blonde poker forum

the pro line up has been named

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/f245a196-3e06-4dd4-bdc7-a9de97ff0226

In before Tal.

Fwiw my daughter got 95% in her Latin dancing exam.  She's learnt everything she knows from watching me shimmy obv. 

Disappointed to see Gleb not in it this year. He definitely brought something different to the show.

Any chance the Clifton anti-railers will take to Katja Jones, wife of one of the Strictly choreographers? She's going to be a good asset to the show. Having lost Kristina and Ola, there's a definite gap for a really good latin dancer.

I do wish they'd bring in a ballroomer once in a while tho.

Oh and well done, young Miss Doobs. Bronze award?

Strictly Come Dancing head judge Len Goodman to leave show after next series, BBC says

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CnPJjuHW8AAmGRp.jpg)

And yet Sky News are still doing live coverage of all this politics stuff when there's big news like this breaking.

Ed Balls.

First football chairman to compete, I believe.

Was listening to something on LBC the other day (or was it today) and apparently Ed is quite the dancer, supposed to be pretty decent by all accounts.

Could be a contender (stage school?):

http://www.ok.co.uk/tv/strictly-come-dancing/582576/will-young-joins-strictly-come-dancing

Digital Spy list of speculated contestants:

http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/strictly-come-dancing/feature/a792346/strictly-come-dancing-2016-contestants-rumours-which-stars-heading-into-ballroom-this-year/

Louise Redknapp

Ore thingy from BBC4/Olympics

Melvin Odoom (who?)

Laura Whitmore (who?)

How good would Bez be?  This week Bez is dancing the Salsa to kinky afro.

Laura Whitmore. Superb. The missus will be surprised when I actually pay attention this year.

He'd crush the showdance tho

(http://nick-intl.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:file:gsp:scenic:/international/style-intl/general-news/may/BEZ-HAPPY-MONDAYS-DANCING-2-545.gif)

Naga Munchetty, BBC Breakfast

could be an anti rani type runner. sporty, fit, small and light. on tv every day

Just worked out you mean Anita Rani and it is a typo. Suppose it depends on who she gets paired with. No Gleb this year.

Looks a more energetic lineup this year, with only one obvious novelty contestant. I never mind if I've not heard of them. We get to know them through the show anyway and I'd rather have people who are grateful for the work as they're more likely to give it plenty.

Who will the sport stars be? Must be due one of them soon.

Who's the novelty contestant? Trained dancer Ed Balls? He is in it because he thinks he can win it.

Lol. Good for him. I am sure he's going to be a good sport. You wonder whether a senior economics lecturer at Harvard needs this in his life but fair play to him.

I have learned today that his dad is an eminent zoologist.

Anastacia

(http://anastaciafanclub.com.pt/img/headerimg/1526.jpg)

Be interesting to see her price. Big Strictly fan.

Naga confirmed, even though they already have the Sports guy?

Surprising.

Ive seen Naga play golf, I doubt she has the moves. Her golf swing is very stiff. Im not sure that is a definitive guide, but I suspect it could be a useful measure. 8) :P

who is the sports guy confirmed?

so far i have

naga munchetty
louise redknapp
anastacia
louise whitlock
daisy lowe

will young
melvin odoom
danny mac
ore oduba
ed balls

4 to come

I think Adz means the sports presenter from bbc news, so he is surprised they've had two people from bbc news.

gotcha

lesley joseph is hinted as the novelty/gurn for the cameras/anton partner

i did hear max whitlock for the sports star

presumably these two would be announced last, whitlock especially, for impact

Anton's last year on the dancefloor, do you reckon, Tighty?

Does he join the judges next year? Brendan also an option, as he was a judge on the New Zealand version for 5 years.

Anton to take over from Len, brendan to leave in a huff (nap)

Claudia Fragapane the Olympic gymnast

she's 4ft 6

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqVNNn4W8AA6d5H.jpg)

How is dancing with someone that height going to look - who is the shortest male pro?

Clifton?

I don't watch Strictly so dunno who the public votes for typically but surely she'll be amazing at it and win easy? Spinning around and somersaults and all that?

My immediate thoughts.  Did also think that she was going to go on to great things in gymnastics, but she seems to have hone back a bit. 

Would back Bez in a dance off though.  Come on bbc, put him in.

