Strictly 2025 : It’s Musicals Week! 18.50PM NO SPOILERS!

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Spoiler thread is here!

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/telly_addicts/5405030-strictly-2025-the-spoiler-thread-results-and-couplings?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

KEEP DANCING

its a shame the if Amber was to be in the DO another person would go home.

Amber just reffered to the rest of the cast as 'my contestants' like she's the head judge or something 😂

Freudian slip there?!

I also loved Faye & Gio's quickstep to You're The One That I Want. I rewatch it often - have no idea how they achieved that speed, esp with Faye wearing those red high heels!!

So did I. I've seen the backstage clip of them after the dance and it made me feel quite emotional.

George was a bit underwhelming, given the theatricality of the set, lighting and song. I agree with Craig, he shuffled too much.
Absolutely loved Karen and Carlos. The costumes and spirit were totally fitting for the film/musical – the Rhythm of Life church, from memory (haven't seen it in a million years), turns out to be a front for basically a bunch of hippies indulging in free love etc. I thought she was excellent and loved how she just carried on when they missed the hand in those spins.
Amber and Nikita were very good, obviously, but I just always feel like she's delivering a slick performance and not actually putting anything of herself into it. I also didn't really like the choreography or routine.
Balvinder was stunning. Anton was absolutely right: as soon as she came on everyone's attention in the room was drawn to her, and it stayed on her. I normally agree with Craig, but I feel like he misjudged it this week and could've given more praise and just mentioned the arm and the sickle foot thing in passing, as it were. Seems a bit unfair that he gave her the same score as Karen when his criticisms of Bal very small stylistic things and actually missed/messed up a step.
Lewis was surprisingly bad; I kept waiting for it to 'kick in' but it never did. Shirley was right, he seemed to be running to catch up with the choreography and I thought he was weirdly stiff in the shoulders and upper body.

I suspect it will be him and Bal in the dance-off, and it will be fascinating to see which way the judges go. Presumably Bal can correct the sickle foot, and maybe even work on Craig's arm criticism, but there were so many moving parts in Lewis's routine I think it would be difficult to make a substantial difference to it at this point.
Are we looking at a SHOCKBOOT? (thank you to the much-missed Mighty Mighty Monkseal!)

Just discovered the results show is at 7:45 this evening. Any ideas why it’s half hour later than usual??

It struck me as just clumsy phrasing. She immediately corrected herself to, "fellow contestants".

Yep agree the titles are too similar!
I just clicked the spoiler thread in error this morning 😝!

Can’t take to Karen at all or Amber ! I like Bal.

Amber brought in late yep, but she has done west end shows it’s not fair she is on its like being a pro

I had a Google and can’t find a reason

There seems to be a new wildlife programme on after countryfile. So it pushing it forward half an hour.

As has been pointed out, getting a novice in at that stage who had not had a chance to train and practice would also be unfair. Anyway I’m sure Amber knows she is only there to make up the numbers and has no chance of winning.

I imagine Amber is thrilled at getting 12 plus weeks of PR plus a showcase of her versatility to West End casting agents. She may already be well known in the West End but in terms of becoming a household name it’s a priceless springboard. I knew nothing of her before she was a Strictly contestant. (The only one of the last 5 I know was Bal).

But I imagine her evident lack of popularity to have been in a dance off a few weeks ago is crushing as it puts a question mark against how solid a box office draw she would be. In terms of her career boost, not winning is one thing but hitting the dance off in week 7 or whenever it was is quite another.

@KimberleyClark …as has been pointed out…

Yes I know that, I am well aware.

I am giving my opinion.

@KimberleyClark …as has been pointed out…

Yes I know that, I am well aware.

I am giving my opinion.

I dunno, I'd imagine those looking for West End talent realise that some ringers don't end up winning Strictly precisely because the voting audience prefers an amateur in Strictly, but might well like to go and see a ringer who they know is good in a West End show.

I don’t think being in the DO will have troubled Amber too much, or hurt her career; Strictly’s a brilliant showcase and the judges clearly hold her in very high regard.

I saw on Facebook a clip of Amber dancing to New Money from Great Gatsby and then a snippet of her performance last night. It was only a few steps of each but the choreography was the same so she and Nikita used a move she has already practiced thousands of times.

I don’t know how much of their choreography has been based on steps she already knew (and perhaps all pros see what their celeb can already do moves wise and build that in to play to their strengths) but borrowing choreo from her previous shows gives her an advantage to perform a complex dance perfectly.

The Charleston is choreographed by outsiders (unless that has changed), but agree Amber/Nikita could have suggested it for one particular segment.

Not really that different to Lewis using his twirls in a few dances (bec he can do them) or George, to a lesser extent, using him hip pop signature move at Blackpool. Angela Rippon used her split move in several dances. There are loads of examples.

Not really that different to Lewis using his twirls in a few dances (bec he can do them) or George, to a lesser extent, using him hip pop signature move at Blackpool. Angela Rippon used her split move in several dances. There are loads of examples.

Karen now using spins too in her cc and yesterday's samba.

I think the delay tonight is because of the Snooker.

yes exactly

I’ve realised what I think is missing with Amber- she’s used to performing on stage, so big gestures telegraphed to an audience a long way away.the subtlety of emoting doesn’t happen on a big stage because it can’t be seen. When you perform for tv, you are more nuanced because it can’t be picked up. Basically you ham it up for stage, you have to actually feel it for camera. She’s hamming it up.

And George’s knees betray him. They point to Alexis when he’s unsure, so his tango looks weak because he’s knock kneed!

There. Expert opinions from the amateurist amateur in the room!

I do prefer the thread when we don’t snipe at each other. Strictly is my escapism from an all too conflict ridden day to day. We’re all going to disagree about all sorts, but that’s ok. It isn’t personal.

So don’t come at me with custard pies when I say, “George for the win!” 😁

This is such an excellent post. I wouldn't dream of wasting a perfectly good Custard pie on someone wanting George to win, but I would prefer Karen 🙂.