Strictly - shall you?

I think that's unfair. I think they want to stay because they are genuinely enjoying it. The dance training, with the add-on of extra fitness, the fun and the conversation, the 'having to be there' at a certain time each day, probably adds a lot to their lives. And why not?

Apparently bookies have had info leaked re the number of votes Judy`s getting and have greatly reduced the odds on her winning. Lots of people must be voting for her!

I didn't think that Strictly was a service to add meaning to the lives of 'celeb' like Mark Wright who made their 'fame' treating women really badly and making sexist comments on a reality show, that's all.

I'm sure they are enjoying it but I bet you any money that the primary reason they went on the show was not for fitness, fun and the chance to train as a dancer. There's a reason why shows like this are infested with people at the end of their careers or at a career crossroads.

Judy has Andy to thank for so many people voting for her. The ruder he is about her efforts the more votes she gets.

Maybe it was a pre-arranged plan?

Nice to know DH is not the only one shouting, 'Show us their bloody FEET'. He can't dance for toffee but was once engaged to a girl whose sister was a dance champion so he got dragged along to the competitions. When he couldn't sneak off to the bar he stuck his fingers in his ears and tried to identify the dances by watching their feet. He got quite good at it!!

"infested"?!

Nasty.

This show is bright, colourful and cheerful, just the thing for dark winter evenings one might suppose. That may be true but I think that the present series is suffering from a severe attack of fiddling and fumbling just to try and make it different, and I think its spoiling what was a very good programme. At its basics its a light-hearted dancing competition, so lets get back to that. The basics for this are all in place and need only to be revived. So I would suggest the following changes:

1) Include MUCH more proper DANCING with fewer distractions like flashing lights and noise. Lets enjoy the music and dancing spectacle without so much pointless hype.
2) Have better and more professional compering: there is to much silliness and trivialising for my taste.
3)Not have so much theatre, cabaret material and skimpy costumes: I think they distract from the dancing.
4)Have more serious judging: not so much hysteria, posturing and pouting
5)Consider changes to the voting structure: I think that a public 'sympathy' vote can sometimes prejudice the prospects of a more talented dancer.
6)Include amongst the competitors some provision for gifted amateur dancers it be included from the public - possibly by an associated spin-off tv competition. I do feel that the the well of so-called 'celebrity' competitors is beginning to dry-up.

But what do you think, you dancing aficionados?

Papa

I agree. I get that they are wanting to appeal to an audience who prioritises lovely costumes and the little 'vignettes' that preceed each dance, who likes the awful posturing of some of the judges but why not give us proper dancing too? To be honest, little is more spectacular than a two minute rumba or Viennese Waltz. There is no need to tart it all up so much especially as the primary raison d'etre surely is the dancing? The skill?

Re other comments-

I would call the misogynist MW and SW an infestation, yes.

sounds like it came round at a good time for one of them

Let's face it it's a popularity contest more than a dancing competition. I'd vote for Judy Murray if I could be bothered to vote, just for the fun of being contrary.

I still think Pixie will win, she is a natural and makes it look so easy because she is so good.

From what I've read, she spent 8 years at a dance school so you would expect her to be good.

Thank you for the link jinglbellsfrocks - I didn't know he had been suffering badly from depression; it would seem SCD has been the tonic that he needed.

SCD has to try and attract a new audience and that means younger viewers who will not want to just watch straight out dancing with no razzamatazz, it's what younger viewers are used to now.

I really enjoy SCD (but would agree it is going a little too far with the judges prancing onstage as well) and it never fails to make me smile and lift my mood.

My favourites are Frankie and Jake and they are who I hope will win.

Do you think younger viewers like all the razmattazz though? My five all think it is OTT and a bit embrrassing- they would prefer something more focused on the dance with less of the kitsch extras.

I kind of see the razzmattazz as (misguidedly) aimed at an older audience. It is all a bit 'Sunday Night at the Palladium' atm.

When my children and my GC have shown me video clips of their favourite songs, the video clips do tend to be very 'showy' (for want of a better word). When you take into account the kind of video games a lot of teens and young adults like to play, I think couples just gliding around the floor would be a bit of a turn-off for that age group. It would also probably explain the skimpy clothing and all the pecs and biceps on display!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2820527/Claudia-Winkleman-s-daughter-eight-rushed-hospital-Halloween-costume-set-alight-party.html

Poor Claudia. They said she was unwell when Zoe Ball stood in.

Truly dreadful about Claudia's daughter - hope they all get over it very quickly. We send the family our best wishes.

I think it would be better [and easier] if people voted for the one act they wanted to see kicked out that week.
I too am sick of the judges posturing and being silly.
I don't like either Tessa, Claudia, Brucie or Zoe Ball, but of all of them find Tessa the least irritating.I don't see why a man is needed as a presenter.
I find the bit where they announce who has got through to next week drawn out [overly drawn out] it needs a bit of drama, but it's just OTT.
Think this will be the last series that I watch.

I thought it must be quite serious when they said Claudia wasn't there because one of the children was ill. I didn't think she would have dropped out for the usual cough or cold. Burning sounds so horrific though! I hope it turns out to be less serious than it sounds and the poor little girl is home soon.

On a serious note - let us hope on this bonfire night that the horrible accident suffered by Claudia's daughter makes everyone in charge of children doubly aware of the dangers of fire and synthetic clothing.

And let us also hope that the makers of children's fancy dress outfits should adhere to the same strict regulations as those of the manufacturers of nightwear and furnishing fabrics.

A similar thing happened to DGS2 two months ago in our house

It was a gathering of the clan and everyone was standing around chatting, eating and drinking etc. I'd put a lit scented candle on the sideboard and H, who is growing very tall, was lolling about like teenagers do. He didn't notice his baggy T shirt had caught fire and if it hadn't been for DS who was standing nearby and acted very quickly, there would have been a terrible accident.

I didn't allow candles to be lit when the DGCs were small but it seems lanky teenagers are also at risk.

DH is nervous around candles because of his blind spot. I take more notice of him now!

Sorry to see Alison go this week, I enjoyed her Charleston, but obviously she wasn`t as good as Caroline. It will be a travesty if Judy, nice as she is, doesn`t go out next week, apart from her, there are only good dancers left in the competition, although Steve Backshall continues to give me the irrits, don`t know why, he just does!

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2826130/Strictly-Ola-bullying-moans-Steve-Backshall-s-dived-Great-White-sharks-wrestled-poisonous-snakes.html

It appears he's a bit of a wuss, number

I just think he likes to be the centre of attention merlot and boss everyone else around - not getting away with that on Strictly. Judy should really go now, it is becoming embarrassing.

Sad to see Alison go. Judy could learn a lot from her. Who on earth is voting for her, she has neither ability or personality as far as dance is concerned.

I am sure that Scotland is voting for Judy. I hope common sense will soon prevail. John Sergeant had the decency to take himself off and so should Judy. Incidentally, who is doing her make-up? The lipstick she was wearing would have tempted me to post a letter in her mouth!

James Jordan`s been going banana on twitter apparently. Ola`s been in tears for days according to him. The BBC`s behind it he says. I suppose bad publicity`s better than no publicity but still.....................
I enjoyed Alison`s dance too. She`s been a very game contender.