Got to say I cant stand Naga Munchetty.

Might just be me but she doesn't feel like a personality the public will warm to.

Seems to let her own opinion influence her interviews too much and appears a bit of a mardy sort.

Judge Rinder (never heard of him) is next

thuink that leaves 2 spots

Lesley Joseph + a bloke. presumably the "big" male name

Judge Rinder is ITV's Judge Judy - he's also Benedict Cumberbatch's best friend.

The Clifton antirailers could be a problem, there.

As for the height difference, the lady is supposed to be shorter than the man, so there is some room there. Biggest difference I can remember was Colin Salmon (6' 4") and Kristina Rihanoff (5' 2"). This is the best picture I can find of them in hold:

(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/11/04/article-2227800-15D96CAF000005DC-44_634x356.jpg)

(The foxtrot to Aretha's "Accentuate the Positive" in the dance off against Richard Arnold and Erin Boag - looks like he's starting a feather step, having made a natural turn, so he'll make three steps then turn to his right as a reverse turn).

How good is Fragapane in 4.5 inch heels?

Greg Rutherford confirmed

He will be fun. Could be another Iwan Thomas though!

yes claudia is small

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqtKympXgAESNtY.jpg)

Not sure, he can be a bit of a grump.  Judge Rinder could be entertaining.  Sure I mentioned it somewhere, but he has done a couple of series on legal bits and bobs on 5 live that were way better than I expected having caught his itv program.

Heard that he's quite good on that and not as silly as he appears on judge rinder

Rutherford always appears to be in a mood. Agree with naga very hard to warm to imo

Marks out of 10, Tal?

In technical terms, it's the dancing equivalent of this:

(http://cdn.images.dailystar.co.uk/dynamic/1/photos/828000/ed-balls-374828.jpg)

He needs to pull himself up, get his head up and no idea what he's doing with that left hand.

As for Miss Whitmore, she needs to get on the...er...well...er...balls of her feet. Those legs need to be straighter.

He's going to be a fun contestant, though. Seems to have a sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously. I hope he works hard and that we see improvement each week.

It is always fun seeing the new group each year getting glammed up. Can barely wait for the new series.

When is this Strictly Preview Show on Sky you're doing, then?

My thoughts exactly.

To be fair, I don't imagine ballroom dancing normally takes place on a red carpet. Despite a hazy memory, I seem to recall many decades ago that they used to put chalk dust on the floors of ballrooms to make it a better dancing surface. That makes little sense in retrospect, so maybe I imagined it.

Strictly on Sky Poker? No chance. We do serious, 'innit?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrIuIe1XEAEfuRS.jpg)

Going to be a great series. Some really interesting couples, and lots of value I would think

33/1

Have recorded tonight's show as I've been out all day. Will post my thoughts when I've watched the show tomorrow.

Ore Oduba my early favourite simply based on enthusiasm.  Was hoping Ed Balls would be better, but he looked pretty clumsy.

1.01 landed on Anton's partner, but they still try and look surprised.   

i too thought Ore looked both likeable and had natural rhythm

fragapane, wil young etc obviously going to have a good run at it. young's had a lot of dance training,a xcted in the west end. louise redknapp is stage school trained too. anastacia should be good

think the eastenders actress, all character and sass, might be an outsider i look at too. the spanish new pro she got i am reliably informed is pure beefcake and could be a very popular partnership too

i do think it could be a classic series, possibly a bit short of complete duffers.

What did you think of last night's Show, Mr Camel?

I enjoyed as much as I've enjoyed any episode of SCD.

Tal, i trust you are watching these first steps clips

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/532cca82-f63a-45c8-9161-b9b14ec0b607

friday is the big night and all the first steps videos are out

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p047q39d/strictly-come-dancing-series-14-first-steps

Steps are on SCD?

Excellent news.

Love H.

songs and dances for this weekend's LIVE shows are revealed

Head to http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictly

I'm behind as I haven't seen any of the training footage yet.

Of great interest, though, is it looks a more traditional set of songs, or at least with more obvious beats and tempi than normal.

Songs like Mercy and Loco in Acapulco have a very clear cha-cha-cha in them, which it'd be relatively easy to teach a beginner.

Feel sorry for Tameka having to do a Paso (tough timing and positioning for a beginner), but, and this is just going off the opening night show the other week, I would be astonished if she doesn't throw herself into it completely for a memorable performance.

