Strictly Come Dancing 2014

[AndrewT]

Graham, I would posit that you are, in fact, being picky.

[Doobs]

The lad Simon has done well.  Had to do a late cover, would be a good winner I think. Am indifferent between him and Caroline betting wise now.

[Tal]

Just watching it all now. Alan Bennett monologue follows...

[Tal]

A general comment to begin. This is a dance competition, despite all the additional bits, so the final should see a roughly even split between latin and ballroom disciplines. Frankie chose to do a latin, so she should have been invited by the judges to do a ballroom dance...

Click to see full-size image.

Someone will need to tell me why the judges chose a poor dance for the couples. If Caroline gets an easy one, there could be flouncing.

First off, then. Frankie. A marked improvement of course. I don't consider her to be a natural latin dancer but the samba is very difficult and it was quick. She coped very well and the mark was on the generous side of fair.

Mark doing a cha-cha has surely basically killed his chances of winning. He doesn't close his feet properly when walking forwards and it's got to be one of his weaker disciplines. It was clearly much better than last time, but I don't get why we couldn't see him in tails doing his waltz.

[Tal]

Caroline.

Ok. Here goes. Her best dance of the competition. Outstanding cha-cha. One of the very best I've seen on Strictly. If it doesn't get forty, it's an outrage.

Her weight - which has been one of my biggest bugbears - was forward and she generated excellent hip action. It really was fantastic.

[Tal]

Four latin dances chosen by the Producers judges, then. Risible.

[Tal]

Simon's Charleston wasn't as good as I remember it from last time. A little behind at times and a little ahead. The transitions weren't as smooth either. The swivel action was excellent, though.

Generously marked, IMO.

[Tal]

Showdances, then.

Frankie up first. She looked like she had an absolute ball. I loved the Sound of Music reference with the walk across the benches.

Didn't close her feet properly once at the start but otherwise I thought her feet were perfect.

Not an inspiring showdance though. Sorry.


Edit: love that I was right on the Sound of Music reference

[tikay]

Frankie chose to do a latin, so she

I only flit in & out of the SCD Posts, but today is the first time I realised that "Frankie" was Female.

I bet Camel knew.

[Tal]

Mark immediately reverts to Dad Dancing in his showdance. No channer. not even close.

[The Camel]

I'm not being picky but Frankies mouth is off centre, or something is.  Maybe it's just that picture, can't say I've noticed it before.  She is stunning though.

Elbows far too pointy too.

Click to see full-size image.

[Tal]

I have to take my hat off. Caroline's showdance was absolutely sensational. The whole thing was hugely risky, it was just about perfect as a story and she worked fantastically hard on getting it finished.

Not to my normal taste, but far and away the best of the three showdances so far.



She still does my nut in, mind.

[Tal]

Simon's showdance was much more what I want to see in a showdance: a combination of all the dances, stupendously choreographed and wildly entertaining.

I really enjoyed that.

[Tal]

Well done, public. Right one went in fourth.

[Tal]

Frankie's paso was much better than her last one (which I seem to recall criticising). Craig seems to have had it in for Frankie and Kevin's face said it all when the nine appeared.

Caroline was also much better. Still some timing issues but an improvement for sure. 40 was inevitable. She's the first person to score 120. Better than Ramprakash then. My eye.

Simon's Argentine Tango is the dances of the series. End of discussion.