Strictly Halloween Special

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Strictly Come Dancing 2011

Week 5

The ‘Halloween Special’ which of our couples would haunt us with their performance and who would run away screaming? Who would trick us into staying in the competition and who would treat us with some fancy footwork?  A fancy little polka production opening to Saturday’s show with fantastic costumes and make-up.

Russell & Flavia   C            L            A            B            Total

Samba                4            6            6            6            22       

Samba is a very difficult dance to master because of the rhythm changes, and I thought Russell held it together very well, he kept the energy level of his performance constant and danced the recognisable step patterns correctly, there were however some timing issues but I found the character and feel of their performance invigorating.

Chelsee & Pasha  C            L            A            B            Total

Tango                   7            8            9            8            32

A very flavoursome strong Tango from Chelsee, it would have helped though if she was more relaxed in the knees, but her top line is excellent full of passion, her costume let her down though and she lost her nerve because of it, but why have the costume department let her dance without any support in the ‘bristol’ area is beyond me.

Audley & Natalie    C            L            A            B            Total

Jive                       3            6            6            5            20

This week, we found Audley’s weak point, the performance was fun but it was very heavy footed and he was constantly behind the beat. I still love how far Audley has improved and think it is fantastic that with his canal barge feet he has floated around the floor in other dances, but he should stay away from the Jive.

Alex & James   C            L            A            B            Total

Paso Doblé       7            8            8            8            31

A good dramatic interpretation of this dance, but I do think the dance was choreographed for the stage and not the floor, as there was only two Paso steps in the whole routine one of which had been timed funny. Alex did up her game though this week and she looked at ease on her solo performance, but I think the judges over marked it, was that because of James’s outburst last week?

Holly & Artem                         C            L            A            B            Total

American Smooth (Foxtrotish)  8            9            9            9            35

An extremely daring peace of music to choose and to dance a Foxtrot too, I loved the costumes and the performance level but it was either going to be a train wreck or fantastic, and I am still undecided, I loved the concept but it just did not tick all the Foxtrot boxes, in conclusion big gamble that sort of paid off.

Nancy & Anton    C            L            A            B            Total

Rumba               2            5            3            4            14

There were signs of improvement this week from Nancy, and she does look very glamorous, stood still! But when she did move she just stomped round the floor on bent knees and Anton just dragged her around like a rag doll.

Harry & Aliona C            L            A            B            Total

Tango             8            7            10            9            34

I loved the first half of the routine and it was very well performed, I loved the story and Harry’s acting, but when they were in closed hold his left arm was too erect and he looked a little cumbersome in the shoulders but he does dance and perform every week like it is the final.

Robbie & Ola   C            L            A            B            Total

Paso Doblé      4            7            8            7            26

Great cape work from Robbie and now the ‘Robbie Shift’ hip thrust is his calling card he looks like he is loving every second of his time on the dance floor. The Paso steps were very well danced and to a good standard for someone who has been dancing for two months, he needed to be a little more relaxed in the knees especially on his chasse capes, but overall for me it was one of the most technically, correctly danced routines of the evening, danced in hold with something for everyone.

Anita & Robin  C            L            A            B            Total

Tango             7            8            8            8            31

A traditional Tango with enough highlights to lift the emotion, yet keep the technicality of a professional performance, full of content, drama and power, come on Anita believe in yourself more!

Lulu & Brendan   C            L            A            B            Total

Paso Doblé         6            7            8            8            29

Another dramatic performance from these two this week with more dance content in the routine then we have seen before, but for me it was more about Brendan and not Lulu as she looked unrehearsed, but high flying! And entertaining.

Jason & Kristina    C            L            A            B            Total

Quickstep              9            9            10            9            37

Jason is back in the running again, what a fantastic clever opening to their routine making the most of Jason’s acting skills, (go Kristina) very cleverly choreographed with a great, well interpreted story. It was excellent up to the promenade runs, which was like watching someone else dance. Easily deserving of the top scoring routine of the evening.

Sundays result show.

A Geek and Sirens Samba opening to start the results show was not one of the best professional group numbers, but I do think we have been spoilt over the last few weeks, but the American Smooth Foxtrot with ‘Batman Simone’ and gang elegantly made up for it. Audley & Natalie and Nancy & Anton were both in the bottom two this week, which was correct and Audley & Natalie dance again next week thank goodness.

Week 4 Strictly Come Dancing 2011

Strictly Come Dancing 2011

Week four, and after last weeks shocking elimination and all our couples dancing different rhythms to impress, it is now time for them to up their game and mean business.

Jason & Kristina C L A B Total

Paso Doblé         6 7 7 7 27

Good strong, arm lines from Jason but unfortunately it moved into his legs and he was far too stiff in his knees, he did look good when he was stood still wafting his arms around but as he started to dance he was far too forced and over the top.

