PDA

View Full Version : Strictly Dance Fever



Pages : [1] 2

uk-jive
10th-December-2004, 12:16 PM
Article here... (http://www.uk-jive.co.uk/news-detail.asp?NewsID=503)

With so many excellent MJ'ers around, I do hope a few will be auditioning for this :clap:

Divissima
10th-December-2004, 12:30 PM
Cool! I wonder how they are defining 'professional' dancers. Eligibility might be an issue for some of the top MJers.

Gojive
10th-December-2004, 12:33 PM
Article here... (http://www.uk-jive.co.uk/news-detail.asp?NewsID=503)

With so many excellent MJ'ers around, I do hope a few will be auditioning for this :clap:

I've emailed them for more details yesterday :waycool: (I'm not saying I'm an excellent MJ'er btw, just that I emailed them :blush: ).

Gus
10th-December-2004, 01:02 PM
Cool! I wonder how they are defining 'professional' dancers. Eligibility might be an issue for some of the top MJers.If they take the line of "having been paid to teach or dance" then I think nearly all of the finalists of all MJ competitions are ruled out. :sad: I cant think of any of the top dancers who havent taught a workshop or done a paid cabaret at some stage.

xSalsa_Angelx
10th-December-2004, 01:13 PM
Well I just emailed them too for more details, you only live once so what the hell...!!!
Am no proffesional nor would I say I was good, but hey I'll give it a good go..!!

Neil???? Are you with me?? :hug:

xSalsa_Angelx
10th-December-2004, 01:17 PM
Ah .... bummer .... maybe not, you're away again aren't you my sweet? :tears: :angry:

Franck
10th-December-2004, 01:34 PM
Also got a call from the BBC researchers, specifically wanting dancers from Scotland :wink:

Here is the information (you can also visit the BBC Strictly Dance Fever (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/) directly):


FROM THE MAKERS OF ‘STRICTLY COME DANCING’, THE BBC ARE LOOKING FOR TALENTED AMATEURS TO STRUT THEIR STUFF IN A BRAND NEW SERIES

Graham Norton’s
STRICTLY DANCE FEVER

IS YOUR CHANCE TO HIT THE DANCE FLOOR AND SHAKE YOUR THING!


EXPERIENCE DOESN’T MATTER WE’RE JUST LOOKING FOR RAW TALENT AND STAR QUALITY


WHATEVER YOUR DANCE STYLE,
TAP TO BODY POPPING, SALSA TO STREET,
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!


CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION –
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR NAME & ALL CONTACT DETAILS


CALL: 0845 300 4164 OR EMAIL: strictly@bbc.co.uk


COUPLES OR SINGLES CAN APPLY BUT MUST BE OVER 18
ALL ENTRANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR 8 WEEKS DURING APRIL AND MAY
ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE UK RESIDENTS.
NON DANCE PROFESSIONALS ONLY

uk-jive
10th-December-2004, 01:40 PM
I'm waiting for clarification on what their definition of a professional is.

Will let you know when I get a response.

Jon

LindaN
10th-December-2004, 02:19 PM
Also got a call from the BBC researchers, specifically wanting dancers from Scotland :wink:
Sounds like a lot of fun! Wish I was 30 years younger! :sad:

Come on Scotland show the UK (oops England) what we're made of (I am actually English myself but most people think Scotland is the end of the earth and non-existent). :clap:

Simon r
10th-December-2004, 02:33 PM
Put in application see what happens

stewart38
10th-December-2004, 02:37 PM
I would have thought teachers and regular competition entrants would be excluded ? We will see

Simon r
10th-December-2004, 02:39 PM
I would have thought teachers and regular competition entrants would be excluded ? We will see

mmmmm maybe people with or without musicality also... :whistle:

Divissima
10th-December-2004, 02:53 PM
I would have thought teachers and regular competition entrants would be excluded ? We will seeI'm not sure why you say 'regular competition entrants'. Even some of the most successful competitors do not do any teaching.

Please explain (I'm not trying to be funny - I'm just curious as to why you think this).

uk-jive
10th-December-2004, 04:30 PM
I've been promised some detailed feedback on this (on Monday), specifically:


individuals who have a full time day job who enter occasional competitions.
individuals who have a full time day job but who also teach classes.
and a combination of the two.


Jon

Jayne
10th-December-2004, 04:42 PM
most people think Scotland is the end of the earth and non-existent
[engage heat proof shield] Is this supposed to be ironic, coming from someone who lives in Aberdeen?

J :wink:

[leave heat shield on]

Magic Hans
10th-December-2004, 05:53 PM
...(I am actually English myself but most people think Scotland is the end of the earth and non-existent). :clap:

Scotland? Isn't that that land of uncultured savages, that Hadrian's wall was built, to keep them out of jolly Blighty? That have had added nothing significant to the modern world??

oh .... apart from ...

Adam - Robert (1728-1792) - Architect of Culzean Castle and many other fine buildings.

Alexander III - King (1241-1286) - A direct descendant of the first king of the Scots, Kenneth mac Alpin.

Asquith - Margot (1864-1945) - High society wit and non-conformist who married Prime Minister Herbert Asquith.

Baird - John Logie (1888-1946) - Started the first TV station in the world.

Barrie - Sir J M (1860-1937) - Author of "Peter Pan" and "The Admirable Crichton".

Barbour - John (1316-1395) - Father of Scottish vernacular poetry with his epic "The Brus".

Bell - Alexander Graham (1847-1922) - Inventor of the telephone and involved in genetics and phonetics.

Brewster - Sir David (1781-1868) - Invented the kaleidoscope and the lenticular stereoscope.

Brodie - Deacon William (? - 1788) - A colourful and successful thief and inspiration for "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde".

Bruce - James (1730-1794) - A giant of a man who found the source of the Nile in Abbysinia in 1770.

Buchan - John (1875-1940) - Governor General of Canada and an the author of "The Thirty-Nine Steps" etc.

Buchanan - George (1506-1582) - Moderator of the Church of Scotland in 1567.

Burns - Robert (1759-1796) - Scotland's most celebrated poet.

Burrell - Sir William (1861-1958) - A wealthy shipping magnate who gave his art collection to Glasgow.

Byron - George Gordon (Lord Byron) (1788-1824) - His Scottish childhood doubtless had an impact on the poet.

[ .... and that's just A-B ...... think I'll start digging myself a hole now!!! .... or maybe half a whole!] :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

stewart38
10th-December-2004, 06:38 PM
I'm not sure why you say 'regular competition entrants'. Even some of the most successful competitors do not do any teaching.

Please explain (I'm not trying to be funny - I'm just curious as to why you think this).


Im trying to 'guess' what they may want , I've entered comps since I was 9 so I would include myself , im not having a dig :tears:

xSalsa_Angelx
10th-December-2004, 09:02 PM
Also got a call from the BBC researchers, specifically wanting dancers from Scotland :wink:

Here is the information (you can also visit the BBC Strictly Dance Fever (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/) directly):


:clap: i'll give it a go :D

XSalsa_ManX
11th-December-2004, 03:49 PM
Ah .... bummer .... maybe not, you're away again aren't you my sweet? :tears: :angry:
______________________________________________

You may be lucky princess !!! :innocent:

if im here im with you babe xxx :flower:

xSalsa_Angelx
11th-December-2004, 08:27 PM
______________________________________________

You may be lucky princess !!! :innocent:

if im here im with you babe xxx :flower:


Cool babes :clap: .......... talk to u about it when u get back my sweet :flower:

Minnie M
22nd-December-2004, 11:23 PM
I've been promised some detailed feedback on this (on Monday)

Well :what:

Has anyone actually contacted them yet to enter

Feelingpink
23rd-December-2004, 10:01 AM
Yup ... now got an email back with an entry form which also requests video of me dancing (which I don't have). Guess I'm not entering!

Andreas
23rd-December-2004, 05:50 PM
http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/faq.shtml


Only people who make a living off dancing are considered professionals by the rules.

Savant
23rd-December-2004, 07:32 PM
Hmmm. Must be willing to relocate??

Does this mean that they give you somewhere to stay?? And do you get paid for doing it? And if so, how much. Or, are they just after homeless people on the dole?

Their FAQ isn't anywhere detailed enough I don't think.

Cornish Pixie
28th-December-2004, 08:42 PM
Sounds like a lot of fun! Wish I was 30 years younger! :sad:


If only i was a year older! :mad:

Tiggerbabe
29th-December-2004, 01:48 AM
Hmmm. Must be willing to relocate??

Does this mean that they give you somewhere to stay?? And do you get paid for doing it? And if so, how much. Or, are they just after homeless people on the dole?

Their FAQ isn't anywhere detailed enough I don't think.
I'm guessing that they would provide accomodation/food but can't imagine that they would pay you for the privilage of appearing on the show. Possibly they provide more details if you are chosen.

The relocation for a possible 2 months will rule it out for many people who might have considered giving it a go :sad:

Minnie M
17th-January-2005, 09:35 PM
Received this email tonight :-

Following on from the success of Strictly Come Dancing and other dance programmes, the UK currently has a booming dance culture, featuring everything from Body Popping to Merengue.

To this end we have launched a brand new BBC 1 show called Strictly Dance Fever. Whatever the dance style, street to salsa, break-dance to tap, as long as the applicants are aged 18 and above and are non-professional dancers, we want to see them! We are looking for raw talent. Performances do not have to be polished - it’s potential that we are after so hopefuls should not be put off by the lack of experience.

All they have to do is fill out an application form available at: www.BBC.co.uk/strictlydancefever. Application forms can also be posted out to hopefuls by calling our hotline which is 0845 300 4164, or emailing us at strictlydancefever@bbc.co.uk, once completed send it back to us as soon as possible, the closing date for entry is the 31st of January 2005. If we feel that they have potential, we will then invite them to an audition.


Our first audition takes place in Belfast the weekend commencing the 5th of February. and we will be going all over the nation auditioning hopefuls until Mid-March.

At the auditions, we will have four different rooms to cater for the array of dance disciplines, each room will have a judge to assess the dancers' natural ability and rhythm (see the attached sheet for more detailed information).

Thank you so much for your taking the time to help us spread the word, hopefully we'll see you at the auditions !
Best wishes

Berry


Berry English | STRICTLY DANCE FEVER
Room 3317 | BBC Television Centre| Wood Lane | London | W12 7RJ
0208 576 8603
berry.english@bbc.co.uk

RogerR
17th-January-2005, 11:10 PM
How do they think a non pro dancer will have 8 weeks available? I dont get 8 weeks annual leave. Those who danced on William and Mary will remember an 8 - 7 day for about 10 seconds of programme time.

RobC
18th-January-2005, 01:52 AM
How do they think a non pro dancer will have 8 weeks available? I dont get 8 weeks annual leave. Those who danced on William and Mary will remember an 8 - 7 day for about 10 seconds of programme time.
Yeah, but what a 10 seconds that was. Got it recorded digitally and frequently get it out to freeze frame it on the split seconds I appear when visitors come round .... :whistle:

Minnie M
18th-January-2005, 10:02 AM
Yeah, but what a 10 seconds that was. Got it recorded digitally and frequently get it out to freeze frame it on the split seconds I appear when visitors come round .... :whistle:

:yeah: :rofl: he he he :rofl: I do too :blush: (my bit that is)

It was all day but I enjoyed every minute of it - lots of fun and great company :worthy:

uk-jive
18th-January-2005, 05:39 PM
Well :what:

Finally got feedback from my questions...

"You must not have earned your living as a dancer in the last ten years. If however you are in full time employment but occasionally teach dance as a hobby, you will be classed as NON professional."

MartinHarper
19th-January-2005, 10:18 AM
How do they think a non pro dancer will have 8 weeks available?

Unpaid time off for those with decent jobs/bosses. Quitting and re-applying for those without. Holiday+skiving for students.

TheTramp
19th-January-2005, 11:41 AM
Unpaid time off for those with decent jobs/bosses. Quitting and re-applying for those without. Holiday+skiving for students.
Oh? You don't have a mortgage? Or rent to pay? Or food to buy? Or any other bills? Obviously not a family to look after.

As for skiving for students, I'm not going to even dignify that one with an answer. Students skiving? What will the world come to next?? :whistle:

Andy McGregor
20th-January-2005, 02:16 AM
As for skiving for students, I'm not going to even dignify that one with an answer. Students skiving? What will the world come to next?? :whistle:

This weekend the Tramp will be taking the Megabus from Dundee to London to go dancing for the weekend. He has chosen this slow method of transport so he can get a few essays written :wink:

Gadget
20th-January-2005, 09:35 AM
This weekend the Tramp will be taking the Megabus from Dundee to London to go dancing for the weekend. He has chosen this slow method of transport so he can get a few essays written :wink:
You ever tried writing on a bus? They normally move before you can finish. And the drivers tend to object to graffitti.

Andy McGregor
20th-January-2005, 09:57 AM
You ever tried writing on a bus? They normally move before you can finish. And the drivers tend to object to graffitti.

And it makes them difficult to hand in to your professors.

Sparkles
20th-January-2005, 11:04 AM
I've entered comps since I was 9 so I would include myself

You've got to be kidding me!
Entering competitions, for however long, does not make you a professional - not even if you win national or international championships!
Being a 'professional' is about 'making money from doing it' - if you dance somewhere and someone pays you to do so (like a demonstration or a showcase) or if you teach dancing and are paid for it then you are a professional - it has nothing to do with how many competitions you've entered. Luckily for most of the top MJers it seems the BBC are being relatively lenient on this point and are allowing those who occasionally get money for dancing to enter their auditions. :clap:
I've been entering competitions for various forms of dancing since I was 5, including national and international competitions, and have made finals, and won things, but I would in no way consider myself to be a professional.

MartinHarper
20th-January-2005, 11:05 AM
You don't have a mortgage? (etc)

I'm not applying.

People who do these sorts of things rely on loans, savings, family, friends, partners, and so on. Rest assured that there will be plenty of dancers for the BBC to select from.

Minnie M
31st-January-2005, 08:03 PM
Just had an email from The World Salsa Federation, The WSF is a corporation with World Headquarters in Miami, Florida - advertising this event :eek:

Watch out those of you that have entered - the yanks are coming..............

DavidY
25th-March-2005, 04:46 PM
..start this weekend on BBC1 (from 5:55 pm on Saturday night).

Also programmes on BBC3 on Saturday night and through the week.

More details here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/)

RobC
25th-March-2005, 05:03 PM
I am reliably informed that a well known and loved couple from the Jive scene will be on the show broadcast on the 9th. :wink:

Let's all make sure that we keep our phones handy and make sure that we vote them through to the final 10 couples :clap:

Lynn
25th-March-2005, 10:39 PM
I am reliably informed that a well known and loved couple from the Jive scene will be on the show broadcast on the 9th. :wink:

Let's all make sure that we keep our phones handy and make sure that we vote them through to the final 10 couples :clap: :yeah: It would be fab if MJ dancers got through to the last 10. Does the public vote to get the final 10? If so, I'll be voting!

Minnie M
26th-March-2005, 01:45 AM
I am reliably informed that a well known and loved couple from the Jive scene will be on the show broadcast on the 9th. :wink:

Let's all make sure that we keep our phones handy and make sure that we vote them through to the final 10 couples :clap: :clap: :worthy: :flower:

Piglet
26th-March-2005, 12:40 PM
Wow! This is really quite exciting! Must remember to tape them all.
Good luck to all ceroc stars!!!! :hug:

Chicklet
26th-March-2005, 08:08 PM
sooooo..anyone else suprised at how "undifferent" :blush: the sections were???

IMHO, any of those routines (expanded obviously) wouldn't have raised eyebrows as showcases in our world.

thoughts?

Banana Man
26th-March-2005, 08:16 PM
sooooo..anyone else suprised at how "undifferent" :blush: the sections were???

IMHO, any of those routines (expanded obviously) wouldn't have raised eyebrows as showcases in our world.

thoughts?

..errr, no! The first couple - Clare and James - were at Camber a few weeks back; I thought they were line dancers, as they were down for the West Coast Swing? Nonetheless, they are fab, and IMHO deserve to get through. Also really liked Jodi and her partner.

ElaineB
26th-March-2005, 08:16 PM
sooooo..anyone else suprised at how "undifferent" :blush: the sections were???

IMHO, any of those routines (expanded obviously) wouldn't have raised eyebrows as showcases in our world.

thoughts?

Missed it Chicklet - could you tell me a bit more about what happened/format etc?

Ta everso........... :flower:

Elaine

Piglet
26th-March-2005, 08:22 PM
sooooo..anyone else suprised at how "undifferent" :blush: the sections were???

IMHO, any of those routines (expanded obviously) wouldn't have raised eyebrows as showcases in our world.

thoughts?


:yeah: I enjoyed watching it though!

I ws really surprised at the line dancing - in what way was what they were doing line dancing?? I'm obviously very ignorant, but it looked much better than I was expecting. I think I agreed with each couple that the judges thought should go forward, but can't help wondering how this is going to pan out - are each couple expected to dance to different genres each week? Anyone know?

philsmove
26th-March-2005, 08:53 PM
..errr, no! The first couple - Clare and James - were at Camber a few weeks back; I thought they were line dancers, as they were down for the West Coast Swing? Nonetheless, they are fab, and IMHO deserve to get through. Also really liked Jodi and her partner.



have it safly on tape

Lory
26th-March-2005, 09:14 PM
in what way was what they were doing line dancing??
:yeah: was it cos they were wearing boots :confused: :rofl: Absolutely fabulous though! :worthy:

I was a bit sad that one of the line dancing couples had to go and one of the ballroom couples had to stay. IMO both Line dancing couples were awesome and far better than either of the Ballroom dancing couples.

I really enjoyed the very first couple up, they looked like they were out to have fun and she really strutted her stuff!

I agree with Chicklet, the differences in style weren't that great, the choreographers seemed to say the same thing about all of them, 'We want to see, lot's of high energy!'

David Bailey
26th-March-2005, 10:06 PM
I really enjoyed the very first couple up, they looked like they were out to have fun and she really strutted her stuff!

I agree with Chicklet, the differences in style weren't that great, the choreographers seemed to say the same thing about all of them, 'We want to see, lot's of high energy!'
I really didn't get into it, dunno, it just seemed a bit bland to me... OK, yep, I liked the first couple, but we're probably rooting for her just because she's normal-sized, not horrible stick-insect person... Her partner was crap, frankly.
I don't know why I didn't like it - maybe because they all seemed pretty good dancers? The great thing about Strictly Come Dancing was seeing the vast improvement in ability, and seeing the enthusiasm the contestants had. In this session, there's not so much development it seems - plus, I'm not sure how the Beeb define "amateur" dancers, I'd call our MJ man a pro myself. Also, Graham Norton is no Brucie... :(
Also, the dance styles were extremely varied, lumping line dancing in with a catch-all "Ballroom" dancing seemed weird, especially because it, well, wasn't ballroom.
Apart from that...

Lynn
26th-March-2005, 11:09 PM
I ws really surprised at the line dancing - in what way was what they were doing line dancing?? I was also surprised at the line dancing and also thought that many of the routines would fit into MJ showcases - but to me that just proves the versatility and breadth of range of MJ. :clap:

I enjoyed it, and will be watching next week - and especially on the 9th!

puresunrays
26th-March-2005, 11:13 PM
..errr, no! The first couple - Clare and James - were at Camber a few weeks back; I thought they were line dancers, as they were down for the West Coast Swing? Nonetheless, they are fab, and IMHO deserve to get through. Also really liked Jodi and her partner.

When you say MJ man, do you mean as in who was (is?) dancing with Lydia? I used to dance in London in South Kensington, Marylebone & Euston.

Lynn
26th-March-2005, 11:16 PM
Anyone know when the MJ couple are on 9th April

RobC
26th-March-2005, 11:55 PM
In this session, there's not so much development it seems
Um, this was an audition - not a week's diary of them learning a new dance - that starts once the final 10 couples have been chosen and they are in the house together....


- plus, I'm not sure how the Beeb define "amateur" dancers, I'd call our MJ man a pro myself.
Seem to recall that it is clearly defined on the application forms - went something along the lines of making a living from dancing....


Also, Graham Norton is no Brucie... :(

Isn't that a good thing :wink: Reading the threads from Strictly Come Dancing, most people here would seem to think Brucie is a little past it. He definitely wasn't really up to standard with his presentation.


Also, the dance styles were extremely varied, lumping line dancing in with a catch-all "Ballroom" dancing seemed weird, especially because it, well, wasn't ballroom.
:confused: :confused: You've lost me here ? How is a Cha Cha not Ballroom ? :confused: :confused:

bigdjiver
27th-March-2005, 12:00 AM
I may have got this completely wrong, but I believe that th entrants are sorted by the genre that they usually dance, are subjected to individual asssessment, and then, if they do not make it as a pair, but do as an individual, they are paired by the production team. The pairs then have to do a showcase routine for the show, which may be little to do with their pigeon-holed genre. That would explain why the "line dancers" were doing a showcase that had nothing whatsoever to do with any form of line-dance I have ever seen.

I repeat, this is only my best guess at what is going on from snippets heard and read here and there.

If I am right the MJ'ers will be entered as "freestylers" or some other category, and Ceroc and MJ will struggle to get any major promo from the show. Lindy, on the other hand, seems already to be doing rather well. :devil: Time to rename our dance "Modern Lindy"? :devil:
:devil: "Lindy Tango" ? :devil:

RobC
27th-March-2005, 12:11 AM
I may have got this completely wrong, but I believe that th entrants are sorted by the genre that they usually dance, are subjected to individual asssessment, and then, if they do not make it as a pair, but do as an individual, they are paired by the production team. The pairs then have to do a showcase routine for the show, which may be little to do with their pigeon-holed genre.
That would be my understanding as well, however that only starts after the final 10 couples have made it through the last round of televised auditions and they are all in the house together.


If I am right the MJ'ers will be entered as "freestylers" or some other category,
Well I didn't ask them which category they were in, but Graham Norton did say that the Swing category included Jive (obviously not Ballroom Jive as this would be in the Ballroom category).

Gadget
27th-March-2005, 12:26 AM
sooooo..anyone else suprised at how "undifferent" :blush: the sections were???
:yeah:
That was my impressions too: I have seen better dancing than some of that at competitions, partys and even at local venues (occasionally)

The top two couples were a given in my books - the rest it was hrd to call.

I thought that the second ballroom couple at least tried to put a few 'ballroom' steps in - although it looked to closest to MJ in my eyes (lead & follow as opposed to truley choriographed)

Again, I'm completley stunned about how every "dance style" looks the same - the only one that looked different was the 'disco' which was dual choriography as oposed to partner choriography.

All in all, I think that it emphisises that dancing with a partner is simply dancing with a partner: the 'style bubble' you wrap it up in only imposes a few 'limits' (very few) on your 'base/core' that the rest lie on top of.
{Long live MJ with no 'style bubble'!}

bigdjiver
27th-March-2005, 09:00 AM
Strictly dance fever info (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/strictlydancefever.htm)

from whence this info is shamelessly stolen:-

The Dances:
Cuban Salsa: A 'saucy' Latin-American style dance, with subtle drop's & lifts.

Rock 'n' Roll: A classic 50's Jitterbug/Jive style dance, with lots of energy & lifts, spins, twirls.

The Hustle: A 70's dance, originating in the USA. Danced to Disco music, with lots of tricky arm movements & almost continuous twirling for the lady.

Classic Disco: Think 'Saturday Night Fever' & John Travolta. The tricky bit is that most of this dance is spent apart, so synchronisation is key!

Argentine Tango: The most passionate dance of the 10. Originating from the brothels of Buenos Ayres... the story of a man's control & a woman's seductiveness. Watch out for close holds & intertwining, fast leg movements from the lady.

Lambada: A popular 'phase dance' in the early 90's, originating in Brazil, known as 'The Forbidden Dance'. A very sexy, close, Latin style dance with accentuated hip movements.

Lindyhop: Derived from the Charleston in the 20's, a phenomenally fast dance where couples should 'pack the dance with choreography' & enjoy themselves.

Jitterbug: A more gentle form of the Lindyhop, with a flirty edge. Danced more upright, with less lifts & floor work.

Mambo: The original Cuban street dance, where partners challenge each other for control.

The Shag: An early 30's swing dance, danced close with the upper body, but further apart from the waist down. Partners often take it in turns to be centre of attention.


Looks like I was wrong - the format looks like MJ - almost all of the above.

:devil: Jive Fever? Dance Fever ?:devil:

Actually there may well be no legally sustainable objection to using the phrase "Dance Fever" in promotions. e.g. MJ - a simple introduction to the dance fever style dances. It should be a massive opportunity.

foxylady
27th-March-2005, 09:49 AM
Well I didn't ask them which category they were in, but Graham Norton did say that the Swing category included Jive (obviously not Ballroom Jive as this would be in the Ballroom category).

Except the second 'swing' couple, were doing Ballroom Jive....

Dance Demon
27th-March-2005, 09:59 AM
Well.....it looked to me that the "Swing " dancers were doing ballroom jive,
The "Line dancers", did routines that wouldn't have looked out of place at the C2D Blackpool MJ comp, and the freestylers routine would also have gone down well as a spotlight at Blackpool. I definately didn't see any "Swing" being danced anywhere, in any of the sections, and if thats "Line Dancing"...where do we sign up to learn it.....?

Mary
27th-March-2005, 10:14 AM
Only saw the programme at 10 past 9 which had 5 couples. I thought the standard of what I saw was fantastic. Agreed with the choice of couples to go through, and I thought the line dancing couple were awesome. I'm not an authority on line dancing at all (yes, it didn't fit my pre-conceived notion of what line dancing looks like) but what I saw was aesthetically fantastic.

In some ways I think this programme won't be as entertaining as SCD as mentioned by someone else in that we won't see any steep progress curves, but I will enjoy watching all the same because there are obviously some great amateur dancers out there. :worthy:

M

Lory
27th-March-2005, 10:14 AM
"Line Dancing"...where do we sign up to learn it.....?
:yeah:

I've watched it again and I'm sure if she had ballet shoes on, they could have also called it modern ballet :rolleyes:

Where's Bobgadget? Maybe he can give us an insight, as he used to be a line dancing teacher.

