judges and Claudia and tess

Watching ITT I think Nakitta is a decent Alijaz replacement 😀

Do any of the super fans know what happens if a new dancer isn't taken on?

Are they just quietly let go?

I also wonder what happened to Jowitas partner

The format is what it is, I dont think there's much they could do to shake it up.

They could cut out a lot of the shenanigans and silly, repetitive back and forth “how do you feel about being in the dance off/there’s a picture of your puppy, ah you’re welling up” nonsense, and include more extracts from experts, professional dancers etc. I like seeing the couples in training; not watching a movie/walking around a tourist attraction/visiting a primary school. Less CGI, better group dances. Just restore a bit of dignity.

@Bluffinwithmymuffin

Yeah I ast forward all those bits.

I dint even like the training stuff.

Just the dances would suit me and results night on the same night

From all the new dancers, only Chloe Hewitt was never given a partner on the main show. She got a Xmas special and that was it.
She did pro dance numbers (memorably with Oti in Fashion/Vogue) but in the same way some thought that Neil came as a package deal with Katya, I did wonder whether that was the case with Chloe and AJ.
Karen got the Strictly gig before Kevin. He failed his audition previously and changed his goth look. Not failed but you know what I mean.
Michael was not taken on after auditioning but they wanted Jowita, so he backed her/supported her/is proud of her.
Neil and Luba have only had two partners each and done Xmas specials. Luba also won a Children in need special.
Cameron has not been partnered yet. Joanne was benched a year and Robin was benched before leaving. Johannes was on the bench pre Catherine. As was Nancy pre Rhys. Gorka was benched for a year and wasn't too pleased.
In the American version they have "troupe" (pro dancers) and in the same way, they fill in if needed to and some then get promoted from troupe to main cast e.g. Alan. Is it fair to have so many pros on the Strictly bench this year - 2 men, 3 women?
As Covid is still rife, even if not testing now, it makes sense possibly. How much they earn and whether they see it as an opportunity or not, don't know, but it must feel Always the bridesmaid at a certain point or a kick in the teeth.

😂😂Me too. It was bloody awful. The designer and stylists have run out of ideas and have lost their way. I've thought this for the last few years... Strictly needs new blood.

What will happen to Cameron, and the two new ladies if nobody leaves next year? Not sure they will be 'let go' as such, rather they might leave of their own accord like Chloe did/unless you think walked rather than pushed.
Will be interesting what Luba and Neil decide to do, after being overlooked.

Oh, and forgot about Trent. He was popular (with Pixie) but left after one series. There was talk that that might have been because Gordana Grandosek, his partner, didn't make the cut but no evidence for it. He has done choreo for the show since as an outside choreographer e.g. Joe Sugg's salsa, the Joseph technicoloured dreamcoat one where Johannes lifted him like limp spaghetti

Trent replaced Robin that series as the latter had a back injury, so possibly it was only ever going to be a one series gig (there have been others - Oksana and Anya, although latter might have been taken on because of Pash?). Robin didn't come back to the main show though.
A lot of them came up through bum Burn the floor/Jason Gilkison.
A quick glance tells me current cast of BTF has Michael listed, as well as newbie Lauren, with Strictly main cast members Jowita, Nancy, Graz, Johannes and Dianne still on the BtF cast list.

I don't think Trent was interested in being a Pro, he is a respected choreographer (with Gordana) and put together the show that toured this summer with Neil, Cameron, Jowita, Nancy, Rhys called something like Keep dancing.

I'm sure Amy or Karen will leave soon. Lauren is a great dancer, she partners Gio on his tour and Anton and Gio on their tour and grew up competing with Kai. Once she gets a partner on the show she can stay for many years.

Oooh @SequinsandStilettos

You know your stuff

I dont know why but I thought there quite a few new dancers who had never got partners and then just left

Wasn't there a girl when graziano and gorka joined?

Nah, am just a complete geek. No inside knowledge or proper knowledge of dance - that's why I love Polka so much - her and others' insights help me with technical side. I'm more entertainment, global routines and sleb twaddle
Gorka was Oksana's year. She only stayed that series (14) and Neil and Chloe were on the bench that year with AJ and Katya both partnered.

I liked Tristan (he was Irish), he only did one series - wish he'd stayed. Think he was partnered with someone from Mrs Brown's Boys.

Tristan did two series, I think. One with Jennifer someone, and one with Jamellia?

Graz started two series later (16) after Brendan was put to pasture and Chloe walked. Johannes and Luba were signed up that year but not partnered.
Graz was given Vick Hope, who proved hopeless, so was benched for two years before returning to the fold last year.

Oh yes, forgot Jamelia

I think she was Brendan ocarrols wife him that does Mrs Brown's boys, I'm positive that's who jennifer was.

How do they decide who gets a partner?

How do they decide who gets a good/bad partner?

@Mrsjayy

Yeah she was

I remember the dancer did the Mrs Boys talk show. I think with some of the other dancers

He was good

Tristan was fab. Never took it too seriously and was great for inside info (he didn't choose Abba and that godforsaken boat, Jennifer Gibney liked the song).
He wanted Beetlejuice for Strictly and Scream (Jacksons) for DWTS but did not get his wish, apart from a Beetlejuice-esque costume for the bloody Time Warp with Jimjams. He got on so well with Jennifer though, he did a Mrs Brown tour with her and her husband.
I watched him judge DWTS Australia a few times and he was fine, jovial, fair. He now anchors iirc (he had a second heart attack about four years ago).

Studio 10 he's with but I think it may have been to do with being under contract still when DWTS gig was cancelled.
The general rule goes that production see when they get the cast together who gels, where natural chemistry lies, plus heights (Colin Salmon and Lulu partnerships aside), plus whoever won the previous year usually gets a duffer. Someone who had an early boot or exit beyond their control, a ringer or middler.
Occasionally, sign ups have requested a partner e.g Anne Widdicombe would only do it if she got Anton.
I like to think the blind dart-throwing monkeys or put them all in a hat plays a part though!

What's a ringer?

I take it thats why motsi got bill? They though he was a duffer?

I don't think the judges (BBC because it feels directed) are doing the same sex couples any favours.

Ritchie did what is always a difficult dance badly. If they'd acknowledged that it wasn't great the public would probably have wanted to save him. It felt very much like he was the BBC choice being promoted above others. But that's not his fault and the criticism shouldn't be personal..

Similarly with Jayde. There were some good bits. She brings a lot of joy but completely overlooking the poor bits is unfair to the others.

They should also be required to dance together and not side by side. The pros showed how to do it (as did John and Johannes in certain routines).

I think a lot of the public criticism is because it seems the rules are different and that goes against the inclusivity it seeks to achieve

Oti (Motsi's sister) got Bill, who was on paper older with no dance experience/ a comedian. But as a musician his timing was fantastic, and work ethic, plus a shorter series, paid off. He wasn't in the bottom two once. Oti also, apart from a couple of props, didn't go for comedy routines.

Regarding pairing up, I forgot location. Who can travel for rehearsal.
There was an article about pairing and chemistry circle. Hold my