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.

I was wondering this last night and came to the conclusion that he's a bit of an odd shape trouser-wise and so perhaps quite difficult to fit properly. He's not fat exactly but has a sort of stocky tummy which pulls the trousers up a bit higher and causes the tightness.

@Rainbowcat99 The classic Latin and ballroom dances work best with opposite sex couples- aesthetically, practically and the steps and lifts that judges are looking for are based on a female/male partnership. Just my opinion.

I thought that @Rainbowcat99 . I do wish he would just relax. He’s a good looking man and would be better if he stopped all that Botox.

Fortunately @Benjispruce4 you're right, it is just your opinion 🤷🏿‍♀️

I liked John and Johannes last year but I do remember that even the very fit and muscular John dropped Johannes. Lifts must be much harder than they look.

Plus same sex partnerships are quite common in ballroom dancing and are not really about sexuality.

All girls/ladies are very common, because a lot fewer men dance. Male/male is only really seen at things like the Pink Jukebox where it is more to do with sexuality.

If you're a man who wants to be a high-level competitive dancer, there just isn't any drive to dance with another man. Chances are that from being little you'll have only danced lead. There are so many good ladies who are looking for partners you'd be going up against a lot of people better at following than you. Both you and your partner would do better (results-wise) by dancing with ladies.

My heart broke for Matt when he got that 3 - he looked devastated.

The scoring was totally ridiculous last night, especially from Shirley and Motsi.

I can’t believe Karen and Jayde got the score they did….trying to watch Jayde lift her leg and get up of the floor was so awkward. If it’s not something she is able to do then don’t put it in the routine….rather than stick it in the routine anyway and wait for the over scoring to come in because “at least she tried.”

I’m loving Anton as a judge!!

Tony was great and I loved Will’s dance!!!

I missed the chance to vote but I would have chosen Matt, Tony and Will.

The steps were codified with male and female dancers in mind, so it's hardly surprising.

I can dance with men or ladies of pretty much any height, but some will be more comfortable than others.

Because men usually have higher torso:leg ratio than girls, (and girls wear heels), ballroom with a man about 6" taller than me is usually the best. With a girl, she'd be about the same height.

Of course then you get aesthetic differences because you lose the difference in height at the top of your partnership so your frame looks a bit different, and you have each other's boobs to contend with.

If you're dancing both ballroom and Latin, with a girl who is a good hip height match and the same height as you, your Latin style probably changes, because it's harder to turn somebody under your arm than if they're shorter. So you do more side-by-side work, and less underarm turn and clear lead/follow work.

i missed the change to vote but would have gone for Ellie T, Will and Tony

i dont get Matt's popularity,
is it just here? for some reason that people think he is sad?

It's very common - listen to Rylan say "Shtrictly". He's not alone in this.

Yeah but that’s to do with fake teeth!

I disagree, I think they're trying to be inclusive, and reflect the viewers. I would not want all the dancers to be white, and it's good to have people being positive and open about being gay. Every year they have a person who has challenges with additional needs, every year someone amazing like Jonny Peacock, Katie Piper, Rose or Ellie Simmonds comes along, lights up the dance floor, shows what can be done.
I was nearly in tears last night watching Nikita and Ellie, it was beautiful.

Oh FFS it's just a turn of phrase 🙄

Why shouldn't celebrities express a preference for a same sex partner?

at no point have I said that they shouldn't.

Strictly have, in the past, been adamant that they weren't going to do it. Hence "caved".

Had to rewatch Tony's dance last night and it still has me howling with laughter. Although he's not the most graceful he's definitely putting in the effort and it was a far superior samba than Richie's. Craig scoring him a 2 (and even Shirley's 4) is an utter disgrace.

I think the judges scoring Tony so low is all part of the show’s routine - they know full well the public is going to keep him in because he was so entertaining and we’re going to be furious they scored him so low and how dare they/ he didn’t deserve it etc.

I think Ritchie (or Jayde's) overmarking could put them in trouble.

I don't mind Ritchie but he was in no way deserving of those scores. Every week his proper dance content has been very short with the time filled up with nightclub style easy moves. I have no objection to same sex couples but I want to see them in hold in the same way as mixed sex couples.

There were no exceptions for JJ Chalmers, Lauren or the lovely guy who didn't have ankle joints. It was much harder for them and wonderful to see them improve.

Matt grew on me a bit this week. His posture and hold is all wrong but if he can crack it he has some potential in his footwork.

Fleur was much better but there's something about her dancing that doesn't flow (in contrast to Helen who appears to float!)

Hamza and Ellie T had dud musical and theme choices so possibly some sympathy from the public.

Bad week to be in the middle so those who appear not to need votes and have a professional without a big following could be in trouble. Fleur I'm looking at you even though it would be totally undeserved.

Although could be a blessing in knocking out one of the overmarked!

Yes hadn't thought of that. Richie's over marking could put him in trouble or any of the overmarked ones.

Jayde won't be able to lift Karen she doesn't have to core strength or fitness.
She's too much of a drama Queen for me as is Richie.
I won't be sad to see either of them go.

Desperately avoiding spoilers.

Ugh! I've come this close🤏🏼 to reading a spoiler on Apple News. Luckily saw no names and nowhere near enough info to give it away. I wish they'd stop putting the News out like that!

@SoupDragon I read an online article and then stupidly read the comments and now I know aargh. Lesson learnt.

Same here ☹️

I really enjoyed Richie and Gio's dance last week, however there dance this week was disappointing to me anyway. The costumes (not their fault) and the faffing about were awful.

The funniest thing about Tony's dance for me was at the end where everyone is whooping and cheering and Craig is sitting turned to stone!

I'm sure Craig also gave Ed Balls a 2 for Gangnam Style, I remember him looking devastated too. He also tried really hard, improved lots, and kept getting undermarked.