Alex & James C L A B Total

Rumba             4 7 7 7 25

I did not like their bolero beginning to the dance but I thought Alex looked a million dollars, if only she would have extended her leg line and straighten it more. Her timing, I thought was very good, but for me it was all ruined by James’s comment to Tes on the balcony about the judges commenting on the professional s choreography and him saying that they should not be allowed to comment. Unfortunately in dance any judges decision is final and they should be respected for there fair comments however I do think that this series some of the judges comment have been too personal which I do not agree with.

Rory & Erin C L A B Total

Cha Cha     4 7 6 7 24

Rory has great musicality but is still very pigeon toed, from the waist up he was lively and full of performance but from the knees down it was full of heel leads and stiff ankles.

Audley & Natalie C L A B Total

Foxtrot                   6 7 6 6 25

A very graceful Foxtrot from these two, Audley really looked like he was enjoying himself and was gliding around the floor, there were a couple of little footwork issues but he has definitely improved and conquered a pinnacle dance, but the judges obviously did not agree with me as their scores were a little low.

Nancy & Anton C L A B Total

Paso Doblé         3 5 5 5 18

I thought it was a very well performed Paso Doblé with some accurately danced figures, there were several timing issues and the lifts were completely uncalled for and did look like Anton was throwing Aunt Sally over his shoulder but again there were signs of improvement.

Lulu & Brendan C L A B Total

Samba               5 6 7 7 25

This dance style really suited Lulu because of her bent knees and she danced he socks off, the original and still the best “let’s party” dance, she has obviously worked hard on this dance this week.

Holly & Artem C L A B Total

Viennese Waltz 7 7 8 8 30

You can tell why these two are favourites with the bookies, after the George Formby entrance that I thought was never going to end, and they finally took hold Holly’s poise and deportment is beautiful, she has a very good lilting action with some nice control. I would have liked a little more continuous natural and reverse turns to see their full control over the repeated figures, as this is what separates the Viennese Waltz from the other Ballroom dances.

Chelsee & Pasha C L A B Total

Quickstep               9 9 9 9 36

For me this was the best dance of the evening an excellent demonstration of a traditional entertaining Quickstep, which was full of character and flavour, Chelsee has very good control especially with her top line which was not led by Pasha. They both kept the same amount of power and energy at the beginning of the routine as at the end, which shows a true professional demonstration.

Harry & Aliona C L A B Total

Waltz                 8 8 10 9 35

Harry did a really good job, his rise and fall was a little lumpy although it was there, but I completely agree with Len’s comments that the second half of the routine lost content and there was far too much dance in open hold which should only be permitted in American Smooth dances, but for me it was not deserving of a ten, I think this was Alisha trying to play the other judges at politics.

Anita & Robin                        C L A B Total

American Smooth (Foxtrot) 8 8 8 8 32

A very good demonstration of a classy Foxtrot smooth, with some very well executed lifts and a real sense of Foxtrot flow, but her leg line especially on her arabesque was like something out of Wallace & Grommit, but very well polished routine.

Robbie & Ola C L A B Total

Jive                  5 8 7 7 27

Robbie’s opening on the stage was very well danced with lots of personality and a good strong kick action, however his chasse’s were flat footed but his character and jive performance made up for it.

Russell & Flavia C L A B Total

Tango                5 6 6 7 24

Well, there was not a lot of staccato just stiletto and how Flavia keeps her face straight is beyond me, but he does get the popularity vote as his performance in infectious.

Sunday results Show.

Yet another great opening number from our professionals, why can the audience not vote for the best group number and then re show it in the final? And what an amazing Argentine Tango from Vincent & Flavia, a truly inspirational, talented couple. Rory & Erin and Nancy & Anton, another week where I disagree with one of the couples in the bottom two and for Rory & Erin to be out of the competition is just an outcry. Bring back the dance off so the judges can at least save the better dancers! Or is that why the BBC do not have it anymore?

Strictly Come Dancing WEEK 3

Strictly Come Dancing 2011

Week 3

Broadway week, and with one of the best opening numbers to a Strictly show and the most together group number I have ever seen from our professionals, I knew we were in for something really special. Who was to be our Starlight Express and who was to be our Phantom of the Opera? Which of our celebrities name will be up in lights and who would be left sweeping the stage? Another full packed evening with lots of surprises.

Holly Valance & Artem C L A B Total

Tango                              7 8 7 8 30

WOW! How hard was this Tango to beat? A fabulous, very believable story with excellent control and great chemistry between our two dancers. In my opinion this routine would have been fitting for any final, and at least Artem had put his vest on this week, even if it did have holes in it.

