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.

What's a ringer?

Someone with significant prior dance experience which is played down for the cameras

So, even though the person hasn't done ballroom or latin, they have enough experience working with a choreographer or team, attending stage school, or lessons to give them a significant advantage on such things as keeping to the beat, rhythm, timing, and flair.

Ringers include :

Tom Chambers
Denise Van Outen

I think we all insisted Karim was a ringer.

I say Kym is a ringer because she did Popstars and when she did it, she had been trying to make it for some time, very well supported by parents, and had done all the standard extra curriculars of someone trying to get into showbiz. So, a massive advantage against a beginner like Tony Adams.

Someone else will be along with more names.

The BBC has revealed it uses a “speed dating” technique to pair up celebs with their professional dancers. A “chemistry circle” is apparently staged by Strictly producers where all the contestants meet and dance for the first time.

Speaking to The Telegraph, professional dancer Aljaz Skorjanec explained: “They put us in a circle. We do a salsa and a waltz. The celebrities do, like, four steps and then we sort of move on.” Joe Sugg referred to the process as “speed dating”.

Producers walk around as the celebs dance with each professional and observe the couples who have the greatest chemistry. Former contestant, Jake Wood said of the session: “The producers all walk around and you’re not sure what they’re looking at.”

“All of us female contestants danced with all of the pro boys, and it was one of the best moments of my life, just being swung from man to man,” joked Mollie King.

According to comedian Brian Conley, the pros were more interested in where the celebrities were based rather than their ability to dance as they wanted them closer to London for easy access to rehearsals.

I meant oti!

Don't know why I typed motsi.

I liked oti. I liked her on tgd and tmd

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

There has been a tendency to give a previous dancer winner the person in the group considered the weakest in the group by the production team, and this usually goes by age.

Oti got Bill because she had won with Kelvin the previous year. It's to avoid favouritism and give others the chance to shine. Only it turns out Oti is just that good a teacher!

Aside from Bill, Debbie Magee and Pamela Stephenson have done really well as a much older contestant, but they are exceptions to a general rule.

I think her trio routine was part of the reason Michael and Jowita won - but Jason Gilkison got snarky as some of the choreo is similar to Burn the Floor finale?

I'm sure I remember them showing that once.

There are at least two bits magpied?

Strictly have used the song at least twice

and Iveta on SYTYCD

Reise is right, even if Denise played down her ringerdom ("All I did in Chicago was sit on a chair"). I might add Caroline, Kara and Jill to that list.
Okay, enough geekery for one night. Songs/routines for Saturday for whoever wants them.
www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a41588767/strictly-2022-dances-song-choices-week-4/

I remember Debbie, but not Pamela.

I'm trying to think who was on it the first year I watched it

Sophie Ellis Baxter?

That's not her name.

I dont really get the objection to previous dance experience

Be hard to find all celebs with none.

According to comedian Brian Conley, the pros were more interested in where the celebrities were based rather than their ability to dance as they wanted them closer to London for easy access to rehearsals.

Apart from Gorka who is northern based. He turned into pissy Gorka the year he was benched but there wasn't a "dead normal northern lass* that year and he had a tiny baby so probably would have been equally pissy if he'd had to decamp to London for potentially 4 months. Aljaz and Karen spent a lot of time in Newcastle for Sara Davis/Chris Ramsey and Amy went on tour with Tom Fletcher so whether/how much the pro is prepared to schlep about is definitely a factor.

I think Bill was also a big name that year, which probably didn't hurt. He was very good, but he probably had a bit of a fan base going in as well which always helps, especially if a celeb has a bumpy first couple of weeks.

I think some celebs win on one dance

Bill

Jay

Kelvin

I'm sure there's more

Having seen the songs for this week, I’m already concerned about some of the singing… Hopefully to be proven unfounded!

Aside from Bill, Debbie Magee and Pamela Stephenson have done really well as a much older contestant, but they are exceptions to a general rule.

How old was Cherie Longhi when she did it.? Also how well did Felicity Kendall when she danced. I can't remember if she went or early or did quite well?

And Lesley Joseph was an amazing 'older' contestant too - really surprised me as I was expecting an early exit. Mind you I don't recall how long she was in...

Week 5 according to Google so not as far as I thought maybe!

Cherie Lunghi was a shock boot in week 9 (although they split the competitors for the first four weeks so she'd only done 7 dances), the victim of John Sergeant. James Jordan was livid.

Just catching up on ITT. Does anyone else think Rylan would be ace hosting the main show. He is so natural and funny.

Not sure if BBC would axe Tess though ? or perhaps if they ditch both Tess and Claud in a complete revamp for next year.

Someone upthread said the designers have run out of ideas, time for new blood, etc...

Strictly seems to me to be heading in the same direction as the soaps, ie they’ve crossed the line between groundbreaking drama and completely OTT ‘nothing will ever be enough’ craziness, which is very hard to come back from. It’s sad, because the show in itself, as a light entertainment programme/dancing competition IS enough, without all the guff.

keepcalm11 · Today 08:24
Just catching up on ITT. Does anyone else think Rylan would be ace hosting the main show. He is so natural and funny.

I agree, he’s natural and funny and very genuine, I think he’s great, but I don’t think the main show needs to be hosted by someone being funny. Tbh that’s one of the things that got on my nerves about Bruce, always derailing the action with ’jokes’ and forcing everyone to pretend to be amused. Strictly’s already starting to feel like a bunch of people pursuing their own agenda (imho), and I think it needs hosts that gel more with the dancing than as an act in their own right.

I think it will be when Craig goes that I may well depart with him. Anton is a good addition as a judge but Craig has always felt like the only one who judges it genuinely (if sometimes overly harsh)

I suppose I should also say it’s a terrific show, whatever it’s shortcomings. I’m way too invested to ever give it up 🙂

Rylan would do really well as a contestant.

I had hopes of Rylan being a contestant before he got the ITT gig, I don't think he ever will now he's on the other side.

@FartOutLoudDay

The standards have certainly slipped a long way since Len and the early series which were very focused on craft and technique over feelings and entertaining.