Chicklet
27th-March-2005, 10:54 AM
and another thing.....it actually made me feel very proud of what we do of a party night or a Comp or a Weekender, I thought all of those couples would have fitted in very well on the Southport floor 3am Sunday morning for example....and, fully fit... :blush: ...I wouldn't have felt uncomfortable asking any of the chaps for a dance in that (weekender) environment....(and I'm hardly a dance queen :rofl: ....I try hard, follow OKish and am big on facial expression :devil: :wink: )

I just thougt all in all it was GREAT getting our hobby / passion on prime time TV like that and I will go to work on Tuesday and stand in the middle of the office and say "That's what I do" (yes they've all been primed to be watching it!) And believe that folks will get a fair impression of the effort and the enthusiasm that we put into the scene!

Gus
27th-March-2005, 10:55 AM
I was also surprised at the line dancing and also thought that many of the routines would fit into MJ showcases - but to me that just proves the versatility and breadth of range of MJ. :clap:Interesting ... to me it proved the versatility and breadth of range of line dancing :wink: I think there has long been a mis-conception about line dancing. Weheras many line dancers I know have come across the dicide into MJ and made a great impact (FC, Pistol Pete, Cat), I dont think many MJers could make a similar impact in line dancing. At its top level its incredibly diverse and artistic. I'd be interested in hearing FC's thoughts. Fro a comparsiosn, watch the video of the UK line dancing and compare to the UK Champs ... lots of ideas there to be used. While I'm obviously rooting for the MJ couples, I think the line dancing couple will be hard to beat. As technical dancers they look VERY good ... especialy on their audtition tapes!

One point ... the organisers have banned dance professionals ... but allowed competitors who are at dance school :sick: :confused: Is it just me or does that seem a trifle unfaie?

Magic Hans
27th-March-2005, 10:58 AM
So - if that's the "modern" way of line dancing .... I wonder what modern Morris Dancing is?? or Ceilidh dancing???

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ .... not that I particularly care what things are called, cos I don't, but the line dancing couple were out of this world ... soooo very silky smooth :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: ]

Chicklet
27th-March-2005, 11:00 AM
I dont think many MJers could make a similar impact in line dancing. At its top level its incredibly diverse and artistic. I'd be interested in hearing FC's thoughts.

You should have seen her "FAME"ing last night :worthy: :worthy:
I dare any competition to give her ( and Mr Lees, obviously) that track and no title. :eek: :wink:
Absolutely stunning, out of no-where and soooo stylish, took me a mo to remember that the body moves probably came from her LD backgound.

Cruella
27th-March-2005, 11:01 AM
I've watched it again and I'm sure if she had ballet shoes on, they could have also called it modern ballet :rolleyes:

Where's Bobgadget? Maybe he can give us an insight, as he used to be a line dancing teacher.

Jodie has actually done a lot of west coast swing i believe. She did a showcase at MJC last year with Paul Warden which was awesome. (Pauls background is also line dancing, but is now one of the best west coast teachers.)
We have got to remember these are all amateur dancers!! I would love to be as good as any of these. :worthy:
Next week look out for a MJ couple from Northampton. One of them is a newish ceroc teacher. They were the funky couple in the advanced finals at blackpool wearing black and white. :clap:
So make sure you have your phones ready to vote!!

DavidY
27th-March-2005, 11:06 AM
The "Line dancers", did routines that wouldn't have looked out of place at the C2D Blackpool MJ compMaybe the thing that makes it "Line Dancing" is that they dance to C&W music. They'd have fitted right in if they'd been in the Blackpool Intermediates rounds this year. :wink:

Tiggerbabe
27th-March-2005, 11:25 AM
Maybe the thing that makes it "Line Dancing" is that they dance to C&W music. They'd have fitted right in if they'd been in the Blackpool Intermediates rounds this year. :wink:
Hee hee, never a truer word :whistle: :whistle:

RobC
27th-March-2005, 11:29 AM
Hey, what's with the removing of names from the posts Moderators ? What's wrong with letting people know when some of our MJ stars are going to be on TV ?

David Bailey
27th-March-2005, 11:30 AM
:confused: :confused: You've lost me here ? How is a Cha Cha not Ballroom ? :confused: :confused:
Cha-cha = Latin dance, not ballroom. Ballroom = Watz, quickstep etc. Unless I was missing something explanation-wise, I'll admit I wasn't paying too much attention... But lumping a group of 10 or more totally different dances under one category of "Ballroom", then having an entire category devoted to "line dancing" just seems weird - crowd-pleaser stuff. Plus, disco-dancing? Good grief...

Thanks for the info about the auditions though, it makes a little more sense now, but I'm still not really captivated. And I still love Brucie - at least the man can dance!

Mary
27th-March-2005, 11:31 AM
Next week look out for a MJ couple from Northampton. One of them is a newish ceroc teacher. They were the funky couple in the advanced finals at blackpool wearing black and white. :clap:
So make sure you have your phones ready to vote!!

Would that be Alex? Looking forward to seeing him on next week, will certainly be rooting for him and his partner.

M

Cruella
27th-March-2005, 11:34 AM
Would that be Alex? Looking forward to seeing him on next week, will certainly be rooting for him and his partner.

M

Yep, sure is!

Cruella
27th-March-2005, 11:36 AM
Hey, what's with the removing of names from the posts Moderators ? What's wrong with letting people know when some of our MJ stars are going to be on TV ?


:yeah:

RobC
27th-March-2005, 11:41 AM
Cha-cha = Latin dance, not ballroom. Ballroom = Watz, quickstep etc. Unless I was missing something explanation-wise, I'll admit I wasn't paying too much attention... But lumping a group of 10 or more totally different dances under one category of "Ballroom", then having an entire category devoted to "line dancing" just seems weird - crowd-pleaser stuff. Plus, disco-dancing? Good grief...

Thanks for the info about the auditions though, it makes a little more sense now, but I'm still not really captivated. And I still love Brucie - at least the man can dance!
Ballroom Dancing encompases 10 disciplines - 5 Modern (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango & Vienese Waltz) & 5 Latin (Cha Cha, Rhumba, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba).

I do agree about the lumping together though. At least the Ballroom 'lump' is a logical one. It's the Swing group which is more confusing. It seems to be a catch-all category for people who don't think they are doing Freestyle. That would explain why there seems little difference between the Swing and Freestyle couples, with any of them perfectly fitting into a MJ Cabaret or ShowCase competiton.

Dancing Teeth
27th-March-2005, 11:46 AM
Hey, what's with the removing of names from the posts Moderators ? What's wrong with letting people know when some of our MJ stars are going to be on TV ?

Simple answer to this is Beeb rules.... People can obviously speculate and that's ok. There is nothing anyone can do about this.

The performers can tell who it’ll immediately affect, ie work colleagues, close friends and family or maybe students at ones class but no the general public. This includes public forums like this.

These rules don't really make much sense when some of the trailers shown on TV do include some of these performers
:confused:

David Bailey
27th-March-2005, 11:51 AM
<Re: professsionalism>
Seem to recall that it is clearly defined on the application forms - went something along the lines of making a living from dancing....
Hmmm, as I've just got my first negative rep (no doubt many more to come :sad: ) for daring to call V****r (will that escape the censors??? :whistle: ) a professional, because he makes, you know, money from it, I should probably shut up. But what the heck, I'm curious.
I thought a professional is someone who gets paid for doing something, preferably on a regular basis, as compared to an amateur, who does it for fun. Is there a more strict definition of the difference? Is there a "semi-pro" category for someone who gets paid some money, but doesn't do it full-time? I think this is the key to why I'm not that into the series yet - they all seem interested in dancing, the only development is in styles, not in someone actually realising that Dancing Is Fun, which I found to be the best part of Strictly Come Dancing - the enthusiasm for dancing, the flowering of totally-undeveloped talent. That's why I was rooting for Denise Lewis last time, rather than Jilll Halfpenny - we all knew Jill could dance...

El Salsero Gringo
27th-March-2005, 11:52 AM
Simple answer to this is Beeb rules.... People can obviously speculate and that's ok. There is nothing anyone can do about this.

The performers can tell who it’ll immediately affect, ie work colleagues, close friends and family or maybe students at ones class but no the general public. This includes public forums like this.

These rules don't really make much sense when some of the trailers shown on TV do include some of these performersOK. So we post a long list of names, and see which ones the moderators remove...


By the way, moderators: I'm sure it's a bit disconcerting to have pieces of one's post 'disappeared' like that - especially with no explanation. What would be so bad about just removing the offending word or name - with a note to say why? It would be a bit less... Orwellian.

Cruella
27th-March-2005, 11:53 AM
Simple answer to this is Beeb rules.... People can obviously speculate and that's ok. There is nothing anyone can do about this.

The performers can tell who it’ll immediately affect, ie work colleagues, close friends and family or maybe students at ones class but no the general public. This includes public forums like this.

These rules don't really make much sense when some of the trailers shown on TV do include some of these performers
:confused:

Well we are all friends here. :D
Is the rumour true that you are on the cover of a tv guide in relation to the programme?

David Bailey
27th-March-2005, 11:55 AM
Ballroom Dancing encompases 10 disciplines - 5 Modern (Waltz, Quickstep, Foxtrot, Tango & Vienese Waltz) & 5 Latin (Cha Cha, Rhumba, Jive, Paso Doble and Samba).
:blush: Oh yes, I knew that, honest... I've just got so used to lumping them into 5 Ballroom and 5 Latin, I guess I've been corrupted by the Strictly No Sequins terminology. Thanks.

El Salsero Gringo
27th-March-2005, 12:04 PM
Hmmm, as I've just got my first negative rep (no doubt many more to come :sad: ) for daring to call V****r (will that escape the censors??? :whistle: ) a professional, because he makes, you know, money from it, I should probably shut up. But what the heck, I'm curious.
I thought a professional is someone who gets paid for doing something, preferably on a regular basis, as compared to an amateur, who does it for fun. Is there a more strict definition of the difference? Is there a "semi-pro" category for someone who gets paid some money, but doesn't do it full-time? I think this is the key to why I'm not that into the series yet - they all seem interested in dancing, the only development is in styles, not in someone actually realising that Dancing Is Fun, which I found to be the best part of Strictly Come Dancing - the enthusiasm for dancing, the flowering of totally-undeveloped talent. That's why I was rooting for Denise Lewis last time, rather than Jilll Halfpenny - we all knew Jill could dance...I thought the show would have been more interesting if they'd taken less skilled dancers - or non-dancers - and turned them into something - but hey, it's the BBC's show, and they set the rules. As their website said, anyone who teaches, for example, Salsa in their church hall but otherwise has a day job - still qualifies as amateur.

As for negative rep? How dumb. Especially since your post seems to have been removed. Or did you just imagine that it ever existed?

Spooky.

Tiggerbabe
27th-March-2005, 12:28 PM
Especially since your post seems to have been removed. Or did you just imagine that it ever existed?

Spooky.
David's post is still there (page 3 as I view the thread) except the name was replaced with "MJ man" (as I did with the other posts which included names of people)
as requested by one of those involved and due to the rules of the programme.

Dance Demon
27th-March-2005, 12:56 PM
Maybe the thing that makes it "Line Dancing" is that they dance to C&W music. They'd have fitted right in if they'd been in the Blackpool Intermediates rounds this year. :wink:

:confused: ...I Can Feel You Breathe........didn't sound too C&W to me...

Piglet
27th-March-2005, 01:20 PM
:yeah: was it cos they were wearing boots :confused: :rofl: Absolutely fabulous though! :worthy:




I have to say Lori that I came to that conclusion myself this morning when I watched the rest of the show. :rofl: Can only add WOW to their performance though. And although it made me think that line dancing might just be something to try - I had to remind myself that the C&W music would probably be toooooooo much for me!

Ballroom queen
27th-March-2005, 01:26 PM
[QUOTE=Gadget]:yeah:

I thought that the second ballroom couple at least tried to put a few 'ballroom' steps in - although it looked to closest to MJ in my eyes (lead & follow as opposed to truley choriographed)
Ballroom and Latin dancing IS lead and follow !!!

The Cha Cha chosen probably is the most similar to MJ - apart from "ballroom" jive - which was being done in the "swing" section

How am I supposed to know what a total stranger at "strictly no sequins" is doing, but with a lead I can follow - and I do!!!

Yes I love modern Jive, but its not the be all and end all of dance!!!

Lynn
27th-March-2005, 01:39 PM
Except the second 'swing' couple, were doing Ballroom Jive.... I noticed that too, which was a bit confusing...

Clive Long
27th-March-2005, 01:40 PM
Interesting ... to me it proved the versatility and breadth of range of line dancing :wink: I think there has long been a mis-conception about line dancing. Weheras many line dancers I know have come across the dicide into MJ and made a great impact (FC, Pistol Pete, Cat), I dont think many MJers could make a similar impact in line dancing. At its top level its incredibly diverse and artistic. I'd be interested in hearing FC's thoughts. Fro a comparsiosn, watch the video of the UK line dancing and compare to the UK Champs ... lots of ideas there to be used. While I'm obviously rooting for the MJ couples, I think the line dancing couple will be hard to beat. As technical dancers they look VERY good ... especialy on their audtition tapes!
<< snip >>
Does anyone in North London have a tape of last night's program I could borrow?
I am an open-minded man, and will set aside my prejudices. I would like to watch this L*ne "dancing" that everyone is going on about

My objections to line dancing

Those ghastly spangly cowboy hats, check shirts and mother of pearl buttons,
Those endlessly repetitive movements with no "flow" across the floor nor interaction between partners.,
The sentimental, twangy, nasal music

If you want to see a more earthy, driven, American dance look at Zydeco.

Why is l*ne "dancing" popular? Because it is undemanding and does not require a balance in partner numbers to be socially "successful". I also think that because there is no physical contact between that dancers that somehow that is more "acceptable" in these suspicious days - but I can't quite formulate why I think that is true.

Quote
"I dont think many MJers could make a similar impact in line dancing"

Sorry I think that is completely unsupportable Gus- and you don't offer evidence or an argument to support it. I go to any MJ night and see people struggling with basic moves and having a whale of a time, I see people performing with a balletic grace, others with the sensuous passion culled from Argentinian Tango and yet others bouncing around the floor with the cheekiness of a pink fluffy bunny. Few other styles of dance seem as flexible and "accomodating" as MJ.

Quote
"As technical dancers they look VERY good ..."
People can be technically superb dancers but their dancing can look sterile and lack any humanity.

CRL's signature stays for now.

Gus
27th-March-2005, 01:46 PM
Thinking back on it ... must confess I really didn’t like the program (is that sacrilege :o ). I'm glad that dance is having its profile raised but I thought the interviews pre-dance off were cringey-worthy, the judges uninspiring and Graham was a pr*t (IMHO). Some of the camera work also served to obscure rather than reveal the dancing. On BBC3 Zoe Ball met my low opinion off her by messing up her lines and looking like she had just been dragged from the BBC bar .... and the interview with the losers was appalling!

On the positive, I did like the clips of the auditions ... looking for some more ... good to see the good and the not so good. Was also nice to see the disco style ... never been sure what it was before ... not particularly my cup of tea but you've got to admire the capability of those guys ... well the couple in orange at least.

Lynn
27th-March-2005, 01:46 PM
My objections to line dancing

Those ghastly spangly cowboy hats, check shirts and mother of pearl buttons,
Those endlessly repetitive movements with no "flow" across the floor nor interaction between partners.,
The sentimental, twangy, nasal music You really need to get a tape of last nights show and watch the line dance couple that got through....

I thought they were fab.

Lynn
27th-March-2005, 01:49 PM
On BBC3 Zoe Ball met my low opinion off her by messing up her lines and looking like she had just been dragged from the BBC bar .... and the interview with the losers was appalling! And anyone watching Doctor Who afterwards would have heard Graham saying 'Do I sit on the sofa?' etc in the middle of the Dr Who scenes - clearly some sort of technical issue with the sound! :rofl:

El Salsero Gringo
27th-March-2005, 01:59 PM
David's post is still there (page 3 as I view the thread) except the name was replaced with "MJ man" (as I did with the other posts which included names of people)
as requested by one of those involved and due to the rules of the programme.It's not my place to take issue with the need to edit posts on occasion, but wouldn't it be fairer to all to give a reason in the post as to why some or all of it has been changed? And if it's not possible to give a reason, how about at least leaving the footnote that says, for example, "edited by Tiggerbabe". Otherwise, it's, well... spooky and Orwellian.



And anyone watching Doctor Who afterwards would have heard Graham saying 'Do I sit on the sofa?' etc in the middle of the Dr Who scenes - clearly some sort of technical issue with the sound! :rofl:I watched Doctor Who but not SDF - and I wondered what all the odd noise-overs were. Thank you for clearing that one up for me.

Gus
27th-March-2005, 01:59 PM
I don't believe I'm going to defend line dancing (but have a look at the "LD kicks MJ butt" thread ofr more thoughts)



My objections to line dancing

Those ghastly spangly cowboy hats, check shirts and mother of pearl buttons,
Those endlessly repetitive movements with no "flow" across the floor nor interaction between partners.,
The sentimental, twangy, nasal music.Suggest you see some PROPER line dancing ... I had a similar misconception about LD till FC put me right.


Why is l*ne "dancing" popular? Because it is undemanding and does not require a balance in partner numbers to be socially "successful". I also think that because there is no physical contact between that dancers that somehow that is more "acceptable" in these suspicious days - but I can't quite formulate why I think that is true..See above comment.



Quote
"I dont think many MJers could make a similar impact in line dancing"

Sorry I think that is completely unsupportable Gus- and you don't offer evidence or an argument to support it. I go to any MJ night and see people struggling with basic moves and having a whale of a time, I see people performing with a balletic grace, others with the sensuous passion culled from Argentinian Tango and yet others bouncing around the floor with the cheekiness of a pink fluffy bunny. Few other styles of dance seem as flexible and "accomodating" as MJ..I was really referring to the technical aspects fo LD. Id you think that WCS is a (distant) cousin of some LD varaitions I think you will apprecaite what I say. Let me put it this way .. Pistol Pete (NWest) came from LD ... within 6 months of coming across into MJ he was one of the regions top dancers and won the UK Int Champs shortly after. Another LD I know is Chris Taylor, who teaches WCS from me. I thought I was a pretty fair MJ teacher but his understanding of technique, balance and movement FAR exceed my capabilty .. and probaby most other MJ teachers. If I want to progress as a dancer I cant think of a MJ teacher in the North (except Sue Freeman) who could coach me ... but Chris will be my first port of call.




Quote
"As technical dancers they look VERY good ..."
People can be technically superb dancers but their dancing can look sterile and lack any humanity..True .... but the LDs I've seen in comeptition put such grace and empathy in that it can move the coldest of souls. See and believe :waycool:

NB Though I have tried to defend LD above, my heart is still with MJ as I think it gives a greater emphasis on couple dancing and interplay ..... unless a LD expert wants to put me right on that :wink:

TheTramp
27th-March-2005, 02:19 PM
Thinking back on it ... must confess I really didn’t like the program (is that sacrilege :o ). I'm glad that dance is having its profile raised but I thought the interviews pre-dance off were cringey-worthy, the judges uninspiring and Graham was a pr*t (IMHO). Some of the camera work also served to obscure rather than reveal the dancing.
Oh God. I agree with Gus :tears:

Chicklet
27th-March-2005, 02:25 PM
I watched truly EXPECTING all the non-dance bits to be complete and utter pants, which they undoubtably were, so I kind of filtered them out of my "viewing experience".

Lynn
27th-March-2005, 02:36 PM
Actually there may well be no legally sustainable objection to using the phrase "Dance Fever" in promotions. e.g. MJ - a simple introduction to the dance fever style dances. It should be a massive opportunity. I'm organising an event in April - was thinking of it as a 'Spring' party (as the last one was at Christmas) and decided to call it 'Strictly Spring Fever'!

RobC
27th-March-2005, 02:50 PM
Simple answer to this is Beeb rules.... People can obviously speculate and that's ok. There is nothing anyone can do about this.

The performers can tell who it’ll immediately affect, ie work colleagues, close friends and family or maybe students at ones class but no the general public. This includes public forums like this.

Fair enough - you said as much on thursday when I saw you, which is why my original post excluded your name.


By the way, moderators: I'm sure it's a bit disconcerting to have pieces of one's post 'disappeared' like that - especially with no explanation. What would be so bad about just removing the offending word or name - with a note to say why? It would be a bit less... Orwellian. :yeah:
When we edit our own posts, it shows a "last edited by" tag. Shouldn't the moderators do the same - that way we don't mistakenly believe the whole post was from the original poster.

So, I'm SPECULATING that there might be some MJ stars in the next 2 saturday live auditions, that may be called X and Y. Assuming that the judges put them through to the final 5 for the public votes, lets all make a concerted effort to ensure these fantastic couples are voted through to the final 10. :clap:

MartinHarper
27th-March-2005, 02:56 PM
It was interesting to see the black freestyle guy had the hat thing going on. Dance fashion rocks.
Also interesting to hear the guy in the swing couple being criticised for not being a strong enough lead. Obviously the judges need to read this forum more, so they learn how evil it is to lead with more than your left little fingernail...

Feelingpink
27th-March-2005, 02:58 PM
Thinking back on it ... must confess I really didn’t like the program (is that sacrilege :o ).

Nor me, however, I must point out that I slept through part one of SDF, so I'm probably biased in some way. The programme seems like it can't decide what format it is and it is merely cobbling together as many ratings-grabbing formulas as it can in one mess, fronted by Mr N.

His style is to take the proverbial out of things ... and him taking it out of dancers leaves me cold. It's easy enough to shoot someone down and laugh at them - it takes far more of a skill to be on their side and laugh with them - there's no respect for the dancers. And please, could we hurry up with announcing who is off or on - the pauses are long enough to nip out to the kitchen for a refill of Vouvray and be ready for the next by the time they've announced the names.

Put it this way, if I didn't dance myself, there's no way I'd be watching this trash. Oh, come to think of it, I can't next Saturday because some kind MJer told me about the Pink Martini concert and I now have a ticket - sure it will be much more fun.

Chicklet
27th-March-2005, 03:02 PM
.
Also interesting to hear the guy in the swing couple being criticised for not being a strong enough lead.
hmmmm, I thought he (and others) were critisized for not being strong enough. Nothing to do with leading. :what:

David Franklin
27th-March-2005, 03:37 PM
hmmmm, I thought he (and others) were critisized for not being strong enough. Nothing to do with leading. :what:The judges did overuse the word "strong" - sometimes it clearly meant physical strength, but sometimes it just meant "good" (e.g. a strong performance). With the swing couple it clearly meant physical strength ("how will he lift her overhead?"), and in their routine it did seem like neither of them trusted him to take her full weight. Seems a bit of a stupid criterion to me though - none of the SCD2 professionals did a overhead lift, after all...

Rhythm King
27th-March-2005, 07:43 PM
Well, for all the dreadful camera work and cruelty of reality tv, at least SDF is putting dance on prime time telly. :clap:

The divisions are somewhat odd to say the least. Take the "swing" category for example. The first couple, James and Claire, are actually "country dancers", or what is being referred to as "line dancing". Modern line dancing encompasses several styles of partner dance, as well as the traditionally thought of people dancing in rows, as in "strolls". These include, amongst others, West Coast Swing, Cha Cha Cha and Two Step. J & C showed what this was all about with some stunning dancing at Camber. And as for James' lead, ask Banana Man! :whistle: It looked pretty good to me! I would also like point out that some of the most stunning WCS dancers around at the moment, with the funkiest musicality, seem to have come out of country dancing (not forgetting FilthyCute, of course :wink: ). For those who haven't seen it in its competitive form, J & C were dancing WCS. The second couple were paired by the Beeb, for the programme and did not come from a swing background. They appear to have been taught a ballroom jive routine (a Latin ballroom dance) in order to compete in the swing section. The same thing seemed to happen in the ballroom section. The first couple were an established ballroom pair, the second couple were two free-stylers, partnered by the Beeb, for the night.
It seems very unfair to base the selection at these auditions on just one minute of dance in one style. More so when one considers that once the contestants are selected and move to the SDF house, they'll have to learn 10 very different types of dancing.
Meanwhile, I'm going to the recording next week and will report back on what it's like from the audience's perception.

But at least it's partner dancing, and it's on tv!!

R-K :flower:

David Franklin
27th-March-2005, 08:35 PM
Well, for all the dreadful camera work and cruelty of reality tv, at least SDF is putting dance on prime time telly. :clap:Except... If you're feeling brave, have a look at the BBC's feedback forum (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbpointsofview/F1951566 - you'll have to look for the relevant threads). Not only has the program format been savaged, but the commentary on the dancers has been pretty harsh as well. Not sure that the feedback is entirely representative, but still... :sad:

David Bailey
27th-March-2005, 08:58 PM
Thinking back on it ... must confess I really didn’t like the program (is that sacrilege :o ).
:yeah:
I too agree with everything Gus has said - I think that's the first time that's happened since, ohhh, 1991 or so - deeply disturbing, perhaps I should reconsider now :)
Plus, that bloody Graham Norton voice-over on Doctor Who :mad:

David Bailey
27th-March-2005, 09:07 PM
The programme seems like it can't decide what format it is and it is merely cobbling together as many ratings-grabbing formulas as it can in one mess, fronted by Mr N.

His style is to take the proverbial out of things ... and him taking it out of dancers leaves me cold.
:yeah: :yeah: Totally.
Plus, the man can't dance, so he can't even comment on it like Bruce The God (I like Bruce :)), he can only do what he does, and that's being a TV presenter. And he himself said that anyone can do that.
I'm sorry, but Strictly Come Dancing was far better than this - it had style, this (at least for this week) doesn't...