Any money on Will Young being on last?

Tameka, who i don't know of before this and wanted to take against (far too bubbly), looks like a real runner for going deep from attitude and training footage

generally waiting a couple of weeks before putting hard earned down, but it is going to be good series

only Balls and Joseph look like no-hopers.

There's a couple of songs I don't know. Of those I do, the one least suited to the dance is Let's Dance. It has the slows but not the quicks. No real staccato.

Looking forward to the weekend, I must say.

Laura. Tough to open the series. She looked stiff with fear to me. Struggled to get into the floor and didn't straighten her legs. Then it went a bit off at the end. High content for a first dance, though. A tidy start.

Nice to see the judges being generous week one. Expect those severrrns to be a lot harder to obtain as the weeks pass.

Naga. Another routine with lots of content. She will need to take bigger steps to get more elegant in her movement and to cover the floor, but that will come. On first inspection, I thought she had good body contact. She was trembling with fear. Darcey bang on about her topline. I'd say progressive.

Judge Rinder. Blimey. I've no idea what to make of that. Quite a face! It was like a puppy running around the dancefloor. He has superb timing. It was chaotic and uncontrolled. His steps were big but a little too far to get the hip action right. He's going to be fun.

Lesley. A pleasant surprise. I do believe she took bigger steps than Naga and covered the floor better. More rise and fall as a result. A few heel leads and attempted a heel turn. Top half wasn't good but she didn't miss a step that I saw. Timing fine. I suspect it's better than the public will see it.

Ore. An odd routine. Half tango and half nonsense. The tango part was ok, but I've no idea what was going on with the music. The transition between the story and the tango stuff was sticky and hard to believe for me. Lacked any sense of drama. He can probably dance, though.

Greg. The training footage suggested he kept going too fast. Natalie's response? Speed the song up! His weight was so far forward, it was fantastic to watch. He lost his way three quarters of the way through, just before the side by side, but he got it back. He was a bit stompy but it makes such a big difference in latin to have your weight forward: you can get hips, foot movement and balance. Arms need work. My concern would be whether he can do slower routines, given how much that song was sped up.

All aboard the Daisy Express!

My 8 year old is on your side. 

I watched this last night with the Mrs and the mother in law and we were all n agreement that Anastasia got an easy ride from the judges because the BBC have paid a fortune for her to be on the show. 

I've no idea how much the contestants are paid, but the judges are rarely if ever harsh to anyone week one. I can't recall one off the top of my head. It's more about encouraging with some constructive criticism, albeit with the odd bit of Craig the villain thrown in.

Her score was 28, which was middle of the pack. A couple of mistakes but she got into the dance and sold the performance well. She had a good hip action and selling the performance does help win the majority of the judges over. It always will.

I'm pleased that no one is completely terrible this year. Ed Balls's footwork was excellent. Yes, the judges were right that he should use his heel lead to drive into the ground and away, in order to get that all-important rise and fall the ballroom dances need. But it was tidy and well executed.

Louise already looks like she's going to get Kevin's "how hard can I make the routine this week?" treatment. Daisy was the standout for me, but we're yet to see her latin. Not a hint of a gap between her and Aljaž. Danny was excellent if a little frenetic and has the hallmarks of a frontrunner for sure.

Did anyone get my point about Will Young's song? The staccato  was a little forced and out of sync with the smooth Nile Rodgers guitar riff in Let's Dance. Just didn't work for me. He needs to work on strengthening his core, which I wasn't expecting for a singer who has been doing acting of late. It'll help him to close the gaps between them and improve his posture.

An encouraging opening weekend. A good series surely ahead.

songs and dances for week 2 http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/c5e016e2-9204-477a-9969-5fe0eceaa6f7

I'm sorry...

Has the tango changed over the summer? I thought you had music like this:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_MODEOWV2I

Or even like this from Scott Maslen:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhBpccRUZig

Or Kara Tointon:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO6Bnp55DBA

You have to have staccato in the music to make it work.

Must be some confidence in Daisy for that dress to be so high. In training, she was inconsistent with straightening her legs. A high hem line will really show any misses up (see Pixie Lott)

Anastacia, Ore and Lesley finding themselves in the public opinion danger zone

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2016/10/06/judge-rinder-remains-nations-strictly-favourite-lo/

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CuKMMwMUkAAedbZ.jpg)

Of the bottom five these are the odds on next elimination :

Naga    7/2
Laura   40/1
Lesley   9/1
Anastacia   2/1
Ore    25/1

Any value there?

