SCD '23 #18: Our three Strictly Stars, and the MN Glitterball Gang, prepare for the final! (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.

I didn't actually need to put NO SPOILERS did I?

Oh well, never mind!

Thanks polka

Cheers Polka x

Thanks!

Placemark

Thanks again, Polka

Thanks @PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

I can’t watch the final but I’m not that bothered, it feels predictable now.

Re the Layton hate, I can’t warm to him but mainly I just think he has an unfair advantage (aside from Strictly you’d pay good money to watch him) and doesn’t seem to be held to the same standards as the other contestants.

I’m amazed people think Craig is fair. I feel he has favourites. He’ll mark consistently one below everyone else, except on his favourite couple of the season.

On ITT, they said which dances the couples have chosen:

Bobby/Dianne - Couple's Choice
Layton/Nikita - Argentine Tango
Ellie/Vito- American Smooth

They'll announce the judges' picks on ITT tomorrow.

Am I the only person rooting for Layton?

If he does his AT, his quickstep, and a top hat and tails ballroom showdance then I might be persuaded.

Based on the choices so far, I'm looking forward to Ellie the most, I loved that AS.

Bobby

Ballroom: 4/5
Latin: 4/5
Speciality: 5/5

Dances dodged: Waltz; Rumba

Ellie

Ballroom: 3/5
Latin: 5/5
Speciality: 5/5

Dances dodged: Waltz; Tango

Layton

Ballroom: 3/5
Latin: 5/5
Speciality: 5/5

Dances dodged: Waltz; Foxtrot

As Polka says, if he does the above, he gets my votes.
Not sure he will but he'd be foolish not to.
Why do I think he might not?
Because the AT, QS and Top Hat/Tails mean three routines where Layton is quite masculine. If he decides instead to represent/show his feminine side/go with sass and flamboyance, then he'll go for Todrick rather than Astaire.
Astaire could win it for him though.

Layton's AS had elements of waltz and foxtrot, even if executed badly.
Miss Aljaz for his waltzes. So beautiful. Shame they seem to be considered less showy.
Ellie should have gone with a tango or waltz. Still not over the catsuit and cane pouting - think Vito thought what worked for Fleur...
Don't blame Dianne avoiding the rumba.

Bobby might surprise us all yet but has polled low of late. He has had the most balance surprisingly (only cos I also think of him and Di as Twee-dleDumb and Twee-dleTwee). miaow Saccharine sweet/roll-y mos.

Layton could of course flick everyone the Vs and dance to a mix of The Greatest Showman/This is me: it has been done as a showdance in Poland (Jowita's ex Michael Danilczuk came second with same sex pairing using it and Shana/Bobby Bones won their series with it).

We are away on Saturday, but I'm not bothered about watching live any more. Will cast my three votes for Ellie and watch when we come home on Sunday.

Bobby doing couples choice gives me a sinking feeling. I'm rooting for him but not sure couples choice will get the public vote.

Definitely not!

Ellie in a good position with American smooth I think. And wearing a beautiful floaty dress.

Checking in - hoping Ellie wins!

I hope Ellie does a decent showdance.
Layton, I feel like I did Ashley - I loved that she danced to Keeping your head up, after so many dance offs. Her showdance is one I've returned to often - if Layton wants to dance unapologetically to "This is me" or "Beautiful" (Aguilera) I'll think, Good for you love.

No, I hope he wins. I absolutely love his partnership with Nikita.

Me too. And this may be outing but my dm and dsis were at the semi final on Saturday and met them, and they were both so lovely to my dm.

Interesting that all three finalists have dodged the waltz - I personally find the waltz a bit dull, but there's nowhere to hide. It's all about technique with no room for flashy tricks and distractions. If you don't score highly from the judges, you are unlikely to garden the public vote with a waltz. In fact it would be a good test of who's learned anything to make them all do it. My heart sinks at the thought of being subjected to more barefoot wafting from Bobby. I've enjoyed this year's Strictly, but I'm not really looking forward to the final