Lynn
28th-March-2005, 03:45 AM
The second couple were paired by the Beeb, for the programme and did not come from a swing background. They appear to have been taught a ballroom jive routine (a Latin ballroom dance) in order to compete in the swing section. Yes, I was getting quite excited when I heard the second guy in the swing section was from Belfast. I thought there must be some swing dancing somewhere here that I haven't been able to track down... then they did ballroom jive!

bigdjiver
28th-March-2005, 10:26 AM
AFIK Line dancing is dancing in lines. non-partner, and everybody is trying to do the same step. I have seen people doing two-step and WCS at Line dance events, and some line dance venues I know have tried teaching two-step. The only link is that they are often done to the same music, at the same venues, and with the same sort of dress tradition.

I would have hoped that the BBC, with its public broadcasting and educational remit might have made more effort to educate, as well as entertain, and tell the British public something of the richness of dance. The production team seems to have a love of ratings, and very little love of dance. Down the line a bit we are going to get dancers with talent and teachers with knowledge in the house together, and there is just a chance that dance might get the treatment it deserves. People competing, and trying to resolve personality issues has proven to make good television, what will make it great is if the BBC can show that what they are trying to achieve is actually worthwhwhile, just not a quirkly, minority hobby.

Lindsay
28th-March-2005, 11:37 AM
I really enjoyed it, found it to be equally as entertaining and SCD, and even more so considering the West Coast Swing couple from Glasgow got through. :clap:

Looking forward to seeing V****r in the 3rd lots of heats on wk3. Be interesting to see how MJ looks alongside other styles, or will V being doing salsa?? Anyone else appearing soon that we might know?


...at least it's partner dancing, and it's on tv!!

:yeah:
___________
:flower: Linz

kriss
28th-March-2005, 01:28 PM
With the swing couple it clearly meant physical strength ("how will he lift her overhead?"), and in their routine it did seem like neither of them trusted him to take her full weight.

Sorry, have to disagree with you! wcs is not about throwing ur partner over your head. Also i know from fact that the judges meant strong enough dancer for claire, as she is so strong on technique and can make his technique look weak!

Cristina

David Franklin
28th-March-2005, 01:40 PM
With the swing couple it clearly meant physical strength ("how will he lift her overhead?"), and in their routine it did seem like neither of them trusted him to take her full weight.

Sorry, have to disagree with you! wcs is not about throwing ur partner over your head. Also i know from fact that the judges meant strong enough dancer for claire, as she is so strong on technique and can make his technique look weak!Sorry again, but as Arlene's exact words were "How is he going to throw her over his head?", I would stand by my comment. Now I think what Arlene said was stupid, and I would agree with you that that's not what WCS is about - but from what I saw the judges did seem quite intent that every couple had the potential to do lifts. I guess it makes good television (sigh)...

Dave

Cruella
28th-March-2005, 05:45 PM
I really enjoyed it, found it to be equally as entertaining and SCD, and even more so considering the West Coast Swing couple from Glasgow got through. :clap:

Looking forward to seeing V****r in the 3rd lots of heats on wk3. Be interesting to see how MJ looks alongside other styles, or will V being doing salsa?? Anyone else appearing soon that we might know?


:yeah:
___________
:flower: Linz
As i mentioned earlier in this thread A**X from Northampton is on next week. He won the showcase last year at blackpool with E.P.

bigdjiver
28th-March-2005, 05:51 PM
I dislike the "xxxx are MJ'ers vote for them" idea I have come across on the forum and outside. It smacks of the judges friends winning - which, even if most believe that it was on merit, leaves a very nasty taste for those with a different view.

Knowing who the MJ entrants are makes me confident that they will get through on merit. And, if, unbelievably, they do get beaten, we are in for a truly amazing learning experience.

Even with all of the talent involved, I just wish I had some belief in the production team behind the show ...

I do not see how we can lose.

Cruella
28th-March-2005, 06:09 PM
I dislike the "xxxx are MJ'ers vote for them" idea I have come across on the forum and outside. It smacks of the judges friends winning - which, even if most believe that it was on merit, leaves a very nasty taste for those with a different view.

Knowing who the MJ entrants are makes me confident that they will get through on merit. And, if, unbelievably, they do get beaten, we are in for a truly amazing learning experience.

Even with all of the talent involved, I just wish I had some belief in the production team behind the show ...

I do not see how we can lose.

So do you not believe that ALL the dancers will have their friends, family and dancing acquaintences voting for them, even if they are not the best on the night?

RobC
28th-March-2005, 06:10 PM
I dislike the "xxxx are MJ'ers vote for them" idea I have come across on the forum and outside. It smacks of the judges friends winning - which, even if most believe that it was on merit, leaves a very nasty taste for those with a different view.

Knowing who the MJ entrants are makes me confident that they will get through on merit. And, if, unbelievably, they do get beaten, we are in for a truly amazing learning experience.

Even with all of the talent involved, I just wish I had some belief in the production team behind the show ...

I do not see how we can lose.
In the context of a genuine Dance Competition, I would agree ...... however we are talking television entertainment. In light of how Christopher-cant-dance-for-*****e-Parker made it to the finals of SCD series 1, I think that we need to do as much 'vote-rigging' as possible :wink:

Daisy Chain
29th-March-2005, 11:57 AM
Having been very puzzled by the “Line Dancing”, I’ve thought about it and my interpretation of the meaning of the 5 categories is:

“Dancers who started life as Swingers, Discoers, Line Dancers, Ballroomers or Freestylers showing us something totally unrelated on SDF but with more street cred and audience appeal whilst wearing the clothes associated with their former lives (eg cowboy boots, sequins, skimpy orange underwear)".

Must admit, I was deeply disappointed with the line dancers as I was expecting to see a Steps-style 5,6,7,8 Yehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr boot scootin’ routine. Their performance was exquisite but I couldn’t see any line dancing in it – it looked like awesome modern jive to me and was nothing like the experience offered once a week in my local village hall.

And those little SCF reddy brown flashing banners are going to drive me nuts if they continue to show them between every little scene as punctuation marks.

Hmmmmm………SCF – the poor relation of SCD? It can only improve. Maybe there will be a morris dancing category next week! Imagine that. Two pairs of bearded men wearing white knee britches and flower decked hats emulating Jodie the line dancer. :eek:

Daisy

(A Feverish Little Flower)

David Bailey
29th-March-2005, 12:16 PM
I dislike the "xxxx are MJ'ers vote for them" idea I have come across on the forum and outside. It smacks of the judges friends winning - which, even if most believe that it was on merit, leaves a very nasty taste for those with a different view.
Everyone who votes in all these competitions does this - Chris Parker is the obvious example, and to an extent Aled Jones as well in the last series. So if you don't, you're conceding an advantage to everyone else, who does.
Whether everyone should do this of course, is different; we "should" vote purely on the dancing. But it's like this in local competitions as well - people vote for their friends. So it's not exactly a new phenome - phonem - thing. :)

Feelingpink
29th-March-2005, 12:30 PM
Everyone who votes in all these competitions does this - Chris Parker is the obvious example, and to an extent Aled Jones as well in the last series. So if you don't, you're conceding an advantage to everyone else, who does.
Whether everyone should do this of course, is different; we "should" vote purely on the dancing. But it's like this in local competitions as well - people vote for their friends. So it's not exactly a new phenome - phonem - thing. :)

True. A friend has a job working out betting odds for reality TV shows (a niche market if there ever was one) and he figured that Aled Jones could never win SCD because his fan base was that of grannies who were the least likely sector of the population to have mobile phones to vote. He was bang on with the results every week - and it was all to do with who came across the best/had a regional accent/tried the hardest rather than who was actually the best dancer.

Dreadful Scathe
29th-March-2005, 01:01 PM
I dislike the "xxxx are MJ'ers vote for them" idea I have come across on the forum and outside. It smacks of the judges friends winning - which, even if most believe that it was on merit, leaves a very nasty taste for those with a different view.

Indeed. I wouldn't vote for anyone who wasnt the best, but knowing the particular 'dark gentleman in question who cannot be named' I expect i'd be voting for him because he is:).

El Salsero Gringo
29th-March-2005, 01:11 PM
Everyone who votes in all these competitions does this - Chris Parker is the obvious example, and to an extent Aled Jones as well in the last series. So if you don't, you're conceding an advantage to everyone else, who does.
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could muster more than a hundred or so votes by appealing to friends and family, and while 100 votes is, well, 100 votes, that's not much compared to the total which must be in the tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands.

If you do vote for someone you know and like then you at least feel like you've helped a little bit and joined in, and so have more of a share in the outcome than if you're just a spectator. That means you're more likely to watch future broadcasts, talk about it your mates, read about it in the press etc etc, which is exactly what the organisers want.

Geordieed
29th-March-2005, 01:51 PM
By the way did anyone notice that the BEEB have used Ryan and Jenny :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: in their opening titles. They are from the UK but live in LA. Just wondering if they are going to be called upon for the competitors in the Swing section of the programme.

Almost an Angel
29th-March-2005, 02:10 PM
By the way did anyone notice that the BEEB have used Ryan and Jenny :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: in their opening titles. They are from the UK but live in LA. Just wondering if they are going to be called upon for the competitors in the Swing section of the programme.

Yup noticed that they were in the credits straight away- they also appeared very briefly when they were discussing the dances that will be taught - can't remember if it was on the BBC1 or 3 programme, and they were only on for a few seconds. :tears:

I had heard that Ryan was involved in the auditions so maybe we'll see more of him/them during the London auditions etc.. And hopefully for the Lindy Hop and Swing dances the competitors have to learn :clap:

bigdjiver
29th-March-2005, 03:51 PM
...I think that we need to do as much 'vote-rigging' as possible :wink:I have not studied the rules, but I think vote-rigging could be grounds for disqualification. Here in Bedford we were merely told that it would be worth watching the next couple of weeks, because, who knows, we might see a few people we would recognise. I suspect we might. :whistle:

Lou
29th-March-2005, 03:59 PM
Must admit, I was deeply disappointed with the line dancers as I was expecting to see a Steps-style 5,6,7,8 Yehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrr boot scootin’ routine.
Yup - my non-evil, non-scary, nicht-tanz-metal alter ego just nudged me to say that she was somewhat disappointed in that, too. :whistle:

Lou
29th-March-2005, 04:12 PM
I have not studied the rules, but I think vote-rigging could be grounds for disqualification. Here in Bedford we were merely told that it would be worth watching the next couple of weeks, because, who knows, we might see a few people we would recognise. I suspect we might. :whistle:

Whereas linedancer magazine (http://www.linedancermagazine.com/) is happily upfront in naming their favourite contestants....

or, indeed, on an equivalent LD forum (http://dcforum.whathelps.com/educationhelps/forums/UCWDCforum/330.html) ....

:devil:

Dreadful Scathe
29th-March-2005, 04:37 PM
Whereas linedancer magazine (http://www.linedancermagazine.com/) is happily upfront in naming their favourite contestants....

or, indeed, on an equivalent LD forum (http://dcforum.whathelps.com/educationhelps/forums/UCWDCforum/330.html) ....

:devil:
Their forum moderator has probably changed the names though Lou. Real line dancers arent called "Jodie, Dannny, James, Claire and Eddie" they are probably called "Hank, Garth, Clint, Dolly and Melanie" in real life ;)

David Bailey
29th-March-2005, 07:13 PM
I find it very hard to believe that anyone could muster more than a hundred or so votes by appealing to friends and family, and while 100 votes is, well, 100 votes, that's not much compared to the total which must be in the tens of thousands, or hundreds of thousands.
Sure - wasn't referring to F&F, but to, for want of a better word, the core "fan base" (of which I am one, for the Man Currently Known As MJ Man :)). So Aled appealed to the granny-set, to put it crudely, and tried to maximise his appeal to this set, getting them to vote for him as many times as poss. So, by that argument, we should all vote for TMCKAMJM (:)), as we're his core fan base - if we don't, he'll be at a disadvantage.

ElaineB
29th-March-2005, 07:15 PM
By the way did anyone notice that the BEEB have used Ryan and Jenny :worthy: :worthy: :worthy: in their opening titles. They are from the UK but live in LA. Just wondering if they are going to be called upon for the competitors in the Swing section of the programme.

LA? Is that Long Ashton, near Bristol?? :wink:


Elaine

David Bailey
29th-March-2005, 07:51 PM
I have not studied the rules
Now I know there are forum members who will do just that now... :)



but I think vote-rigging could be grounds for disqualification. Here in Bedford we were merely told that it would be worth watching the next couple of weeks, because, who knows, we might see a few people we would recognise. I suspect we might. :whistle:
Depends who's doing the rigging. E.g, using the Aled analogy to stay away from current events, it'd be fine for the Aled Jones Fan Club to organise a "Vote-4-A" campaign. But I imagine it'd be a bit dodgy if Aled got involved in it directly. (I don't care enough to actually find out the truth, opinion is more fun).

bigdjiver
29th-March-2005, 08:28 PM
I have come to the opinion that our informant around here (a rejected contestant) is extremely unreliable. We have A***s and J***e (I hope my spelling is right) from Central announced as in next week on the BBC3 show. Seeing how much of the process was based on individual dancing, and being against much more individualistic styles of dance, they have done extremely well to get thus far.

"It's jive, it's modern" at least got a mention tonight.

Clive Long
29th-March-2005, 10:15 PM
You really need to get a tape of last nights show and watch the line dance couple that got through....

I thought they were fab.
The “line dancing” was indeed beautiful, and if that is representative of what is on offer, then I ask for forgiveness for every scathing comment I have ever made about LD and drag me to the nearest club.

However.

I don't think what was performed had anything to do with line dancing, ballet maybe with a flavour of tango. How can I claim this?

In the line dancing site quoted by Lory it specifically says (italicised on their site for emphasis, bold is mine)

“Linedancing is a choreographed form of popular dance incorporating a repeating sequence of steps and which is identically performed by a group of dancers in one or more lines".

Where was the repeating sequence of steps in the routine we saw?

I followed the link to the BBC Web site given by David F. Look at posting 7 which I quote:

Message 7 - posted by jim816666,

What on Earth was this?? I've never seen "line Dancing" like this before. Line Dancing is individuals dancing in lines, not couples picking each other up and throwing themselves around the floor. Do this in any genuine line dance club and you will be shown the door!

(End Jim's quote)

Why do I need to berate line dancing when its adherents condemn themselves so eloquently?

Sorry to say, I liked the programme. It had a “thrown together” quality about it. GN tried to create some tension by suggesting that everything depended on 3 minutes of dance – but the judges had plenty of opportunity to see the finalists before transmission and had pretty much made up their minds who should go through and I feel the selection of the final 3 pairs was right.

I disliked the barracking of the judges by the audience – we didn't get a chance to hear what the professional judges felt about the performances. The judges have experience of what cuts it in the cruel world of professional performance. OK, Arlene Philips' role is to be the “hit woman” but she has stayed up the greasy dance pole for a long time. We might disagree with their views – and “it's your vote at home that counts” (oh for a few moments of Hughie Green – although I suppose GN is an even more camp version of the late, great HG) – but let's hear the professionals' views based on real experience not the fragile hopes of the contestants.

I respect what BobGadget achieved in Watford in getting hundreds to line dancing. It doesn't matter if LD peak has passed. If I am a tenth as successful in my ventures in life I will be a happy man.



Within 6 months of line dancing I started my own club in Watford, which grew to the largest in the area, with classes at 4 venues a week, and socials twice monthly.


Finally, I'm sorry I can't find the posting from the lady whose son goes with her to Line Dancing. If Line Dancing can attract one young man to dance rather than moping around on a skate-board wearing a long hood then it deserves to be an Olympic sport in my book. Good on yer mate.

Clive

Lory
29th-March-2005, 11:37 PM
Just watched SDF's BBC3 11pm show and guess who I saw?

Yes, our very own Sheepman and Joy! :clap: I think it was a little bit unfair though, as they featured under the 'Bizarrely bedecked' heading! :whistle:

Also spotted Seamus and Sophie :)

And they announced this Saturday's contestants, so I guess its fine to mention Alex and Jayne now? :grin:

I liked this show as it gave much more behind the scenes shots and an insight into what went on during the audition process.

DavidY
29th-March-2005, 11:55 PM
And they announced this Saturday's contestants, so I guess its fine to mention Alex and Jayne now?Isn't that what bigdjiver was saying (till he was "moderated" :whistle: )? I'm assuming he saw the same programme when it was on at 7:30...

RobC
29th-March-2005, 11:57 PM
Just watched SDF's BBC3 11pm show and guess who I saw?

Yes, our very own Sheepman and Joy! :clap: I think it was a little bit unfair though, as they featured under the 'Bizarrely bedecked' heading! :whistle:

Yes, but they did get shown twice - the first clip was when the presenter was saying there were 116 Modern Jive couples auditioned :clap:

Lory
29th-March-2005, 11:59 PM
Isn't that what bigdjiver was saying (till he was "moderated" :whistle: )? I'm assuming he saw the same programme when it was on at 7:30... :blush: I didn't know it was on earlier! :flower: :o

Lynn
30th-March-2005, 12:16 AM
I don't have BBC3 :sad: pity they didn't put it on BBC2 as they did with the SCD ITT last time. Ah well.

I enjoyed it, its dancing, its on TV and its getting potential future dancers interested.

(BTW, I had a tour of our local BBC studios today, very interesting seeing how it all it put together, being behind the newsdesk and seeing someone do the in between programme voiceover).

And I know Graham doesn't know anything about dance, but he does seem to be enjoying watching it, (or maybe he's just good at pretending to be enthusiastic because its his job!)

Bombay Sapphire
30th-March-2005, 10:11 AM
Their forum moderator has probably changed the names though Lou. Real line dancers arent called "Jodie, Dannny, James, Claire and Eddie" they are probably called "Hank, Garth, Clint, Dolly and Melanie" in real life ;)


Brilliant
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Sheepman
30th-March-2005, 03:05 PM
Just watched SDF's BBC3 11pm show and guess who I saw?

Yes, our very own Sheepman and Joy! :clap: I think it was a little bit unfair though, as they featured under the 'Bizarrely bedecked' heading! :whistle:
I don't know, seems fair enough to me, they did seem to be particularly interested in the costumes, and after all, our dancing was cr*p!

Unfortunately my VCR was still set on GMT, so I missed it! Now searching for a friendly person with a video of the programme... :tears:

Re. the line dancing debate, I've been told that the couple that got through were doing Night Club Two Step. I think that there are a lot of styles of dance that are associated with the "country" scene, most of them coming from the USA, so maybe this is where the BBC got their "Line Dancing" category. A bit of a weak link though, because wcs also features heavily in that scene (In fact Eddie, who was the guy eliminated from the 2 "line dancing" couples, was down at the class in Surbiton a few weeks ago, and he is a fantastic WCS dancer.)

Showing how the categories are stretched, the swing couple who got through, (Clare and partner) were dancing WCS, a dance I expect Eddie would have been happier doing. I think the categories are a bit arbitrary, and just designed as a means to eliminating half the couples.

Sorry if half this has been said before, I haven't had a chance to catch up lately...

Greg

Dreadful Scathe
31st-March-2005, 09:32 AM
Showing how the categories are stretched, the swing couple who got through, (Clare and partner) were dancing WCS, a dance I expect Eddie would have been happier doing. I think the categories are a bit arbitrary, and just designed as a means to eliminating half the couples.


Are you suggesting that a reality tv show could be contrived in some way ? shame on you :) Ive just watched the full thing now I had only seen the first 2 sections on the day, and ive got to say its a damn shame that the 2 line dancing couples where put head to head - BOTH should still be in the competition. Also - James and Melanie should have been there :)

Dancing Teeth
31st-March-2005, 11:39 AM
Hello Everyone, I've had a call from the BBC press office. Basically We now have the go ahead to let everyone know that we are taking part.

Really sorry about the removing of names thing but this was done on my request because the beeb have threatened expulsion for anyone who opened their mouth to the general public. So, I hope you all understand.

We would rather go through or not based on our dancing other than a silly technicality.. so if you have any questions, feel free...

Modern Jive couples that are through are

Alex and Jane. (this weekend)

Viktor and Carol (next weekend)

Warm regards

Vik.. :cheers:

Graham
31st-March-2005, 11:52 AM
Glad you're able to come out of the closet at last, Viktor :wink: Good luck!!! And to Alex and Jane!

:cheers:

Wendy
31st-March-2005, 12:23 PM
Magic !!!!!! Don't forget to smile, Viktor !!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Wx

Rhythm King
31st-March-2005, 12:51 PM
The BBC3 daily show. on at 1930, is currently showing the highlights of the auditions from each of the centres. Last night was Manchester and tonight is Belfast. Various familiar faces have cropped up :wink:

Clive Long
31st-March-2005, 04:56 PM
Magic !!!!!! Don't forget to smile, Viktor !!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Wx


How can Viktor fail to smile? The smile is part of his genetic make-up. Go, go, Viktor, Carol Alex & Jane !!!! We are all routing for you. :hug: :clap:

Tip: use tear-resistant mascara.

Clive

Lynn
31st-March-2005, 09:53 PM
Last night was Manchester and tonight is Belfast. Would liked to have seen that, not only to see if I saw any salsa folk I know (though I haven't heard of anyone owning up to trying) but also to see if there was any potential MJ dancers I could try and track down and recruit!

ducasi
31st-March-2005, 10:37 PM
... and tonight is Belfast Would liked to have seen that, not only to see if I saw any salsa folk I know (though I haven't heard of anyone owning up to trying) but also to see if there was any potential MJ dancers I could try and track down and recruit! It's repeated at 1:35 am tonight on BBC 3, if you have, or can find someone with the appropriate technology. :nice:

Lynn
31st-March-2005, 10:49 PM
It's repeated at 1:35 am tonight on BBC 3, if you have, or can find someone with the appropriate technology. :nice: Thanks, but sadly don't have it, or know anyone who does either - otherwise that would have been very useful information. :flower:

Stuart
1st-April-2005, 03:30 PM
More tickets are available for this if anyone is interested:

Strictly Dance Fever Tickets (http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/shows/strictly.shtml)

TheTramp
1st-April-2005, 08:03 PM
Watched BBC3 tonight. Saw Melanie.

Shame that she didn't get more coverage. Seems strange that they concentrated so much more on people that didn't get through, and apart from a few shots of the last cabaret slot, we didn't see Melanie at all :(

TheTramp
1st-April-2005, 08:29 PM
Actually. Just thinking about it. The first couple on last Saturday night - the Swing couple that got voted through to the actual last 12.

Weren't they from Glasgow. We didn't see them at all. And I was interested in watching them, to see if my first impression was right. Did they audition somewhere else??

Tiggerbabe
1st-April-2005, 09:01 PM
I remembered to watch it too :clap:
I agree, hardly any footage of Melanie :( but there were more than a few shots of our very own Pretzelmeister :D
plus a preview of Alex and Jane from tomorrow's programme. :waycool:

Lynn
1st-April-2005, 09:20 PM
Actually. Just thinking about it. The first couple on last Saturday night - the Swing couple that got voted through to the actual last 12.

Weren't they from Glasgow. We didn't see them at all. And I was interested in watching them, to see if my first impression was right. Did they audition somewhere else?? They are both from Glasgow, he auditioned there, but she auditioned in Birmingham. (I was on the BBC website earlier and I noticed that, also that the line dancer Jodie listed her favourite dance style as 'Jive'.)

dancer23
1st-April-2005, 11:44 PM
Hi I'm new to here, and i am a line dancer......!! Everyone has their own of idea line dancing but i wanted to share mine, of how i see it today.( don't want to argue with anyone tho) :nice:

Also i want to attend ceroc but i can't manage to any classes locally, maybe in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been line dancing for about 10 years now so started when i was about 10. It was very country then, and yes we did wear cowboy hats, boot and belt back then as many still do. However the main competitions in the country and the world have moved on since then. I used to attend the UK and European championships when i was a competitor, and began as we all did, in country style.

Every competition though, someone would have a new move, a few more diamantes added to their shirt....... It moved on.....

Now competitors wear competition outfits similar in style to ballroom dancers, very beautiful and at any cost. Also we have different outfits for different types of dance, waltz cha cha, funky, east coast, west coast, polka.......and although we wear cowboy boots, a lot of these of are of top quality, just as other dancers invest a lot of money on what they wear on their feet! They r really comfy, but we mostly train in dance shoes and dance trainers.

The variety of dance types also stemmed from the different types of country music, funky, smooth, polkas, east coast, west coast, cha cha etc..... and as country music moved onto new modern country music with the likes of shania and faith hill, so did linedancing, after all shania twain was in the charts, so why coudn't line dancers dance to other music in the charts. This also means that we get to try a few different styles of dance with different elements combined to make a dance.

That is the beauty of line dancing, it it dancing in lines yes, but doesn't mean it's country and western. There are different levels of class all over the country, and classes to different types of music. There are hundreds and hundreds of dances now published and you can choose to dance whichever ones suit your taste in music then you can add your own styling with arm and body movements.

What Jodie and Danny danced on the show last week was amazing, I've seen them compete before and were both amazing there aswell. Line dancing also includes lots of couple and partner dances, so what they did was in line with the heading 'Line dancing'.

If any of you get the chance to attend a UK competition ar a regional one, it's well worth going to watch, the social side of it is really fun!! :grin: :grin:


LOL, and also steps song '5-6-7-8' -- we did have a dance once upon a time lol. Steps really didn't help the modern side of line dancing there though!!

Ok i'm done, hope some people managed to read my opinion - thats all it is, hope i helped some understand it!! :waycool:
bye

bigdjiver
2nd-April-2005, 12:11 AM
Another rumour I heard was that there was an MJ'er from Wrexham called Donna that was through.

Demota
2nd-April-2005, 12:14 AM
Wow! Dancer23.... nice to have an explanation from the real McCoy - some of us ignoramuses were puzzled about comtemporary Line Dancing. Welcome aboard - stick with it and give us your buzz on future SDF progs.

