SCD '24 #4: The first live show, all 2.5 hours of it! (SPOILER FREE)

[PolkadotsAndMoonbeams]

Bums numb yet folks? I'm enjoying it though.

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Spoiler thread if you like to indulge.

I may not be on the right thread for this comment. We really enjoyed all the dances, however ropey/brilliant, but that’s the way of the first week.
BUT…. Why is Shirley constantly remarking on the beauty of female contestants? “You’re beautiful”, “you’re gorgeous” etc etc . It’s not Miss World, it’s a dance comp, and it’s completely irrelevant. I think producers need to rein her in. Given Strictly’s image problems, this will not be helping. (IMO, obvs).

@Terea

You're on the right thread

Shirley is more usually problematic for heaping praise on young men and being bitchy to the women, so she's changed her tune somewhat (IMO)

I don't think Pete is creepy but rather he is someone as conventional as your average assistant branch manager of your local NatWest bank, masquerading as a 21st century edgy Keith Richards type. Tbh, I don't really know anything about him other than he really likes animals (which is nice) but, if he's invested so much in creating his public persona, he may find it difficult to really connect with some of the dances.

I’d never heard of Pete but I thought he seemed quite nice and was judged pretty robustly compared to others.

The people I’ve never heard of always end up being my favourites (Hamza, AJ, Rose, Helen S). Annabel bucked the trend last year, I’m a tennis fan so I knew her, and I loved watching her make progress and enjoy the experience.

So I’ll probably be rooting for Pete! Ha.

Every year there are people I just can't watch through no fault of their own. This year it's Pete. Last year it was Bobby.

This year it's also Paul but that is his fault.

Sorry to be so shallow but there appears to be no attractive men this year despite the preponderance of blokes.

So sorry I didn't mean to add that gif but can't edit for some reason.

Sorry to be so shallow but there appears to be no attractive men this year despite the preponderance of blokes.

Tom Dean is really attractive.

He really isn’t!

Maybe it’s because he’s ridiculously young and I’m a well into middle age school teacher - he has the gawkiness and awkwardness of my sixth form lads 😂

I don't find him attractive probably because he is my son's age. I do like him though.

Pleasantly surprised by Sam. Thought she looked fantastic and came across well.
Karen was heroic faced with that music. Took it in her stride.
Chris was amazing. Wish Dianne would knock strumming her body as a guitar choreo on the head though. Hated it when she got Joe to do it. Added peril of Chris getting kicked in the head doesn't improve it any.
Montell and Jamie's routines were both interesting.
Toyah - my God - I had her as a dark horse. How wrong was I? Or Neil, who I've defended a number of times, really can't teach a tango.
Sarah was okay but that music was last used for Sara and Aljaz only a couple of series ago. It's lazy trying to shoehorn a joke shop theme into things.
I enjoyed Wynne but not a final dance slot for me.
Nick was fine but not an opening dance slot for me and I irrationally hate the song. Plus his high viz vest was not flattering. He did well considering.
Tasha and JB were both fine but dull. Tom okay but stooped made me go oof.
Punam looked good for a novice but might be an early boot.
Pete looked stilted and a bit sulky. Prodigy not a great track and unfavourable comparison to Nigel last year who smashed a rock paso.
The one I have forgotten entirely? Shayne. Whoops - not great starter for him but he can't be blamed for the choreo/samba-salsa hybrid. At least he gets a comeback next week.

Neil took out the promising Nina Wadia with his clumsy tango teaching.

I don't enjoy Diane's choreo though of course Chris did really well with it.

It was nice to see Amy and Aljaz back but I found their routines dull.

Happy days!!

Toyah was terrible and I do feel sorry for niel because if she doesn't get a good dance and do it well next week she's likely out.
I would rather Neil get a chance than bring back bloody alijaz.
Amy is another one I'm sorry to say I didn't miss and I'm really hoping it's not set up for a win for her!
That wouldn't be fair to her or anyone else.
Pete is odd-i don't find him attractive really and he is slightly creepy but is watchable and interesting more so than some of the others so I think will stay in for a while.
Jamie(?) has scary eyes.
Though good to see mixhelle be given a partner and not just stood looking miserable in the background.

I don't mean I fancy someone when I say they are attractive. I hardly ever fancy anyone these days but can see that people are good looking.

I’ve just seen Nick has got his arm in a sling, maybe broken. Possibly out this weekend but back the one after.

Just googled this. He did it changing a tyre on his car at the weekend!

Oh he is so annoying. Should lay off the stuff he does while on Strictly!
Motorbikes etc

Toyah is annoying and came over so desperate about wanting to do the show for years. BUT
I actually would find it disappointing if she got voted out first!!
She needs to learn, I'm surprised she's so bad as I watched some of those youtube videos where she dances. Looked ok and not two left feet to me!
I was also grrr when Nina Wadia left 1st with Neal.
Plus then it's only 5 females left.
It should be 5 females left in mid November not September 😮

He was changing a flat tyre at the side of the road so he could get his son home. He wasn't arm wrestling with a gorilla for fun.

i found myself finding his "trousers" a bit distracting.

was surprised that Toyah was so bad.
At the moment I don't have a strong favourite. but Pete, sam, tv doctor(sorry can't remember her name) would be my 3.

I think tango is a tricky first dance. It needs a lot of intent — you need to look like know where every step is going and you're putting it there deliberately. I think Toyah would have had an easier time with a waltz.

This is why I am so against Week 1 Tango! You need to have mastered the basics

<climbs on soapbox>

Bring back Week 1 & Week 2 - Waltz and Cha Cha Cha ONLY!

<climbs off>

And week 1 quickstep, paso, jive and samba while we're at it!

There are exceptions, but most would struggle to pull off competent performances at this stage.

Basically, yes @xsquared @CaveMum ageeed