Strictly Come Dancing

I had it set to record, as usual I had no idea who most of the celebrities are. But once it started I loved it! The introduction VT's, as I believe they are called, were very helpful to find out a bit about these people, and there were some notable surprises such as posters have said - Bill Bailey looks like he might actually be able to dance! I'm also extremely impressed by the lengths everyone (dancers, orchestra, crew etc) went to, to ensure that all the Covid restrictions were met. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season, but also thankful that it was a shorter time slot. I do wear out after about an hour.

I used to love this programme and really looked forward to it all, but last year I struggled, and yesterday they lost me at the first celeb, and I had to put it off half way through as I was losing the will to live.
I think I will do the fast forwarding thing, though last year I was able to keep up adeuately by watching the BBC2 programmes in the week.
I think I might have reached the point where watching the costume and makeup professionals is enough!

The last few years I've watched it starting an hour later than the show, and fast forwarded through the boring bits. I like the presenters (I'd always found Bruce too much from the 1960s onwards!) And I always loved Zoe on BBC2 - last year, not so much.

So far it looks good and the changes have made it far more interesting. I had got really bored with it in the old format. And it’ll be great not having the large rowdy audience. Some of the young men who I’ve never heard of look as if they’ll be good. Caroline Quentin looked great and I hope she does well as I really like her.

I too like Claudia, I enjoy her humour.

Agree, 100%, LauraNorder

I thought they did very well - given the Covid restrictions - and all the social distancing / much smaller audience / having to record group dances in advance, etc. would naturally have changed things BUT I'm still glad to have it back to brighten up my Winter. A great show in difficult circumstances.

I watched about half last night before swapping channels. Agree with comments about Claudia's outfit and the wooden one was as wooden as ever! I found it really hard work and think that there will be even more padding to keep the show going. Perhaps, as a previous poster mentioned, a break for a year or two. Liked Nicola Adams' laugh - infectious. Great to see Craig, he is always good value. Thought this would be sparkly and help us through the dread days of winter - not so hopeful now.

My very crafty husband suggested a game of scrabble just as Strictly started. Me, being a bit cocky, thought I could watch and play. Me, being highly competitive, hardly saw any of Strictly but I did win at Scrabble.
I’ve enjoyed your comments and will watch later on catch-up.
I too like Claudia, I enjoy her humour. Not so keen on the other presenter, whose name will come to me as soon as I have pressed post.
I would like to see Anton presenting, he’s witty, kind, knows about the dancing and reminds me of Brucie.
Tess Daly, phew just in time.

Thought Bill Bailey put in a good performance last night. He seemed to have a reasonable sense of rhythm and beat. I think he's a musician but doesn't necessarily mean dancing talent is automatic. Thought CQ oozed confidence and the exMP seemed a little timid. Follow them all with interest to see how wrong I am!!

As you can tell I spend far too much time watching it, enjoying it, and reading the gossip from the internet! ?

As I have dine since its inception I watched it but felt there was no atmosphere- felt very flat IMHO- might improve when there's actual competition...

It was a fluke that gave Oti Kelvin Fletcher as her partner last year. He replaced Jamie Laing who was “invalided out” after an injury at the beginning of last season and Kelvin stepped in as replacement.
I can’t be sure (and we’ll see as Jamie is in again this year with another pro partner) but I don’t think Oti would have lifted the glitter ball with Jamie.
He’s with Karen this year so we’ll see.

I thought the launch felt flat and boring. There really is no need to keep harping on about distancing and isolating, obviously they will make it as safe as possible.

Caroline and Johannes is a strange pairing, I can't see it working and neither her or Jaqui have any personality so won't last long and they obviously don't want Oti to win again with Big Sis on the judging panel so gave her Bill!!!

Do you mean Natalie Lowe seadragon - the professional?

I've only read the first and last pages so have no idea if someone else has made the point I want to make and no time to double check today.... I became fascinated by the personal sacrifice, logistics and general forethought that had been involved in ensuring that made Strictly at all possible this year. It's not perfect but the announcement that JJ was taking part - as well as Nicola - clinched it for me and finally allowed my husband, who is secretly big fan, but still getting over Natalie's departure, after which he threatened to ban the program, to watch again without losing face.

For those who are bored with all the chit chat, if you have the facility, record it and watch it about half an hour after it starts and fast forward the boring bits. Much more interesting or me.

There was one thing about Strictly that I didn't understand. Apparently the small audience consisted of families, had all been tested for covid and were socially distanced. So why were the ones in the background wearing black masks?

I tend to agree. The spontaneity seems to have gone. They should give it a break for couple of seasons and do complete overhaul of judges and especially presenters.

I felt quite down yesterday so was glad to watch something cheery, a distraction to all the negative things around at the moment. Overall I felt the BBC did a good job in difficult circumstances. My own fault entirely - shouldn't have read any thread on strictly as it’s sucked the joy out for me.

I watched it all last night - what a long drawn-out process it was. I found myself reading and doing my crossword during all the chat - and I recognise very few of the so-called celebs. Claudia Winkleman looked like something from a Quality Street tin!

Pittcity

I wished that Brucie had been there to say, "Nice 2 metres. 2 metres nice."

Pittcity Brilliant

Gwen Jaquie Smith.
She was Home Secretary under Blair.
Her husband got into a bit of hotel porn bother.
I saw some promotional photos of JS for Strictly and she looked really uncomfortable.

Saw a clip this morning and gather Anton du Beke has landed with a wooden woman (can't remember her name) but unless there's a drastic improvement they will be first out!!
Poor Anton!!

The trousers looked really voluminous.
I usually love that type of thing, but they looked very cheap and nasty.

My M&S silky summer PJ's aren't unlike Claudia's outfit except that they've got short sleeves----and they're packed well away until next summer