Gus
2nd-April-2005, 01:06 AM
Another rumour I heard was that there was an MJ'er from Wrexham called Donna that was through.Donna?? Funnily enough she's another line dancer who learnt her MJ initialy mostly through the likes of Dazzle but more recently as dance partner with a certain Mr Stevie Wong :eek:

TheTramp
2nd-April-2005, 01:15 AM
Also i want to attend ceroc but i can't manage to any classes locally, maybe in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the forum. It was interesting to read what you had to say.

Where's 'locally' then? And why can't you manage to go to a class there?

ducasi
2nd-April-2005, 01:18 AM
Watched BBC3 tonight. {Glasgow audition} Damn my video recorder!!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry:

I had it set to record the program tonight, but it decided it wasn't going to bother!!!!

Does anyone have the program from tonight (the Glasgow auditions) recorded? :nice:

I'd pay money to get a copy.

Ballroom queen
2nd-April-2005, 12:07 PM
Damn my video recorder!!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry:

I had it set to record the program tonight, but it decided it wasn't going to bother!!!!

Does anyone have the program from tonight (the Glasgow auditions) recorded? :nice:

I'd pay money to get a copy.

I have it all so far :clap:
No idea how to get it to you though...

David Bailey
2nd-April-2005, 01:13 PM
Hi I'm new to here, and i am a line dancer......!!
Welcome, and thanks for the information. I thought that line-dancing was being a little stereotyped (by me as well :blush:), and this seems to confirm it.

If you do learn Modern Jive (I hope you do), it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts on it, coming from a line-dancing background.

bigdjiver
2nd-April-2005, 07:37 PM
Having missed last weeks show I have only just learned what the format is - and I do not like the head-to-head elimination this early at all. This format is used in cup competitions to give the lesser talents a chance of progressing to later rounds. For me they should have been in the last five along with the other swing couple.

RogerR
2nd-April-2005, 08:11 PM
Remember that the prog is about good TV not good dancing! Still some interest may come of it. Has the Simon Cowell character emerged yet. or is the role still divided tween the judges?

David Bailey
2nd-April-2005, 09:35 PM
OK, I managed to catch the swing sections at least this week, and a few bits of the others.
Random thoughts:
- Wow, don't all the categories look a bit like freestyle MJ?
- OK, I agree the 2nd couple in the swing did a better number, but I didn't notice much, you know, swing dancing... It seemed like a freestyle choreograhed number to me, albeit lovely to watch. Are there any rules to this categorisation?
- Costumes seem better this week.
- The "After much trial and error, we decided to pair this dancer with that dancer" spiel seems less believable each time I hear it, or maybe I'm just missing something...
- Boy, it's a piece of p*** being a TV presenter isn't it?
- Oh well, At least Dr Who was better this week :)

Stuart
2nd-April-2005, 09:42 PM
Did anyone else think that the second swing couple had just lifted their routine straight out of "Grease"?

Also, to me, there didn't seem to be any difference between the "Jazz" section and the "Freestyle".

Piglet
3rd-April-2005, 09:38 AM
Did anyone else think that the second swing couple had just lifted their routine straight out of "Grease"?

:yeah: Reminded me of the film a lot actually!

jivecat
3rd-April-2005, 11:02 AM
- Wow, don't all the categories look a bit like freestyle MJ?................
- Costumes seem better this week.............
- Boy, it's a piece of p*** being a TV presenter isn't it?


I'm totally puzzled by the "dance styles" bit. Yes it mostly does look like modern jive freestyle, except for the bits that look like disco i.e. they don't hold hands.

I was disgusted by the superficiality of some of the judges' comments. These people had danced their hearts out and all that Arlene Philips could say was "Yucky costume", "Too much lycra". This is dancing, for God's sake, what does she expect - sackcloth?

I was really disappointed to see Alex and his partner go out. But even though they were both clearly gutted I thought they were both really dignified about getting voted off by the judges, unlike some of of the other couples who've flounced away with trembling lower lips. And Arlene Philips' comment about not smiling was again pretty shallow - no mention of style, technique, degree of difficulty, creativeness etc. But her criticisms of all the couples seem fairly random. Wonder how much they get paid for this??

bigdjiver
3rd-April-2005, 11:37 AM
The comments are a bit random. Cynical me wonders if there are hidden agenda.

The competitors dance styles are so loosely defined as to be practically meaningless. I think a proper set of rules would have seen Alex and Jane get to the public vote.

Lounge Lizard
3rd-April-2005, 11:42 AM
I watch very little TV but saw SDF this week, seems to me that there is a formula
nice judge nasty judge
big pause when announcing results
etc.
so perhaps the judjes have a role to play?
has Arlene Philips been like this on other shows or has her 'personality changed' for SDF

Does the voting system puts any dancer not associated with a big following like MJ at a disadvantage - if Alex had got past the judges, the MJ vote would have been considerable I am sure, the same will apply for Viktor & Carol next week.

The forum comments about the grease routine - if part of the ultimate prize is to appear on a stage show - then the ability to perform a choreographed routine with such skill may be what the judges are looking for

Agree about comments re: the costumes, it is about the dance not the fashion designers - seems the judges were hard pressed to find original comments relating to the dance.

It is great to see dance on TV but would it not have been better to cover the dance styles that have a strong following in the UK (excluding ballroom & Latin which SCD covers)
Salsa, MJ, lindy, R&R, Line dancing, Disco, Jazz as they are danced in the clubs & venues by the best in their field.

Seems the mass auditions was an excuse to take the p*ss out of people on TV, most of the dancers allowed to participate never had a hope of going thru cos of the Stage show requirement for the winner - and from Saturdays show looked to fit within an 'age looks' criteria.
Is it the same on other weeks
PP

Lynn
3rd-April-2005, 12:43 PM
I was disgusted by the superficiality of some of the judges' comments. These people had danced their hearts out and all that Arlene Philips could say was "Yucky costume", "Too much lycra". This is dancing, for God's sake, what does she expect - sackcloth? :yeah: These people had worked really hard, its not like SCD where it was celebrities doing it for charity and used to having some 'negative' press. Arlene's comment to one couple about it being the worst disco dancing she had ever seen was just plain nasty. That couple had got through to that level, done their best, and then get that thrown at them on live TV.
I was really disappointed to see Alex and his partner go out. But even though they were both clearly gutted I thought they were both really dignified about getting voted off by the judges, unlike some of of the other couples who've flounced away with trembling lower lips. And Arlene Philips' comment about not smiling was again pretty shallow - no mention of style, technique, degree of difficulty, creativeness etc. But her criticisms of all the couples seem fairly random. Wonder how much they get paid for this?? I was also disappointed to see them go out - especially when none of the judges had anything really bad to say - that comment about not smiling looked very thin on TV as from the shots we had I did see him smiling plenty. I think it was the expression on his face during the lifts - if that was the only thing they could find fault with then they should have been through.

Lynn
3rd-April-2005, 12:48 PM
Seems the mass auditions was an excuse to take the p*ss out of people on TV, most of the dancers allowed to participate never had a hope of going thru cos of the Stage show requirement for the winner - and from Saturdays show looked to fit within an 'age looks' criteria.
Is it the same on other weeks Yes, there does seem to be a definite 'age' thing about the show - that would be OK if they had advertised it as finding the best 'young' dancing talent and had an upper age limit on the auditions - but if they wanted it to be 'all age' then I'm sure there were older dancers who were better, but didn't get through because they were over 30 or something. (Has there been a single contestant over 30?)

Lorna
3rd-April-2005, 02:10 PM
Hi,

shame that Alex and partner didn't make it through. I thought they danced their socks off, however, I do agree with the judges decision to put through the other couple. They looked far more in 'tune' with each other. I found it more comfortable watching their performance. Not sure if that makes sense? :really:

Have only ever ever seen Alex dance with Emma Pettit and they look awesome together. In fact did you notice her on the BBC3 programme afterwards?

I tell you, she is quick off the mark. :wink: (her answer for Zoe Ball).

Here's hoping that Victor and partner get past the dreaded judges next week. :cheers:

Lotsa love Lornax-x

bigdjiver
3rd-April-2005, 03:48 PM
On SCD people were obviously getting voted through at the expense of more worthy competitors on the basis of their fan base. This brought SCD into disrepute. The BBC must have some clue as to the organisation and enthusiasm of the MJ fan base. I wondered if there might be an in-built bias against those competitors who had such a fan base behind them.

Another hidden agenda I worried about was that they are looking for chorus line dancers, and individual dance skills matter a lot for those, so that perhaps that would be taken into account instead of just the performance on the night.

Having said all of that I think that which one went through of those two was down to individual taste. I would have had Alex and Jane in the top 4 overall, but accept that there was a great element of personal taste involved.

The show is looking for talent to develop. Things like costume and cheesy grins are easy fixes, physical and mental abilities are not. Few of the other couples showed the same commitment, and that is a very difficult fix indeed.

Dazzle
3rd-April-2005, 04:09 PM
My greatest concern was in relation to the Freestyle couple with the canes, the Britney Spears impersonator and the Britney Groupie. Although they had day jobs, they were clearly professional performers, which showed, and is what the programme is looking for ultimately, but I would hardly rate them as talented amateurs. They impressed, but should they have even been there?

Everyone else has covered my other points. These are auditions, if the costumes are not acceptable, well I cannot see them in a West End show making their own costumes, so what difference does it make now? Again, performing faces are required, but this takes time, even for those who enter competition, it can be one of the hardest things in the world with everything else you are trying to concentrate on.

Dreadful Scathe
3rd-April-2005, 05:07 PM
I was disgusted by the superficiality of some of the judges' comments. These people had danced their hearts out and all that Arlene Philips could say was "Yucky costume", "Too much lycra". This is dancing, for God's sake, what does she expect - sackcloth?

:confused: I would take that as a compliment - if you are being judged on your dancing and the judge can only criticise your costume, you must have done a good job !

David Bailey
3rd-April-2005, 06:44 PM
On SCD people were obviously getting voted through at the expense of more worthy competitors on the basis of their fan base.
Yes, but in SCD at least the judges had 50% of the say, and arguably influenced the voting as well to a point, so most of the time (Chris Parker notwithstanding) the better dancers beat the worse ones... I really can't see this is happening with SDF.
But hey, at least they've both got nice TLAs we can use to describe them :)

Yogi_Bear
3rd-April-2005, 11:08 PM
Here's my take on last night's episode.
Graham Norton I can take, but I don't really like the format. The judges have to eliminate one couple from each pairing, which on several occasions has counted against dancerswho would have expected to have got through easily had the judges, say, been asked to pick five out of all ten. That might not have given an even spread of dance styles, of course....but so what?
I don't like the excessively critical comments made by the judges at times. For instance "the amateurs of amateurs". Having watched the tape a second time my appreciation for the majority of the couples had increased.
I don't like the (almost obligatory) humiliating footage of the really appalling dancers, and the extended pauses ('dramatic tension') before revealing who has been voted off...
From the MJ perspective, what counted against Alex and June? They were unfortunate to be paired with the really exciting and spirited performance of the 'Born to hand jive' Toby and Casey. One of the judges said they could see them doing Lindy Hop - I have to agree. They didn't quite have the panache and crowd appeal of these two. Arlene Philips found fault with their lifts - end of story.
Just caught a split second of Mark and jackie from Cardiff in the footage from the Welsh auditions.
Next week Viktor and Carol. I really hope they have an easier ride. It would be depressing for the MJ community were two dancers widely regarded as among the very best - look at the records - to be on the receiving end of a mauling from the judges and a premature exit....

David Franklin
4th-April-2005, 09:16 AM
Hi,

shame that Alex and partner didn't make it through. I thought they danced their socks off, however, I do agree with the judges decision to put through the other couple. They looked far more in 'tune' with each other. I found it more comfortable watching their performance. I would really have liked to have seen them (Alex and Jane) dance to something a lot slower and funkier like the Benny Benassi routine (love to see Arlene comment on that!). "Hanky Panky" seemed a little quick for comfort - certainly not a track I'd want to get in a competition!

As I said somewhere else, MJ's focus is much more on the partner than the audience - it seemed Alex and Jane's energy was very much directed towards each other rather than to the camera. For example, I disagreed with Arlene - I don't think the lifts and drops were hard work. But Alex was very much focussing on Jane (and in freestyle if you do a drop, it's the man's job to protect the girl, so you watch her head) rather than looking up confidently the whole time, and that does affect people's perceptions.

Hope Alex and Jane aren't too gutted, as we know they are both awesome dancers on their day. Best luck to Viktor and Carol for next week!

jivecat
4th-April-2005, 09:46 AM
:confused: I would take that as a compliment - if you are being judged on your dancing and the judge can only criticise your costume, you must have done a good job !


OK, maybe - but why did they get voted off then?

I think Arlene Philips has definitely taken on the role of Nasty Judge which was occupied by What'shisname (Oh God, another brain cell gone) in SCD. The Nice Judge is the pleasant, straightforward, black lady and the bloke in the middle is coming over as an indecisive nonentity so far.

I quite like the bits about Joe Public making fools of themselves at the auditions. I think it's done quite affectionately and means that there is a contribution from a broad range of people who applied. And it makes me feel slightly better about my dancing!

Lory
4th-April-2005, 09:58 AM
I quite like the bits about Joe Public making fools of themselves at the auditions. I think it's done quite affectionately and means that there is a contribution from a broad range of people who applied. And it makes me feel slightly better about my dancing!
:yeah:
I love those bits!


Graham Norton I can take, but I don't really like the format. The judges have to eliminate one couple from each pairing, which on several occasions has counted against dancerswho would have expected to have got through easily had the judges, say, been asked to pick five out of all ten.

:yeah: its such a shame when you have two average couples in the same round and two outstanding couples in another round, 1 of the average couples gets to stay, when they have clearly been out classed by both the couples in the other round! :mad:

TheTramp
4th-April-2005, 10:17 AM
:yeah: its such a shame when you have two average couples in the same round and two outstanding couples in another round, 1 of the average couples gets to stay, when they have clearly been out classed by both the couples in the other round! :mad:
But presumably they (the average couple) then get voted out with the 3 out of 5 staying after the public vote (I've not managed to watch the 2nd program yet, so I don't know).

Think that it was a shame for Alex and Jane. Thought they danced well. Couldn't stay to watch their opponants as I had to meet up with people. But the few people I heard from who did manage to watch it, did think that the other couple just had the edge on them this time.

PS. Has she really given up her job, for no other reason than to compete in SDF?? That's a bit of a bummer :hug:

Chef
4th-April-2005, 10:43 AM
I love the fact that the auditions are being judged at this stage by professional dancers and choregraphers. I would hate to see a similar situation to SCD where a Chris Parker or other "lame Duck" set of dancers would be struggling through each week while being kept alive by a massive popular vote, not entirely related to to their dancing ability.

Does anyone know what Arlene Phillips has been responsible for recently? I am not trying to be disrespectful to her or suggest that she is not a competant judge. Every time she has been introduced on SCD or SDF she has been credited as the "creator of Hot Gossip". This was a group of dancing girls that was on the Kenny Everret show that I mostly remember from the fact that danced mostly in lingerie and I was not able at that time to cast a critical eye over the quality of the choreography. :whistle: But that was about 25 years ago. What has she done since then? She must have done something of note in the intervening years to maintain her position in the industry.

Does anyone out there know? Please tell. It must be hell for her to only be billed for something she did 25 years ago.

Swinging bee
4th-April-2005, 11:20 AM
I love the fact that the auditions are being judged at this stage by professional dancers and choregraphers. I would hate to see a similar situation to SCD where a Chris Parker or other "lame Duck" set of dancers would be struggling through each week while being kept alive by a massive popular vote, not entirely related to to their dancing ability.

Does anyone know what Arlene Phillips has been responsible for recently? I am not trying to be disrespectful to her or suggest that she is not a competant judge. Every time she has been introduced on SCD or SDF she has been credited as the "creator of Hot Gossip". This was a group of dancing girls that was on the Kenny Everret show that I mostly remember from the fact that danced mostly in lingerie and I was not able at that time to cast a critical eye over the quality of the choreography. :whistle: But that was about 25 years ago. What has she done since then? She must have done something of note in the intervening years to maintain her position in the industry.

Does anyone out there know? Please tell. It must be hell for her to only be billed for something she did 25 years ago. This poses the Question then, just WHO would you have as judges?? and why.

Lory
4th-April-2005, 11:43 AM
Does anyone out there know? Please tell. It must be hell for her to only be billed for something she did 25 years ago.
Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Annie. :)

John S
4th-April-2005, 11:47 AM
Does anyone know what Arlene Phillips has been responsible for recently?

Does anyone out there know? Please tell. It must be hell for her to only be billed for something she did 25 years ago.

Well, she's got 261 000 entries on Google, so she must have been doing something!

Try this one:
http://www.nightfever.co.uk/arlene.htm

Chef
4th-April-2005, 11:51 AM
Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Annie. :)

Why on earth do the presenters keep going on about Hot Gossip when she has all these more recent projects to her credit. Do SCD and SDF just feel that they can't be bothered to do their research?

BTW I too am annoyed by the way that they seem to poke fun at the less, errm "gifted" people that went to the auditions. It just seems cheap and nasty to me. Having seen some of the clothes that Graham Norton wore for his other shows I don't feel he is able to comment on anyone else costumes.

ElaineB
4th-April-2005, 12:12 PM
Why on earth do the presenters keep going on about Hot Gossip when she has all these more recent projects to her credit. Do SCD and SDF just feel that they can't be bothered to do their research?

BTW I too am annoyed by the way that they seem to poke fun at the less, errm "gifted" people that went to the auditions. It just seems cheap and nasty to me. Having seen some of the clothes that Graham Norton wore for his other shows I don't feel he is able to comment on anyone else costumes.

Agreed!

It really bothers me that the Judges and Graham Norton seem to be so cutting in their comments. Take the 'lycra' comment for instance! These people are amateurs and presumably not made of millions! How many people could spend the £1,000 plus tag that a Chrisanne dress would command? :angry:

Then the couple with blond hair who did the disco routine. I think Arlene made one couple feel that their world had just ended by saying that their routine was the worst Disco' routine that she had ever seen. That was really unkind. If she didn't like it, fine, say so, but for heavens sake she could have been far more constructive! :angry:


Elaine

David Bailey
4th-April-2005, 12:43 PM
its such a shame when you have two average couples in the same round and two outstanding couples in another round, 1 of the average couples gets to stay, when they have clearly been out classed by both the couples in the other round!

That's it!! "By Jove, I think she's got it" - that's exactly why I don't like it, I've just realised (thatnks for the articulacy!). You're not comparing 10 dancers, you're just comparing two, and when the styles are so loose and ill-defined, there's an inbuilt problem with the format.


. Has she really given up her job, for no other reason than to compete in SDF?? That's a bit of a bummer
Yeah, right. No disrespect to any of the competitors, but have you noticed how the producers always try to find some kind of heart-string "hook", like "vote for us, because we've given up our jobs / got 2 kids who want to see us win / got leukemia*". It's just done to heighten the tension, like the false delay when giving judgement, the old Chris Tarrant trick. Didn't like it then, don't like it now, it's false and a waste of time. Everyone wants to win - the "hook" is only for the TV audience to get more votes in. Nothing to do with, you know, being a good dancer...

* Only a matter of time.

Sheepman
4th-April-2005, 01:08 PM
I think Arlene made one couple feel that their world had just ended by saying that their routine was the worst Disco' routine that she had ever seen. Is she trying to be the "Simon Cowell" of the programme? If so, she's the "Worst Simon Cowell I've ever seen!" If I'm not mistaken, there was little to choose between the 2 disco couples, and wasn't there a split decision from the judges?
Of course, any contestants who went for the auditions, and hadn't anticipated any p1sstaking, must either have never seen GN in action before, or SCD, Pop Idol, etc. etc.
I'm just grateful not to have been the butt of too much humour so far, but then the London auditions summary is due this week...

Greg

bigdjiver
4th-April-2005, 01:21 PM
I think some of the "awful" went with the sole intention of appearing on TV, and knew that being the most outlandish was the way to do it.

Lory
4th-April-2005, 08:04 PM
Was that Ash, in the red and yellow?

Ballroom queen
4th-April-2005, 08:47 PM
Was that Ash, in the red and yellow?

I thought so - but he can dance better than that!!!

And Seamus and Sophie !!! Shame we didn't see more of them!

adamspencer
5th-April-2005, 02:48 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed. I performed last week on the show, me and my lovely partner Rebecca did the Lion King freestyle number, my main aim was to at least just get some kind words from the judges, and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off , well I hope we did! Yeah, the setup is a shame, but you know, I am sure the show will be brill! I thought Michelle and Dan were fantastic! You can't be bitter and competitive when you are against Michelle and Dan, they were lovely and both incredibly gorgeous! She did have a great pair of legs! lol!

Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?

ElaineB
5th-April-2005, 03:11 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed. I performed last week on the show, me and my lovely partner Rebecca did the Lion King freestyle number, my main aim was to at least just get some kind words from the judges, and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off , well I hope we did! Yeah, the setup is a shame, but you know, I am sure the show will be brill! I thought Michelle and Dan were fantastic! You can't be bitter and competitive when you are against Michelle and Dan, they were lovely and both incredibly gorgeous! She did have a great pair of legs! lol!

Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?

Just wanted to say well done Adam on your and Rebecca's performance!! I seem to remember that the comment was that you were the most talanted untrained dancer that Arlene had ever seen. I would not have thought that 19 was too old to start serious training!! Go for it!! :clap:

Elaine

Lynn
5th-April-2005, 03:21 PM
Go for it!! :clap: :yeah: :clap:

Dancing Teeth
5th-April-2005, 04:05 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed. I performed last week on the show, me and my lovely partner Rebecca did the Lion King freestyle number, my main aim was to at least just get some kind words from the judges, and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off , well I hope we did! Yeah, the setup is a shame, but you know, I am sure the show will be brill! I thought Michelle and Dan were fantastic! You can't be bitter and competitive when you are against Michelle and Dan, they were lovely and both incredibly gorgeous! She did have a great pair of legs! lol!

Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?

Adam... you were fantastic... :clap: and as for Rebecca.. :innocent: .. I want to have her babies... :innocent: he he he...

It's was a shame that the deciding judge seemed to flip a coin as to who was going through...

I started dancing at 23... so at 19.. you've got lot's of time... but remember, be sure this is what you want to do, because it gonna take alot of work.... :grin:

ChrisA
5th-April-2005, 04:17 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed.

And you are hugely welcome here !!!!


and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off, well I hope we did!

You sure did. :worthy:

I'm sure I speak for a great many people when I say that I was blown away by how good a natural dancer you are, and how gutted I was when you got voted off by the judges. I would have loved to see you go on and get even more amazing.

But Arlene did say she thought you were the best untrained natural dancer she'd ever seen, and I do hope you've held on to that.

Best of luck with your dancing in the future - I do hope we get to see more of you...

:worthy: :worthy:

Lynn
5th-April-2005, 04:25 PM
I'm sure I speak for a great many people when I say that I was blown away by how good a natural dancer you are, and how gutted I was when you got voted off by the judges. I would have loved to see you go on and get even more amazing. I think that would have been great, building on such natural talent with training. I hope you still do that, but I'm sure a lot of people would have loved to have seen that journey over the weeks.

TheTramp
5th-April-2005, 04:26 PM
Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?
*cough* 30 */cough*

Cruella
5th-April-2005, 04:27 PM
Yeah, right. No disrespect to any of the competitors, but have you noticed how the producers always try to find some kind of heart-string "hook", like "vote for us, because we've given up our jobs / got 2 kids who want to see us win / got leukemia*". It's just done to heighten the tension, like the false delay when giving judgement, the old Chris Tarrant trick. Didn't like it then, don't like it now, it's false and a waste of time. Everyone wants to win - the "hook" is only for the TV audience to get more votes in. Nothing to do with, you know, being a good dancer...

* Only a matter of time.

This maybe so, but yes Jane did hand her notice in before the show.
I think that on the night nerves got the better of them,as we have all seen them dance brilliantly before. And i agree that a funkier choice of music would have been more suitable to their dancing style. But hey how many of us would have had the guts to dance on TV certainly not me!! :clap:

TheTramp
5th-April-2005, 04:29 PM
This maybe so, but yes Jane did hand her notice in before the show.
I think that on the night nerves got the better of them,as we have all seen them dance brilliantly before. And i agree that a funkier choice of music would have been more suitable to their dancing style. But hey how many of us would have had the guts to dance on TV certainly not me!! :clap:
Shame. Was going to ask you to enter with me next year!! :tears:

Cruella
5th-April-2005, 04:32 PM
Shame. Was going to ask you to enter with me next year!! :tears:


Would be quite good entertainment value, you and i arguing in amongst the odd dance step!! :kiss:

TheTramp
5th-April-2005, 04:33 PM
Would be quite good entertainment value, you and i arguing in amongst the odd dance step!! :kiss:
Hey. My steps aren't that odd.

Sometimes :what:

Cruella
5th-April-2005, 04:36 PM
Hey. My steps aren't that odd.

Sometimes :what:

No your steps aren't :drool:

Love ya really :hug:

Minnie M
5th-April-2005, 07:42 PM
Quote:Originally Posted by ChrisA
I'm sure I speak for a great many people when I say that I was blown away by how good a natural dancer you are, and how gutted I was when you got voted off by the judges. I would have loved to see you go on and get even more amazing.



I think that would have been great, building on such natural talent with training. I hope you still do that, but I'm sure a lot of people would have loved to have seen that journey over the weeks.

:yeah: :yeah: :hug: :flower:

bigdjiver
5th-April-2005, 09:26 PM
... Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?Congratulations on what you achieved.

What sort of dance training with what objective?

JamesGeary
5th-April-2005, 11:01 PM
Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?


Its mostly a matter of how dedicated you are to getting to where you want to be, plus some talent. As a guy you can start far later than a woman, just because there are far fewer guys who angle for a professional dance career.

