Before we get down to business for this week’s Strictly Come Dancing review, can I just say something? Somebody dancing well is more entertaining than somebody who can’t dance at all. All eight couples danced well tonight, with some making more mistakes or being more uncomfortable than others. I know who my pick of the seven couples to go through to next week would have been. Lovely as they are as people, John Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff would not be among them.
Yes, Strictly is an entertainment show. But given the strong field shown this week, a programme without John could not in any way be less entertaining with his absence.
Ahem. With that out of the way, along with another apology to contributors to our You be the judge post who had their results show enjoyment spoilt by an inconsiderate person blabbing the result, let’s get on with the business at hand: reviewing one of the strongest Strictly competitions ever. John included.
First up this week, Jodie and Ian were tasked with performing a Quickstep to Mr Pinstripe Suit. As with previous weeks, Jodie showed that she’s capable of delivering a very charming ballroom dance, partly because she’s in hold for most of the time. It was certainly very zippy, and as in previous weeks that meant that any promenading was over in a flash because both she and Ian are so long-legged that they easily run out of space. I was less enamoured with some of the gapping that I could spot, but overall her posture has improved. An impressive start to the show.
The judges’ scores were 7 + 8 + 9 + 9 = 33 points, a strong start to the show and a new personal best for Jodie, beating week 5’s American Smooth by 3 points. The judges said she was back in the competition: they may have to eat their words the next time she does a Latin dance…
Lisa and Brendan danced a Samba to Rock the Boat. It started confidently enough, with Lisa processing down the middle of the dancefloor solo, with Brendan in support behind. Once in hold, they went into the first of two sets of Samba rolls which would split the judges. For what its worth, I noted down that the first set looked uncomfortable and stilted, but the second set were much better — so I find myself agreeing with both sides of the heated debate on the judges’ table. However, looking back at the video, I find it hard to justify the other note I took down, that the rolls reminded me of Brendan’s efforts with Claire King. I’m sorry Lisa, you don’t deserve that comparison.
The judges’ scores of 6 + 7 + 9 + 8 = 30 were a mix. Personally, I think Craig marked too severely, while Len marked too highly. It was ever thus, though. But please, Craig and Bruno — when Brendan is the one showing maturity, maybe it’s time to modify your behaviour.
Back to the ballroom next, with a Waltz from Christine and Matthew to See the Day (which the BBC website insists is a Girls Aloud song, rather than referring to the superior original by Dee C. Lee. Still, they have form — they did the same when Samantha Barks sang the same song on I’d Do Anything. The Dee C Lee rehabilitation campaign starts here). As ever, Matthew choreographed an elegant routine which Christine performed with bucketloads of charm. I did notice what looked like a very, very small mistake in the fleckerl, and Len said that she went wrong a bit on the whisk, but there was enough going right with this dance to more than compensate for any slight hiccups.
The judges’ scores of 8 + 8 + 9 + 9 = 34 meant that in three dances, we already had two personal bests. Indeed, apart from week 6’s Paso Doble, Christine has been one of the most consistently improving amateurs in the competition. If she continues to improve, she could prove to be a real threat.
After last week’s revival of confidence with a strong Ballroom dance, Cherie and James this week had to tackle the Cha-cha-cha. It started well enough, but that wasn’t too last. Unusually for Strictly, I think the rot started to set in once the couple got into hold. Cherie’s shoulders seemed to lose shape a little, and their proximity showed up the disparity between amateur and professional. While it was an undoubted improvement on their previous Latin dances (with the exception of week 4’s Rumba), as the rest of the celebrities have improved I think Cherie’s weaknesses are showing more and more each week.
The judges’ scores of 7 + 8 + 8 + 9 = 32 were a little overgenerous, I thought. In the scheme of things, though, it would prove to put them in an appropriate position on the leaderboard.
Onto the Tango, with Audtin and Erin performing to the traditional sounds of Libertango. Can I say now, the best thing about Austin Healey being so good is that Erin gets to showcase her flawless style week after week. This was a truly splendid Tango, full of the passion, tension and drive that we ought to expect. Having rewatched it several times now, there was very little to mar such a sonderful dance. The only thing I would note is Austin’s head movements at 50 seconds in on the video - prior to the head snap which he does in synchronisation with Erin, he seems a little unsure of which direction he should be looking. That’s so unbelievably minor, though.
After the dramas on the judges’ desk from previous rounds, there was near unanimity this time: 9 + 9 + 10 + 10 = 38 points, only the second dance this series to gain any 10s, Bruno’s first maximum score and the highest total of the series. So far…
Rachel and Vincent were next, with a Rumba to You Do Something To Me. We know that Vincent can do high emotion really well, and it was a delight to see that Rachel really responded in kind. The choreography was beautiful throughout, with lots of small touches within standard moves that elevated it from the merely very good to the breathtaking. It’s hard to believe that this couple have not been dancing very long together — this was of a standard that you’d expect from Vincent and Flavia, never mind Vincent and Rachel.
The judges loved it too — their scores of 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 39 points completely justified. Although, if I’d been in Craig’s chair, they’d have got a clean sweep…
After that little slice of heaven, though, it was back to earth — but with a gentle glide, rather than a bump. For John and Kristina’s American Smooth to True Love Ways was rather touchingly sweet. His footwork may go all over the place as soon as the tempo increases, or indeed when it decreases, and he has all the air of a doting grandfather escorting his debutante granddaughter at her coming out ball, but it’s not unpleasant to watch. It’s just nowhere near as entertaining as watching someone who can dance.
The judges were nowhere near as harsh to John as they were last week, with scores of 5 + 6 + 7 + 7 = 25 points giving him a deserved personal best while still ensuring he was bottom of the leaderboard.
