Return of Strictly.

I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. Amazed that Craig brought out his 8 paddle in very first of the series, so this is going to be good I think he may have been advised to bring out the positives even when he was awarding a poor mark. I have never watched Emmerdale and was most impressed by Kelvin Fletcher whose samba would have been incredible in several months' time, but he looked as if he was born to samba - does he have Brazilian blood?
Saturday evenings ar going to be enjoyable once again.

Shirley's hair was lovely and she looked ever younger too-----all down to the new younger partner she has found.

I thought the standard of the dancing was high, particularly from the men, when you consider in past years some contestants could barely keep in time. I was impressed by Motsi's judging; her previous performance was all eyes and teeth and me, me, me and I thought there would be lots of demonstrations, but she focused entirely on the contestants and gave very clear appraisal and advice.

I agree eazybee, I’ve forgotten Darcy already

Shirley's had work done to her face since the last series - look at her eyes - they are always the give away when they seem to become more feline because the face is pulled up.

Don't think James Cracknell will last long - he seemed to be "dancing by numbers" and concentrating extremely hard. Kelvin and Karim were amazing, I thought, for the first week. Hope they can keep it up!

I agree eazybee re Motsi's judging. I thought she would be OTT and irritating, but she seemed to hit just the right level between being encouraging and giving good advice.

Thought Shirley’s critique of Emma Barton rather harsh, good standard from most celebs considering only week one though have had three weeks to practice, harder to nail new dance every week, certainly brightened up a dreary Saturday evening.

I was pleased to see that this year nobody appears to have had 10 years of professional dance training. I thought the standard for week 1 was really good and Craig's high marks for some made me think we have a competition on our hands.

Shirley's face also fascinated me as did her hair!

I only recognised four, Mike Buslell, Catherine Tildsley, Anneka and James Cracknell and I do not think the last two will be around for long.

My Saturday evenings have now been brightened.

Shirl has had work done and it's a wig.

Find Saturday night tv drivel. However do like strictly can you remember when Saturday nights used to be val do I an cilla black etc what was your favourites?

Val doonican sorry!

Morecambe & Wise

I don't watch any soaps so not familiar with those that are, or were on them, but thought the guy from Emmerdale was incredibly good, as opposed to James Cracknell who was incredibly bad. "First Out" I would imagine, the latter that is. Sorry that Darcy is not on the panel anymore but liked Motsi right away, think she will be popular with the public. Being the first competitive show with all the contestants made it just too long. The talk intro bit before the dance gets more tedious year on year, whilst they have to introduce themselves on the opening night, after that, coupled with all the daft skits it just ends up a tired old format. Let's face it most watch it for the dancing not the scripted and very fabricated old chit chat.

I thought the same nannylovesshopping. I seem to recall Shirley treated another celebrity in the same way last year and eventually said it was because she was trying to be helpful but it only comes across as very uneven and so makes very very uncomfortable viewing and makes her look bad.

I LOVE "Strictly" but thought it was too l-o-n-g.
I was happily surprised by Motsi as I felt she fitted right in.
I wish they would replace the two male judges - we need new male faces on the panel.
I also don't think that Anneka and James Cracknell will last very long.

I was surprised to find that Oti is still one of the professional dancers! Isn't that a conflict of interest?

How is Motsi " self regarding"? Now Bruno......

It Takes Two is on BBC1 at 5.15pm from today for two weeks.

Strictly is not for me. I would rather they spent my licence money on decent drama.

Shirley has been a good judge on the whole but last year she was very scathing in her comments to Faye every week and seems to have targeted Emma this year. Both Faye and Emma are very attractive and charming young ladies and I find this aspect of Shirley very disappointing.

Somebody speculated on why Kelvin was so good at his Rhumba. He said during his interview that he was influenced by his father who was great at Northern Soul dancing.

One of my favourite Saturday night variety shows was The Mike Yarwood show.

Motsi was a pleasant surprise, I didn't like her on the introductory episode.
I agree James was pretty dire and that he will be first to go.

I recorded it and wizzed all the boring bits. Definitely the way to watch it.

I agree about whizzing through. I not interested in the bits where they show them having breakfast or something. I thought Shirley has gained weight rather than had work done - she looks puffy- perhaps she is poorly - some drugs make you puffy- I hope not.

This new series has lost an enormous number of viewers, two factors imo, tired format, a majority of contentestents who viewers won't have heard of. Also think Strictly would benefit from ditching the underwhelming and overpaid pairing, Tess and Claudia.

I don't know if Shirley has had work done or not but she has had breast implants which she is now wondering about having removed. Her business obviously. Just saying.

BBC said viewing figures very low.
Hardly surprising as they have chosen some very obscure 'celebs'.
I'd only heard of 4 of them before & what is that annoying American woman doing on it? Hopefully she will go straight out. I assume they have chosen quite a few younger celebs in the hope younger people will follow them but we all know the youngsters are all out on a Saturday night - as we were at their age.
I love SCD - never miss it-but this year it seems very flat.