Dan Lobb & Katya C L A B Total

Viennese Waltz       5 7 6 6 24

Dan has great musicality and deportment, he needs to pull his shoulders back slightly as he does stoop in places, but a very difficult dance to master. As for the judges’ comments, I thought they were completely off mark and had watched someone else dance because I thought it was very well performed.

Anita Dobson & Robin C L A B Total

Jive                                 6 7 7 7 27

A good little lively performance from these two this week, from the waist up! But for me Anita’s leg action did not have quite enough power, there were also a few times when they were dancing off time, but I did love the story but I did not recognise Robin with hair!

Alex Jones & James C L A B Total

Viennese Waltz         8 8 8 8 32

A beautiful simple story with beautiful simple choreography, good clean lines and shaping, if anything I did find the music difficult to follow, but very well rehearsed and performed.

Rory Bremner & Erin C L A B Total

Quickstep                 7 8 8 8 31

Rory has very good rhythm and timing with some very neat accurate footwork and was even using rise and fall and elevated steps. A qwerky Quickstep enhanced with the use of a hat and cane just too really add to the performance.

Lulu & Brendan C L A B Total

Rumba               5 7 7 7 26

Lulu did not look as nervous this week. She was telling the story of Rumba and not being taken round the floor by Brendan. She did however need to push her feet onto the floor and straighten her knees to get the correct leg action for this dance, there was a lot of intricate timing which I thought was a little too difficult for Lulu to master, and there was a lift which Craig was right to penalise them for, but I feel Len’s comment “you have to break eggs to make an omelette” was uncalled for, they broke the rules they should loose points.

Nancy Dell’Olio & Anton C L A B Total

Tango                                 4 5 5 6 20

I thought this was Nancy’s best dance yet, there was a great story and performance with a good strong staccato feeling. She really looked like she was dancing, and was obviously pleased with it herself which is why she looked so distraught when she heard the judges comments, and actually looked like she was going to cry after Len’s comment about their dance having all the tension of a cold sponge. Well I do not know where he was looking but for a week three Tango I thought it was very passionate and she looked beautiful, but I do feel Len has now given then his broom of doom.

Audley Harrison & Natalie C L A B Total

Quickstep                            5 6 6 7 24

I have to honestly say I did not feel the connection between these two this week and did not get the story. It seemed to be a bit scatty in the choreography and very start and stop, however Audley was very light on his chasse steps but there was still some issues with his footwork that he still needs to work on.

Robbie Savage & Ola C L A B Total

Tango                            7 7 8 8 30

A very good strong performance from these two this week, with elements of great passion and feeling, there were some timing and footwork issues but Robbie has definitely improved and does look quite at home on the dance floor. Ola just needs to work on Robbie’s confidence this week and make him believe in his own ability more.

Russell Grant & Flavia C L A B Total

Foxtrot                          6 7 7 8 28

Yet another great lively performance from Russell but I would have liked to have seen a little more Foxtrot content as in last weeks performance he proved he can dance, but he obviously does love every second which is infectious.

Jason Donovan & Kristina C L A B Total

Tango                                   9 9 9 9 36

Another fabulous performance from Jason, it was very good that we were shown the difference in the character between the story and the strength of the Tango dancer when in hold, and easily the highest scoring Tango for a week 3 dance ever!

Chelsee Healey & Pasha C L A B Total

Cha Cha                            6 8 8 8 30

A much smoother performance from Chelsee this week showing very good syncopated timing and good strong leg lines, her foot placing were a little stompy in places but it was a good attempt and improved.

Harry Judd & Aliona C L A B Total

Jive                             8 8 9 8 33

OMG! Week three and to dance and perform with such excellent strong kick actions with perfectly executed flicks, I thought there routine was a truly championship performance. Another demonstration fit for a final, easily deserving of a nine, I did prefer it to Jason & Kristina’s Tango.

Sunday Results Show

A wonderful West Side Story mix from our professionals to open the show, but then the shock of Dan & Katya in the bottom two along with Nancy & Anton. I do not believe Dan & Katya deserved to be there and definitely did not deserve to be out of the competition this week, so we will see Nancy & Anton dance again next week.

Strictly Come Dancing Week 2

Strictly Come Dancing 2011

Week 2

This being the first week that any of our couples could be eliminated, were our celebrities going to up their game, or was it going to make them more nervous than last week? In conclusion I think both, and with the dances being two of the hardest styles to master, we were about to sort the men from the boys, but I think it was the judges and their scoring system that let the evening down or lack of consistency anyway! Do you agree?