Modern Jive
Lindy Hop
Hip-Hop
Tango
Salsa
Contemporary
Jazz
Lambada
Ice Dance
Ballet
Ballroom
Gymnastics


There is a list there, and the better you want to be, and on the items further down the list, the more work it will take. To be a performer is tougher than than to be a top-notch teacher. The exact order you can argue about forever (I wouldn't be surprised if Dancing Teeth and Carol beat everyone in this Dance Fever competition, hopefully anyway), but basically the more exams or competitions, and the younger they start training, then the more dedicated you have to be to get to the top.

That said,

Hayley started at about 23, who had never danced before, and was winning competitions everywhere in 2 years.

I know a ballroom dancer who started from no dance background at 25 and was ranked in the top 5 in the country within 2 years (trained 7 days a week or so).

I saw a dancer who had never done any dance classes of any sort in her life win a national freestyle, any style of dance, dance competition. Doing a sort of contemporary/ballet style, but never having had any training. Just practised lots, got lots of feedback, did her own thing. As much performance as dance moves/movement

You might know of a london salsa teacher called Mario, who started dancing at 28 maybe, within a 1-2 years was teaching all over the world.

The thing they all had in common was that they were very very keen on being the best. Actually through in a few more verys and thats about right.

MartinHarper
5th-April-2005, 11:57 PM
Has she really given up her job, for no other reason than to compete in SDF?
Oh? She doesn't have a mortgage? Or rent to pay? Or food to buy? Or any other bills? Obviously not a family to look after...
:wink:

Clive Long
6th-April-2005, 12:10 AM
Has she really given up her job, for no other reason than to compete in SDF?


Oh? She doesn't have a mortgage? Or rent to pay? Or food to buy? Or any other bills? Obviously not a family to look after...
:wink:
So you are suggesting she was foolish to do this?

I wish I had 10% of the guts and commitment that these people have to follow their dream, and give everything to it, even though the chances of success are slim and the criteria for elimination seem arbitrary.

I know that many people squash their dreams because they see fulfilling responsibilities to others as more important than fulfilling their responsibilities to themselves. How do so many people get in these situations? I have avoided such dilemmas by avoiding responsibility :wink:

Clive

David Bailey
6th-April-2005, 08:04 AM
Re: job giving-up...

So you are suggesting she was foolish to do this?

I wish I had 10% of the guts and commitment that these people have to follow their dream, and give everything to it, even though the chances of success are slim and the criteria for elimination seem arbitrary.

No, I guess he's suggesting that it's not so much of a supreme sacrifice to give up your job when you're young, single, higly re-employable, and just starting on a career, as compared to someone older / with a family etc. Similar criteria as if they'd decided to go on a late gap year, basically.

I don't want this to read as a criticism of the competitors, they looked great, and I think they stuck to a MJ format much more than the other pair. And I certainly don't want to denigrate their commitment and enthusiasm, which I admire. She wasn't foolish, no.

But realistically, the Beeb wanted, what, 8 weeks' commitment at no pay? If you wanted to enter, then you might have to quit your job in those circumstances. GN presenting it as this great tragedy, just to heighten the tension, really got my goat...



I have avoided such dilemmas by avoiding responsibility :wink:
Ahh, cunning plan...

bigdjiver
6th-April-2005, 08:57 AM
...I wish I had 10% of the guts and commitment that these people have to follow their dream, and give everything to it, ... We all dream of living forever

...even though the chances of success are slim and the criteria for elimination seem arbitrary... :tears:

Sheepman
6th-April-2005, 11:26 AM
So you are suggesting she was foolish to do this? But what about the extra pressure this put on their performance? Surely this would have a detrimental effect for most people?

It did occur to me that maybe this decision was based on a lack of informatiom/misinformation by the BBC? We all knew that there would have to be 2 months given up IF you got through to the final, but I found out much more information aobut the format of the programme on here, than I ever received from the BBC.

Greg

TheTramp
6th-April-2005, 11:42 AM
It did occur to me that maybe this decision was based on a lack of informatiom/misinformation by the BBC? We all knew that there would have to be 2 months given up IF you got through to the final, but I found out much more information aobut the format of the programme on here, than I ever received from the BBC.
It's probably pertinant to point out that only the 2(?) couples who made it through to the final would have to give up 2 months of course. Even if you made it to the house, the first couple voted out, would only have to give up a week....

MartinHarper
6th-April-2005, 11:51 AM
So you are suggesting she was foolish to do this?

Sorry - it was an in-joke - refer back to post #33. Would have worked better as a private message...

Trish
6th-April-2005, 12:12 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed. I performed last week on the show, me and my lovely partner Rebecca did the Lion King freestyle number, my main aim was to at least just get some kind words from the judges, and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off , well I hope we did! Yeah, the setup is a shame, but you know, I am sure the show will be brill! I thought Michelle and Dan were fantastic! You can't be bitter and competitive when you are against Michelle and Dan, they were lovely and both incredibly gorgeous! She did have a great pair of legs! lol!

Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?

Adam, I thought you were both fantastic, and personally perferred you to the couple you were up against, the judges only seemed to comment on the girls legs, so I was rather surprised when they got through and you didn't!

My cousin started dance training at the age of 18/19, and she's now got her own dance school, which is doing very nicely thankyou, and I don't think guys starting training at your age is at all unusual, so if it's what you want to do, go for it!

Nice to hear some comments from the competitors themselves, and good luck with your dancing in the future.

Rhythm King
6th-April-2005, 01:01 PM
Tonight's Strictly Dance Fever Auditions programme on BBC 3 is showing the London audtions. It's the first of three shows based on the London auditions, where the predominant style was Modern Jive (according to last night's edition). There should be bits from Fulham Town Hall Ceroc, filmed last Thursday, showing Viktor and Carole. Also from the 100 Club, on Monday, showing the other swing competitors, Paul and Natasha, of the London Swing Dance Society. There should also be lots of familiar faces, from those not fortunate to get through to Saturday's final live audition.

R-K :flower:

Sheepman
6th-April-2005, 01:33 PM
It's probably pertinant to point out that only the 2(?) couples who made it through to the final would have to give up 2 months of course. Even if you made it to the house, the first couple voted out, would only have to give up a week.... Exactly, although most employers might struggle with, "I'm having 1 week off, maybe 2, or 8, and if I do really well then I'm probably never coming back to this drudgery..."

Greg

jivecat
6th-April-2005, 02:56 PM
I wish I had 10% of the guts and commitment that these people have to follow their dream, and give everything to it, even though the chances of success are slim and the criteria for elimination seem arbitrary.
Yeah, that. They were more likely to regret not doing it than doing it. There's always another job round the corner somewhere.


I know that many people squash their dreams because they see fulfilling responsibilities to others as more important than fulfilling their responsibilities to themselves. How do so many people get in these situations? I have avoided such dilemmas by avoiding responsibility :wink:

CliveDitto. But I have huge respect for people who prioritise their responsibilities to others, cos I'm a bit of a selfish cow.

Pink Lady
6th-April-2005, 03:55 PM
Did anyone else notice that it was the second couple to dance in every category that got through in last Saturday's programme? Just a thought, but maybe it seemed like a case of last-to-dance, fresher-in-the-minds-of-the-judges? Maybe coincidence - just caught my attention. Thoughts anyone? :whistle:

David Franklin
6th-April-2005, 04:41 PM
Did anyone else notice that it was the second couple to dance in every category that got through in last Saturday's programme? Just a thought, but maybe it seemed like a case of last-to-dance, fresher-in-the-minds-of-the-judges? Maybe coincidence - just caught my attention. Thoughts anyone? :whistle:Didn't notice that! Which is particularly odd given that I did notice it was the first couple in every category who got through in the first programme...

Dave

TheTramp
6th-April-2005, 08:03 PM
London auditions. Saw a few faces that I recognised. A little flash of Viktor and Carol there at the end.

The dancing doctor and tiger girl were both very, very scary....

And why does Ryan Francois now hate Modern Jive???










Did I ever mention that [some] people who do Lindy Hop really annoy me, because of their elitist attitude.... like Lindy Hop would even be known in the UK these days, if it wasn't for the influx of people who started out at MJ...

Simon
6th-April-2005, 08:44 PM
Do Paul and Natasha get through? They're such a lovely couple and top dancers. :clap:

Ballroom queen
6th-April-2005, 11:07 PM
Do Paul and Natasha get through? They're such a lovely couple and top dancers. :clap:

I think we may find Paul and Nastasha against Viktor and partner...
Oh why is it head to head? Why can't they just kick out the worst 5? :tears:

Lory
7th-April-2005, 12:37 AM
Saw a few faces that I recognised.


So did I!

A good long shot of our forum girl Melanie :) And I'm absolutely positive I saw ESG! :wink:

Also, the Lindy guy wearing a tank top and a blondish quiffy hair, I danced with him at the 100club! (and I was C**P but he was very nice to me and asked me for another :o )

David Bailey
7th-April-2005, 10:01 AM
A good long shot of our forum girl Melanie :)
Yes, yay :) - although (if it's the same one I saw) GN made a snippy comment about her and her partner, the ba***rd :mad:

Mad running-away woman, and the other kooks, deserved all the abuse they got of course, that's the only area where GN seems to be comfortable - he doesn't do "Didn't they do well" at all naturally IMO.

marty_baby
7th-April-2005, 10:51 AM
Hiya All,

Is it Viktor and Carol on the Box tonight? I caught the end of yesterday's SDF, when it talked about tonights show.... and I'm sure I saw a flash of Viktor and Carol dancing.

I saw them perform in Brighton last year - wow!...... :worthy:

HEADLINERS
7th-April-2005, 01:39 PM
Hi my name is Yvonne Dunn and I am the owner of Headliners, Upton, Wirral.
I am Jodie’s coach and the choreographer of Jodie & Danny’s Breathe routine on SDF and also the coach of James & Claire and until recently trained Eddie for over 2 years.
I am also a UCWDC certified world championship judge.

I just wanted to help people understand modern linedancing as there seems to be
some misunderstanding. Competitive C&W dancing includes couples and
linedancing. Linedancing involves classic division (pre-set dances performed
In lines) and showcase division (pre-released music freedom of choreography and not performed in lines).

The couples section comprises 8 dances triple two step, polka, night club, cha, two step, waltz, east coast (like jive) and west coast swing (as performed by current DIV II world
Champions James & Claire) PS Claire is a spinning diva but without the exceptional connection that James provides this speed would not be possible. I think it is important that if SDF is to be driven by couples categories it should include judges knowledgeable in couples dance. It was nice to see Brendan of SCD acknowledging Jame's lead as it should be subtle but is visible to the trained eye!

As you can see you need to be very diverse as it incorporates all styles of dance and
Jodie & Danny’s routine was part showcase line and part night club two step).
Modern C&W dance rules now allow 50% of non country music although Breathe is
actually a C&W song performed by Faith Hill who is a modern country artist like Shania Twain etc. The C&W competitive scene is made up of mainly under 18’s and is actually a very cool thing to do for those in the know and at top level requires very diverse skills which is why Jodie/Danny & James/Claire should do really well across the different styles.

Please do not confuse social linedance with competitive as it is like comparing Torvill & Dean’s icedances to what you see at your local ice rink on a Saturday!

PS Both SDF couples will be attending our event in Blackpool 24th –26th June 2005 (see www.headliners.or.uk) for more info so why not come along and see some of the worlds top C&W dancers compete.

Hope this helps.


:nice:

Brummie Paul
7th-April-2005, 02:48 PM
On tonight's show apparently one of the Judges at the auditions will be telling us how he now hates modern jive.

Obviously, a perfect opportunity for MJers to watch and become suitably astonished and indignant!

MartinHarper
7th-April-2005, 02:52 PM
(some) people who do Lindy Hop really annoy me, because of their elitist attitude (to MJ)....

Aye - dance snobbery is tedious. I feel much the same about the attitude of some MJ dancers towards line dancing or nightclub dancing.


Please do not confuse social linedance with competitive as it is like comparing Torvill & Dean’s icedances to what you see at your local ice rink on a Saturday!

It is sad how people try to raise up fixed partner dancing over social dancing, whether it be MJ, ice, or line. If anything, the heirarchy should be the other way round.

Simon r
7th-April-2005, 03:02 PM
On tonight's show apparently one of the Judges at the auditions will be telling us how he now hates modern jive.

Obviously, a perfect opportunity for MJers to watch and become suitably astonished and indignant!

This comment is made by Ryan from Ryan and Jenny.... got to say was suprised as spent some time chatting over the past few years at MJC, really nice down to earth guy and a truly great dancer of so many styles ...
I fell it may be taken out of context so lets wait and see...

El Salsero Gringo
7th-April-2005, 03:07 PM
Hi my name is Yvonne Dunn and I am the owner of Headliners, Upton, Wirral.Hello Yvonne, and welcome to the Forum. Thanks for the info about the structure of LD competitions.

Please do not confuse social linedance with competitive as it is like comparing Torvill & Dean’s icedances to what you see at your local ice rink on a Saturday!Hmmm... that's not exactly a ringing endorsement to try social Line Dancing is it?

Best of luck to your charges in SDF.

ChrisA
7th-April-2005, 03:48 PM
Please do not confuse social linedance with competitive as it is like comparing Torvill & Dean’s icedances to what you see at your local ice rink on a Saturday!




It is sad how people try to raise up fixed partner dancing over social dancing, whether it be MJ, ice, or line. If anything, the heirarchy should be the other way round.


Hmmm... that's not exactly a ringing endorsement to try social Line Dancing is it?
Grrrrrrrrrr. :mad:

Why does this kind of thing ALWAYS have to be interpreted as anything to go with hierarchy????

She said it's different, not better or worse.

You might just as well say that the Blackpool Advanced final doesn't bear much resemblance to your local Ceroc class, and of course it doesn't. Just because it represents a pinnacle of a particular type of achievement doesn't imply, and should not be inferred to be saying, ANYTHING disparaging about social dancing.

It just sounds like people have a chip on their shoulders when they jump on this particular bandwagon. :rolleyes: :confused: :mad:

HEADLINERS
7th-April-2005, 04:00 PM
To clarify, I did not infer either was better than the other there
are those who love social dancing and that is great, then there are
others who spend thousands of pounds with top trainers trying to perfect their technique & improve their knowledge who prefer to
compete this also is fine. Then there are those who do both! In my opinion just the fact that people love dance and are out on the dance floors are important. My post was aimed at helping people understand modern
C&W dance and nothing more.

Dance Demon
7th-April-2005, 04:28 PM
To clarify, I did not infer either was better than the other there
are those who love social dancing and that is great, then there are
others who spend thousands of pounds with top trainers trying to perfect their technique & improve their knowledge who prefer to
compete this also is fine. Then there are those who do both! In my opinion just the fact that people love dance and are out on the dance floors are important. My post was aimed at helping people understand modern
C&W dance and nothing more.

It Seems like modern C&W dance is a lot like Modern Jive in many ways Yvonne. I think most of us will have understood what you meant in your original post, and it was nice of you to come on and share your knowledge with us. Welcome to the forum. It's nice to hear the viewpoint of someone from a different dance code, especially one who can back up their comments with an impressive pedigree of success and qualifications :wink:

Trish
7th-April-2005, 05:08 PM
To clarify, I did not infer either was better than the other there
are those who love social dancing and that is great, then there are
others who spend thousands of pounds with top trainers trying to perfect their technique & improve their knowledge who prefer to
compete this also is fine. Then there are those who do both! In my opinion just the fact that people love dance and are out on the dance floors are important. My post was aimed at helping people understand modern
C&W dance and nothing more.

Thanks for your explanations, it sounds much more interesting than my original (but perhaps slightly skewed) view of it. The only thing I can't fathom is why they categorise it as line dancing - you yourself have called it C&W, and it confuses those not in the know on the subject, as it isn't in lines! Perhaps they should have called it modern C&W to avoid confusion! Personally I really liked Jodie and Danny's style, and thought they were very elegant. I would say though, the people I know who have been line dancing (admittedly a few years ago) have said it was in lines, dancing to country music, and the average age seemed higher than MJ, however, that was in the depths of Norfolk (where I was dragged up), so I can't generalise about the rest of the country!! :wink: Although I like "breathe" I can't stand the twangy miserable stuff (sorry if other people like it, that's entirely up to them, we're all different).

As far as I can see, this business of setting couples up against each other can only be so that they don't get the best of the best - that way they have people to speculate about when they find things difficult learning the difference in styles. Personally I'm really looking forward to the "auditions" being over, so we can get onto the learning bit, should be very interesting, whoever gets through. Can't help hoping Victor is one of them though!

Lynn
7th-April-2005, 05:20 PM
As far as I can see, this business of setting couples up against each other can only be so that they don't get the best of the best - that way they have people to speculate about when they find things difficult learning the difference in styles. Personally I'm really looking forward to the "auditions" being over, so we can get onto the learning bit, should be very interesting, whoever gets through. Can't help hoping Victor is one of them though! I'm also really looking forward to this bit being over. Its really frustrating as the couples are not being judged for their dancing ability but just compared to the other couple - ie even if the judges gave each couple scores and then the couple with the lowest score went out it would be fairer if they were insisting on doing it in categories. Or even if they told us what they based the decision on - eg points for style, technique, performance. It seems they are picking one thing they like/dislike for one couple and comparing that to one thing they like/dislike for the next - but they aren't comparable. Eg one couple they comment on lifts, the next on costume, then make a choice between the two... It seems to be just on the spot 'pick a couple' - the format has been borrowed straight off Pop Idol - 3 judges, a vote each, loser goes home.

Also really hope Viktor gets through - but based on the way the judges are voting, they might like the other couples outfit better...

I notice that 3 have been put through from each show and this is the last week of heats - do 4 go through from these heats or is the 10th space for something else (like couple who didn't get through on phone votes but had highest votes, or 'rescue' a couple who didn't get through - to make people phone again so they make even more money... Cynical? Me?)

MartinHarper
7th-April-2005, 05:23 PM
The Blackpool Advanced final doesn't bear much resemblance to your local Ceroc class.

I think it's interesting that Torville and Dean and the advanced final at Blackpool have been chosen as exemplars of fixed partner dancing, while a local Ceroc class and a local ice rink have been chosen as exemplars of social dancing. It's also interesting that both SDF and SCD are/were competitions in fixed partner dancing. Given that the roots of dancing are social, this makes me sad. Just my opinion/feeling.


It just sounds like people have a chip on their shoulders.

Play nice.

Clive Long
7th-April-2005, 05:31 PM
Hi my name is Yvonne Dunn and I am the owner of Headliners, Upton, Wirral.
I am Jodie’s coach and the choreographer of Jodie & Danny’s Breathe routine on SDF and also the coach of James & Claire and until recently trained Eddie for over 2 years.
I am also a UCWDC certified world championship judge.

I just wanted to help people understand modern linedancing as there seems to be some misunderstanding.
<< snip >>

You are too kind - deliberate mischief making from some of us :wink:


<< snip >>

Modern C&W dance rules now allow 50% of non country music although Breathe is actually a C&W song performed by Faith Hill who is a modern country artist like Shania Twain etc.

Ahhhhh. Shania Twain. Why didn't anyone explain that earlier ??


<< snip >>
The C&W competitive scene is made up of mainly under 18’s and is actually a very cool thing to do for those in the know and at top level requires very diverse skills which is why Jodie/Danny & James/Claire should do really well across the different styles.

<< snip >>

But not as well as Viktor and Carol, of course
:D



PS Both SDF couples will be attending our event in Blackpool 24th –26th June 2005 (see www.headliners.or.uk) for more info so why not come along and see some of the worlds top C&W dancers compete.

Hope this helps.


:nice:
Thanks for your informative post - and from someone really in the know. :cheers:

If you hear a low level but persistent noise on Saturday night it will be a sizeable number chanting: Viktor! Carol! Viktor! Carol! Viktor! Carol!

TheTramp
7th-April-2005, 05:37 PM
I'm also really looking forward to this bit being over. Its really frustrating as the couples are not being judged for their dancing ability but just compared to the other couple - ie even if the judges gave each couple scores and then the couple with the lowest score went out it would be fairer if they were insisting on doing it in categories. Or even if they told us what they based the decision on - eg points for style, technique, performance. It seems they are picking one thing they like/dislike for one couple and comparing that to one thing they like/dislike for the next - but they aren't comparable. Eg one couple they comment on lifts, the next on costume, then make a choice between the two... It seems to be just on the spot 'pick a couple' - the format has been borrowed straight off Pop Idol - 3 judges, a vote each, loser goes home.
I disagree. I think that it is being judged on dancing ability. Each judge votes for the couple they think is better out of the two in each category. Most of the times I've seen both couples (all of the first show, and up to Alex and Jane in the second show), I've pretty much agreed with the judges.

Okie. So I'd say that in the first show, the 2 couples in a particular category are both in my top 3 couples of that night. But definitely 3 out of the 4 couples I thought should have gone through (in the first show) went through. So, it's not that far off from how I'd have voted anyhow, even if it had just been a free vote for the best 3 couples (in the first show, I'd have put through the 2 linedancers, and the guy with a cane in the freestyle section, and 2 of those couples made it anyhow). I missed the ending of the 2nd show, so maybe it would have been different in that one.

I don't think that the judges are doing that bad a job either. They have a few seconds to comment, and do so, on whatever catches their eye. They then put through the couple that they think danced the best. Maybe they aren't marking on a set scoring system. Just on who they prefer. Which is probably just as valid a method, when comparing 2 couples as any I think. I think a few of the comments made haven't really been helpful, but that's the only thing I'd say about the judges.

ChrisA
7th-April-2005, 05:57 PM
Given that the roots of dancing are social, this makes me sad.
Why? The comps dont take anything away from social dancing, so why is it sad?

You might just as well argue that because the car has its roots in the need to get from A to B, Formula 1 would make you sad.

The point of dance competitions is different from the point of social dancing, just as the point of car racing is different from driving down to Tesco.

I wouldn't bother watching a film of someone driving to Tesco, would you? Yet I'd watch F1, and be pleased that race car technology gradually finds its way into the sort of car that I might buy.


Play nice.
If I think that jumping on a particular bandwagon smacks of people with a chip on their shoulder, why don't you like it if I express that view? If anyone that feels I'm referring to them cares to reply to such a comment, then that's their prerogative and a civilised debate can ensue.

My genuine opinion is that some of the people who harp on about how awful/elitist/divisive etc, dance competitions are, are really just jealous of the fact that other people are better dancers than they are, and yet aren't prepared to put the effort into getting good enough to do well in them.

So I stand by my earlier comment about chips on shoulders, and I'll include sour grapes too. If people don't like it they're free to either ignore me or attempt to convince me that my view is wrong. I'm very happy with either :flower:

Lynn
7th-April-2005, 09:25 PM
I disagree. I think that it is being judged on dancing ability. Each judge votes for the couple they think is better out of the two in each category. I didn't say they weren't making their choices on dancing ability - just that it seems that they are deciding on very different criteria (within the same section) - from their own comments. I think it would be helpful if they said at the start of each dance style what they were looking for - there is a bit before the style where GN asks what we should see in the dance 'they should see energy' etc - then the judges seem to put someone out because of their outfit choice? I'm sure they have their reasons for their choices, they just don't seem to articulate them very well. Its quite different from SCD and a lot more like Pop Idol.

Gadget
7th-April-2005, 11:02 PM
Why does this kind of thing ALWAYS have to be interpreted as anything to go with hierarchy????
~snip~Just because it represents a pinnacle of a particular type of achievement
Hmmmmm... :rolleyes:

Re: Judges - remember that they have seen the couples and 'worked' with them all through the elimination process; they will probably have a good idea about who they are putting through before they even step onto the stage.

TheTramp
8th-April-2005, 12:58 AM
Re: Judges - remember that they have seen the couples and 'worked' with them all through the elimination process; they will probably have a good idea about who they are putting through before they even step onto the stage.
Do they?? The judging panel was different to the ones that work with them through elimination - that was Kevin, Vanessa and the salsa guy, the judge on the Saturday shows are Arlene, Luca and Stacey.

Do Arlene, Luca and Stacey take any part in the auditions - I certainly haven't seen them in any of the shows I've seen on BBC3 - or in the training at all?

bigdjiver
8th-April-2005, 01:26 AM
One way for the judges to tell us the criteria they are judging on is for them to give us a thirty minute lecture. This would not make good prime time pop TV. The other way is to drip feed us with it in isolated snatches. If they are looking for care in costume - criticise someones costume. If they want the dancers to show enjoyment, criticise someone for their lack of a smile. Similarly for smoothenss, or sharpness, or appearance of strength.

I think that the apparant arbitary comments are intended t build to a picture, and the judges are actually using all of the appropriate criteria.

Gadget
8th-April-2005, 09:02 AM
Do Arlene, Luca and Stacey take any part in the auditions - I certainly haven't seen them in any of the shows I've seen on BBC3 - or in the training at all?Phh *shrug* I can't say I was paying too much attention to anything but the dancing :blush:
Even if not present, I'm sure that they will have watched some footage to give them a 'heads up' of what to expect.

Lynn
8th-April-2005, 09:26 AM
I didn't say they weren't making their choices on dancing ability.. Sorry, I realise I did say that! :blush: It wasn't what I meant! I guess what I am annoyed by is some of the comments - they seem to be sometimes rather trivial and occasionally unecessarily harsh.

Trish
8th-April-2005, 02:29 PM
Sorry, I realise I did say that! :blush: It wasn't what I meant! I guess what I am annoyed by is some of the comments - they seem to be sometimes rather trivial and occasionally unecessarily harsh.

Yes I agree with you Lynn, especially Arlene, who seems to be taking on the "nasty judge role". I must admit, the thing that possibly gets on my nerves about this show more than anything else, is that the camera people keep showing shots of her miserable looking face :sad: rather than showing us the dancers. She has made some reasonable points, but I don't see why she has to be so sour faced about it! :angry:

I also agree with you, that often they don't really seem to be comparing like for like - the balletic style of the couple last week against the Britney Spears people, for example, or most likely this week Viktor and Carol against lindy hoppers - how can you compare those, surely it only comes down to personal perference?

