I miss old strictly

[DawnieOwl]

Don't get me wrong, we are still big strictly fans in my house, but I cant help but feel that strictly has changed somewhat and pine for those old days. The days of Craig, Len, Darcy and Bruno, the days where movie week dances actually felt cohesive and every dance worked with the chosen film, the days where Anton danced with the older woman, the days where the celebrities would be paired with a member of the opposite sex, even the gay celebrities, the days where the strictly spoiler wasn't all over the Internet, and the days where the judges were allowed to be harsh without a woke social media backlash. Me and my whole family are still big fans but I can't help feeling like the last few years have definitely changed, and it will never be the same strictly experience.

Other points aside, why do you miss the days where celebrities danced with the opposite sex "even gay celebrities?"

Obviously nothing against gay people, with my brother being gay even, it's just how it always was and I didn't really see the point of changing it if people such as Susan Calman, Robert Rinder, Peter Andre etc were happy dancing with the opposite sex in the past

Peter Andre 🤣

I miss the days of all male female dancing couples as well. I think because Strictly for me always felt a bit like a reincarnation of a past time to when ballroom dancing was more of a thing, and the whole show reflected that era. Now it feels slightly more politically charged, and as though the BBC has missed the point. The point of dancing partnerships isn't about being potentially sexually attracted to one another it's a male lead with a female and that's how the dances are designed. I know that won't be a popular opinion among many, but I wish it was more about the dancing in that sense.

I agree, and I'm a lesbian.

It just looks awkward to me.

Sorry but I'm also laughing at the mention of Peter Andre 😂

"It's just how it always was" is such a cop out though, we are much more accepting now of seeing same sex dance couples on the TV so why shouldn't a gay man be able to dance with another man?

Have you just outed Peter Andre 🤣

Also I dont agree, I love strictly, things evolve it's just the way it goes. You could watch some old series for fun, I'm sure there's some dvds about.

I miss Darcey the most, she was my girl crush!

I definitely miss Darcey, she was lovely - I had a huge crush on her too! I do feel it’s become too sanitised in that the judges are not (constructively) critical enough. The gay couple thing doesn’t bother me in the slightest but I’ve definitely got the impression that some of the professionals aren’t always comfortable with it - might be personal preference, might be down to the professional tradition of a male/female partnership - which in turn affects how the dance flows. Still love it though.

I agree, I don't completely detest the same sex partnership but it doesn't always seem like the Pro's enjoy doing it, especially with Giovanni last year.

It's the way the BBC is going, trying too hard IMO... Sewing Bee was the same this year; couldn't even judge half the clothes because they were so out there / not things anyone would normally wear.

I agree. I also miss when all the ladies danced the sane dance, and all the men did as well.

I hate couples choice.

I've just watched this weeks episode and the judges scores were all over the place. Craig is even saying something nice at the end of each bit of feedback which just seems to make it all so fake.

I'm not bothered by the addition of same sex partnerships as long as they choose which "role" (leading or being led) at the beginning of the series and stick to it, otherwise it's not a fair competition for the others who aren't swapping to whichever suits them that week. Although I've always seen ballroom competition dancing as a "mixed doubles" kind of arrangement.

I do miss the old format of one ballroom and one Latin style per week as it allowed a much easier/fairer comparison, the current format is great for variety but some dances look more impressive/flashy than others even if they are less well executed especially couples choice so it puts some at a disadvantage

Proper laughing at the Peter Andre mention.

That's all I came here to say 😂

Also howling at Peter Andre, I burst out laughing and DH shouted from downstairs to ask if I was ok 😂😂😂

I hate how the BBC milk it for all it's worth. The show, then the separate results show on Sunday night (hate that). Then it takes 2 all week.

I hate how everyone boos the judges for any perceived negativity too.

Yes, you're right, OP. If we could just see the dances and scores, not piffle and posing from Tess, and stupid attempts at wisecracks from "The Fringe".

Every episode ends with the entire cast, celebs and crew acting like infants at a party, urging viewers to vote. It's just a big woke fest and money spinner for the Beeb or production company.

I liked it when they all danced the same dance (they did do that, right?). You could really compare ability then.

Do you remember how down Len used to be on props and in particular even the merest hint of “faffing” at the start of the dance?

Now every single dance has a prop - plus often some CGI - and the levels of faffery are mind boggling. A couple of years ago we used to shout “FAFFING” at the tv when there was some blatant delaying going on with a celeb who was a bit iffy, but its not really a fun or meaningful game any longer as everyone does it.

Do you think Nigel and Katya are having a romance? It's the way they look at each other, think Katya admitted last week that they'd had breakfast together.

Poor Peter 😂

"I don't see the point" and "I don't completely detest the same sex couples" are enough to remind me that it shouldn't be up to straight people who gay people can dance with.

I’m also laughing about Peter Andre.

I suspect he loves women almost as much as he loves his kids.