    Anastacia and Brendan will be dancing the Viennese Waltz to 'A Thousand Years' by Christina Perri (from the Twilight Saga)
    Claudia and AJ will be dancing the Charleston to 'You Give a Little Love' by Paul Williams (from Bugsy Malone)
    Daisy and Aljaz will be dancing the Quickstep to 'Spoonful of Sugar' (from Mary Poppins)
    Danny and Oti will be dancing the Paso Doble to 'The Train' by James Horner / 'El Sombero Blanco' (from The Mask of Zorro)
    Ed and Katya will be dancing the Samba to 'Cuban Pete' (from The Mask)
    Greg and Natalie will be dancing the American Smooth to 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)' by Bryan Adams (from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
    Judge Rinder and Oksana will be dancing the Charleston to 'Meet The Flintstones' (from The Flintstones)
    Laura and Giovanni will be dancing the Salsa to 'Rhythm of the Night' by Valeria (from Moulin Rouge)
    Lesley and Anton will be dancing the Quickstep to 'A Couple of Swells' by Judy Garland and Fred Astaire (from Easter Parade)
    Louise and Kevin will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Flashdance... What A Feeling' by Irene Cara (from Flashdance)
    Naga and Pasha will be dancing the Tango to 'Theme from Mission Impossible' by Lalo Schifrin (from Mission Impossible)
    Ore and Joanne will be dancing the American Smooth to 'Singin' In the Rain' by Gene Kelly (from Singin' In The Rain)
    Tameka and Gorka will be dancing the Tango to 'The Heat Is On' by Glen Frey (from Beverly Hills Cop)
    Will and Karen will be dancing the Salsa to 'Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)' by A.R. Rahman and the Pussycat Dolls (from Slumdog Millionaire)


there was controversy last week over anastacia avoiding the dance off, and she doesn't seem popular. she has a potential crowd pleaser this week though

naga has a tango, with yet another daft song choice, and she is not a good dancer either and really comes across as pretty reluctant to embrace it all

if you gave me the choice of the 5 above at the prices i would take her

For those unfamiliar with Easter Parade (shame on you!), this is what you've got to look forward to tomorrow night:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQdzrJUb-yE

You said quickstep, right..?

The Mrs tells me Will Young has withdrawn.
She is taking it better then I imagined.

http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/will-young-quits-strictly-come-dancing-in-shock-exit-for-karen-clifton/story-29799353-detail/story.html

Cant believe she married Kevin. Sigh!

Feckin Kevin

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgqa3cVOxUc

I can't help but get the feeling we are in conspiracy theory mode now, but it's notable how some of the comments are generous for some people.

The judges seem to love Laura Whitmore. It was good but Len is absolutely bang on: her head was very odd.

Also getting the impression some people are there as novelty acts, judging by the outfits. Fairly unlikely we'll see Daisy, Danny, Laura and Louise in the sort of outfits the others are wearing. Equally, when will we see Ed or Judge Rinder in traditional clothing?

And the award for Campest Paso Doble goes to...




(On which note, the music? Really?!)

Rare for anyone to go out early on a Charleston. Only two I can remember are Jimi Mistri and Peter Shilton (any more?).

Don't see Naga joining that group.

Can remember a few rumbas though. Fun dances are always going to get votes. They're memorable. Slow dances don't capture the imagination for most of the public.

A remarkable improvement in footwork from Louise from midweek. She was really struggling in the footage on Wednesday.

That's something for the notebook for sure.

Will say there was a lot of time out of hold in that foxtrot and that was not mentioned at all by the judges.

Are we about to see the first ten?

Think I'd give Danny a ten.



Edit: he's probably a touch unlucky there. I didn't see a mistake. It was a brilliant performance. He is so naturally graceful. 36 no outrage of course. He's a clear favourite.

Difference there is that was a 100% rumba and it had the entire spectrum of moves. Has to be the toughest dance for the taller celebs.

If we are looking for a winner, history tells us it's oftentimes a grower who is solid early. Daisy seems to have no weaknesses and she's been given the hardest routine tonight.

