Strictly 2026 : Sat 18.15 PM WEEK TWO - Movie Night?! Already?! NO SPOILERS

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

Early for the Week Two thread but ITT doesn’t seem to be attracting a lot of traffic so I think it’ll work. I’ll do another on the night if I have to.

KEEP DANCING 💃💃

Someone mentioned Lauren was their new favourite since Karen left, i wonder if you read that and Karen just got stuck in your head 😀

This is true. Tabby has delivered the country and Olympic gold medal, whereas Dani has... been born to a famous parent and married a footballer.

I take it back, Graham seemed to be in character more than Jake. Both good at strong, silent type though

You’re welcome.

Can’t do much about the vibe shift though

I could have sworn that Karen was Graham’s partner ! No idea what I’ve been watching . lol

I'm probably just grumpy eine. I'll watch a bit of DWTS and cheer the fuck up! 😉😁

But Karen left! Or was pushed

They’ve got some names this year !

Claudia just used people for her "witticisms". She was predictable and arrogant.

Karen is doing a cooking show on ITV tomorrow Cooking with the stars
Good on her. Decent agent.
I think she was pushed. At 44, still fit as fuck, but they wanted new, young things. Katya only made it in by skin of her teeth allegedly.

Edit: Oh. Where have I been? It's a longstanding show I've never seen hosted by none other than Emma Willis and Tom Alken. Series 6?! Karen is a contestant alongside other Strictly alumni - JB Gill, Caroline Quentin, Zara McDermott, Sean Walsh, Lesley Joseph, Scarlett Moffatt, Harry A-A gladiator.

Nonetheless, hope she had a good time on it

I don’t share your view - I thought she was professional witty and charming

I am enjoying Harry Shum Jr on DWTS but then I always liked a ringer.

Oh well, glad Karen is doing something else now.

A bit of both I think ( Sun link about a Reddit thread https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/40533694/graeme-hall-defends-dance-background-after-ballroom-latin-records/ ) but, for me, the ringers are needed for interest,
particularly in the early weeks. I'd prefer a few more, especially after last night's show!

Right. Anyway, thank the lord she's gone and I don't have to mute her.

I want way MORE ringers.

The older pros have generally been round the block - if, like Anton, they have run dance schools, coached for competitions, judged at some level then it makes sense to have some represented in the judging team. When Anton stops playing the clown his actual technical advice is clear and specific - useful feedback for the pro and the celeb. I think Motsi came up through that path before judging on the German Strictly. Quite a number of past pros run dance schools and are involved in competition dancing at coach and judge level so there should be a decent number of candidates.

I'd agree someone from a show background without the teaching experience wouldn't make sense and I thought Alesha Dixon was a great celeb but a terrible choice for the judging panel.

A lot of people (not me) are claiming to be doing this to the new team

'When Anton stops playing the clown his actual technical advice is clear and specific - useful feedback for the pro and the celeb'

I agree. My god he's annoying but he knows his shit, and gives them very clear criticism when he calms down. That's what they all need, rather than whooping and fawning. Or jumping out of their seat to give them hugs, like Shirley last night FFS 🙄🙄🙄🙄

I feel the need to stick up for Tess. She was gorgeous, glamorous (a big part of hosting Strictly), elegant, competent and a very safe pair of hands. Her and Claudia were such a great pairing.

I don't hate the new presenters at all - Emma is great, JoJo got better and better last night, and Josh is fine, if surplus to requirements. I do wish they would ditch theme weeks, CGI, Couples Choice and making people dance a samba / jive / Charleston in the first few weeks

Profile - Claudia Winkleman - BBC Sounds https://share.google/5POPgYE9XrnXIgaBn

There was a 15 minute profile on Claudia last night on radio 4. What came over was how joyous and non-diva she is to be around when filming and how rare that is.

I like her.
Didn't like her chat show but admired her for trying it then admitting it wasn't for her.
Enjoy Traitors although this series is annoying me, blaming REG for that.
Her book wasn't great but was a charity shop purchase so nowt lost.
I think she has a spark about her and genuinely cares about people she's working with.

One random thing that does annoy me is that some dances seem to last for a good amount of time so it really showcases the stars and you can really get into it, and then other couple comes on and and their dance only lasts about a minute….. if not less (it feels).

Sometimes the dance comes to end and I’m like “Was that it?!”

She’s great on The Piano as well @SequinsandSlippers but I didn’t get around to watching the last series

I think she likes to present herself as very clever and literate. Other people are her feeds. I didn't like the way she spoke to Vito, English isn't his first language, he's not going to be so "knowing".

Precisely…. But I guess it’s also down to judges too… if they ever find themselves in DO

I’m glad to see someone else would like Anton presenting - I think he would have been really good