Strictly Come Dancing

Yes, fingers crossed for Susanna. I also have a fondness for Abbey. She looks so lovely and sophisticated but when she opens her mouth, she's pure Scouse. And she has proved to be a very able dancer.

After two busy weekends when I missed SCD, I'm looking forward to getting my pjs on (yes, even at 6.30!) and relaxing on the sofa, while shouting at Tess and Bruce!
I'm afraid her continual posturing is driving me mad!

This year I don't have a favourite, so good luck to Susanna.

And so it's Saturday again. I know this week's been a hard, and sad, week for many, so maybe some relaxation in front of SCD tonight might be a good thing.

Knowing how incredibly hard the 'celebs' (and their partners) have worked, I can't wait to see tonight's show. At the half way mark the pressure is huge--especially with the hope of dancing at Blackpool next week.
DD came back from the long rehearsal day last night but still summoned the energy to have a loving evening with her family. My 8 year old grandson follows every move with a critical eye, and wanted to be shown how the men should hold their partners for a waltz. So I had the pleasure of seeing him (trying to) waltz his mum around the kitchen. Even though he was in pyjamas and she was 'dressed down' it was beautiful to watch.
I hope we can all have our ready, give our worries a night off, and just enjoy!
And if you're not sure who to vote for--please vote for the DD's Waltz

I do so agree - Natalie always turns in a wonderful performance, but so she should! It really isn't a level playing field from the start, and the problem with all these programmes where the viewers' votes count is that a lot just vote for those they like/fancy rather than those who actually deserve it.

Well said skate. Natalie should never have been allowed to start as she has a very unfair advantage.

What really really annoys me is seeing trained dancers (yes, I do mean you, Natalie) get brilliant marks week after week. They say they've never done ballroom, which may be true, but basic dance training gives them a terrific advantage over those hapless souls who have never had any and who work very hard week after week to try and improve. It's quite moving when they turn in a creditable performance, and vastly irritating when Natalie and those of her ilk simper with false modesty after receiving fulsome praise from the judges. They SHOULD be good - they're trained!!

I have never bothered to vote for my favourite dancer before but if Hairy Biker Dave is receiving a lot of votes, then we must make a huge effort and vote for who we want to see returning the following week. I saw him interviewed by Zoe Ball on BBC2, and he seems as determined as ever to carry on. So come on ladies and cast your votes, every single one counts and at least you can feel you have done your bit towards seeing proper dancers continue in the competition.

Brucie & Dave to go! Dave looks as if he's in a video for camp exercises.

numberplease, your sons idea would be so much better. I can't dance myself but I do enjoy watching it.

I agree with PRINTMISS, the professionals are extremely 'professional' and work really hard to get the best out of their 'celebrity' partners--even when it must feel like an impossible task!
I was lucky enough to go to the launch show, and was so impressed by the whole production process. So much hard work goes into SCD from absolutely everyone involved.
Going to one of the shows involves a lot of queuing, waiting, and moving around between gathering areas, and the huge Elstree studio used for SCD (think aircraft hanger, and you get the idea!).
Many of the audience seem to be genuine SCD aficionados who really get into the spirit, and I think it is their high spirited energy that we hear.
I am pretty sure no canned sound is added.
The sound (of the music) in the studio is excellent, unfortunately it does seem to get distorted and a bit screechy when it reaches our television sets. But I absolutely love the joy of the dancing

I enjoy the progamme too, but what I hate is the screaming! I am sure that is not the 'live' audience doing that, but 'canned'. The professionals do work really hard, and in one or two cases may not very much like their partners. I am glad Anton has got through, although I do not think their routine was very good and Fiona is a bit stodgy, but Anton appears to be such a lovely man, and pleased to get this far.

I was taken to watch a Ballroom dancing competition by DH when we got engaged as his sister was competing. Knowing nothing about BD I was expecting the atmosphere to be a bit like a dressage arena...totally silent apart from the music. I nearly fell off my seat when the man next to me leapt to his feet and yelled, 'Come on our Avril!!' I was so shocked I wanted to hiss SHHHHHH at him but by then everyone was whistling, yelling and clapping. DH promptly disappeared to the bar and told me afterwards he hated dancing but it was more than his life's worth not to go with the rest of the family.

Does anyone else find the audience's clapping along with the music rather tiresome? I know it shows enthusiasm, but it does spoil the music for me.

Can I just say I agree most wholeheartedly with * Speki.* Strictly is currently my favourite programme, I admire the celebs so much, they put such hard work and effort into their performances, they all deserve to win; and the professional dancers work so hard teaching the dance routines, well done to them. They look so proud when their partners get voted through to another week. I belong to a dance/exercise group for the over 60's, and when we meet, in my head, I am on Strictly! I find the programme very inspirational, and it promotes a real feel good factor.

Mishap I haven't watched this either. Only caught a glimpse when at DDs house. I liked the first series but went off it thereafter. I can't stand Brucie. He needs to be put out to grass

Oh please please please let Mark Benton win - he is so lovely and funny and deserves it. oh ok then - yes, not likely!

I just want to say how enchanting it all is - the music, the outfits, the make up, the lighting and the effects, the enthusiasm and seemingly genuine camaraderie - it does my sad old heart good - what's not to like? Hats off to the production team - they never get a mention.

numberplease that would certainly be a much fairer way and we would not get shocks each week when an up and coming dancer does not receive enough votes.

My son suggested that the public vote should be between the bottom three from the judges results, then have a dance off between the bottom two. At least there wouldn`t be a really good dancer in the dance off.

That won't make any difference, surely? If you don't like someone but they happen to be a good dancer you can just vote them off anyway.

I did feel sorry for Dave as you are all right;he did look extremely embarrassed and hangdog, not his fault though he may do what John Sergeant did, the honourable thing, leave the show next week before the vote.I just wondered if being a Halloween evening, there were lots of kids watching who wanted to vote for him?Because who is voting for him? Other hairy bikers?I think the fairest vote would be if everyone voted for the person they think should LEAVE the show, not the one who should stay; that should help fairer voting.

I am in full agreement Mishap

I have never watched even one episode of this programme - what dos this make me? Don't answer that!!

I would pay good money not to have to watch "Brucie"!!

Only watched 2 or 3 of this series and I really haven't missed it. Might watch again nearer the final but then again might not bother.

I dont think I'll bother watching it anymore. It's a travesty. I can't believe how upset and angry I was last night. Maybe he might do the honourable thing and take himself out of the competition.

GrandmaMiney, I wasn't impressed with Ben's body, or his dancing! And as for Dave, well I haven't seen him actually dance yet. He just struts around pulling silly faces.

It was a total travesty that Rachel and Abbey were in the dance off. There were a few who coukd have been there instead, Dave, Ben, Sophie, Mark, for example. It seems that all of these public vote shows go this way, with shock ejections along the way, and with the "freak" acts remaining in. It does make you wonder if it really does actually reflect the vote???

Susanna was a star this weekend. Well done!