The hollyoaks ringer should be odds on right? could basically dance as a Pro and you wouldn't know the difference

the each way value is?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cu1J0gKWEAAbTqn.jpg)

Whoever priced Daisy and Judge Rinder together is either a complete pinsticker or knows something about the voting data. Ore is good too. The retraction on those flicks is fantastic.

I wouldn't touch Claudia at that price.

Danny Mac will be in Top Hat (or similar) in the New Year, I expect. It was pure Tom Chambers.

I can't believe I've just seen a better dance than Danny's tonight.

I need an eleven...

has ore had no dance training?

we know danny mac has.

Honestly don't know. It is possible he hasn't.

I will say that Jo is a good teacher (her and Kevin's parents run a very successful dance school) and he clearly has natural rhythm and quick feet. There will be other tests with waltzes and rumbas ahead (similar question for Danny).

I do think the coach matters. Aljaž, Kevin and Natalie are excellent. Erin Boag and Karen Hardy were very good ones for that, too.

Just watched the dance back (and I expect I will again...). Easy to succumb to recency bias, so I won't say better than Jay's, etc.  It was very good.

Naga or Anastacia tonight?   Naga is 3/1 best I can find, which must be the bet.  Anastacia odds on.

Ore very good obv.  Was regretting the hasty each way bet I made early doors until tonight.  Thought Daisy was better than marked, and Danny obv v good too. Youngest still thinks Ed is hilarious.

There's definitely scope for Naga to go this week. I know i said Charlestons never go early but she will suffer from a better Charleston and two standout dances taking everyone's memory of the night. Clearly will need to be the worse dancer of the two to go, though, as I get the view the judges will save her against a few.

I'd bet her in a heartbeat at 4/1. Threes is probably still a bet but it's not as enticing.

A quick word for the telegraph live updates, which have little guides to what the judges are looking for in each dance.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/10/15/strictly-come-dancing-week-4-saturday-what-time-is-it-on-plus-th/

Lesley is quite a bit beyond Anastacia here?

Edit.  I thought Anastacia had done well.  I didn't realise she was going to be top.  Only got £35 on Lesley before the price crash.  No better than 2/1 now? 

Greg is going to struggle, the way this is shaping up so far.

Got 7/2 Lesley.  Can't see that as a bad bet.  Good to see Camel tweeting from his sofa about strictly.  We knew.

Ed fantastic.  8 I expect

The judges might mention the lift...


I'm sure if Katja gave him a classic American Smooth, he could do some good foxtrot. I expect what happened is they were given the song and she had to do something with that.

It's a real shame the producers do that. I want to see him doing what he was up to for the first 20 seconds of the song.


And 2 is ridiculous.

If Ore gets a ballroom dance in Blackpool, he takes very big steps for a beginner. That would be a massive plus for him on that sprung floor.

Is it Whitney Houston week?

Don't think so.  Lesley now fave to go. 

Just being flippant at there being two of her songs.

Claudia struggling with that one. Entirely understandable but no bounce and AJ was dragging her round at times. That was when she wasn't ahead of time.


Edit: NINE??!

If it was between Lesley and Greg, they both made lots of mistakes, so it'd be a straight case of who does better in the dance off. Lesley made a technical mistake and got lost a little, which meant she lost her frame (she didn't have much to lose, granted, but it was a noticeable difference). Greg didn't make any big mistakes but all his problems were caused by things he won't easily solve in the next hour.

I do think the judges recognise Greg has more potential but Anton has been ill in the week and there's likely knowledge they haven't trained as much. Wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility Lesley gets a touch of grace in a close decision.

Ed loses to both but we tend to see that character stick around a few more weeks. Judge Rinder beats both, probably.

Had her as not in time at all.  Daisy could be bottom two here.  Public hate that too clever stuff, and not sure she gets many votes from the public.  Bye Lesley though.

poor ed balls

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CvTCY8hWAAAOIuU.jpg)

Ed Balls' future on Strictly in doubt after 'horrific' lift

(https://o.twimg.com/2/proxy.jpg?t=HBhmaHR0cHM6Ly9zdGF0aWMuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvczNmcy1wdWJsaWMvdGh1bWJuYWlscy9pbWFnZS8yMDE2LzEwLzIzLzExL2VkLWJhbGxzLXN0cmljdGx5LWxpZnQuanBnFJYdFKIPHBSEBhSUAwAAFgASAA&s=mD8X4RKFyT07Wm_qb32P9mWVsILUmwJYyZD9KYZ4C14)

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-come-dancing-2016-ed-balls-katya-jones-lift-amarillo-week-5-a7376221.html

More and more, the producers are making a distinction between the favourites and the outsiders. Was Danny Mac ever going to have to do a Paso with a big stupid dragon or a foxtrot American Smooth to a song that was always going to make him plod because of the prominent beat?

