Sunday 19 December 2021
It Takes Two!
Sunday 12 December 2021
The Sensational Semi-Final!
Sunday 5 December 2021
The lifts are gonna get you...
quantity, everyone raised their game and was really going for it. Also, quick shout-out to the early Christmas-themed number which was as camp as, well Christmas, and an absolute delight. Oti and Grazi hamming it up and even some actual ballroom, it was like an early present.
Saturday 27 November 2021
Rumba in the Jumble
But hey, let's get on to the dancing...
Rose and Giovanni
Was it me or did the music blend into some notes from The Final Countdown? Now it's unlikely Rose is going to do a bad dance now. And this was - technically - her usual high standard. But something about the choreography didn't spark for me this time. So often pasos can be the most exciting, stand out dances in any series but we really do seem to be struggling with them this year. I absolutely love these two however and if they do not make the final I'll have a proper tantrum.
Dan and Nadiya
This could have been terrible. But it really wasn't. Simple, classic choreography saved the day. Not trying to be intense and ... uh... slutty also saved the day. It wasn't the best rumba we've ever seen on the show but if you'd have told me prior to this series that Dan Walker would pull off this dance without being made to look a fool, I'd have slapped you on the head with a pickle. But yeah, credit where credit's due. A nice job.
AJ and Kai
Loved the mega-fringy green dress. But what was this? Couple's Choice was bad enough when they focused on a particular style, but now it's anything goes, I really don't get the point. Anton said 'commercial jazz' - was that it then? I don't know enough about it to know. It was really well danced and they were completely in sync...but I just can't get on board with these routines.
Rhys and Nancy
For a dance that no one expected would suit him, what an excellent job. I saw an absolutely gorgeous step sequence in the middle of the routine, and his frame, whilst not perfect, was so improved you could have knocked me down with a handful of sequins. I'm stuck somewhere in between Shirley and Craig on this one. Not literally. That would be weird.
Tilly and Nikita
Even Tilly knew this wasn't going to be her dance. It was worse than I expected however - not for want of effort - that I could see in buckets. But Tilly's body just wasn't moving in the way it should for samba. There was a little bounce but the action was awkward, and there was no fluidity. But again, Nikita could have helped by choreographing routine that actually suited her. Loved the dress and her pure pluck with this one.
John and Johannes
I really wanted to love this. And it was the dance I was most looking forward to. But - oh I'm so sorry everyone, I really am a misery guts - I wasn't all that keen. And it's not because it wasn't a spectacular, well danced routine - it was. This was a paso/tango/showdance and not what I would have expected from an Argentine Tango. Craig made the point that it originally would have been danced by two men - I had forgotten that, and he swayed me a second - but no, would a tango in downtown Buenos Aires in the 1860s have looked like that? \Really? If yes, then I take it back.
Sunday 21 November 2021
Good Mornin', You Revolting Children!
Sunday 14 November 2021
Strictly Scandalous Scoring
Saturday 6 November 2021
Strictly's Roaring Twenties
Sunday 31 October 2021
Fright Night XI - Back from the dead!
Sunday 24 October 2021
The Ballroom Ascendancy
Saturday 16 October 2021
The Samba Curse Returns
Hello! Nice to see you all. You'll be glad to know that my post this week isn't half as ranty as a fortnight ago. It doesn't feel like this series has hit its stride yet but we saw some nicely choreographed routines, with some lovely basic steps. And it was a genuinely nice show this evening...
Rose and Giovanni
At first I was like, oh here we go, six bars without a dance step and an overbearing theme, but then... off it went into a lovely routine, squished full of basic cha cha content. Rose's foot and leg action was great, and I was quite mesmerised by her trousers. I think these two have the strongest partnership of this year and I am really enjoying watching that grow.
Tom and Amy
This was one of those routines that wasn't bad, but didn't blow me away (with a feather from the trim of Amy's truly gorgeous dress.) It's all about finesse now with Tom. He's got everything he needs to do a breakthrough routine, he just needs to refine everything - most particularly his frame. I do really feel he has the potential to do this though, so they're still a pair to watch.
Tilly and Nikita
I think Nikita has fallen into the trap that befalls many a first-season pro. He's so excited to show what he can do, it almost feels like he has forgotten it's a partnership - one that should be far more about Tilly. He should be choreographing routines that suit her skill and style, and also supporting her through them. But no, there he is going for it, gung-ho, and leaving her behind, making the routine look mis-matched. Don't get me wrong, Tilly is doing amazingly well trying to keep up with him, but she is being let down a little.
Greg and Karen
Oh, we have been missing some dad dancing. And some Anton-worthy samba sleeves. But Greg seemed so disappointed in himself it was almost heartbreaking. There's always so much talk about the rumba being difficult for the men (so much so that they don't even bother making most people do it anymore) but samba is the most rhythmically challenging of all the dances, and the body action is so unnatural to anyone who's never tried to move that way before. And whilst this had some real issues with technique, Greg's timing looked spot on.
John and Johannes
These two have been slowly growing into one of my all time Strictly partnerships, but for me this week it was a little off. And it wasn't really about the technique, it was about the choreography. They got so sucked in to telling a story, the dancing itself just lost some sparkle. But they dance so well together that I have no concerns at all that they'll be back with something amazing next week.
Rhys and Nancy
I'm gonna say it. This. Was. Not. Salsa. It was also a tad overzealous - as now seems to be Rhys' style. This man has so much potential though. Whilst his steps were far too wide (also not an uncommon sight in a ballroom pro trying to salsa...) he actually had the beginnings of a lovely, authentic body action. Nancy needs to help him refine his technique. If he can, he could be one of this year's biggest... journeys.
Sara and Aljaz
I actually found the music distracting. Whilst I absolutely love the piece, it is not suited to a marchy 2/4 ballroom tango. Why it was not saved for an Argentine later in the series instead is beyond me. Or re-arranged for the dance in question. But never mind. Other than that I thought this was fab. I think Sara is fab. And I want to adopt Aljaz.
Dan and Nadiya
I did not expect this to be one of my favourite dances of the night but you know what? It was. This had an infectious joy about it and actually was fairly technically sound - when they actually did a bit of cha cha. Dan is really embracing the sparkle and comes across as a genuinely lovely man. We always love contestants who just fall in love with the experience and Dan is really giving off that vibe.
Judi and Graziano
This was understated, stylish and I basically really liked it. I would have loved more sway from Judi but the change of pace, and emotion behind it were just absolutely delightful. I thought she looked absolutely stunning in a classic ballroom dress. What a way to come back from being in the bottom two. Graziano is starting to really grow as a professional partner and I love the support he is showing.
Adam and Katya
Well, it was about as tango as an egg custard tart. But I think Katya has realised that Adam might not be the natural we all assumed he might be, and - as the polar opposite to Nikita - is choreographing routines that suit him. Whether they look like the dance or not. So I can appreciate that, even though I would have loved to see an actual Argentine Tango. The lifts and tricks were pretty cool. This lady managed to create a routine that made it look like Seann Walsh could dance. I just hope she remembers that Adam is of a significantly higher calibre.
AJ and Kai
Oh AJ, I was so looking forward to this and it just fell a little flat. Her technique had a more salsa than a samba vibe for me (as did the music), but this is a lady who has never danced before. Such high expectations are unfair - and as mentioned, samba is the most difficult latin dance. And it just got the better of her this time. She looked absolutely stunning and has such a fun, engaging personality and I have every hope that she'll bounce back next week. Everyone has a tricky week.