SCD '23 #19: In which we're crowning our Strictly champion!

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Previous thread here.

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

I think there was no way he could feasibly return, but I am gutted. He was my favourite pro by a mile - the Charleston and couples choice he did with Faye, and then with Rose were phenomenal.

I think they need more celebrities- one or two always have to leave early ( injuries etc) and then the final is not as exciting.

I agree, or they should bring back previous week voted off celeb..

Glad Amy is back. Hope they have better safeguarding.

I don’t think they need more celebrities - they start with 15 which is plenty. The early episodes go on long enough as it is. I also don’t think they can bring back previously eliminated celebrities because then they would have to refund everyone who voted by phone which incurs a cost.

They just need to skip an elimination every now and then if necessary (like they did this year) or maybe bring the final forward a week (although I know this is tricky because performers will have been booked for it etc).

Start a week or two later with the same number of contestants then if no-one has dropped out by the quarter finals do a double elimination or only put the top 3 or 4 through from a semi final of 6.

It works just fine as it is though.

fair point@SoupDragon .
Best show on TV.

Expect when we end up with a two couple final.

in case anyone is interested - tommy (he of the blaize variety - the strictly singer etc etc) has a concert at the cadogan hall (sloane square) on sunday night and there's loads of availability and i'm going and i'm hoping some of the strictly lot are going too as i am a super stalker in the laziest way possible.
also the most expensive tickets are £32

How often has that happened?

At least once (which was one too many!)

Four times IIRC.
Three in the early years when they aimed for a three person final and if someone dropped out they ended up with two (Ramps vs Matt Dawson, Alesha vs Matt di A, Chris vs Ricky) and one in the new era where they aimed for a four person final to give them more breathing space (Rose vs John).

I think Strictly needs a new production team and judges.

Perhaps I am in the minority with this view, but I think its becoming very samey and more like pantomime, especially with encouragement of booing and shouting over the judge's comments.

Although probably the least qualified in ballroom and Latin, I think Craig is the only judge who gives honest feedback, even though they can be harsh. - I admire what he said to Nikita Kanda about comments to help her rather than break her last year.
Motsi and Shirley are too shrill and clearly have their favourites.

With regards to returning pros, I like all of them but obviously it will be sad that Gio is no longer on the show. Aside from the allegations, I believe he may have outgrown his time at Strictly and was ready to move on anyway.

Although probably the least qualified in ballroom and Latin, I think Craig is the only judge who gives honest feedback, even though they can be harsh.

i don’t think he is harsh actually, I think he’s genuinely constructive and if you listen, he always finishes with a positive. Much more useful than motsi and her “you smashed it girl,” routine.

id like to see a change in theming, I utterly hate musical and Halloween week - normally the bad costumes distract from the performances. I genuinely think that’s why gio was so pissed off when partnered with Richie - he hated being dressed as a fucking warthog. And when we saw him on tour last year, he basically said that on stage as well.

I have always loathed Halloween week. Songs that dont match the routine is my main beef but I hate the whole thing.

Totally agree @EineReiseDurchDieZeit , @thebellagio & @xsquared

I wouldn't mind the themed weeks so much if there wasn't so much repetition!

There's soooo many good songs / films / musicals they could use but seem to keep going for the same ones year after year.

Is it really down to licenses do we think..?

I'd like them to go back to 2 dances a week - half do the latin, half do the ballroom and save the AT for the semi finals. I also want tail coats and fabulous dresses.

Me too @AnneShirleysNewDress (love the username too!)

I'm sad about Gio, I've always felt his choreography was a cut above anyone else's, especially when with the right partners. But he probably does need to move on anyway, and I hope we continue to see him and his choreography regularly.

Agreed @Anisette

I agree with the tailcoat and dresses.

Some of the outfits are abysmal and look very cheap and tacky.

I don't like themed weeks either but mainly because some couples are forced into ridiculous costumes making it either difficult to dance gracefully, or obscure precision of movement.

Take for example Dr Ranj's Monster Mash outfit or even more recently, Nigel's Batman cape, mask and boots. Both happen to be Jive, where kicks amd flicks need to be crisp and clear.

My biggest beef is the Sunday night thing and avoiding spoilers. Just show the flippin’ results on Saturday! They could air some retro dances from prior series whilst the votes are being counted, maybe get a previous contestant or a celeb superfan on to choose their three favourites from days gone by or something. And Claud’s usual debrief with the judges uses up five minutes. Young viewers who need to go to bed can watch the results on catch-up next morning.

I’d love them to go back to basics. So yes, two dances per week, no weird theme nights unless it’s Remembrance Day type things, tails YES PLEASE, and another serious judge.

You know who was a good judge? Cynthia Erivo. What a natural judge, gave serious, actionable feedback, no joking all the time, like Craig but without the pantomime bit.

It’s basically treated like a joke, and the dancing suffers for it. Weird little badly acted intros for each couple, just stop it please.