SCD '23 #4: Fourth thread, second dances, first eliminations. NO SPOILERS.

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here.

Spoiler-free thread please

Video thread here. Please link videos on that thread to avoid slowing this one down for some posters.

Why are Layton & Nikita not doing a rumba to I'm Just Ken? WHY???

You should be on the production team @FKATondelayo

I like Fleur’s presenting style, but I did wonder if she’s pregnant. Those baggy tops and wide leg cropped trousers are not a good look.

I have to say Shirley really spoils Strictly for me. More than Motsi. I find Shirley quite bitchy tbh. She doesn’t like Nigel. Usually it’s one of the young girls.

Not warming to Layton and all the not trained in Latin etc - no not buying it. He looked one of the pros. I don’t mind a ringer but this is a step too far imo.

Not sure I have a favourite yet. But omg Angela Ripon. Wow.

Interesting that on another thread on here, about celebs you've met, someone has said that Angela Rippon is a prize bitch.

That is interesting. I have never met Angela Rippon but I did once hear her give an after dinner speech. I was quite surprised that she was not great at establishing a rapport with the audience. I'd expected more of such an experienced broadcaster. By contrast, Stephanie Cole had the audience eating out of her hands in 2 seconds. The difference was either between experience on the stage or just simply being more empathetic.

I admire Angela Rippon's physical fitness but as the competition develops, I wonder if I will vote for someone with more of a 'story'. Incidentally, Kai has shown he can be an excellent partner for any celeb.

Whilst still exuding that air he could put up some shelves, or fix the dripping tap after dancing a gorgeous waltz. Nadiya is a lucky lady!

I fear for Krishnan doing a Charleston to Money from Cabaret. First, I'm not sure he's got what it takes to do a Charleston, yet at least. Second, Joe and Katya's samba to that will be in a lot of people's minds and that was insanely good. I remember when the list of that week's dancing came out and thinking that there was no way on god's green earth that anyone could do a samba to that and they went and proved me and probably a lot of other people too!

The songs for this week seem mostly on the very dull side. Re Angela R, she was decent last week but I think hugely overmarked for her cha cha cha and the only reason I feel any warmth toward her at all is because she's dancing with Kai, so basically it's warmth by association. I want her to stay for a while so we can get more Kai.

Oh yes, agree about the cha cha, which got her the same scores as Annabel’s far better effort. She’s getting 2 extra points per judge per dance just for being 78.

That wouldn't surprise me, assuming it's true. Anyone can have an off day, or be misunderstood, or misjudged, of course (it must be hell being a celebrity for that reason) but I've never been able to warm to Angela Ripon - and still can't. Still interested to see what she can do though, especially as she's got the lovely Kai.

On the subject of Angela, I thought one of the judges made a comment about how good her top line is (might have got that wrong) but there's a roundness about her neck and shoulders that makes her look slightly stiff and awkward; not just the stiffness of age, it's the same in the dance sequence she did on Morecambe and Wise when she was in her 30s. She can move, she's got a great figure and flexibility, but there's something about the way she juts her head forward that takes away from her dancing... for me anyway.

I thought same. She looks really well - just different. I liked her presenting style and it would be lovely to have a good, solid anchor on ITT again. It's not been the same since Zoe left.

I loved Claudia on ITT and used to make a real effort to watch it. Zoe was OK and I loved her with Ian Waite on his 'Ian critiques the training' bit, but Claudia is the master of chat, rapport, silliness and genuine off-the-cuff wit.

True. I'm sure the set was better back then, too. I hate the wall to wall pink n' blue glitz of it now; surely it's time for a change...

I really dislike they way Shirley has her favourites and seems to really pick on others. On ITT Joanne said she couldn't see whatever it was Shirley didn't like about Nigel's dance.

That's what I think. She can do the hand positions and the foot points but there is just something wrong in her neck area - she is rigid. That leg raise made me queasy.

I actually think it's cringeworthy when she says "knickers" as her version of a swear word.
There's something I don't like about her. I'm having trouble articulating it though.

Not read through the whole thread so don't know what anyone else has said on here but I want to join in!
I don't get the whole hype with Angela Rippon - especially her cha cha in week 1. I felt she was overmarked by the judges because of who she is.
Also not getting good vibes from Amanda Abbington - she's an amazing dancer, but I just can't warm to her for some reason! Her salsa was amazing, but I didn't get why they needed the hand-stand thing half way through...it just stopped the whole flow of the dance and the judges always go on about continuously moving throughout a dance even when transitioning between moves.

I do like Angela R, and though 20 years younger my leg doesn't do a tenth of that, but I do think she's being overlauded. She's no Debbie McGee, or even Pamela Stephenson.

It'll be interesting once they move her out of her wafty traditional classical stuff. Can't see her rocking the African moves in the Samba. It's like they are holding back and keeping her on very safe ground for now.

I wonder if rumours about her not being very nice stem from her having started off when TV stars were very much seen as a long way away from "normal" people and normality? Dunno. No excuse for being unpleasant though (if she is).

Shirley really shocked me on Saturday and it was clear her outburst about Nigel shocked Motsi as well. I also don't like the way the public is allowed to boo Craig and he takes it, but when Shirley doesn't get the adoration she turns round to them and gives it some back. All a bit James Jordan and Brendan and not classy.

Obvs by wafty I mean traditional, not contempowaft. I can't see her being very good at that either. Though then again, contempowaft and floating around is a bit balletic I suppose.

New thread

For when this one runs out.

Fleur has either gained a lot of weight or she is pregnant. She is much bigger than she was on Strictly year. Her current wardrobe doesn't help matters, but it's clear there's something different about her.

Neil & Chyna’s baby arrived! 💕

Aw, congratulations to him and his partner.

Does anyone else hear songs on the radio and think of which dance would you do to them?
The Pretenders ' Don't get me wrong' is playing and I'm thinking perfect song for a quick step'
I may be obsessed