Anyway, as I said before, let's get these auditions out the way quickly, and get on with the rest of it!

TheTramp
9th-April-2005, 12:36 AM
Question....

London finals tomorrow. Kinda assuming that it'll be Paul & Natasha up against Viktor and Carol in the swing section.

Is there anyone else who thinks that the amount of showtime that they've given P&N so far in the BBC3 program, compared with only seeing a couple of background shots of V&C, is setting up P&N to go through to the phone vote already? We didn't even get to see V&C when they were telling people that they were through to the TV show in the program tonight.

Anyhow. Best of luck to Viktor & Carol tomorrow. Will be watching and cheering...

RobC
9th-April-2005, 12:04 PM
Just a quiet reminder ......

:clap: Don't Forget To Vote Tonight :clap:

drathzel
9th-April-2005, 06:12 PM
The judges are soooo wrong on this one!

Viktor and Carol were fab!!!

Dan Hudson
9th-April-2005, 06:17 PM
Arlene is sooooo baaaaab :angry: :angry:

They are sooooo wrong... Viktor and carol rule!!!

Can't dance my a*** :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Ballroom queen
9th-April-2005, 06:19 PM
The judges are soooo wrong on this one!

Viktor and Carol were fab!!!


I have to agree, I think bloody Arlene only wanted Paul and Natasha coz of what they CAN do not what they did in their one minute. She should try dancing with Viktor coz he's fab. And what was that CRAP we just had to watch??? :tears: :tears:

drathzel
9th-April-2005, 06:21 PM
Can't dance my a*** :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:yeah: completely!!! :rofl: :rofl:

TheTramp
9th-April-2005, 06:29 PM
Can't dance my a*** :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
To be fair. That's not quite what she said.... She said that he just stood there. And didn't show that he can dance. Not that he actually can't dance...

Though, I don't actually agree with her.... And I thought that V&C did very well.

I think that they could have picked a better track though. It's a pretty boring track. Not really a lot to get (Dancing) teeth into there.... I play that for the beginners!

Ballroom queen
9th-April-2005, 06:31 PM
well, finally we have dancing on this show.

That Tango couple HAVE to get thru

FirstMove
9th-April-2005, 06:34 PM
To be fair. That's not quite what she said.... She said that he just stood there. And didn't show that he can dance. Not that he actually can't dance...


Anyne who body-rolls like Viktor can dance! :worthy:

TheTramp
9th-April-2005, 06:35 PM
I've got a little bit of Stewart in my hand
I think that this has to be the high-point of the program for me so far!!!!

Lynn
9th-April-2005, 07:05 PM
The judges are soooo wrong on this one!

Viktor and Carol were fab!!! :yeah:
The Lindy Hop couple were good, but V & C were smooth and controlled. Interesting how one of the judges thought they were better dancers, it was Arlene who seemed to be very set against them. I'm really disappointed they didn't get through and disappointed for them as they would have done so well in the house with the different dance styles.

We in the MJ world know that Victor and Carol are fab dancers :worthy: , they were great ambassadors for MJ tonight. :hug:

Lynn
9th-April-2005, 07:09 PM
BTW, a bit surprised at the standard of the salsa - is that what competition salsa is like? Might have been better if they had danced to salsa tracks. (Not saying it was bad, just not as good as I would have expected)

Ballroom queen
9th-April-2005, 07:16 PM
BTW, a bit surprised at the standard of the salsa - is that what competition salsa is like? Might have been better if they had danced to salsa tracks. (Not saying it was bad, just not as good as I would have expected)

i agree, weird music. I heard that V+C had real trouble picking thier music, the beeb kept saying no - either they "didn't like it" or someone else had already taken it.

Daisy Chain
9th-April-2005, 07:23 PM
I have to agree, I think bloody Arlene only wanted Paul and Natasha coz of what they CAN do not what they did in their one minute.

:yeah: Which confirms that the judges have already made up their minds before the show and are judging the dancers by what they have seen in practice, not the performance on the night. It seems a tad unfair that a couple who play it so safe can be rewarded by the judges. :mad: To be honest, the lindy didn't look any better than the hoppers I have seen at local jive nights. I thought Natasha was fudging some of her steps but I'm no lindy hopper so mayne it is supposed to look slightly out of control?

Words fail me

Daisy

(A Speechless Little Flower)

Katie
9th-April-2005, 07:28 PM
I am really disappointed for Viktor and Carol. They were great! Lots of 'wow' moves. :clap:

I thought this competition was about finding versatile dancers. :confused: Surely it is the dancers potential not what they can do now?? Personally I think C & V would've adapted to other dance styles better than P & N. Admittedly I am biased.

Good luck to P & N!

Katie
9th-April-2005, 07:36 PM
BTW, a bit surprised at the standard of the salsa - is that what competition salsa is like? Might have been better if they had danced to salsa tracks. (Not saying it was bad, just not as good as I would have expected)

:yeah:
I reckon V&C would've made the salsa look better! In rehearsals their salsa looked great!

David Bailey
9th-April-2005, 07:58 PM
BTW, a bit surprised at the standard of the salsa - is that what competition salsa is like? Might have been better if they had danced to salsa tracks. (Not saying it was bad, just not as good as I would have expected)
:yeah: totally agree. The first couple were doing a competent routine, nice to watch, but nothing inspiring. The second couple were doing some seriously sexy dancing, but it was sloppy, and the finish was boring as hell. I've seen much better routines in just local salsa competitions...

Having said that, I got hooked by the addition of salsa to the list :), and:
- Wow, "Kiss kiss" is a good salsa track, well-spotted ZW :worthy:, I guess that makes me look pretty stupid (http://www.cerocscotland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5061)
- I've seen a house fly, I've seen an elephant fly, but, boy, I never thought I'd see a good-looking tunnel move, even in salsa.

Ballroom queen
9th-April-2005, 08:13 PM
:
- Wow, "Kiss kiss" is a good salsa track, well-spotted ZW :worthy:, I guess that makes me look pretty stupid (http://www.cerocscotland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5061)

Not really. You said it wasn't a good MJ track - it isn't. You said it was "latin-ish". It is. I have often thought its hard to MJ to salsa music, just as I prefer not to MJ to Cha Cha music.

Dance Demon
9th-April-2005, 08:26 PM
Well done to Paul & Natasha....& hope they do well in the phone vote.
Yes, there is no doubt that Victor & Carol can dance, and they looked very smooth. i think what Arlene actually said was that Victor didn't show us how well he could dance because he didn't do much footwork. It must be hard for judges to look for classic modern jive steps, as there aren't many, whereas P & N put in lots of classic lindy moves & footwork, which is a bit more eyecatching. just a shame that these two couples were drawn together, as it would have been nice to see more of V & C.

David Bailey
9th-April-2005, 08:39 PM
Not really. You said it wasn't a good MJ track - it isn't. You said it was "latin-ish". It is. I have often thought its hard to MJ to salsa music, just as I prefer not to MJ to Cha Cha music.
Dumb for not spotting it as a salsa, more than just naturally dumb. Still, you're right, I was too hard on myself :)

Stuart
9th-April-2005, 08:39 PM
:yeah: totally agree. The first couple were doing a competent routine, nice to watch, but nothing inspiring. The second couple were doing some seriously sexy dancing, but it was sloppy, and the finish was boring as hell. I've seen much better routines in just local salsa competitions...


I was thinking that as well. I've seen better routines in our local Salsa class.

I've just watched my video of the programme and I have to agree with all that's been said before.

Ballroom queen
9th-April-2005, 08:49 PM
Well done to Paul & Natasha....& hope they do well in the phone vote.
Yes, there is no doubt that Victor & Carol can dance, and they looked very smooth. i think what Arlene actually said was that Victor didn't show us how well he could dance because he didn't do much footwork. It must be hard for judges to look for classic modern jive steps, as there aren't many, whereas P & N put in lots of classic lindy moves & footwork, which is a bit more eyecatching. just a shame that these two couples were drawn together, as it would have been nice to see more of V & C.

I agree, i wish the format were different. I think it would be a different set of people in the house altogether had the judges picked the 5 best each week. all the auditions have been about who was best rather than putting people against each other. Its not fair to compare different dance styles. It seems that next week there will be salsa v boogie woogie. I guess for the non-dancing viewing public its probably less boring to see 5 Boogie Woogies and 5 Salsas, rather than 10 salsas or whatever, but makes it harder to judge. And when its the Lindy week P+N have an obvious advantage (if they get in), I wonder what good ole Arlene will do with that one???

Winnie
9th-April-2005, 11:16 PM
Viktor and Carol were fab :clap:

The judges are quick to judge. I wonder if any of the judges actually dance? :innocent:

Minnie M
10th-April-2005, 01:02 AM
finding versatile dancers

Minnie M
10th-April-2005, 01:10 AM
The voting went to Carol and Victor


A sexy dance off - who will go through?

Fifties sweethearts PAUL and NATASHA Lindyhopped their way into the nation's hearts with "Boogie-Woogie". "The most original couple," said Arlene. Luca thought they were more boring than at auditions. "I didn't find it boring at all!" responded Stacey.

CAROL and VICTOR swept on with a swing and a prayer; "I Can Be Your Hero". "Like a dancing Christmas tree!" adored Graham. "Interesting, but not great," sighed Stacey - "If you're going to finish on the splits, make sure you can get all the way down. "I couldn't really tell if Victor could dance or not," wailed Arlene. Luca stuck up for the two of them.
.

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 01:30 AM
I thought this competition was about finding versatile dancers. :yeah: - and Viktor and Carol fitted that perfectly. Notice that although Arlene didn't like them, Luca said he was excited and was really arguing with Arlene about it. He saw their potential to do really well in the house I think.

bigdjiver
10th-April-2005, 01:34 AM
The voting went to Carol and Victor

.I am confused - I thought only the judges voted, and they voted against.

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 01:37 AM
Not really. You said it wasn't a good MJ track - it isn't. You said it was "latin-ish". It is. I think its actually Turkish - it was a Turkish song that Holly Valance put English lyrics to. But it did work for salsa - though I think it would have been better to see salsa dancers dancing to salsa music (I suppose they would need a salsa track with a short intro).

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 01:44 AM
Best of luck with your dancing in the future - I do hope we get to see more of you... Looks like we will :clap: Go Adam!

bigdjiver
10th-April-2005, 07:54 AM
MJ has been presented with its greatest marketing opportunity ever.

Each week the nation will see the couples preparing to dance in a different style. Each week MJ'ers up and down the country will be trying moves from what they have seen.

All we need now is for someone to video those efforts, and for some website to put the best of those videos online. Chance2Dance ? Modernjive.com? Some other "neutral"ish website? (I have said that we need a national organisation, cooperation as well as competition))

(I am guessing that it will have to be moves rearranged thather than a rip-off of the choreography that is used in the show.)

David Bailey
10th-April-2005, 08:33 AM
I think it would have been better to see salsa dancers dancing to salsa music.
You weirdo... :)

Seriously, :yeah: , but competitors always seem to choose recognisable music, I guess they think it helps their chances? Dunno why, but I'm amazed at what styles can be done to what tracks.

And as has been said upthread, in the case of V&C, "Hero" didn't help them much. I'd have preferred Bonnie Tyler's "Hero", but perhaps that'll be too many viewings of Shrek 2 :grin:

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 10:18 AM
Seriously, :yeah: , but competitors always seem to choose recognisable music, I guess they think it helps their chances? I agree in most cases this is good - but the Lindy Hoppers stuck to a suitable track - and salsa is all about the music and the moves, I think it would have given the whole flavour of salsa. I don't think the music choice would have as much influence on the judges vote - I think it would help with phone votes. Yet the salsa couple were first out (ie least phone votes). The audience were clapping away to Hero and there is no doubt at all had they got to the phone vote - they would have got through that bit.

BTW - I know Arlene was being negative (so unlike her!) but notice what Luca said about V&C 'They are good, they are so good, I'm so excited!'

Minnie M
10th-April-2005, 10:56 AM
I am confused - I thought only the judges voted, and they voted against.

the judges vote

PC problems again – can’t use the keyboard, been cut and pasted :tears:

Mary
10th-April-2005, 10:58 AM
Huge commiserations to V & C - thought it was a very close call. But really pleased for young Adam (who posted earlier in this thread)- a fantastic oppourtinity mate, grab it with both hands and don't look back. :clap: :clap:

M

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 11:01 AM
I think its actually Turkish - it was a Turkish song that Holly Valance put English lyrics to. But it did work for salsa - though I think it would have been better to see salsa dancers dancing to salsa music (I suppose they would need a salsa track with a short intro).


I meant Latin DANCE not Latin language!!!
To me, (a ballroom queen, not a latin queen), Latin (dance) = Paso doble, Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive (???, pls don't start a whole thread on that), Samba, and Salsa, Lambaba, etc

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 11:05 AM
I am guessing that it will have to be moves rearranged rather than a rip-off of the choreography that is used in the show.


Why????

bigdjiver
10th-April-2005, 11:34 AM
"rip-off" ---> = Intellectual property rights.

Paul F
10th-April-2005, 12:16 PM
I agree in most cases this is good - but the Lindy Hoppers stuck to a suitable track - and salsa is all about the music and the moves, I think it would have given the whole flavour of salsa......


Ok, im annoyed now. I completely agree with the point about music.

SALSA!!!!

Without wanting to use expletives :mad: How do the BBC (or the competitors) get away with their choice of music tracks?
Those Salsa routines were absolutely awful as a demonstration of what salsa is. If I were to request those tracks in one of my local salsa clubs i would be looked at rather strangely.......and then be asked to leave :nice:

There are thousands of fantastic salsa tracks out there from some really talented artists like Celia Cruz and Grupo Niche and we were presented with these two pathetic 'show' tunes.

Ok, i know they were doing it for the familiarity thing and it was a showcase but I cant help but feel that the majority of these dancers are doing freestyle dancing regardless of the section they are in. You look at any of the clips on www.salsamafia.com and you will see routines by non-professionals that were 1000 times better than the performances last night.

The same goes for the Tango couple from last night. Yes, there were tango moves and they looked good doing it but Shakira - Objection Tango !!!!! Please :mad: Its only my opinion but for me the Tango is about 'owning a space' and living the emotion that tango brings. What i saw was not, IMHO a true reflection on what tango is.

And what about the Cha Cha - Where was the cha cha?

I guess im just of the minority that thinks that these all these styles should be performed in a manner respectful to their roots and that the showy element should be kept to a minimum.
Although i wanted V+C to go through (Victor always being someone i will look up to) I thought at least P+N looked like they were doing Lindy Hop. More than can be said for a lot of the others from previous weeks.

Cant help but think that the people going through seem to be the people that have strong personalities that may well clash inside the house!

Right, im going to go and calm down now. :nice:

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 12:36 PM
The same goes for the Tango couple from last night. Yes, there were tango moves and they looked good doing it but Shakira - Objection Tango !!!!! Please :mad: Its only my opinion but for me the Tango is about 'owning a space' and living the emotion that tango brings. What i saw was not, IMHO a true reflection on what tango is.



Maybe they wanted Tango that would appeal to the public vote - they are the only "ballroom / Latin" couple in the house, the Rumba the previous week appealled to the judges but didn't get the public vote, I thought it was a fab Rumba. Who knows???

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 12:38 PM
"rip-off" ---> = Intellectual property rights.


but they are dance steps??? surely you can't "copy right" them??? And if they haven't then who's to stop people copying them???

Paul F
10th-April-2005, 12:41 PM
Maybe they wanted Tango that would appeal to the public vote - they are the only "ballroom / Latin" couple in the house, the Rumba the previous week appealled to the judges but didn't get the public vote, I thought it was a fab Rumba. Who knows???


The public vote is what counts I guess but it really makes me sad to see some of these fantastic styles not portrayed in the light that, IMO, makes each one so special.

clevedonboy
10th-April-2005, 01:12 PM
missed the results prog so don't know who went through & how did they decide on couple no 10 (BBC website not updated yet)

bigdjiver
10th-April-2005, 01:15 PM
but they are dance steps??? surely you can't "copy right" them??? And if they haven't then who's to stop people copying them???I have no claims to legal expertise.

AFIK Copyright exists on copyrightable intellectual property as soon as it is published.

AFIK Dance moves and steps are explicitly excluded from intellectual property right protection.

AFIK The combination of moves and steps into a choreographed routine may be considered worthy of intellectual property protection. It is for a court to decide, case by case.

If you developed an award winning dance routine to a particular track, and were earning your living showcasing it around the country would you feel that you deserved some legal protection for it?

If you got a letter from a big-shot legal firm threatening action unless you desisted from copying such a routine would you pay out loadsa dosh to defend yourself?

---------------------

Here we have a situation where we have dozens of unsuccessful contestants, many with grudges and heightened ambitions, all who have arranged to be free for several weeks.

plus

We have dance organisations that consider that their dance has had a raw deal, and love the opporunity to showcase their dance form properly, and they would stand to make substantial amounts from new recruits if they could get their showcase on television.

plus

We have hotels that do dance weekenders in a slcak season, that would love some paying customers, and love exposure on national TV.

plus

We have a rival media mogul who would love to do a spoiler on a BBC program.

plus

We have newspapers who can see the opportunities in human interest stories in the newly created losing minor celebrities.

equals =

(opportunity?)

---------------
Whereas I could not see anyone taking legal steps for a minor rip-off, if it is a component of a major money making scheme it might be a different matter.

Lindsay
10th-April-2005, 02:07 PM
Well done to Paul & Natasha for being voted into the finals!!!
:clap: :cheers: :worthy:

Minnie M
10th-April-2005, 02:10 PM
Have your say in the Viktor debate - planetjive

http://www.planetjive.co.uk/


............... One Edinburgh DJ writing on the Ceroc Scotland message board said: "It must be hard for judges to look for classic modern jive steps.................

bigdjiver
10th-April-2005, 03:43 PM
Viktor hardly dances like Nat King Cole hardly sings.

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 04:03 PM
I meant Latin DANCE not Latin language!!!
To me, (a ballroom queen, not a latin queen), Latin (dance) = Paso doble, Rumba, Cha Cha, Jive (???, pls don't start a whole thread on that), Samba, and Salsa, Lambaba, etc I didn't mean Latin language (as in 'Flavius est puer' :sick: ) - when I hear Latin I tend to think of Latin America countries (not nessecarily Latin Ballroom - when I was at college there were a lot of students from there!) so was thinking it was referring to that music style and linking that into the fact it was used for salsa. (My neighbour is Peruvian so I am used to hearing a lot of Latin American music!)

Lynn
10th-April-2005, 04:23 PM
Have your say in the Viktor debate - planetjive

http://www.planetjive.co.uk/ Hmm, the guy who wrote that article has obviously done some research on our boards - but mustn't have seen the last two weeks of the the TV programme
The appearance of Viktor & Carol and Paul & Natasha was the first time any jive-related dance had been seen on Strictly Dance Fever. The first three weeks of the series have been dominated by disco dancers. Also - he thinks this is the 4 week - and its the third - definitely mustn't have been watching!

Swinging bee
10th-April-2005, 04:30 PM
Well done to Paul & Natasha....& hope they do well in the phone vote.
Yes, there is no doubt that Victor & Carol can dance, and they looked very smooth. i think what Arlene actually said was that Victor didn't show us how well he could dance because he didn't do much footwork. It must be hard for judges to look for classic modern jive steps, as there aren't many, whereas P & N put in lots of classic lindy moves & footwork, which is a bit more eyecatching. just a shame that these two couples were drawn together, as it would have been nice to see more of V & C.


What was I saying in my post about footwork!!!!!!!say no more.(untimely thread!)
However... We all know that Victor and Carol are terrific.. my heart goes out to them. :tears: Pity that Arlene doesn't know what we know.. They are the best...

Graham W
10th-April-2005, 04:31 PM
...worth pointing out that Arlene was hot in the previous episodes about couples being able to adapt to other styles of dancing - I think the American judge realised their potential to adapt - I think Paul & Natasha are fab & v. nice people, but I think V & C were stitched a bit..

I am a bit flummoxed at the show claiming to showcase diff styles - it's largley modern jive so far, apart from the disco steps, maybe...- ceroc should be cashing on!!

c ya

G

David Bailey
10th-April-2005, 07:00 PM
There are thousands of fantastic salsa tracks out there from some really talented artists like Celia Cruz and Grupo Niche and we were presented with these two pathetic 'show' tunes.

:yeah: Hell, even Mambo No. 5 would have been OK...


And what about the Cha Cha - Where was the cha cha?
Glad that's not just me who wondered that - but I'm only a beginner at that, so assumed I could be missing it :)


I guess im just of the minority that thinks that these all these styles should be performed in a manner respectful to their roots and that the showy element should be kept to a minimum.
Mmmm.... yes, but, it's entertainment, it's TV, they've only got 1 minute to impress, and they need to wow the public for phone voting. So you've got to expect a lot of showiness...

(Snipped all other points, which I totally agree with - nicely ranted :) )

Daisy
10th-April-2005, 08:32 PM
...worth pointing out that Arlene was hot in the previous episodes about couples being able to adapt to other styles of dancing - I think the American judge realised their potential to adapt - I think Paul & Natasha are fab & v. nice people, but I think V & C were stitched a bit..
G

Funny you should say this because I understand that P & N didn't get through their original audition in London and were recalled for the final audition in London after all the other UK auditions were over.

Maybe they didn't find another Lindy couple that were any better so brought P & N back. If this is the case then could it be thet the BBC always had it in mind to have all dance styles represented in the house?

If so then C & V were put in an awful position........ quite loaded in fact!

I'm not saying that P & N didn't dance well, it was fun and entertaining, but I don't believe they will adapt to other styles as well as V & C could have. We will see.

This programme is more about TV than dancing. P & N have an interesting lifestyle, living, sleeping and breathing the 1940s. This is interesting to programme makers......think of the milage the BBC will get out of it.

What Arlene Phillips doesn't realise is that Viktor has inspired and taught more people to dance than she has ever done. For a woman who professes to care about dancing as much as she does she doesn't have a very good way of making people feel good about the way they dance.

THAT WOMAN OBVIOUSLY DRINKS VINIGAR AND SUCKS LEMONS!!!

OH ye and she's a prize battle-axe too.

We luv ya V & C xxx :hug:

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 08:36 PM
I didn't mean Latin language (as in 'Flavius est puer' :sick: ) - when I hear Latin I tend to think of Latin America countries (not nessecarily Latin Ballroom - when I was at college there were a lot of students from there!) so was thinking it was referring to that music style and linking that into the fact it was used for salsa. (My neighbour is Peruvian so I am used to hearing a lot of Latin American music!)


Oh I see, sorry, I was meaning it had a salsa beat, I agree, it wasn't what I think of as salsa music / latin american country - but then a lot of the music has been rather odd - but as I have said before, I have heard that the beeb have been vetting the music considerably.

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 08:45 PM
Have your say in the Viktor debate - planetjive

http://www.planetjive.co.uk/


But on this it says P + N are professional lindy teachers

How does that work then???

Confused, I thought it was an amatuer comp

David Bailey
10th-April-2005, 08:57 PM
But on this it says P + N are professional lindy teachers

How does that work then???

Confused, I thought it was an amatuer comp
Hah! I got slapped down for making a comment about this upthread somewhere... Apparently the Beeb defines "professional" as "makes a living out of", i.e. fulltime exclusive living. Clearly a tight definition of "professional", but it allows for a wider range of applicants.

In the Planet Jive article, it doesn't say anything about P&N's full-time jobs, but I assume they don't only teach - I suspect "professional" is being used as a synonym for "advanced" there. IMO, surely any teacher is a professional, in the technical sense of being paid for it? I'll shut up now before I get any more abuse... :)

Dreadful Scathe
10th-April-2005, 09:03 PM
- I've seen a house fly, I've seen an elephant fly, but, boy, I never thought I'd see a good-looking tunnel move, even in salsa.

:rofl: totally agree - it looks ok in rueda (sp?) but only cause everyone is doing it :)

David Bailey
10th-April-2005, 09:09 PM
:rofl: totally agree - it looks ok in rueda (sp?) but only cause everyone is doing it :)
Good God - they do tunnel moves in La Rueda? :eek:
I'd pay good money to see that, from a safe distance anyway :)

Maybe we should have a Ceroc Rueda - hmmm, maybe that's called line dancing :sad:

Clive Long
10th-April-2005, 09:47 PM
Can someone tell me what happened to the girl with the pushy mother? I have looked at the BBC Web site but it does not seem to have been updated.

Please let it be that Arlene loved them and they were ignominiously voted off by the Great British Public.

Please let it be in the interviews following, the mother ended up punching the lights out of everyone and screaming it was all fixed.

:D

CRL

TheTramp
10th-April-2005, 10:00 PM
Can someone tell me what happened to the girl with the pushy mother? I have looked at the BBC Web site but it does not seem to have been updated.

Please let it be that Arlene loved them and they were ignominiously voted off by the Great British Public.

Please let it be in the interviews following, the mother ended up punching the lights out of everyone and screaming it was all fixed.

She was knocked out by the stripped (Lee?) in the disco category I believe...

And no. The mother took it fairly well.

Sorry.

Stuart
10th-April-2005, 10:09 PM
She was knocked out by the stripped (Lee?) in the disco category I believe...

And no. The mother took it fairly well.

Sorry.
I think the girl burst into tears though.

Ballroom queen
10th-April-2005, 10:19 PM
I have no claims to legal expertise. ... ... ... etc etc



nicely put and very interesting,
thank you.