Chelsee Healey & Pasha                                C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                 7            7            8            7            29

A fantastic lively performance from Chelsee completely unexpected, but Salsa it was not, firstly there was too much choreography and too many stunts and far too many lifts to make it a legal routine, but since it looks like know one is going to be penalised for deliberately lifting their partner off the floor Salsa is a earthy dance and they were both elevated throughout the whole routine, in saying all of that I think Chelsee’s personality really shone through.

Edwina Currie & Vincent                                C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                             4            5            5            5            19

A lovely gentile performance from Edwina but unfortunately they did only dance four bars of Foxtrot, but what a passionate slow Tango they performed you could really see the relationship building as every good Tango should be, even the music was a Tango, good performance just lacked dance.

Audley Harrison & Natalie                               C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                 5            6            6            6            23

Audley looked like he was loving every second of their dance, he was even leading, I loved the choreography it was all well performed and clean cut, if anything he was flat footed which I am sure Natalie is working on, but I thought the judges scores were very hard.

Alex Jones & James                                        C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                              6            8            7            8            29

A good clean flowing Foxtrot with some nice shaping, however Alex’s top line was too forced but I think that was just the tension coming from James, good simple choreographed routine but I would not have scored it an eight.

Dann lobb & Katya                                         C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                 4            6            6            5            21

Another good lively performance with three well controlled lifts! Dan did look like he was really enjoying himself, there were footwork issues but from the ankles up it looked very well polished.

Lulu & Brendan                                                C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                              5            6            7            7            25

I really thought these two would have come out fighting for the position after last weeks mishap, but for me it was still falling to pieces! Brendan was obviously having to drag her round the floor, however there were some elements that were better than last week so there were signs of improvement but I personally would not have scored it higher than Audley and Natalie.

Holly Valance & Artem                                  C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                7            7            8            8            30

A very well controlled, safe yet very polished Salsa, Holly’s leg line was clean and precise, what a shame Artem had lost his buttons off his shirt, I just wanted it to be a little sexier and dirtier, but why were they even dancing Latin this week as they danced a Cha Cha last week, everyone else who danced the Cha Cha wa dancing Foxtrot? Maybe the producers thought Artem’s shirt would not have gone well to Moon Light Serenade!

Rory Bremner & Erin                                        C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                               4            6            6            6            22

Come on Rory! He looked like he has been dancing for years, so confident in his approach, he was a little flat and heavy footed in places which is difficult to master when giving the Salsa its true feel, but very well executed stunning lifts, and certainly deserving more than a four Craig!

Robbie Savage & Ola                                     C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                              7            8            7            7            29

A very good beginning to their performance but unfortunately Robbie lost it when they danced in closed hold, he missed nearly all his heel leads and needed to relax his shoulders, however the rest of it was definitely performed and he did look very dapper! But I did not think it disserved an eight, I was even beginning to think that I was watching different dancers to the judges.

Anita Dobson & Robin                                    C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                7            7            7            7            28

Another lively performance from the waist up, fun and full of energy, however from the waist down it was very stumbley and a bit erratic, I do not think it was up to the standard of their Waltz last week but the judges did as they scored it the same.  

Jason Donovan & Kristina                               C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                              8            8            9            8            33

For me I think Jason suits Latin more than Ballroom, he looked very uncomfortable. His top line was forced, he looked like he had stopped breathing, his footwork and placing were all over the place, I loved the acting at the beginning of the routine but for me when they danced together it lost its magic, his comments and scores just did not match what I had just watched, it was like the were talking about someone else, even Craig had a personality transplant. Do you think the judges like Jason?

Nancy Dell ‘Olio & Anton                               C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                                3            5            2            4            14

Well it started off very sexy and saucy but it very quickly went down hill, Nancy looked like she was trying to put out a fire with her feet, or stamp on a cockroach, but it was all done with glamour.

Harry Judd & Aliona                                        C            L            A            B            Total

Foxtrot                                                              6            6            8            7            27

A very slick performance from Harry this week, the guy has great showmanship and great movement around the floor, however for me it was the choreography that let them down this week or lack of Foxtrot step patterns, but I do agree with Len’s comment on his hold being too wide.

Russell Grant & Flavia                                    C            L            A            B            Total

Salsa                                                               6            6            6            7            25

I have to honestly say that behind the Kid Creole shirt and the comedy element, Russell is actually dancing and demonstrating the steps very well, lose the comedy Russell and keep up the good work.

Sunday Results Show

A cheeky little Cha Cha to Lady GaGa’s edge of glory, from our professionals to open the first of our result shows. Audley & Natalie and Edwina & Vincent in the bottom two, neither of them deserved to be there, but Audley & Natalie were safe to dance another day. What a shame for Edwina & Vincent for someone to leave so soon who could actually dance.