Return of Strictly.

Saturday night returning to normal, I love strictly ??

Really loved it, loved the judges dance, loved watching Stacey and Kevin again, Tess looked gorgeous, don’t like Claudia and her pathetic attempts at jokes, but for two of my grandchildren and me, Saturday nights are something to look forward to again

Refreshing jollity from what has been and remains to be gloom.
Tess's outfit would do me nicely, it was lovely. Great dancing from the judges and as Sara65 said, it's something to look forward to for the next few weeks leading up to " whatsaname " .

I do love SCD but found last night got quite tedious when choosing partners-oh for goodness sake, get on with it!

I do love Strictly but find the launch show always a bit tedious. And then two weeks to wait before a "proper" Strictly programme.

I did feel sorry for Jamie though - not to even get to the first programme. Has his replacement been announced yet?

I don't know the majority of the celebrities, but I don't mind at all. I just like seeing the contestants going from two left feet to actual dancing.

I don't much like Anton, but the look of delight on his face not to have another comedy partner was pure gold

I don't know yet who the "dunces" this year will be, but I liked the moves on the young CBeebies presenter. He's one to watch, I think.

Ohhhhh - happy Saturday nights again

Newquay

They do make a bit of a performance of it don’t they?

Thought it looks quite promising after thinking maybe I will give it a miss. Agree about the CBBC presenter, our DGS likes him. Couldn’t get over how terrified James Cracknell looked. Thought he was supposed to be a rufty tufty. Anyone know if there will be a replacement for the man who is injured?

As Oti doesn’t have a partner now, solves the dilemma of her sister Motsi judging her, that would have been interesting, have to say I look forward to Strictly but was bored, but I had run out of chocolate ?

I read an article a couple of weeks ago which stated that A.J's celeb partner had been revealed by accident. That means, quite clearly, they have all known the partnering plan for some time, making a mockery of the very protracted launch programme.
Ah well, I know I will get sucked in, as I always do.... it's a bit like a very addictive drug I find!
Does anyone know if Zoe Ball will be doing "Take 2" ? Actually my favourite aspect of the whole show.

Only saw bits and pieces. So pleased Anton didn't get "the no hoper" although I think this year that's a male.
Shame about the guy who injured his foot before he'd even started.

I’m sure it’s all very contrived, but still good entertainment. I like that it’s something my grandchildren love, so we can all watch it together, they love guessing the scores, and being allowed to vote!

It was good to see the judges dancing. Is that the first time they've done that?

According to today’s paper, Jamie is being replaced by Emmerdale actor, Kelvin Fletcher.
Another new name to me.

I think that Darcy left because the judges are going to do more dancing and as she says she can’t do it as she is a ballet dancer.

Rylan is going to do It Takes Two - should be interesting.

I wonder how Anneka is going to get on as she has never danced in her life. Interesting she has got Kevin. Don’t think Tracy has any competition there although he does tend to wander.

Found it all rather disappointing; there seemed to be a lot of people saying they really couldn't dance, and to judge from the dance they performed, they were right. This means at least six painful weeks while the no-hopers are humiliated before being eliminated. Neil Jones sets my teeth on edge, and I cannot believe that in the entire dance world they could only find the self-regarding Motsi Mabuse as a replacement for Darcey Bussell.

eazybee Completely agree with you.

Did not rate Motsi at all but also didn't want Anton to be a judge either... but surely there must have been somebody else. Personally I thought highly of Darcy and am sorry she has gone.

Did not think it was very professional of Anton to slag off his past partners ... as Claudia said, they may be watching telly!

Can't stand Neil Jones - there's something about him that's a bit creepy in my eyes.

Don't enjoy all the OTT professionals rushing towards their allocated celeb and shrieking etc.

The contestants always play down their dance experience as much as poss .... then they can look as if they have suddenly blossomed. What I liked about Joe Sugg last year was that he came across as completely genuine.

Won't be watching Takes 2 as can't stand Rylan.

ohhh Calendargirl, the pic macs of the 70's ???

I didn’t warm to Motsi either, I was a bit concerned that there wouldn’t be room for her dress behind the judges desk! But to be fair, I didn’t instantly warm to Shirley, but I really like her now.

pic (no)

pvc (yes)

dratted predicted text!?

Mike Bushell on BBC Breakfast said a while ago he knew who his partner was but could not reveal her name. I cannot stand the launch either- it went on forever. He said last week that his partner will be on this Monday's show.

I think the female footballer is one to watch- plenty of stamina and a will to win. I have forgotten who she is paired with.

I am pleased Anton has been paired with somebody who in theory should not be out in week 1.

The launch show was filmed over two weeks ago, so the “celebs” have known for some time who they were partnered with.

I started to watch but found that it was all too OTT and I didn't like or care about any of them. I wish they'd somehow scale it all down a bit.
Oh well. That's another hole in my Saturday viewing schedule. I'm sure I'll find something more interesting on BBC 4

But if there are several who really can’t dance, hopefully we will see some genuine improvement. We are never satisfied, are we, as we get cross if contestants have had lots of previous dance experience.
It may just be me, but I used to quite enjoy in the past when Brendan in particular was quite scathing about his partner’s lack of ability. Unkind I know, but compared to the constant praise and admiration which the pros seem to heap on their celebrities nowadays, quite refreshing.

I'm with Jane10 on this one. I thought the launch show was overlong and boring. Not that sure I'll be following it this season, though I do enjoy the costumes and the dancing, when it does finally get going.

Saturday nights are usually our night for catch up tv when we've missed anything in the week.