Demota
10th-April-2005, 11:30 PM
Harking back to the Paul & Natasha versus Viktor & Carol saga..... 'twas a pity Viktor and Carol didn't get through but basically they were trying to compare oranges with apples..... However to cut to the main point - and to lay rest the myth that the dancers apparel influences the judges' decision - I'd like to point out that Paul was wearing the same jumper he has worn at every class I've attended in the past two years. Paul and Natasha are amongst my favourite teachers but I wonder if this is his "lucky" jumper or does he have a large stock of them picked up as a job lot on a buy-one-get-one-free offer at the local Matalan outlet? Or was it handed down through the family from some legendary relative who danced along-side Whiteys original Lindy Hoppers? As Paul's outfit was probably the least spectacular of all the dancers on Saturday night we gotta know about this jumper and if we can expect a lumo-orange zoot suit for the final.

Doc Iain
11th-April-2005, 01:43 AM
I think one point that I have not seen been raised re. V+C etc is the smoothness of how they danced. Early on there was a fab crucefix type drop affair and a hold/slide through the legs. These are relativly complex moves that were "just slipped in" and therefore did not ahve the effect as if, say someone else had done them as a centre piece top their routine... I think that this is because they were just sooo smoothly done. In short the judges did not notice how fab they were!!

Secondly there is a problem trying to compete against a lindy couple. Lindy is not seen often really on TV etc and so still has that "wow" factor of being something new. MJ is a "bit" like salsa and ballroom, in that generally people stay on the floor holding each other in a roughly ballroom hold or at arms length etc. etc. so it has a bit less of a stun factor to it. This leaves the judges with the descision to vote through the couple doing the "same old same old" (admittidley as good as it EVER gets!!!!) or something a bit different, which the public have not seen before. However I personally would have gone for V+C everysingle time, against everything else I have seen in this competition so far....and MJ owes to a lot more versitality and potential to do more dance styles that lindy... IMHO

Daisy
11th-April-2005, 07:22 AM
I think one point that I have not seen been raised re. V+C etc is the smoothness of how they danced. Early on there was a fab crucefix type drop affair and a hold/slide through the legs. These are relativly complex moves that were "just slipped in" and therefore did not ahve the effect as if, say someone else had done them as a centre piece top their routine... I think that this is because they were just sooo smoothly done. In short the judges did not notice how fab they were!! IMHO

:yeah:

Well said. :clap:

This is absolutly the case and two of the judges had muck in their eyes clearly. :sick:

Dancing Teeth
11th-April-2005, 08:31 AM
Hey everyone… Viktor here…

What an eventful few days it’s been.

Here are a few words from the inside.

The Support.
I would like to say thank you very very very much from Carol and myself for the incredible support we’ve had going into this competition. It’s been mentally and physically draining but also lots and lots of fun. I wouldn’t change the experience for anything else. I’ve never known the Modern-Jive world to be so together with support as far a field as Australia. It’s been incredible. :cheers: :cheers:

The music.
The beep had originally advised us to pick music that was popular so that the audience could relate and therefore more likely to vote. Any music picked outside of the popular stuff was done at your own risk.
When people picked their music, the beep then changed their minds and said it had to be popular music or you’re back to the drawing board. This explains why the salsa music was not so salsa, tango not so tango and of cause the Modern-Jive…????. I thought the track we picked was alright.

Our Routine.
What can I say, Hindsight is a wonderful thing but after having played the video over and over again. I don’t think it was that bad to the point of being kicked out. We put in what we felt were the required elements but it wasn’t to the judges liking. The best and fun couple won on the night. Congratulations Paul and Natasha.

The Judges.
All the negative comments from the judges were laid against me. I accept them and say perhaps it wasn’t my finest minute. A friend of mine once said “everything that happens has a positive gift wrapped up within it, we just have to learn to look for the gifts.”
What judges had said about my lack of movement was a known weakness about the routine which I did try to rectify but I didn’t think the end result was that bad to the extent of “I can work out if he can dance” comment.

Paul & Natasha.
These guys were incredible on the night, their routine was fun, good flow and they really danced their hearts out, congratulation guys and well deserved. :clap: :clap: :worthy:


Thanks you all again and see you around soon :cheers: :cheers:

Warm regards

Vik.

Simon r
11th-April-2005, 08:39 AM
Hey everyone… Viktor here…

What an eventful few days it’s been.

Here are a few words from the inside.

The Support.
I would like to say thank you very very very much from Carol and myself for the incredible support we’ve had going into this competition. It’s been mentally and physically draining but also lots and lots of fun. I wouldn’t change the experience for anything else. I’ve never known the Modern-Jive world to be so together with support as far a field as Australia. It’s been incredible. :cheers: :cheers:

The music.
The beep had originally advised us to pick music that was popular so that the audience could relate and therefore more likely to vote. Any music picked outside of the popular stuff was done at your own risk.
When people picked their music, the beep then changed their minds and said it had to be popular music or you’re back to the drawing board. This explains why the salsa music was not so salsa, tango not so tango and of cause the Modern-Jive…????. I thought the track we picked was alright.

Our Routine.
What can I say, Hindsight is a wonderful thing but after having played the video over and over again. I don’t think it was that bad to the point of being kicked out. We put in what we felt were the required elements but it wasn’t to the judges liking. The best and fun couple won on the night. Congratulations Paul and Natasha.

The Judges.
All the negative comments from the judges were laid against me. I accept them and say perhaps it wasn’t my finest minute. A friend of mine once said “everything that happens has a positive gift wrapped up within it, we just have to learn to look for the gifts.”
What judges had said about my lack of movement was a known weakness about the routine which I did try to rectify but I didn’t think the end result was that bad to the extent of “I can work out if he can dance” comment.

Paul & Natasha.
These guys were incredible on the night, their routine was fun, good flow and they really danced their hearts out, congratulation guys and well deserved. :clap: :clap: :worthy:


Thanks you all again and see you around soon :cheers: :cheers:

Warm regards

Vik.

Hi vik

well said words and great humility you are as always a true gent ...
your still one of my greatest hero's mate
love to you and carol

Tiggerbabe
11th-April-2005, 08:52 AM
Thankyou Viktor, for giving us your insight into things.

I thought you both danced superbly - what more can I say? :nice:
I was so disappointed that you didn't get through.

Congratulations for having a go :clap: :clap:

Sheena x

Lory
11th-April-2005, 08:59 AM
Well, I thought the two of you looked fabulous! :worthy:


Paul & Natasha.
These guys were incredible on the night, their routine was fun, good flow and they really danced their hearts out, congratulation guys and well deserved. :clap: :clap: :worthy:



And this is why we're all still so proud of you and you've proved to be a such good ambassidor for MJ! :hug:

This little clip (http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/strictlydancefever/ram/strictlydancefever_0704dressed?bgc=CC0000&nbram=1&bbram=1&size=16x9&checkedBandwidth=bb&checkedMedia=ram&alreadySeen=1#) shows another couple of our forumites in it! :)

MartinHarper
11th-April-2005, 09:47 AM
MJ owes to a lot more versitality and potential to do more dance styles that lindy... IMHO

From what I understand, Lindy was as much of a mongrel dance in its day as MJ is now. Makes me wonder - will people in fifty years time be taking classes in "90s modern jive"?

Bill
11th-April-2005, 09:51 AM
A bit late to be adding my comments now about V & C on the programme but I only saw the clip yesterday and it confirmed what I was beginning to suspect about Arlene Philips - given some of her comments about other contestants.


Given my regard for Viktor I was hoping he would win but her comment about not knowing if he could dance and that P & N were the most innovative couple she's seen so far were incredible. I don't know P & N but they can clearly dance but they did very obvious lindy moves and - but did them very well. I wonder if she's seen much lindy ! Perhaps she did mean that Viktor didn't move much but like Nigel and the other 'greats' he allowed Carol to be shown off, led wonderfully, executed some lovely drops and moved smoothly. Isn't that dancing or have I been under some strange illusion for the last few years ???? :confused:

Sparkles
11th-April-2005, 10:10 AM
Viktor, you're a true gent :worthy:
Everyone in the MJ world respects you for your huge spectrum of dancing abilities and you've prooven many times just what an amazing dancer you are.
I'm sure that you and Carol are both fully aware that the SDF competition and show are all a game and that it's not necessarily a true representation. I don't mean to say that the people who get through don't deserve to, what I mean to say is that if you don't get through it's not necessarily a reflection on your dancing abilities.
I think it takes an tremendous amount of guts to even go in for the audition and I take my hat off to all those who put themselves out there and gave it a try :flower:
S. x

Lynn
11th-April-2005, 10:36 AM
Hmm, the guy who wrote that article has obviously done some research on our boards - but mustn't have seen the last two weeks. Ok - to be fair I pointed out to him that there has been a swing category every week and he has amended that bit. I also pointed out that Luca was really keen on Viktor and Carol and made some great comments - and one has been included.

I also notice that Luca was going on about how fab Carol was (though he was being drowned out by Arlene) - which is credit to Carol (who was fab) and to Viktor - because he led her so well and made her look great. In the past the judges have been harsh on people for their lifts - V&C did beautiful, controlled lifts. In fact the whole routine was so controlled - and that's a mark of really skilled dancers. I really can't understand how Arlene missed that, unless she really isn't very informed about partner dancing.

bigdjiver
11th-April-2005, 10:56 AM
Viktor, now I know who got my share of charm and diplomacy.

You danced to the BBC's music. I have seen the clip twice and I cannot recall what that music was. I accept that it was "alright", but competiton is about driving yourself to the edge, and I hoped you would dance to a track with "edge".

There are some stars that would have stood in the wings and said "my track, or I don't go on". If you ever get the chance I suggest that you watch the "Actors Studio" interviews with the stars of stage and screen. In particular Sylvester Stallone. He talks the way he does because his vocal chords were damaged at birth. With only a few dollars in the bank he fought for "Rocky" his way, or not at all. I suspect that you were too accomodating, and accomodated yourself into an agenda that wanted a Lindy couple in the house. After all, one theme is that it is a contest to see which dance form produces the most versatile dancers. I might be biased ...

Arlene: P&N's routine was original ________________ Paul: We danced the classical moves.

Arlene: re Paul: You can do so much more _____________ re Viktor: from what I saw

If Planet Jive is right P&N got the most votes on the night, which would mean that V&C might have got anything up to second place on an audience vote. I am too biased to guess where a vote would place V&C.

Funky Si
11th-April-2005, 11:02 AM
Strictly Dance Fever is not really about who's technically the 'best' or 'most talented' dancers- it's about what makes good TV. Unfortunately, when you break it down to the bare bones, Viktor and Carol weren't 'entertaining' to people that knew nothing about dance (even though they were superb) and their choice of song just wasn't lively or fun enough. The BBC (and any TV company come to that) just want to get the most viewers possible and really aren't interested in what is actually good dancing.

My point is really underlined by letting that god-awful stripper bloke and his 'shrew-on-speed' partner through!!! What on earth was that about??? They picked an up-tempo cheesy 'wedding' track and grinned a lot, and appealed to the Sun readers out there.....

Obviously, all in my humble opinion..... :whistle:


Funky Si :D

Mary
11th-April-2005, 11:58 AM
Great post Viktor - I never had you down as a 'sour grapes' person, as everyone says, you are a true gent as well as a great dancer - who I was looking forward to seeing pick up all the dances styles to be done in the house.

Didn't someone in Hollywood once say about Fred Astaire "can't sing, can't act, can dance a little"? Shame Mr. Astaire didn't do very well either. :wink:

M

Daisy Chain
11th-April-2005, 12:05 PM
Great post Viktor - I never had you down as a 'sour grapes' person, as everyone says, you are a true gent as well as a great dancer - who I was looking forward to seeing pick up all the dances styles to be done in the house.

Didn't someone in Hollywood once say about Fred Astaire "can't sing, can't act, can dance a little"? Shame Mr. Astaire didn't do very well either. :wink:

M

I wish more men couldn't dance as well as Viktor.

Daisy

(An Ordinary Little Flower)

Bex
11th-April-2005, 12:44 PM
Great post Viktor, very well said. A real shame you and Carol didn't get through, you and Carol are amazing dancers, none of us will dispute that.

Bex

ElaineB
11th-April-2005, 01:13 PM
Me? I'm not biased at all!! I think that Paul and Natasha were brilliant, but surely if we are looking at potential, Viktor and Carol stood out as the ones who would adapt better?

Re Arlene, I sent stroppy comments to the BBC last week about her attitude. What planet is she on? Does she not realise that Viktor and Carol have already been through auditions and had to beat an awful lot of people on the way? Presumably she is too arrogant to think that the Judges at the first audition stage might be able to spot talent?

I don't like this program's format. Strictly Come Dancing at least had a feel good factor and it encouraged lots of people to try dancing........IMHO, Strictly Dance Fever could put people off!

Elaine

David Bailey
11th-April-2005, 01:26 PM
I don't like this program's format. Strictly Come Dancing at least had a feel good factor and it encouraged lots of people to try dancing........IMHO, Strictly Dance Fever could put people off!
I wouldn't go that far, but I agree the format is poor, I've been slagging it off since the start - they seem to be making up the rules as they go, to get the right TV faces and "personalities" in. I really can't tell who the better dancers are, the categories are so loosely-defined.

As has been said, it's not the good dancing, it's the good TV that gets viewers - so you've got to be eccentric or memorable in some way. Being merely a sh*t-hot dancer is clearly not enough. I don't think I'll bother watching any more...

Trish
11th-April-2005, 01:27 PM
Maybe they didn't find another Lindy couple that were any better so brought P & N back. If this is the case then could it be thet the BBC always had it in mind to have all dance styles represented in the house?

If so then C & V were put in an awful position........ quite loaded in fact!

I'm not saying that P & N didn't dance well, it was fun and entertaining, but I don't believe they will adapt to other styles as well as V & C could have. We will see.

This programme is more about TV than dancing. P & N have an interesting lifestyle, living, sleeping and breathing the 1940s. This is interesting to programme makers......think of the milage the BBC will get out of it.

What Arlene Phillips doesn't realise is that Viktor has inspired and taught more people to dance than she has ever done. For a woman who professes to care about dancing as much as she does she doesn't have a very good way of making people feel good about the way they dance.

THAT WOMAN OBVIOUSLY DRINKS VINIGAR AND SUCKS LEMONS!!!

OH ye and she's a prize battle-axe too.

We luv ya V & C xxx :hug:

:yeah: :yeah:

Just what I was thinking! Alene, you need to learn to smile and enjoy life, I've never seen anyone with such a permanantly miserable expression on their face!!!

As Daisy just said, you look at the couples that have got through and they're put through for TV purposes. A lot of them are quirky personalities in some way - ie dressing up in lindy clothes, or Britney Spears fanatics, or strange ferocious looking tango fiends.

They also seem to have put through the couples that are least likely to easily adapt, and most steeped in one particular style. If you didn't know anything about the dancers at all and were just looking for interesting telly, then I guess this isn't a bad thing, but as it is, I'm gutted for Viktor and Carol. We know you can dance, and as Viktor said on the BBC3 thing, Arlene doesn't seem to have a clue about partner dancing.

Oh well I guess all we can do now is put it behind us and enjoy watching them all learn the different styles.

Well done to Adam by the way, I'm really pleased he got in at the last minute! :clap:

Bigger Andy
11th-April-2005, 01:28 PM
She was knocked out by the stripped (Lee?) in the disco category I believe...


I can't say that I was a big fan of Lee's dancing but ...

What on Earth was Arlene talking about when she described him as 'musclebound' and couldn't lift his arms up ?!? :angry:

His arms were just as high as the girl he was dancing with !

I don't think Arlene knows what the phrase 'musclebound' means or the difference between being 'musclebound' and 'muscular'. I'm afraid that it is a common misconception among the ignorant. :mad:

Dancing Teeth
11th-April-2005, 01:54 PM
Oh dear...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/dancefever/news/2005/04/09/18396.shtml

David Franklin
11th-April-2005, 01:57 PM
What on Earth was Arlene talking about when she described him as 'musclebound' and couldn't lift his arms up ?!? :angry:

His arms were just as high as the girl he was dancing with !Sorry, but I thought Arlene was pretty accurate here - it seemed pretty clear Lee didn't have great range of motion in his shoulders - I very much doubt he could get his arms perfectly straight over his head. I think she made more of it than she needed too though - you could say the same thing about Victor da Silva (2 x world exhibition champion - did the freestyle demo with Hanna in SCD1) but it doesn't seem to have hindered him too much!


I don't think Arlene knows what the phrase 'musclebound' means or the difference between being 'musclebound' and 'muscular'. I'm afraid that it is a common misconception among the ignorant. :mad: It's not the greatest terminology, and people (Arlene included) seem to assume it's "big arm muscles" that are the problem, when it's usually the chest and back that actually restrict the movement. But I think a lot of bases struggle with balancing strength and flexibility, so if Arlene really has the experience they tell us, I expect she knew what she was seeing.

Dave

Reklaw
11th-April-2005, 02:02 PM
Oh dear...


http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/dancefever/news/2005/04/09/18396.shtmlIt says there "The voting went to Carol and Victor" :confused:
and isn't it Viktor not Victor?

MikeW

Chicklet
11th-April-2005, 02:02 PM
Oh dear...
INDEED :eek:
"Fifties"....er, forties mate
"boogie-woogie" I do hope they just forgot the Bugle Boy and aren't getting their styles mixed up already
"vote..." :mad:

and just for you

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK KKKK :hug:

congratulations for all that you both achieved. :worthy:

JamesGeary
11th-April-2005, 02:15 PM
So when are we next going to see Carol & Viktor back, to congratulate them on being the first couple to ever perform Modern Jive on live television?

TheTramp
11th-April-2005, 02:20 PM
Well done to Adam by the way, I'm really pleased he got in at the last minute! :clap:
I missed the voting bit....

How did they arrange to put Adam into the house as the 10th person then?

Bex
11th-April-2005, 02:43 PM
So when are we next going to see Carol & Viktor back, to congratulate them on being the first couple to ever perform Modern Jive on live television?


Well Alex and Jane from Ceroc Central were on two weeks ago, so they might be the first to perform Modern Jive on live TV? :whistle:

JamesGeary
11th-April-2005, 02:51 PM
Well Alex and Jane from Ceroc Central were on two weeks ago, so they might be the first to perform Modern Jive on live TV? :whistle:

Oh well, the first couple I've ever seen on television!
Congrats to Alex and Jane too!

Rachel
11th-April-2005, 03:02 PM
Ok, Ok, I’ve calmed down a little bit now – not a lot, but a little. Which is good because my first instincts were to post something which would have been immediately censored by our so wise and diplomatic moderators. But, Christ, so many of these posts have made me so angry! I know this will make me the most unpopular person on the forum but I desperately need to relieve some tension – and punching one of my work colleagues is not an option.

Yes, of course, we all know that Viktor and Carol are both exceptional dancers and did us proud with the way they represented modern jive on Saturday. Of course we all want to defend ‘our’ Viktor and ‘our’ dance style. But why why why do we have to do this by putting down Paul and Natasha and their Lindy?

I’m absolutely stunned that virtually nobody, with the exception of Dance Demon (great post!), Lindsay, and the gracious Viktor himself, has sent congratulations to Paul and Natasha and mentioned how beautifully they danced. Alright, I know it’s all personal opinion, but to say things like (there are too many to quote individually) –

‘It seems a tad unfair that a couple who play it so safe can be rewarded by the judges. … The lindy didn’t look any better than the hoppers I have seen at local jive nights …’

They ‘only wanted Paul and Natasha coz of what they can do, not what they did in their one minute’

‘I understand that P & N didn’t get through their original audition in London and were recalled … Maybe they didn’t find another Lindy couple that were any better so brought P & N back.’ etc etc

God, all so damning! I’m sure Viktor and Carol don’t need people to make excuses for them – people talking about a ‘loaded’ situation, ‘setting up P&N to go through to the phone vote already’, V & C’s music being censored, …

It would just be nice if people who were criticising P & N’s dancing did so in a constructive way and, perhaps, even, came from a position of knowledge. I really have no bias, in fact, Lindy is not my style of dancing at all, but you’ve got to agree with Arlene that it is one of the most difficult styles – far harder than modern jive – and I thought Paul and Natasha did brilliantly. They were animated, shining, obviously loving the dance and it came across fantastically. They truly are extremely talented dancers.

(While we’re at it, to clear up someone’s question – yes, Paul and Natasha do have day jobs and are only ‘professional’ in the same way as Viktor or Alex are.)

I’m sure I’ve seen Paul & Natasha dance much better than they did on Saturday when doing freestyling Shag, Balboa, etc cabarets … But I also think that Viktor & Carol have looked much better in, for example, Jive Masters. But this is hardly surprising with all the pressure of live tv, and just one-minute to show your best…. I admire anyone who’s been there, and got to that stage of the auditions. In fact, while I know it’s much more fun to criticise, I think that all the tv competitors over the 3 weeks were great and I’d love to be able to dance like any of them. Admittedly, I don’t like the disco choreography, but you can still see what good dancers they are.

And, can I just re-iterate: Arlene (much as I hate her all-too-frequent derogatory comments) didn’t say Viktor couldn’t dance. She said he couldn’t tell [from his performance] whether or not he could actually dance. [Although we all know he obviously can!] She also didn’t say P & N were the most innovative couple or had the most original routine. She said they were the most original couple. By which I take to mean ‘true to form’? – but I could be wrong.

I really do think that Ceroc/MJ usually doesn’t show true dancers to the best of their ability, however flash or smooth their moves are. In fact, put even the best MJ couple on a freestyle dancefloor next to dancers trained in – almost – any other discipline, and I would watch the latin, ballroom, swing, tap, ballet, hip hop dancers over the MJ every time.

Alright, let’s go further, since I’m here and have probably already said enough to ban me from the forum forever – technically, I don’t think that ‘true’ (if there is such a thing) Ceroc even comes close to compare with any other dance style. Just think about how long it takes to become even reasonably competent at any of the other styles. Yes, there are many many great MJ dancers, but someone well trained any other dance discipline would always beat them hands down. How many of our best dancers have integrated other dance styles into MJ? – swing, tango, salsa, … Oh how I would have loved to have seen Viktor & Carol doing the Salsa on Saturday – they would have shone!

It was such a shame that these two great couples had to compete head-to-head, and it is silly to have to compare such different styles. But to say things were loaded and that they had to get a lindy couple in the house is ridiculous! Surely a couple like Paul & Natasha who can dance such difficult swing styles so brilliantly would be able to apply themselves to other dance styles extremely well? But we’ll have to wait and see it that’s true …

What I do certainly believe is that Paul and Natasha are about the most deserving couple to have got through to this stage of the competition. And you could see how absolutely shocked they were by the results. You could also plainly see how aghast Natasha was on hearing that the judges vote went against Viktor and Carol. They really are, genuinely, the loveliest people I have ever met (although I only vaguely know them) and amazing teachers. As Marc says, their presence will light up the house for everyone there. And they will work so bloody hard. With all my heart, I wish both couples could have got through, but P & N will put everything they’ve got into it, and will make us all proud.

One thing I’m curious about – why did Viktor and Carol twice stress that they have only been dancing together for 4 months? The Jive Masters heat which they did together was last October; then the JM finals, and their Ribby weekend teaching was last November … Confused?

Rachel

stompin' phil
11th-April-2005, 03:06 PM
So when are we next going to see Carol & Viktor back, to congratulate them on being the first couple to ever perform Modern Jive on live television?

Well if you come down to Stompin' Fridays in Brighton with Viktor this friday i am sure you will see him in the flesh and also be able to have a dance with him.

Keep on Stompin'

Phil Duckett

JamesGeary
11th-April-2005, 03:29 PM
I’m absolutely stunned that virtually nobody, with the exception of Dance Demon (great post!), Lindsay, and the gracious Viktor himself, has sent congratulations to Paul and Natasha and mentioned how beautifully they danced.

Because Lindy Hoppers don't read ceroc forums? And because we all prefer the look of modern jive and therefore thought Viktor and Carol danced better. I did. Most people who do modern jive would. Thats why we do jive not lindy.

But 30% of the country do or probably has done Lindy Hop, the older generation, including at least one of the judges, or she wouldn't have found it hard to do. If she tried modern jive she would have known that even with 10 years of dance background behind you it still takes about a year to get any good at modern jive. And thats just to get good not great. In NZ the No.1 in Ballroom took about 1 year to get good at ceroc, and thats just to be among the top ceroc dancers not to be the best. I can point out about 10 other examples that didn't do as well as she did.

I also wonder that judge she has ever heard the phrase the man should be the frame not the painting. But thats partner dancing.

Ah well. They are looking for a west end choreography type couple.

The lindy couple had a brilliant ending I must say. Great attitude & performance. And I'm very interested to see how they go with other types of dancing.

Rhythm King
11th-April-2005, 03:42 PM
Ok, Ok, I’ve calmed down a little bit now – not a lot, but a little. ~snip~ Confused?

Rachel
:yeah:

Thankyou Rachel, for saying so eloquently what I was trying to compose for myself.

We know Viktor & Carol are fabulous dancers and to get as far as they did shows how good they are, and Alex and Jane and in fact, all the others. I'm surprised that given that the competition is going to be based on partner dances, that so many freestyle, disco, jazz, etc synchronised rather than lead and follow sections there were each week, and how samey they all were. Only one line dancing section, only one salsa section, only a couple of ballroom sections (both Latin) ? Presumably because the producers thought that the disco stuff made for better tv, which in the end is what this is all about. As I said in the SCD thread, least it gets dancing on the tv and in the public eye, which can only be a good thing for all the different styles.
I only hope that as the show gets into its proper stride next week, that some MJ people won't have a feeling of sour grapes which will stop them voting for Paul and Natasha, who are a lovely couple and terrific dancers and teachers. Or indeed Jodie and Danny, or James and Claire, or Adam and Rebecca, or whoever is most deserving on the night.

Good luck to all the competitors :worthy: (and let's pray for decent camera work :wink: )

R-K

(P.S. the behind the scenes show starts on BBC3 at 19:30 tonight)

Dancing Teeth
11th-April-2005, 04:01 PM
One thing I’m curious about – why did Viktor and Carol twice stress that they have only been dancing together for 4 months? The Jive Masters heat which they did together was last October; then the JM finals, and their Ribby weekend teaching was last November … Confused?