How is that going to make these people feel?

It is an extremely strong standard this year but a lot of the rigmarole around it is spoiling it

the judges voting is haphazard, running orders discriminatory, song choices bizarre (they gave the gymnast a sped-up song yesterday, she could barely keep up) and half the contestants are expected to dress up in psuedo-panto costumes and play it for jokes, a bit of that is fine obviously and to be expected

the salsa and samba in particular, don't think we've seen a proper one for two series? its all disco-ed up abominations of those genres

as for danny mac, he's virtually a pro, was from day one and whilst he seems a pleasant chap i hope someone improves past him on their "journey"

OiOi

Halloween songs and dances

includes a rumba to Bring me to life by Evanescence!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/4e69cd0b-531a-4b3a-9f52-a6c070d9e32c

Surprised you didn't pick up on the BowWowWow song.   Given you are from my generation, without googling, why were they so controversial?

Maybe you'll need to google given you didn't mention it? 

i remember the lead singer, Annabella Lwin. "wild in the country" was the big hit. beyond that, i would have to google

If I shared the cover of I Want Candy, I suspect I would be commiting a crime.  I think she was 14 at the time. 

Will just do some cliffs.

When I was young, Bow Wow Wow were a post punk new wave band.  They had a sound and look a bit like Adam and the Ants.

They were managed by Malcolm McLaren (ex sex pistols manager)  had a lead singer called Annabella Lwin.  As far as I recall we were told Ms Lwin was 18, and she had a predisposition for getting semi-naked for publicity shots/record covers.

All this was pretty appealing to me and my peers.

Some years later, I discovered that she was really only 14 at the time of her success.

I find the whole episode fairly disturbing, even though I was younger than Ms Lwin at the time.  I am pretty sure I still have a single or two in a box somewhere.   It is fairly hard to unremember what you thought of those pictures at the time.

Anyway, when I saw the song list, I was pretty surprised they chose the Bow Wow Wow version.

Ed Balls is running out of weaker dancers to keep him out of the Strictly dance off

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2016/10/28/when-will-balls-hit-buffers/

look at Oduba go....

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cv3hPkPWYAAYtm9.jpg)

this week's song choices are up

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/9df95fde-a996-4275-975e-8bd94473faf8

Think we have officially hit rock bottom. Must be the worst collection of songs in Strictly history.

Argentine Tango to Marvin Gaye? So a man is going to be talking to a prostitute in Buenos Aires, asking whether it's true she's dumping him?

Can't wait...

::)

"Grapevine" is a classic Marvin Gaye song, more than that it's a classic of that genre and quite possibly of all time.

I've never looked into the antecedents of the lyrics and surprised as I am to learn of them, I can't believe that you would think they deminish the work.

After all, so many songs' lyrics have hidden sexual or drug-related underlying meanings that only those around at the time would understand.

The Argentine Tango story is a man meeting a lady of the night. It doesn't fit with the narrative of Grapevine (which I agree is one of the great Motown songs - written for Gladys Knight), that being someone challenging their partner about whether they've been faithful.

This was old Motown, when it was all simple pop stuff and Berry Gordy controlled everything. Any hidden lyrics? Plausible I suppose.

More pertinently, I don't really see it as an Argentine Tango. Would need to be an odd arrangement to make that work.

It's been a series where there are fewer strict tempo songs or traditional songs than any other year. That's annoying.

Louise's Argentine Tango last week launches her into the lead for Strictly viewers

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2016/11/11/strictly-louises-good-week-boosts-chances/

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cw_YGAUXUAA39fK.jpg:large)

I had no idea they'd changed the rules of Ballroom Dancing. Apparently, you can now dance on your toes the whole way and get four nines.

The judges want Claudia to go far. It's getting ridiculous now. Even Camel must be annoyed.

