Strictly Come Dancing

Eh what's going on here? Who on earth is DVD? It should have read Dave should be the one to go. Also not sure whether it's fair having a trained dancer like Natalie in a dance competition.

I think Natalie will win she is consistently very good, although Sophie does have flashes of brilliance she was below par last night. Possibly Rachel will go in the dance off she appears to be struggling.

I am wondering who it is who is dressing Rachel. She is a pretty young woman, obviously shy, but last week she had that awful hat on and this week the dance was going to be difficult for her, but I felt the routine was all wrong. Her make-up was ghastly (where does that word come from) and the routine equally so. I too, think she will be in the dance off, but think she deserves better, and why Dave is still there, I really do not know. Craig made the valid point yesterday too, that he was only nit picking because the dancing was so good, just a few 'tweets' was all he was suggesting to make it better.

Do you remember when your child first decided they were not going to wear the clothes you put out for them--and insisted on choosing their own?
I think it was probably at about 4 or 5 years old, when I was first a Mummy. As most of their clothes had been bought by us Mummies, their choice was not too bad.
Some years later, when they were gaining a little control over the clothes bought (with a few additions of their own) they could look (to our eyes) pretty awful! And we had to grit our teeth and believe that they 'would learn'.

I've now reached the next stage--where neither I, nor my 'daughter-the-would-be-dancer', have any say in what she will be wearing.

I await 6.30 on Saturday evening with bated breath. Waiting for her to dance is anxiety-raising enough, but having to see what SCD designers have decided she will wear is equally stressful|
Oh to go back to being 3 years old--or maybe not! Because whatever she (and the other dancers) look like, and however flattering or unflattering I might think it is, I wouldn't miss the glamour and 'pazazz' for anything.
To see the joy of all the dancers is infectious and uplifting, and I love it.

Every week that DD is dancing is a bonus--and we know that every week might be her last.
At this moment I do not even know if she will make the Hallowe'en evening.

But talking Strictly does make a change from talking about the weather...
[just hope the forecast storm dies out before reaching the UK]

Deborah is really winning me over, I must admit. She's made such an impressive effort to improve.

I loved Susanna's dancing but not in that awful yellow dress. Rachel was decked out in yellow last week and looked horrendous. Admittedly she also had a weird red saucer on her head.

I think that Dave and Rachel may be in the dance off.

I hope Dave Myers goes. He's not improving and the jokey stuff is getting tedious.

Deborah Meaden is doing really well.

Susanna is keeping up her high standard and didn't she look good in that yellow dress! Craig was in a very good mood - is he high on painkillers, perhaps? Or was he tetchy before because he was in pain? I can't imagine who will exit this week - maybe Rachel? Or is it time for Dave to get on his bike?

Definitely what dancing does for you. Liza Minelli was comparatively young when she had hers done wasn't she? Still, recovery shouldn't be too bad if he's kept fairly fit.
I think Craig mellowed a bit after he did the conducting competition and was on the receiving end for a change.

I wonder if Craig is still as bullish about his hip replacement now that it's over. You never know how you are going to react. He is far younger (48) than most of us who have tin hips. Is that what dancing does for you?

Yes it was wasn't it Lona, but he deserved that, he does flail around so much, I am sure he is going to black Len's eye one day. I agree about Craig he is usually only pointing out details that need attention, but on occasions, when the dancing is awful he is rather cruel. Part of his make-up no doubt.

I think it's all a bit of pantomime, apart from Darcy, who is always constructive and kind.
The three men are just putting on an act most of the time. Bruno falling off his chair was hilarious though.

I agree Hilda and I hate the way Len pulls sour faces when Craig is critiquing. It's so rude. I have noticed that Len is getting grumpier again after being all smiles at the start of this series. I think he gets jet-lagged with the insane commuting he and Bruno do each week to judge DWTS in the USA. He turns and glares at Craig and I wish he's just stop it.

Oh yes Deedaa - all that booing the moment Craig says anything less than positive is so annoying. He often has something very useful to say, its only when he makes the rare personal comment that I feel he could have been a bit more tactful. As long as he is commenting on the techniques, presentation etc and not the person themselves he is entitled to his opinion...its what he's paid for after all.

It annoys me when the audience is unable to realise that, if Craig is criticising what someone is doing with their fingers, it probably means that he thought their performance was pretty good and he's having to nitpick to find any faults. You don't improve someone's performance by saying "Gosh, aren't you wonderful?" all the time.

I really get cross when contestants argue with judges. They are there to JUDGE you. If they don't like what you've done, GET OVER IT

I spent many years showing native ponies with small, beautifully turned out children on board. If they didn't win a rosette they were consoled with a burger and milk shake. They haven't grown up damaged because mum knew better than to argue with a judge.

I agree about Rachel's funny hat, but I did like Susanna's Aztec-inspired outfit, although it might have been a little bit too low-cut.

And.........another thing........ what are the costume department thinking?
Rachel's outfit was revolting (that red saucer on her head?)!!

The colours are garish and unflattering and the hairstyles are getting even more ridiculous!

Rant over for the moment

Not sure about "guts" anno, I think she's very foolish to risk serious back problems, but then I'm sure she's had plenty of advice.

Fiona was rather miffed at the criticism, obviously not used to it.
Poor Anton must have everything crossed

I really thought Anton would be voted off - Fiona was awful, wasn't she? I just like him, and want him to go further, after all the dreadful partners he has had. I agree about Rachel, and the only reason the Hairy Biker is still there is I think because all his fans are voting for him - not because of his dancing.

Glad to see Susanna through again. It might not have been her best dance but there are plenty more coming up. What gorgeous grandsons you've got I thought Julien deserved another chance, in spite of being terminally irritating. I think Deborah is being a much better example for the "woman of a certain age" than Vanessa was. Just get on and enjoy it rather that whingeing and flouncing all the time!

I have been put off voting for Natalie having seen this article and this one both of which claim that she has extensive dance training. But there's no denying her guts in going on with the show last night in spite of having had such a bad back injury.

Huge relief here tonight--we live to see another dance--love her as I do, this week was not her best!
But please keep voting! (and preferably for DD, but it's a free country kittylester....but...just... please cast a vote for Susanna and Kevin as well !!!!

The dance-off was 'interesting' and, for once, I do think Julien should have come through. He had obviously worked hard, improved, and toned down his louder bits. 'Entertainment' is a strange animal....
Here's to next week.

Well, I have to disagree with the judges, I thought Rachel was hopeless and Julien danced much better.
Sometimes they (judges) seem quite biased.

I voted for five couples on line but can't quite remember exactly which ones. I could have voted for at least seven but only five are allowed.