Strictly's Back

So, it's ok for a couple to fall over,at the end of their dance, and then flail around on the floor, without being disqualified for, "diving" ; yet two pairs of excellent young dancers
are then made to face the dreaded dance-off for minor technical faults.
"Could there be a reason for this travesty?" I ask myself.
Yes! Whoe the viewer's are being punished! We didn't vote for those we thought were fairly safe in large enough numbers!

Votes mean money to the Beeb.
I understand that, "The X Factor" gains eight million pounds from viewers votes.
Heaven only knows how much Strictly makes.
How to teach us a lesson? Why not see to it that a couple of young hopefuls get their last dance. That will get us all phoning in to protect our personal favourites.
In my opinion the whole thing was a blatant stitch-up to squeeze fans until their pips squeak.

That does seem really unfair though, given her training/background; it's not surprising that she's so much better, she started with a big advantage...

I know that Debbie is an amazing dancer, but to be honest I can't get over the fact that she trained and worked as professional dancer and choreographer, not only ballet, but also with Second Generation.

So let’s analyse the categories of the remainder-older person, person with a disability (not that you’d know it) etc etc Which category will it be least offensive to get rid of next? -I hope Debbie wins because she can dance AND she’s older.

I was very disappointed in Aston's departure, I know he mucked up last week, but he is far better than some of the clunky competitors still there. I thought it was odds on that he would reach the final 3 and he was my favourite. I'm not terribly interested in watching it to it's conclusion now. Sour grapes I know. I think Debbie may be the first older person to be overall winner.

I'm pleased Mollie won she looked delightful and it is a shame about Aston but that's they voting system for you. What I don't like is the way the judges particular Craig is reviled on social media- Craig can be harsh but I often agree with his analysis.

What I meant was that they haven`t improved as such in the same way as the non dancers who started from scratch.

Of course Alexander and Debbie have improved. What on odd thing to say ???

The celebs should be judged on how much they`ve improved over the weeks. Alexandra and Debbie haven`t improved, they`ve been good from the get go, so shouldn`t be in the running. Susan, Jonny, Joe and Davood on the other hand, are getting better as the weeks go on.

I cant warm to Debbie ,she might be technically good but she has no soul on the other hand Susan and Joe in particular have worked really hard and have a great rapport with the viewer

How I agree with you POGS. Susan and Kevin are a joy to watch. Debbie is amazing, out of the shadows with a bang. (I was never comfortable with that Mrs Merton so-called funny (but sneering) when she asked “what attracts you to millionaire Paul Daniels?” No one ever bothers to quote Debbie’s answer, “he wasn’t a millionaire when I met him”).

I still enjoy Susan for the reasons I mentioned way back but boy can't Debbie dance!

I think that Alexandra is a good dancer but she is far too fixed on winning, she's not popular for over reacting when she gets good marks etc, didn't she fall to the floor this week in shock? She's very disapproving of her partner's romance with Gemma as it might take his 100% attention away from her.

I thought Mollie should have gone instead of Aston, that was completely contrary, he got two votes against one to stay, then Shirley completely overturned that!

I think Anton has decided to go for the comedy vote as he realises Ruth can't really cut the mustard. It's a shame I like her but she is a bit wooden!

Going to Blackpool means the week after next, the show is transferred to Blackpool for one week which competitors aspire to be on as its a different venue and even more fun and excitement, apparently!

The show comes from Blackpool in a couple of weeks, and they`re all keen to dance in the Tower ballroom, which is a most beautiful place.

I'm pretty new to Strictly + I didn't know people got so passionate about it.
I have 2 questions. Why are the celebrities criticised for the content of the dance i.e the choreography + sticking to the rules of the foxtrot, waltz etc. How are they supposed to know?
What does ' going to Blackpool' mean?

I liked Aston, but the ruination of one of my favourite dances didn't sit well with me. Janette's choreography was not up to her usual standard and Aston's movements were jerky and he looked unco-ordinated - the costumes were terrible too. On the basis of this particular dance I think they deserved to go. However, I think the public have decided they don't like Mollie and she seems to be aware of that, so she needs to show some passion and personality if she's not going to be in the dance off again next week.

I'm afraid Shirley has made her opinions very clear in that: you will not deviate from the 'proper' way to do a dance.
I knew from the moment Aston was called he was finished, she made her feelings very clear when marking him.

I had not realised it was supposed to be a Viennese Waltz, a very odd one I must say. On the news this morning a comment was passed that perhaps voters thought he was safe so voted for not so strong dancers. Perhaps his mind was not on the dance with a baby due.
I tend to turn the sound of except for the actual dances and read in between.

Aston is unquestionably the better dancer, and I am sorry that he has gone; I hope the vapid Mollie will depart soon. The choreography was at fault, far too stiff and jerky, lacking fluidity, for which I blame Janette, rather too aggressive. But it was the judges 'decision, and I bow to their informed opinion.

Agree, anya. The look certainly didn’t help and he really seemed awkward. Overall he may be the better dancer, I didn’t think so on Saturday. Oh well, onwards to next week.

I agree that Aston is the better dancer, but everything was wrong about his routine on Saturday night which is why he ended up in the dance off.

Firstly the costumes seemed odd and not fitting for a Viennese Walze, the ‘look’ was just all wrong. Then he performed in a jerky manner, small steps, none of the grace and style associated with this dance. It did nothing for me, nor obviously the public as they didn’t give him their vote.

Yes, he performed better in the dance off and I’m not sure that the decision to keep Mollie in was correct, but it’s both his and Janette’s fault they were in that position in the first place.

Oops Sorry I meant Aston MawBroon!!

I think it may have been a bit of a fix. Aston said in the press he was worried he might have to do a runner from the set if his baby arrived early. Maybe they gave him a way out.

merlotgran I totally agree with you. IMO Aston is a far better dancer than Mollie, and Janette a much more skillful choreographer/instructor than AJ, who is too full of himself to share anything.

Anton hasn’t gone!
It was Aston.