SCD '23 #17: Semi finals — double the dances, triple the scores, quadruple the 10 paddles? (NO SPOILERS)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

SPOILER-FREE THREAD PLEASE

Previous thread here.

Video thread. Please post videos on that thread, then link across to here to avoid buffering issues with this thread.

Spoiler thread.

Bobby's CC epitomises why CCs shouldn't be allowed in the final, and indeed why the whole CC thing needs to be revised anyway. There is no other dance people do that so blatantly pushes at the sympathy vote whilst simultaneously not having to conform to basic rules. Contempowaft is really dull in any circumstances.

I would have much rather watched Bobby do his dance from Saturday in tails again, it was really lovely and I loved when they both put their arms in the air (bit vague, sorry).

I'm pleased Ellie and Vito are doing their AS again, it's the right choice for them. Am a bit gutted they didn't choose their Paso though - I hope the judges will but I can see their jive or foxtrot being chosen (hopefully not the Samba).

Am glad Layton and Nikita didn't choose their CC again. AT is a good shout, it was excellent and they can improve it.

I think Bobby and Dianne picking their CC was inevitable. A shame, he has a few other good dances he could have chosen, like his AS.

In general though, I wish they would scrap CC or make it a choice between the established dances, I.e. let them pick a Charleston or an AT or whatever dance they don't want to leave Strictly without doing.

I'm not a fan of CC in the final. There have been a few stand out CC's - Faye and Gio (repeated in the final), Rose and Gio (also repeated in final but less impact the 2nd time), Bill and Oti (repeated in the final). I didn't mind Fleur's CC too much (also repeated in the final) but all of them had so many great dances they could have repeated instead.

In Bill's year we had at least 2 CC in the final - Bill's and Jamie's. Can't remember what NVWLS and Maisie chose to repeat. I want to see proper dances in the final - they already have a show dance so don't need what is effectively a second one.

I watched a few of AJs dances yesterday - her CC was amazing. Not sure if we ever heard what dances were planned for her final before she withdrew but I reckon that was highly likely.

Faye and Gio and Bill And Oti's were also brilliant. Rose's was good for the silent moment but otherwise not for me.

I'll be very pleased to see Ellie and Vito's AS again. It's a showstopper.
I actually rather liked Layton and Nikita's AT, although I did agree with Craig it lacked the 'through-the-keyhole' feel of a perfect AT (because, IMO, Layton isn't great at dancing with a partner).
Disappointed Bobby is doing his CC. A lazy choice. Wonder if it indicates that the producers think he's the least popular so are going for maximum heartstring-tugging?
I guess they feel they can't have two ATs, but that's the dance of his I'd pick to see again. The only time I felt he seemed like a grown-up, good acting, and great choreo.

AJ's CC was indeed amazing, so sharp, crisp and sexy. Not the usual treacly contempowafting and talking about feelings. Next year, Kai should absolutely be given a young ringer.

I'm going out Saturday evening anyway but I'm not sure I can be bothered to watch the final. I don't feel so invested this year. It's been all about Layton and I'm bored of it.
I have no issue with same sex partners, I loved John and Johannes.
Layton is a professional dancer, he shouldn't be there. Nothing personal to him he seems like a nice , young man, the producers just shouldn't have put him in this position. And I'm sorry for him that he is being abused, again not his fault.
Bobby I think peaked too soon.
Ellie I like and for me should be the winner but I don't have enough interest in her to really bother watching.

Kind of how I feel @ThePoshUns !

I’ve been a fan since the show began but it’s not doing it for me this year …normally I can’t wait for the final am not that fussed this year.

It doesn’t have the same sparkle …

It needs a bit of a shake up 💃 I think …

I just think that with each series, it gets more and more pantomime like.

It seems to be moving away from teaching a celeb how to dance traditional ballroom and Latin, in favour of just showing off with more modern styles. To me, it feels like they're dumbing it down.

I also miss choreography corner when they used to have ex pros giving their critique, and Waite's warm ups.

I will watch the final, but I don't know whether I will look forward to next year's series.

I've really enjoyed watching Layton and Nikita. I'm looking forward to seeing them dance again in the final. I have a bit of a soft spot for Bobby too. Not fussed about Ellie although I expect she will win.

Surely people won’t be sucked into the sob story again.
i think Bobby is a nice enough man, but he does nothing for me, it might be because of the height difference with Diane.
imagine what he would have been like if he had a taller less “young “ partner.

Hopefully not but if Shirley and Motsi cry again and they probably will how many viewers who are unsure who they want to win will be swayed to vote for him.

I truly do not think that Bobby will get enough votes to beat Ellie.

Layton will get the fewest and Ellie's large fan base (not to mention that she's the best dancer) will ensure that she wins the glitterball.

I preferred the old format where all the couples had to do the same dance each week. It was easier to compare like with like.
And of course no professional dancers competing.
There's always next year.

The Rose-Gio/ John-Johannes final was a bit flat, partly from being down to two, but also with Rose's (admittedly brilliant) CC, it ended up feeling similar in tone to her sweet and wafty showdance. I can't remember what her other dance was but I think it was fairly calm ballroom too. The dynamic of John and Johannes' dances were more varied which makes for a more entertaining final.

I think Bobby going through over Annabel is the more interesting outcome in that regard.

I don't think the public are persuaded to vote by a sob story, most of us aren't that daft, whether Shirley and Motsi cry or not. Bobby didn't play on it the first time, as far as I could see, so I doubt he'll start now.

You have more faith in the public than I do. I know quite a few people only vote on finals night so I think they could be persuaded by a sob story.

No Bobby didn't play on it but he didn't need to did he with all the crying going on.

He is meant to be getting far less votes than Ellie or Layton so could well be a ploy to get sympathy votes.

@ThePoshUns i agree and for those of us who aren’t knowledgeable about the different styles they could do an intro explaining what they want to see.

Bogroll think Rose and Gio's 3rd dance was a quickstep from musicals week.

"No Bobby didn't play on it but he didn't need to did he with all the crying going on...

... so could well be a ploy to get sympathy votes."

But Bobby's not responsible for other people crying, and going by his behaviour throughout the competition, I can't believe he would have resorted to crying if others hadn't done it for him.

I didn't particularly like his cc tbh, but it wasn't entirely without merit, and as his other dances are the samba and possibly a ballroom type show dance, I'd like to think it was chosen as a contrasting style rather than a ploy to win sympathy.

I think the judges need to be more professional. Crying and standing up like Shirley and Motsi do is just wrong.
it becomes more of who can have the saddest story competiton than a dance competition.

I'd love to see Kai with a ringer next year. Actually I'd just love to see him generally. Actually, I just luffs him 😍

Yes, I think that's very true. Apart from Bruno jumping up all the time, it was a lot more dignified when Len was head judge. A tear in the eye can't be helped sometimes - or even pretty often on a show like Strictly - but there's no need for all the ott emoting and standing ovations we get now.

Closed!