Strictly Come Dancing 2019

Ah! Thanks WOODMOUSE. Have to say I love that expression - it so succinctly says it all, doesn't it?

Bathsheba and GrannyLiv

It's shorten from: Menopausal Mafia.

What does 'MenMaf' mean?!

I've been wondering that too GrannyLiv

I think Anton looks a bit out of place now. His waltzing is beautiful, but he is too old now for all the leaping about that the younger ones do. Do we see any female professionals as old as him? Think he is kept on solely to accommodate the more mature lady celebs.
I find the first week or two a bit long winded, and would prefer to see more serious rehearsals between the couples than lots of trips out and general larking about in subsequent weeks.

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Kitty. Personally, I like to watch the oldies, especially when they struggle with the dances to start with.

On the 'celebrity' front - it could be that we are old. My daughters know a lot of this year's bunch.

Yes Maw that's it isn't it? Bake off is just adverts with some simpering in between them. How can anybody take Hollywood seriously?
It's burnt out.

Strictly has disappeared up its own rear end. The early days were about seeing somebody we knew from a particular field, often a serious one, in a lighter role. The professionals were just that....professional. Remember Lilia and Camilla?

I fear programmes like Strictly and GBBO have largely become a parody of themselves and have run out of ingenuity and steam.
Sad, really.
As for “celebrities” - really?

The programme where they match up the pros with the celebs is on 7 September. Hoorah - I can't wait!
It must be awful to not like Strictly! I really feel for people who miss out on such an enjoyable programme.

I love strictly, my grandchildren love strictly, we have fab Saturday nights, and I’m really irritated if we have to go out.

I’m sorry Darcy is leaving, but you get used to things, I wasn’t mad about Shirley to start with, but like her now, and as others have said, I’d never heard of Joe, or Stacey for that matter, but got to like them a lot.

My only dislike, the awful cringe making pathetically stupid banter between Tess and Claudia, please stop it!

What does 'MenMaf' mean?!

I can't stand Anton. Sorry if you like him on here, but I'm really not a fan and am very glad that he is not a judge.

I am looking forward to seeing how Neil does with a celeb on the main show. He was very good with Judy Murray on the Christmas special she was on, got much more out of her than Anton did.

Anton du Beke hosted a celebrity game show "Hole in the Wall" it was dire, as much as I am a fan of Anton he was not particularly good either!

Gorka (the corker) has not at the moment got a "celebrity partner" as he is shorter than the female celebs, so,at the moment is just part of the dance troupe.

I shall reserve any judgements on Motsi (sp?) until I have seen her in action.

Apparently Neil & Katya have each got a "celebrity" partner despite rumours that they has not.

I enjoy "It takes two" with Zoe Ball during the week (BBC2 6.30pm).

eill will

I hated Darcie's drawl, it grated and the idea that Oti's sister eill be a totally unbiased judge is laughable.
Yes...Pasha will be missed just as I missed Vincent and Flavia and controversial Brendan Cole.

IMO the current line up of slebs is dire and who Mike (Titch) Bushell will be paired with is anyone's guess as his feet don't touch the floor on the breakfast programme.
Now that the Cliftons have parted and Neil and Katya Jones are divorcing, I wonder who'll drink from the poisoned chalice this season...??

Thanks *Avor2" I've just joined too. Though I had to tell a fib about people with previous dance experience!

I always used to look forward to the start of Strictly each year. However, for the last 2 years I've given up on it after a few weeks. Not sure why. Just too many people in it so the programme goes on for too long? Sick of the silly videos?
Stringing it out to the results show on Sunday night is really irritating. Nobody is fooled by it. I'll give it one more try this year.
PS I do follow the Strictly spoiler on twitter so I always know who's out though.

Sorry .. should have said "ship" not "boat" .....

But Anton had a chance at presenting some sort of competition tv programme a couple of years back, and he was dire - really amateurish. This may have had some bearing on him not being chosen as a judge.

Yes, he's qualified, but I don't find him all that funny or charismatic. He can be irritating in my view. Plus I can envisage problems being caused at taking him from the dance floor to the judging panel in the same show.

It would have been good to have Arlene Phillips back, but I guess that boat has sailed.

As long as Motsi isn't as bad as Aleesha Dixon, it should be ok.

Agree with so much of what you say quizqueen. She was so irritating. Couldn’t watch because of her.

I'm with you Lessismore Strictly is well past its sell by date including judges and presenters. I have some good books lined up.

I wish Anton was going to be the new judge. He's qualified, charismatic and so funny. The BBC choosing the sister of a current competitor to be the new judge is the height of ridiculousness and has obviously been done as a tick box exercise. I will miss Darcie who, I think, left because she couldn't stand Shirley.

I hope Motsi doesn't screech all the time like her sister, Oti, did when she was a judge on The Greatest Dancer with Cheryl Cole, or whatever she calls herself now, it made me switch off she was so dire. Oti is one of the most talented of the choreographers but as a judge, no, no, no, so I hope her sister is not cut from the same cloth. I'll reserve judgement.

Love Strictly. Don't care if I don't know the celebs at the start as I realise I will get to know them better as the programme goes on. Really liked Joe Sugg by the end of the last series although hadn't a clue who he was at the start. Used to love Darcy and will miss her. Hope Oti's sister is as informed.

They have to work very hard and be very committed, so that is probably why a number of people don't want to take part.

I always like the athletes because they are used to taking advice and direction, they don't get ratty and try harder the following week.

I love it!

Just joined Strictly NO Men Maf on facebook. Lovely welcome. I intend to not put up with thoughtless comments. Scrolling through to ignore them does spoil the enjoyment.

The rudeness on facebook strictly page was quite extensive last year and it's getting that way now.

I wasn't on GN then so can't comment on peoples' comments.

Saturday Strictly night starts soon.

Love strictly! All the family watch it together . I would have loved to have been a good dancer

I've only heard of a handful of this years celebrities, but that doesn't put me off. I didn't know who Joe Sugg was last year and enjoyed him very much.

The show has to appeal to all ages, so of course they will want to include celebrities known to the younger generation. But what gets my goat is the frankly ridiculous arm waving Tonioli. Even the lovely Darcy gets on my nerves a bit. So I record the program and watch later on, skipping past all the nonsense and going straight to the dancing. The only judge I press play on is Shirley Ballas. Looking forward to seeing how Oti's Sister does on the panel, although my thumb will be hovering over the fast-forward button!

Persistentdonor As an ex-dancer myself, I too have failed to turn Hubby into even a passable dancer by dint of marriage! A ridiculous claim!