Strictly Starts Tonight

I think a lot of people at home are just rolling their eyes or sniggering ( or both ) at some of the contestants this year.
I feel sorry for them tbh, they can’t dance, have no chance of winning, so are just there for bizarre entertainment.

Well "a lot of people at home" don't know much about dance, do they? And if what you say is accurate, they don't seem to be very nice people.

Oops, sorry, forgot to consult the fount of all knowledge before posting.

An audience always critiques what they are watching. Tony was so funny, those costumes were unbelievable, those marks were unfair, that dance was amazing.
Volver dear, they criticise the dancers, you criticise the posters, not really much to choose between you in terms of seem to be very nice people is there.

Is that today's agreed messaging amongst those who don't like to be disagreed with? ?

Mollygo

An audience always critiques what they are watching. Tony was so funny, those costumes were unbelievable, those marks were unfair, that dance was amazing.
Volver dear, they criticise the dancers, you criticise the posters, not really much to choose between you in terms of seem to be very nice people is there.

Criticise the dancers all you like for not being good dancers. Saying that people look awful, or that people are sniggering at them? - Not so good.

"Dear".

Is that today's agreed messaging amongst those who don't like to be disagreed with?
Seems to be your style Volver dear.

The "dear" thing is getting a bit predictable, sweetcheeks.

That’s OK by me Volver dear.

Even Strictly. Even Strictly arouses a need in people to fat shame, make fun of people who don't look the way they want them to or don't fit into the stereotypes that died out with Come Dancing.

Keeeep grumbling!.....

Keeeep grumbling!.....

Oh the irony ?

Kandinsky

Keeeep grumbling!.....

Oh the irony ?

Volver dear doesn’t see that!

I'm sorry that I am by some people's standard judged to be "not very nice" but I actually don't really enjoy watching previously non-dancers humiliate themselves for money or other dancers making some sort of "woke" statement. I enjoyed SCD so much more when there was no political agenda and it was just people dressed up to the nines getting better at dancing each week. Now I watch it and simply go and get a drink from the other room when a dance starts to make me uncomfortable. I had 3 gins last night.

If you don't enjoy watching certain people dance, fair enough. Don't watch them. Nothing wrong with that.

But coming on social media to say people look awful because they are fat, or that the audience is sniggering at people on TV because they are short/fat/disabled/sad (insert objectionable reason of your choice), that's not nice. I don't enjoy those talent shows where people who can't sing come on and the judges and audience laugh at them. But I don't insult the people who can't sing.

"But I don't insult the people who can't sing" Don't you? As a trained singer (former) semi-pro I do that all the time. You do have a rather superior attitude to this subject volver. However not knowing you personally I suppose you may very well be a superior being. Have a great day.

As I see it the show this year is very much split into those who can dance, some beautifully, (Molly, Helen, Tyler, Matt), and those who are there to entertain. I have no illusions, that that is exactly what the BBC wanted to achieve. They want the ensuing debate. Fair enough. I lean to the former, others might lean the other way, but there is room for both, and for the dancer themselves the most important thing is that they enjoy it.

Anyway, back to the dancing, I agree with Calendargirl about the Charleston lacking lustre. I think that is because it doesn't travel and use the stage well, its all on the spot and in the complicated footwork.

notgran

"But I don't insult the people who can't sing" Don't you? As a trained singer (former) semi-pro I do that all the time. You do have a rather superior attitude to this subject volver. However not knowing you personally I suppose you may very well be a superior being. Have a great day.

"But I don't insult the people who can't sing" Don't you

No I don't. I have a heart.

As you are a trained singer I would expect you to critique another singer's technique. But you insult them? And think that's OK?

I've got good news for you. There's a program about the dementia choir on this week. What a field day you could have telling everyone how awful they are!!

(Sorry Joseanne, you are quite right. Back to the dancing.)

It’s funny how peoples views differ. I love the Charleston, but know that every dance is performed the same number of times so don’t worry about that. I like diverse participants. I don’t care how famous the celebrities are, I’m more interested in their dancing. I also think there is a wider range of dancing skills than usual at this stage, and it’s harder to pick out who’s going to win than usual. There are three that I think are weak, James and Matt I think will go soon, Tony I hope will stay for a while for his entertainment value, and the fact that he’s got the biggest mountain to climb but is trying so hard.

I like a Charleston when it's well done and I thought Tyler's was well done in contrast to Kym. I find Will a very sexy dancer with bags of personality. I liked Mollie too. Ellie and Johannes were awkward and the dance didn't suit her. Ritchie and Giovanni had poor costumes as did Fleur. The dress did nothing for her. Poor Hamza trying to do a rumba to Jurassic Park! It's a difficult dance anyway. I don't find Matt or Tony entertaining. I liked Jayde and she has personality too. Some of the comments on here are spiteful and nasty.

All who go onto SCD receive a very large payout for doing so. So, I do not feel sorry for any of them. All, also say, that it is a really great experience and I am sure that it is.

Okay some of them really cannot dance, and will probably never be able to do so. Not that it matters. They have a great time, they wear wonderful costumes, they earn lots of cash, and they entertain very many people.

Personally, I find the sameness very boring now Loved it many years ago, but cannot really take on such a long time each Saturday evening. But I know I am in a minority and whilst it gets such good ratings, would not want it discontinued.

I have covid brain at the moment, so can someone help me out ....
In the early days didn't we have a week where every contestant did say the Charleston, then the following week everyone did say the waltz?
It kind of made it easier to sift through those who had the skills and those who didn't, though I guess the mish mash makes it more interesting?

I don't remember that format Joseanne

You're right Joseanne.

Half the contestants did a ballroom and half did a Latin. The following week, the other way round. There was no Charleston or American Smooth.

I guess they think that this new way is more entertaining.

Jeez what has happened to the Strictly thread this year?