Strictly Purism

[Michael Palaeologus]

Sargy should have gone on to win it. Just to ptove that these shite allegedly talent based competition are simply light entertainment.

[SeanMacGabhann]

look, everyone banging on about how it's simply entertainment..

the people who actually bother to enter the thing really do care about learning how to dance and put a lot of graft into it - if you stick with the message "we don't care about the quality of dancing we just like the chuckles", you won't get any bleedin contestants

[Michael Palaeologus]

Perhaps, but clearly the voting public dont see that as a priority! Otherwise why would they vote for Shuffling-Sargy?

[SeanMacGabhann]

well that says more about the voting public than it does anything else. Turkeys and Christmas come to mind. Nose/Face/Spite is another phrase

[HonaloochieB]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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> look, everyone banging on about how it's simply

> entertainment..

>

> the people who actually bother to enter the thing

> really do care about learning how to dance and put

> a lot of graft into it - if you stick with the

> message "we don't care about the quality of

> dancing we just like the chuckles", you won't get

> any bleedin contestants

And no contestants means no SCD. I don't think televsion could survive a loss like that.

So come on everybody, get on those 'phones and vote like b@stards.

As 'Hurricane' Smith once put it DON'T LET IT DIE.

[annaj]

As a former National Universities Latin American Champion ('94 season) I love Stricty and watch every year.

I find seeing how hard the contestants work and how much they improve week by week extremely satisfying as well as entertaining. As the series progresses some of the the dancing is really beautiful to watch.

I know it's all about charity and having fun, but when talented dancers and dancers who have really worked hard to improve lose to someone who simply can't dance, because he's funny, then as the man himself said the joke has gone to far.

Also, anyone concerns that poor old Sargo has been bullied and is missing out might be interested to know that he's gone of on an all expenses paid criuse today where he'll be doing a spot of after dinner speaking and the occasional dance in return for five star board and lodgings. Could it be that the decision to quit was not entirely selfless?

Another thing that's great about Strictly, it's bringing ballroom and latin to a whole new audience and with traditionally macho sportsmen like rugby players taking part, it's breaking down prejudices.

And finally, for all the Strictly fans and for anyone out there who's having a go having never actually watched it (and I suspect there are a few) last weeks best dances..

Austin Healy's Tango and Rachel Stevens Rumba

[Ladygooner]

Annaj - is there no end to your talents? Can't believe you were at university in '94 - you look far too young! Looking forward to your exhibition dance at the next Forum drinks.

[TillieTrotter]

Rachel's rumba was hot stuff. She could well be the winner if it goes on technical ability.

[annaj]

Too young! Ladygooner, you're my new best friend. :))

[annaj]

Had to bring this thread back to show everyone this....

Rachel and Vincent's Tango

The highlight of my week.

[Keef]

It was very good. I have in the last 2 weeks become a strictly fan, but was gutted Austen got voted off, I voted for him last week (I can't believe I did that), but this week he just had the wrong dance. Not sure who I want to win now, Tom obviously loves it, and they are the most "fun" couple.

[annaj]

Of course this is my other favourite tango...

(and the music I became MrsJ to)

[Ladygooner]

I think Rachel should win it - she has been the one who has been consistently the best. Keef - doesn't it feel better now that you have come out of the closet and admitted to being a Strictly fan?!

[Keef]

Absolutely. I never disliked it, I just never watched it. I'd much rather that than X Fctor or I'm a celebrity!

Rachel used to be in a pop band though, and has obviously had some experience, which is why I'm not quite so keen on her. She is a fantastic dancer though, and probably will win it... That said, if it's purely down to public vote in the final (is it?), I'm not sure she's the most popular of the remaining 3.

Worth thing about Austen going was losing the lovely Erin, who I openly admit to fancying big time!

[Brendan]

Was she the one who is quite gifted in the personalities department? And she's gone? Bummer.

[indiepanda]

Wow, the standard really is so high this series - the bottom two could have easily been finalists in other series. My feeling is Lisa will be out next week and it will be Tom and Rachel in the final but it so depends what dances they get.

I think I'd like to see Tom win, technically he hasn't been the best each week though he definately improved this last week, but I've found him the most entertaining - really loved that Fred Astairesque tap routine that he did - think it was at the top of his quick step.

I know everyone says they love the dance, but I really get the sense he has always been a dance fan, it's not just about the competition. And I did find it touching when he was looking teary after their ballroom dance this week - tugged at my heart strings (I know, I'm a sap..:-$)

[jumpinjackflash]

Is Flavia Cacace still with that Matt Di Angelo? Or did she dump him? I love Flavia and Vincent's routines - they're the best pro couple in my opinion.

[indiepanda]

Did anyone else watch the final tonight? Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. I adored Tom and Camilla's show dance - it was just perfect... I want to watch it all over again now!

[dulwichmum]

I think that the BBC should put a stop to this type of thing. I just saw Duffy sing her fabulous hit ditty while a pair of gaszelle like simpletons with jazz hands and rictus grins pranced about in spangles. It really is not for everyone.

I prefer my men to drag their knuckles on the ground when they walk. There is something about a man in a shirt respembling a pair of black 15 denier "barely there" tights that puts me off my Chablis. Mens nipples should never be visible through their shirts.

Really now, what happened to great films?

[indiepanda]

dulwichmum Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think that the BBC should put a stop to this

> type of thing. I just saw Duffy sing her fabulous

> hit ditty while a pair of gaszelle like simpletons

> with jazz hands and rictus grins pranced about in

> spangles. It really is not for everyone.

>

> I prefer my men to drag their knuckles on the

> ground when they walk. There is something about a

> man in a shirt respembling a pair of black 15

> denier "barely there" tights that puts me off my

> Chablis. Mens nipples should never be visible

> through their shirts.

>

> Really now, what happened to great films?

Yawn, if you don't like it, don't watch it, put a DVD of a great film on instead.

Strictly may not be for everyone, but it gets very high viewing figures, the BBC would be crazy to stop what must be one of their most popular shows.

[Ladygooner]

I think it was the final show dance that won it for Tom and Camilla - absolutely brilliant! Roll on Feb 7th at the 02 for the Strictly Tour!

[SeanMacGabhann]

indiepanda - probably best not to read all of DulwichMum's posts at face value

As for the final - so how many people who were simply outraged at the whole Sergeant indident ("who are the judges to tell US who we can vote for" yadda yadda) saw him gallumping around the studio at the weekend and thought "what WERE we thinking...!?"

[Keef]

I wanted Tom to win, and am glad he did, his show dance was cool (I can't believe I'm saying this).

However, Rachel is the better dancer, so can they have it both ways? If it's about the public vote, then they should accept it, and shouldn't have moaned about John Sergeant. If however they want it to be all about the dancing, then it should be judged by the pros, and the public should just watch on and see the best dancer win at the end of it.

[Ladygooner]

How can you say Rachel was the better dancer when the judges gave Lisa Snowdon top marks for both her dances?

[Keef]

How can you say Rachel was the better dancer

Over the weeks I think she was, she was definitely more consistant. However, I think a lot of her dances whilst technically great, lacked a bit of feeling.

I actually missed the first part of the final, so didn't see Lisa's dances.