Strictly, yay!

It’s ok, Grandmadinosaur I wasn’t pointing fingers , just a generalised plea.

It did strike me tonight that Johannes dancing is very much showing off his skills rather than promoting John’s dancing, which makes John look less good. But I’m no dance expert, so I may have that wrong.

I completely agree Mollygo it was all about Johannes tonight, completely upstaged John, mistake, big mistake!

Tonight it was as if Johannes was competing with John. Too many of their moves are identical so obviously he upstages him.

Yes Johannes was overly wild in his dancing against John's. Not a good performance.

I loved it Johannes is such a nice guy John just needs to give it more welly.

I thought the same about John and Johannes. It reminded of me of a comment by Len Goodman many years ago. He cut the professional down to size and said the dance was too much about them and it should be about the celebrity. I can’t clearly remember now who it was but I’m thinking it was Kevin Clifden.

Len Goodman made a similar comment about AJ Pritchard, he had a young celebrity partner but was showing off his own skills. He (AJ) took it on board and improved in that respect.

BTW, why do the judges sometimes congratulate the professionals on their great choreography, when last night a couple of the celebrities were praising what sounded like other professional choreographers? No problem with that, but the implication sometimes is that the pro dancers are responsible for it all. Obviously not the case.

Does the professional choreography maybe happen when it is couple's choice? I've never really understood what that means, other than that the couple usually get awarded higher marks?

Re Johannes, yes, it has happened in the past when the professional is showing off their own moves.

I think it's a great shame when it is the choreography that's wrong rather than the celeb's dancing, as in AJ's dance. It wasn't her fault that there were not enough Spanish moves in the Paso.

It's getting increasingly hard to predict who will leave.

I think maybe the issue was accentuated more in the case of John and Johannes for obvious reasons.
Somewhere along the line I would like to see them dance together in totally opposing roles, with totally different costumes, instead of all this mirroring. Though their timing and togetherness is brilliant.

The professionals get help with the charleston as it's not a latin or ballroom dance.

Interesting what posters feel about Joanne's and John's performance. I did notice myself that Joanne's stood out particularly last night as being the professional. Because of their genuine friendly relationship I don't think Joannes deliberately tried to upstage him, more of a case of genuine enthusiasm and enjoyment for his love of dancing. I do see what you mean though. For myself I actually like a performer to have their own individual style and sometimes the exaggerated and somewhat staccato movements of the professionals can seem a bit over the top and gentler movements more graceful.
Agree completely Sparklefizz with the choreography for AJs dance being very unfortunate for her.

The professional has a slightly different role in Strictly; he is a dancer but he is also a teacher, instructor and mentor, and he/she has to be careful that their performance does not upstage that of their partner. Difficult to do, and I am sure it was not intentional,just surrendering to the joy of the dance, but somebody needs to point it out.

Have to say that Johannes’ neat little bum in his yellow trousers whirling and twirling away was a more eye catching sight than John’s rather more stoutish backside, but also moving and shaking admirably.

My opinion only.

I agree Calendargirl. I think the yellow trousers had a lot to do with it!

Apparently there are those saying the votes were fixed, certainly the 4/9 voting for Dan was very odd and I believe Craig has been criticising Anton's judging technique, surely Dan is doing what the whole strictly experience is about, a non dancer improving his dancing ability. I think AJ looked stunning but have to agree with Shirley that it could have been better, not her best dance. I felt very moved by Rose's dance and thought it lovely. Rhys's dance was so fast and entertaining, a great dance. I think it should be Tilly, Tom or Sarah in the dance off.

Many of them are non-dancers though except, perhaps, for Tom. Dan is not alone in being a non-dancer previously.

lavenderzen

It is high time Craig was retired. 4 - for heavens sake. Sick to death of his silly scores and comments.

Did you see Shirley being interviewed some time back when a member of the public asked her which judge she most agreed with?
Her answer: Craig.

YesJosianne I think that's very interesting about John and Joanne's 'mirrored' dance routines. To keep it fresh and to avoid the professional standing out so much it might be time for less twin-like performances. Being quite picky, I know as they're great together but we don't want it to get too Tweedledum n Tweedledee?

Re Craig, his comments are the most sought-after by the contestants. They all seem to desperately want to please him in particular. A 10 from Craig really counts for something. And he knows his stuff. I think the judges' panel would be much the worse off without him.

The opening dance was beautiful. It gave me goosebumps.

James Blunt and the two dancers were amazing too.

Well, I hope Tilly makes it ahead of Sara.

Pleased she did.