It fell upon Tom and Camilla to deliver the final competitive dance this week, with a Salsa to (it says here) Pa Goza Con Fruko. While they stayed on the stage area longer than most couples this week, their routine was filled with impressive moments rather than crowd-pleasing flim-flam of the sort that get Len’s dander up.
Once they moved onto the dance floor, there were a couple of moments where the two of them looked slightly out of sync with one another, but only because Tom has set himself standards that are so high it’s noticeable when he and Camilla do anything that is not perfectly synchronised. as with Austin’s head movements, though, a couple of very small slips couldn’t detract from the overall entertainment value of a stunning dance.
The judges were clearly happy, with 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35 points maintaining the couple’s high scoring rates. It’s a mark of how fierce the competition is getting that such a mark only got them third place on the judges’ leaderboard.
After such a strong live show, the results show had a lot to live up to. The Cha-cha-cha performed by James, Ola, Brian, Kristina, Vincent and Flavia warmed things up nicely. Whether the duet between Bruce and Anton did anything for you will be down in large part, I’d wager, as to whether you find either of them entertaining. For my part, I’d say that it showed that Bruce is still a fantastic all-rounder and much more comfortable with that side of TV entertainment than delivering dodgy links — while Anton is clearly neither a comedian nor a singer, but nonetheless a very charismatic dancer.
I was less enamoured by Tom Jones, although the routine that Darren, Lilia, Ian and Camilla performed was fine. By that stage, I was itching for the results.
It was a disappointment, of course, that John got through on public votes again. The resulting two in the dance-off, Lisa and Cherie, were the next lowest on the leaderboard, so with John safely through it wasn’t unfair that these two couples had to compete for the one remaining space.
Of the routines, the judges seemed to think that both couples improved a lot. I have to say that I didn’t think either did to any great degree. For the life of me I had no idea which ones the judges would pick to remain in competition. For the first time in what seems like ages, the choice came down to Len after Bruno disagreed with Craig and Arlene and voted for Cherie and James. Len did not agree, though, so Lisa and Brendan were saved.
I do think that if Cherie and James had stayed in and John and Kristina had left, next week’s show would have been superb entertainment. Even with the portly politico on board, though, it’ll still be good to watch.
I don't think it's quite fair to assume that John is only still in the competition because he is 'entertaining.' Some people are voting for John because they want to see an older man giving the competition a good go. If it was purely about merit, then there would be no need for a public vote. Indeed, the fact that John remains, whilst others go, shows that the public want him to be there: it's highly patronising, to both John and the public, to dismiss John and Christina's right to still be in the competition. We all know the rules, it's churlish to be irksome when the results don't go the way you expect.
Besides, it is probably helping viewing figures, which is really what it is all about. The producers would only put in lithe twenty-something starlets if it was actually about attainment and being a brilliant dancer.
Scott dear,- thank you for your review. I agree with most of it, although I seem to be the only one who didn't like Austin's tango. I've watched it 3 times now, and still haven't changed my mind.
T Dymond.- I think people are still voting for John to give the judges a kick up their backside! The paradox is that while John gave his worst performance last week, and stayed, his performance this week was better, but not good enough to still be staying! To say that people is voting to give an older man a chance, is patronising. Cherie isn't much younger than John, but she has certainly given much younger women a run for their money. I strongly disagreed with the judges giving her the push this week.
I don't think the judges want John to go because of his age, but because of his so called "dancing"!
Eva - I have to agree with you about John. I don't think people are voting to 'give the older man a chance' but because they find him amusing. Cherie certainly shouldn't have gone yet.
I will disagree with you about Austin though - I loved his tango.
But Rachel was my favorite tonight.
Agree with you on the dances Scott, sorry Eva but I'm in the 'loved Austins tango' camp. I actually thought Tom under marked for a fantastic Salsa but did spot a hiccup so I can forgive the judges...I think!
T. Dymond I agree with Scott and Eva on this one I'm afraid. Like Eva I can't see it's representing the older person cos let's face it Cherie was doing it much better for the older person! It has become an internet campaign (I believe 4 or 5 of them and I think one has 500 members!) to keep John in, well I like to approach each week and see how they all dance, and then decide who I think should stay or go. And yes before you ask if John came out and danced really well I'd want him to stay and haven't decided in advance he should go. I am just sad we lost Cheri who in my opinion was a better dancer and a fantastic ambassador for the older lady. I just am a sad person who likes seeing the dances done well.
Btw Scott thanks for the comment about the spoiler but I know it wasn't your fault!
A lorry driver called in on the Jeremy Vine Radio 2 show today to say that 2 high profile DJs have been urging everyone listening to their shows to ring in and vote for John to make the judges mad. This sort of thing wll be distorting the results if it takes hold,
I did have my say yesterday really and didn't intend to join in today but the thing is... if it's just a dance competitition there are two questions. :-
Why involve the public at all? They're not dance experts, are they supposed just to follow what the panel say?
Why invite 60+ celebs to take part? Left to the judges JS would have been voted off in week one and what would have been the point of having him there?
The producers obviously have an agenda, they must be rubbing their hands in glee with all this publicity about JS, it is helping the audience figures no end.
Should they take the judges to one side and explain what the show is really all about?!
Sorry Maeve, in my naivity I thought we were watching a show which entailed dancing - may have been misled by the title obviously. The judges are doing what they are paid to do, judging the technical skills of the celebraties and how they cope with the different dances. There is no way they should be criticised for doing just that. We watch the celebs struggle or excel at various things and that is the entertainment part of the show; not someone who is, I assume, dancing to the best of his limited ability. I didn't mind to start with but now that celebs with real talent are being eliminated from the show by some internet campaign, then sorry, the show loses all point. If stupidity prevails and JS ends up in the final, or even (heaven forfend) winning, then the show will have lost any purpose.