Shapeless Greg with his sticky out bum being marked the same as Daisy is insane. But even that is not as bonkers as 36 for TippyToes Claudia.

Oh and wow at Ed. Just wow. What a ballsy lift.

Danny Mac's biggest problem is Oti's choreography. I didn't get their dance at all.

Louise might now be my favourite to win. I think she's the best dancer in the competition.

Greg to go. Ed aside, I'm not sure he beats anyone.

Felt sorry for Ed. That was a ballsy routine with some real content. The lifts at least deserved a comment. The song may finally cost him?
He by far the best novelty dancer they have had.

Blackpool songs and dances

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/621fe999-950d-4460-9dd5-beb6f85cc17d

Balls is "dancing" a jive tomorrow in blackpool

doesn't really suit him, from training footage. not easy to do the high kicks and flicks etc

so far his scores are 21,23,24,16,18, 26,27,25

aren't 23 and 24 massive prices?

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cxiz5VGXUAEEDBr.jpg)

quite like those prices

dont watch it much...is it a case of working out what Craig is going to score? and then add on about 3 ish for the rest of them!  :)

maybe...


3 6 6 6 = 21
4 7 7 7 = 25
3 6 7 7 = 23
4 6 7 7 = 24

4 or 5 from Craig

couple of points higher Bruno

lets say 5 and 7.

6 6 or 5 6 for the scoop?

understand 26-28 being favourite but surely something like 5 6 6 7 = 24 at 14-1 or 4 6 6 7 = 23 at 20-1 is a fun bet?

what bookie is that?

I'm in to this programme slightly this year as everyone watches it and I find the concept of Ed Balls being there somewhat ridiculous!

Ladbrokes prices. Laid me a fiver (restricted) on both 23 and 24 so unlikely to mae you rich but a fun bet if you are watching

As we go further into the series, the score of everyone generally rise (obv). However, the scores themselves are not important, only the ranking of where you are in the leaderboard matters.

Balls will be bottom of the leaderboard, however his position in the running order is key. If, for example, he's on last, and the lowest score from anyone else is 32, then no matter how bad he is, he's not scoring below 30 - the judges can ensure he's last without being cruel and dishing out low scores.

Whereas if he's first, the judges have to give him a lower score in case someone else falls flat on their arse.

Of the other surviving couples, only Greg and Natalie have scored below 30 in the last 3 weeks. If Greg is on first and gets a 30/31, then there's your floor set for Ed.

I rank them at the moment

finalists

D Mac
Nurding
Ore

possible final Rinder/Fragapane

special case Balls

worst sensible dancer left, Rutherford

so have it

Rutherford out this week
Balls next (no more bad couples to keep them out of bottom 2)
then Rinder v Claudia for the final with the other 3


disagree with much of that?

If Ed is winning the vote every week then doesn't he have to make the final - he can't fall into the bottom 2 as in the case of a tie higher phone votes goes through.

In fact isn't it the case that if someone is top of the phone vote every week then they win the trophy no matter what the judges give them.

bink. it all helps!

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640xn/p04h0xm5.jpg)

Stunning, well done Tighty.

Missed this thread completely this week.

Well done, Tighty.

Think Len has been a cracking judge and sorry to see him go after so many years. Didn't shed a single tear either, proper bloke, could teach those big jessie miners a thing or too.

Whoa. Danny Mac got gubbed at 1/5 tonight.

ffs. wrong winner for me :-)

Ore was 7/1 five minutes before votes closed!

10 yesterday.  7/1 at the start of the whole thing.   Think any of the 3 would have been deserving winners, but glad Ore won.

Very pleased to see Ore win - loved his ballroom stuff and seems such a nice guy. But mostly because I was Team Anyone But Danny - at least previous ringers on the show have managed to show a modicum of charm and personality with their years of dance training.

Looks like Tal may need to hand over his King of Strictly crown, as there's a new sheriff in town.

There is someone on the betfair specials forum who lists the prices on strictly as they go on.  Apparently Ore was laid at both 50 and 55 in week 12 (only £17 each, which includes the back and lay AFAIK, £8.50 total).  But £830 was laid at 42.  I knew he had drifted, but should have been paying more attention.

Abbey Clancey and Caroline Flack were also pretty big late in the series too from memory.

Jay pretty much walked it from his jive onwards.