Rachel


Hello Rachel and thanks for your post, with regards to my dancing with Carol, there is a difference between social dancing with someone and competition practice dancing. I dance with lots of people at the venues I teach, but if asked how longed I've been dancing with any one individual, it would be difficult to quantify. When I've taught with Carol, it's been exactly that, teaching some moves, it not the same like competition practice. We only started competition practise a month or two before the Jive-Masters, that's what I would count in my opinion as dancing with someone. I haven't really seen Carol after the Jive-Masters until we decided to do SDF about two months ago. This is were this timing thing comes from. I may be out by a few weeks but I wasn't keeping exact dates..

Hope this explains things...

As for my feelings about this whole event... Well I've found closure.. I happy and secure in my abilities to sleep well at night. I can close my eyes and not see SDF signs everywhere... hhhhhaaaaa... he he he he he... :grin: :grin:

How boring would life be if you can't laugh about things.

I've got one.. here it is...

what did the judge say to a well known MJ dancer...

anyone who can bring a funny angle on this, I'll by a drink for the next time I see them.

MartinHarper
11th-April-2005, 04:14 PM
Because Lindy Hoppers don't read ceroc forums?

Some of us do.
Solely off the online clips, Viktor and Carol's dance was more sophisticated and arty, harder for a novice like myself to appreciate. Paul and Natasha's dance looked more fun, just plain ol' great dancing.

I was marginally disconcerted by the BBC's blase comment that aerials are part of Lindy basics. I think I'll keep my feet on the ground for now... :)

MartinHarper
11th-April-2005, 04:49 PM
synchronised rather than lead and follow sections

Given that only one of the guys on SCD managed to actually lead his partner, I imagine the BBC will be taking a similarly disdainful approach this time round. Thus, the dancers who don't have a lead/follow background will be doing some horrible synchronised pseudo-Lindy Frankendance. Sad.

Still, it'll probably look tolerable.

David Bailey
11th-April-2005, 05:16 PM
They also seem to have put through the couples that are least likely to easily adapt, and most steeped in one particular style.
Nicely put, and that makes a warped kind of sense - it's much better TV to show a bunch of "weirdos" struggling with totally new dances, and making fools of themselves, instead of showing adaptable, flexible dancers, getting even better at something they're already very good at.

It's exploitation TV, "Dancers funniest moments", that sort of thing - and it gives Mr Norton lots of ****-taking opportunities. Blimey, I'm depressed now...

Trish
11th-April-2005, 05:19 PM
Long rant

I see your point here Rachel, and personally I love watching Lindy, and was happy to see either couple go through and rather torn as to which was better (sorry if that upsets anyone!). I agree with you that they did seem to really enjoy themselves out there. Well done Natasha and Paul! The thing that made me feel like the BBC was biased was the coverage on BBC3. They had two long bits with shots of dancing and their home etc of Paul and Natasha, but Viktor and Carol didn't feature once! It all seemed to be more about lifestyle than dancing.

I can see you're point about Arlene's comments regarding whether Viktor could dance or not, although I think what she said is a bit daft. If she'd have seen any of the audition tapes she'd have known that everyone who got through (regardless of whether you like their style or not) could certainly dance - and also would make a good effort at different styles. As they had to learn a pop routine, a salsa, a jive and a routine from Chicago, this was pretty evident. I do think Arlene comes across as not knowing much about leading in partner dancing. She said similar things about James (?) with the spinning girl in the first show.


I really do think that Ceroc/MJ usually doesn’t show true dancers to the best of their ability, however flash or smooth their moves are. In fact, put even the best MJ couple on a freestyle dancefloor next to dancers trained in – almost – any other discipline, and I would watch the latin, ballroom, swing, tap, ballet, hip hop dancers over the MJ every time.

I must admit the way the routines have come across on the telly, you could have a point here.

As to the bit about hitting work colleagues, perhaps I'd better run now :eek: !!! Although I know a few round here I wouldn't mind hitting myself! :devil:

Trish

Gus
11th-April-2005, 05:34 PM
So ... now that the'direct' MJ interest is over .... any speculation as to whether Jo Public is more or less likely to take that hard first step into a MJ venue? Will we see numbers increase? Have any MJ organisations actualy managed to get some promotions launched on the back of the programme?

tsh
11th-April-2005, 05:50 PM
I've not been taking a huge amount of interest in the show (too much dancing to be able to watch TV), but there seemed to be very little mention of MJ at all. Maybe there was some more coverage in the bbc3 programs but it almost appeared as if the popularity of MJ was meaning that there was an effort by the BBC to hide this.

Odd how the link to ceroc.com on the BBC website wasn't a propper hyperlink as well!

Sean

John S
11th-April-2005, 06:05 PM
Rachel's Rant
Absolutely brilliant, I agreed with every word and it all needed to be said. Sometimes we have to look outside our MJ bubble and realise there are lots of other dancing sub-cultures with extremely talented people in them.

Viktor has shown the proper grace and dignity that we would expect from him, he's certainly not a loser for reaching that stage, and none of us in the MJ community should be chucking verbal bricks at any of the competitors.

Good luck to P&N, I think we'll find they have danced their way into the consciousness (and maybe the hearts) of a lot of ordinary punters, whether knowledgeable or not about dance, and at the end of the day maybe it's all about ratings and showbusiness, as much as pure dancing ability - after all every single person in these finals has been near the top of their class and comparing apples and pears is always going to prove controversial.

Ballroom queen
11th-April-2005, 07:13 PM
(While we’re at it, to clear up someone’s question – yes, Paul and Natasha do have day jobs and are only ‘professional’ in the same way as Viktor or Alex are.)



Thank you for answering that one - it was a genuine question, and I was confused. Not any more
Thanks :blush:

Lory
11th-April-2005, 07:27 PM
what did the judge say to a well known MJ dancer...

anyone who can bring a funny angle on this, I'll by a drink for the next time I see them.
She said, 'you did the spilts and showed a hole'! :eek: And that was just plain wrong! :devil: :wink:

You did ask! :whistle: :D

Dreadful Scathe
11th-April-2005, 07:43 PM
:rofl:

David Bailey
11th-April-2005, 08:13 PM
I know this will make me the most unpopular person on the forum
Hey, you've got to do better than that girl :)



But why why why do we have to do this by putting down Paul and Natasha and their Lindy?

:yeah: I too have been a little uncomfortable about the cheerleading. I don't believe the judges were obviously wrong in their choice - but because of the crap loose format of the programme, comparisons were difficult. They both danced well, but if I didn't know either couple, and all I had to go on were those 1-minute sessions, I might well have gone for P&N myself.

I think Viktor put it well himself, and probably recognised that he didn't do himself as much justice as he could have. He's a true gent, and he's also good enough and experienced enough to know that these things happen. I still don't believe the music was a good choice, but it's the best dance routine to "Hero" I could imagine :worthy:



Lindy ... is one of the most difficult styles – far harder than modern jive

Hmmm, dunno. It has more structure and footwork, sure, but "harder"? Not sure that's a valid comparison. Doing any dance well is difficult.


While we’re at it, to clear up someone’s question – yes, Paul and Natasha do have day jobs and are only ‘professional’ in the same way as Viktor or Alex are.

Glad that's cleared up :)



And, can I just re-iterate: Arlene (much as I hate her all-too-frequent derogatory comments) didn’t say Viktor couldn’t dance. She said he couldn’t tell [from his performance] whether or not he could actually dance.

:yeah: And that's the crucial thing.



Put even the best MJ couple on a freestyle dancefloor next to dancers trained in – almost – any other discipline, and I would watch the latin, ballroom, swing, tap, ballet, hip hop dancers over the MJ every time.

Again, dunno - depends what they're dancing to. Some classically-trained dancers are surprisingly bad at other forms, over-specialisation.



technically, I don’t think that ‘true’ (if there is such a thing) Ceroc even comes close to compare with any other dance style.

The beauty of MJ is that is the dance equivalent of English - it's so loose and sloppy that it can absorb styles, moves and patterns from other dances. Certainly, MJ is as much a "proper" dance as salsa or swing, and much more versatile. Of course, it's much more difficult to become an advanced dancer through MJ alone, but all dancing styles are helpful in advancing your skills.

Ste
11th-April-2005, 10:52 PM
Whatever the result, you both did incredibly well to get as far as you did, Viktor and Carol.

We are all proud of you because you have put put style on the map.

Lynn
11th-April-2005, 11:57 PM
I was pleased that Paul and Natasha got through into the house with the viewers vote. I wish they hadn't been head to head with V&C as I would loved to have seen them both in the house. And I think that Lindy got the best 'presentation' of all the dance styles as the outfits and music all went together with the dance. There is a tiny seed of interest in Lindy here in Belfast, and TV coverage like this will help to feed it. (Now anyone got any suggestions on what to do with it?!)

bigdjiver
12th-April-2005, 09:17 AM
...I really do think that Ceroc/MJ usually doesn’t show true dancers to the best of their ability, however flash or smooth their moves are. In fact, put even the best MJ couple on a freestyle dancefloor next to dancers trained in – almost – any other discipline, and I would watch the latin, ballroom, swing, tap, ballet, hip hop dancers over the MJ every time...Rachel, I have more than once watched you and Mark dancing freestyle :worthy: When I could have been dancing. from me there is no higher accolade. I would also stop for Viktor & Carol. I would glance at P&N and think "really good Lindy, seen it all before." and look for a partner.

I apologise for referring to something few of you have seen, but if I could pick a dynamic MJ minute to impress it would be from the "Witchdoctor" routine in the Le Jive championships. In my book that would have blown away all of the superb routines that we have seen in SDF. I do not accept that MJ is intrinsically inferior.

Daisy
12th-April-2005, 09:38 AM
I’m absolutely stunned that virtually nobody, with the exception of Dance Demon (great post!), Lindsay, and the gracious Viktor himself, has sent congratulations to Paul and Natasha and mentioned how beautifully they danced. Rachel

If I ever meet Paul & Natasha I will happily congratulate them in person. :worthy: :clap:

With regard to my post......I stated a fact, posed a question, about the way the BBC operate and made my own observation of Arlene Philips. :what:

Rhythm King
12th-April-2005, 10:54 AM
The BBC3 show last night gave a potted history of the auditions and story so far. A lot of it we had seen before. There were some more excerpts of behind the scenes stuff from Saturday's show including some interview snippets with V & C. They then took us for a tour of the house and showed us thestart of training. Finally there were interviews with two of the couples, Adam and Rebecca and Michelle and Dan. Each of the couples will be given a celebrity supporter, to follow them through the series. Last night it was Pooja Shah from Eastenders and Aled Jones. Unfortunately the Boogie Woogie class was taken by Kevan Allen, who we know from the auditions is a pop video choreographer. Pity they can't get some proper teachers for the different forms. The excellent Taina Kortelainen from the London Swing Dance Society, or Lindsay and Brady from BoogieNights spring to mind. Oh well, it's only a tv show :whistle:

R-K :wink:

Daisy Chain
12th-April-2005, 12:05 PM
.

‘It seems a tad unfair that a couple who play it so safe can be rewarded by the judges. … The lindy didn’t look any better than the hoppers I have seen at local jive nights …’



The above quote is what I said in response to Arlene's comments to P&N.

Maybe I didn't explain myself well enough. In figure skating it is a heinous crime to mark a competitor by what the judge has seen them execute in practice - if they don't produce it competently (if at all) during the actual performance, the competitor is not rewarded with the marks for this item, in fact, marks are deducted for poor execution.

Arlene actually said that she was judging P&N on previous performances, not what they showed us on the night - so how does she know that they can produce them under pressure? That was my gripe. After all, how many of us can produce effortless impressive dance moves on the social dance floor which we fluff the moment someone watches? I know I do. Hence in my opinion, P&N were playing it safe to make sure they didn't fluff big / difficult moves when it mattered.

As for my comment about Lindy Hoppers. Well, I recognised a lot of easy steps that I had been taught during basic Lindy classes and expected more from a performance at this level. I watched the P&N and thought "Oh, I could do that", conversely I watched V&C and thought "Wow, wish I could dance like that". Lindy doesn't light my candle. I find it clumsy, graceless and slightly embarrassing compared to the elegance, grace and beauty of many other dance styles *sniff* I'm entitled to my opinion. I'm also very disappointed that the blue ostrich feathered latin couple were voted out by the public.

IMHO, Arlene has made unfair comments to several of the competitors and exhibits great inconsistency. I'm fairly sure that on a previous programme, she threw a couple out because they did not show her on the night what she knew they could do in practice. On occasion she has been downright cruel and humiliating and I no longer respect her opinion. Perhaps it's her time of the month every week?

I will still watch SDF but at the risk of offending others, I will keep my mouth shut.

Flounce

(An Offended Flower)

David Bailey
12th-April-2005, 01:04 PM
Arlene actually said that she was judging P&N on previous performances, not what they showed us on the night - so how does she know that they can produce them under pressure? That was my gripe.

And it's a good point; I certainly feel she showed favouritism in some of her P&N comments, whereas she just wasn't really interested in V&C, and that certainly showed.



I will still watch SDF but at the risk of offending others, I will keep my mouth shut.

Hey, I won't be watching much, but I'll still feel free to comment, so that should balance out nicely :)

Seriously, please don't flounce off, you're making good points, and making me think, which apparently is a good thing. :flower:

CJ
12th-April-2005, 01:16 PM
Seriously, please don't flounce off, you're... making me think, which apparently is a good thing. :flower:

"bloody miracle" was the phrase required!! :wink:

Sheepman
12th-April-2005, 02:12 PM
Have any MJ organisations actualy managed to get some promotions launched on the back of the programme? Embarrassingly I already have a mention on one promoter's flyers for an up and coming gig; "Seen on Strictly Dance Fever." :blush: I don't know what relevance those few seconds have to my DJing!

I think there was so little mention of "Modern Jive" that few muggles will have connected what was shown on TV with anything they might want to try and have a go at. Hopefully it will promote a more general increase in awareness of other dance forms. (After all, we know much more about Line Dancing on here than we did before.) Now that we're "in the house" maybe there will be more time given to the different dance styles, but I fear there will be more focus on the personalities than anything else.

Greg

Sparkles
12th-April-2005, 02:17 PM
Now that we're "in the house" maybe there will be more time given to the different dance styles, but I fear there will be more focus on the personalities than anything else.

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

I get the impression this is likely to be more of a popularity contest than a dance contest too :sad: - it's such a shame because there's so much potential for this show to really benefit the dancing world...

Bardsey
12th-April-2005, 02:45 PM
I had an email from someone yesterday, with a promotional photo etc, saying that Viktor & Carol are on SDF this Saturday, BBC1 @ 5.55pm. Anyone else heard the same?

TheTramp
12th-April-2005, 02:57 PM
I had an email from someone yesterday, with a promotional photo etc, saying that Viktor & Carol are on SDF this Saturday, BBC1 @ 5.55pm. Anyone else heard the same?
I think that they're just a couple of days too late Bardsey....

Bardsey
12th-April-2005, 03:08 PM
I think that they're just a couple of days too late Bardsey....

Oh no! You mean they were on last Saturday? I watched the BBC3 rerun (I think) and didn't see them. Was it the same programme as the Lindy hoppers dressed in 1940's clobber?

TheTramp
12th-April-2005, 03:09 PM
Oh no! You mean they were on last Saturday? I watched the BBC3 rerun (I think) and didn't see them. Was it the same programme as the Lindy hoppers dressed in 1940's clobber?
You really haven't been reading this thread, have you!! :rolleyes:

Bardsey
12th-April-2005, 03:12 PM
You really haven't been reading this thread, have you!! :rolleyes:

No only just got back from my hols really, so must admit I'm guilty of not wading through the whole 19 pages :blush: I'll go back and read it.....sorry!

Dreadful Scathe
12th-April-2005, 03:13 PM
:rofl: someone send a clue to Leeds ;)

Bardsey
12th-April-2005, 03:17 PM
:rofl: someone send a clue to Leeds ;)

Oh you've heard we're all clueless as well (actually its only certain 7" fairies from Leeds who are, obviously!!!) :blush:

Sheepman
12th-April-2005, 03:22 PM
After catching up with this thread, I had to go back and watch the performances of Viktor & Carol, and Paul & Natasha, to try and be more subjective. I'm not sure that it helped.
I do recall that both Mrs Sheepie and I spontaneously groaned when we heard the strains of "Hero", IMO a very MOR, mid range (130bpm) track, which I'm not keen to dance to, (though it can be nice late at night with the right partner, but I certainly wouldn't be paying attention to an audience!) Still, I knew that Viktor could do it justice
I would have some crticisms of what P&N did (and yes, I did do Lindy for some years, but never to their standard :sad: ), but it was lively and entertaining, and had a recognisable style that fitted the music.
V&C's routine was dramatic, and well executed, and I think more technically competent that P&N, but I couldn't really see a theme that fitted the track. I struggled to decide between the two couples, but would have voted for V&C, maybe that's based on the certain knowledge that they could cope well with other dance styles.

I mentioned long ago in the SCD thread that I don't think our style of dance works well as a spectator sport. In general it doesn't have the dynamism of Lindy, or most of the Latin or Ballroom dances, and it can't manage the grace of ballet. It is essentially about dancing and interacting with your partner, freestyle, and not doing routines. I felt the same probably applied to Salsa, though I have only very limited experience of that, but again it didn't come across too well on the show.

Although the show is mostly about partner dancing, as it is all about performing routines, presumably lead and follow will not be too important, so will we get good a representation of partner dancing? It will be interesting to see how the dancers who are used to solo dancing fare. And it would be fascinating to see some true freestyle, (ie not a routine) dancing from them all, but of course that wouldn't make good telly...

One thing I'm sure of, all the dancers that got to the live audition stage are fantastic dancers, and respect goes to them, for further raising the profile of dance. :worthy:

So, can we start talking about favourites? I think mine has to be Jodie and partner, I'm looking forward to seeing them deal with some up tempo styles...

Greg

Rhythm King
12th-April-2005, 03:53 PM
So, can we start talking about favourites? I think mine has to be Jodie and partner, I'm looking forward to seeing them deal with some up tempo styles...

Greg

:yeah: Following a conversation with a dancer far more experienced and competent (and prettier :whistle: ) than me, my (hypothetical) money is currently on Jodie and Danny to win. But also I'm rooting for Paul and Natasha, James and Claire and Adam and Rebecca, too.

Dreadful Scathe
12th-April-2005, 04:12 PM
My favourite were the short couple in black with all the colourful tassles hanging off their bits - unfortunately they never made it through the auditions :(

Dave Hancock
12th-April-2005, 04:12 PM
:


The beauty of MJ is that is the dance equivalent of English - it's so loose and sloppy that it can absorb styles, moves and patterns from other dances. Certainly, MJ is as much a "proper" dance as salsa or swing, and much more versatile. Of course, it's much more difficult to become an advanced dancer through MJ alone, but all dancing styles are helpful in advancing your skills.

I fully agrred with Rachel's point and especially her point regarding the fact that she would be more likely to have her eye caught by the majority of other dance form's before MJ.

I think a lot of this has to do with the structure and travelling which is more present in many other dances than MJ. IMHO MJ doesn't use nearly enough in the way of travelling moves and is on most occassions when danced a fairly circular dance, which can be great for those dancing it as you are normally going to the have the opportunity for lots of eye contacts and potential for improvisation that not all dances offer.

However, as has been alluded to before it is more a people's dance than a dancer's dance.

What are it's roots and what are it's classic moves. Nearly all other dance forms have "classic" steps which you would expect to see. What does MJ have? Very little that would be recognisable to anyone outside MJ as characterising the dance as MJ.

I believe that V&C suffered from not how they danced but the style which they danced and I think that had they may have had more success in the Salsa category.

I think the point above that MJ is as much a proper dance as salsa or swing is somewhat blinkered in as much as MJ prides itself on the fact that you don't need footwork to do it, which sets it aside from virtually all other dances that I can think of. I also have doubts about it's versatility in it's purest form and seems only to be expanding it's variety and range of moves by lifting moves from other dances (although given it's youth this is always likely to happen).

As a final thought on SCD and the MJ versus other styles debate, I'd also point out that James and Claire (the Scottish couple who got through the first week), did a bit of swing, WCS (although I haven't actually seen this yet). While fine dancers in line dance and many other forms, they are still relatively new at WCS and would I imagine rate themselves at best as intermediates in this style, yet they still got through to the final, whereas the very best at MJ didn't make. I think that this comparison alone says quite a lot about the dance world as a larger environment views our MJ.

Dave Hancock
12th-April-2005, 04:16 PM
I'd also like to offer my congratulations to both P&N and V&C for having the balls to go in for the auditions, doing so well and then havign the nerve to go up in front of the nation on tv. Major respect and also all the best P&N in the coming weeks, I thought on the night they probably just deserved it and I thought they probably tailored their minute more to what the judges wanted.

Magic Hans
12th-April-2005, 07:40 PM
...
IMHO, Arlene has made unfair comments to several of the competitors and exhibits great inconsistency. I'm fairly sure that on a previous programme, she threw a couple out because they did not show her on the night what she knew they could do in practice. On occasion she has been downright cruel and humiliating and I no longer respect her opinion. Perhaps it's her time of the month every week?
...

Yeah ... I pretty much agree. I'm a real fan of focusing on the good aspects of stuff (performances in this case), rather than what seem to effectively be destructive criticisms.

It kind of smacks of bitchiness to me .... which (for whatever reasons) seems to encourage ever more bitchiness!!

.... were I a lawyer, I might be tempted to present this thread as anecdotal evidence ...... but I'm not ..... so I won't .... :whistle:


Ian

David Bailey
12th-April-2005, 08:00 PM
IMHO MJ doesn't use nearly enough in the way of travelling moves and is on most occassions when danced a fairly circular dance.

Same goes for salsa, surely? And possibly other Latin dances - I dimly recall that the travelling thing was one of the differentiators between Ballroom and Latin, yes?



I also have doubts about it's versatility in it's purest form and seems only to be expanding it's variety and range of moves by lifting moves from other dances (although given it's youth this is always likely to happen).

Well, yes, I don't think anyone would argue it has a pure form - that's the strength of the dance. Again, I'd use my "English" analogy. English is a mongrel tongue, uglier than pure languages such as French, doesn't have core definitions, gets adapted and abused all over the world, and keeps on changing all the time. Amazing anyone still bothers to learn it... :wink:

Having said that, I think Sheepman has a point - MJ is maybe not as naturally suited to spectating as some more stylised and structured dances.

Gadget
13th-April-2005, 12:21 AM
I certainly feel she {Arlene} showed favouritism in some of her P&N comments, whereas she just wasn't really interested in V&C, and that certainly showed.Didn't I read someone say earlier that she didn't consider MJ to be a proper dance style? Wouldn't she have a bit of paper giving a breif bio of the dancers - like their cattegory... Is it possible that she has seen that V&C are MJers and automatically bias herself against them?

Dazzle
13th-April-2005, 05:31 AM
I've got one.. here it is...

what did the judge say to a well known MJ dancer...

anyone who can bring a funny angle on this, I'll by a drink for the next time I see them.


"If you're gonna go down .............you should go all they way!"

David Bailey
13th-April-2005, 09:35 AM
Didn't I read someone say earlier that she didn't consider MJ to be a proper dance style? Wouldn't she have a bit of paper giving a breif bio of the dancers - like their cattegory... Is it possible that she has seen that V&C are MJers and automatically bias herself against them?
I'm not so sure she was biased against V&C, but she certainly seemed enthusiastic about P&N - although that had the same effect, I guess.

Anyway, it's over now, both couples danced well, hope P&N do well in the house, let's move on...

bigdjiver
13th-April-2005, 09:35 AM
"If you're gonna go down .............you should go all they way!" :clap: I had to post this because the repmeister only allows me to give yu one rep, and you deserve another for posting your sig quote

Sheepman
13th-April-2005, 01:46 PM
So has anyone else enjoyed the BBC3 SDF programmes so far this week? I watched Monday's programme last night, and thought it was such utter drivel that I won't be watching again this week, maybe I'll try again next week.

Greg

Rhythm King
13th-April-2005, 04:02 PM
So has anyone else enjoyed the BBC3 SDF programmes so far this week? I watched Monday's programme last night, and thought it was such utter drivel that I won't be watching again this week, maybe I'll try again next week.

Greg

I posted a little bit about it yesterday. I haven't watched last night's yet, but I'll squeeze it in before setting the video for tonight's show and going dancing :blush: . The first one definitely had the feel of being made using left over clips and padding, to tell the story so far. I guess this was because they didn't have much news or new video to show. As the stories develop, and there is stuff happening, perhaps the quality of the content will improve. I thought the camera work on Saturday night's SDF was an improvement on the previous two weeks, but still well below par. I live in hope.

R-K :cheers:

David Bailey
13th-April-2005, 05:23 PM
Didn't I read someone say earlier that she didn't consider MJ to be a proper dance style?
Well, she's right, ig by "proper" she means one of the Latin / Ballroom. But OTOH, then neither is Line Dancing, Salsa, disco dancing* and any other category. So I doubt she'd single out MJ for criticism, let's not get too paranoid here...

* OK, I'd agree with her on that one :)

Trish
15th-April-2005, 12:38 PM
Having watched the BBC3 thing all week, I'm coming to the conclusion that dancers are just really nice people! They all come across well (even the very severe ballroom types).

I do think Natasha and Paul come across as particularly smily though. My money is either on them or Jodie and Danny.

What does anyone else think?

TheTramp
16th-April-2005, 06:26 PM
Have a week off before I start back at university of Manchester and came across this website, I wasn't aware that this existed. I performed last week on the show, me and my lovely partner Rebecca did the Lion King freestyle number, my main aim was to at least just get some kind words from the judges, and I was dreading performing ballet to the world without experience, but thank God we pulled it off , well I hope we did! Yeah, the setup is a shame, but you know, I am sure the show will be brill! I thought Michelle and Dan were fantastic! You can't be bitter and competitive when you are against Michelle and Dan, they were lovely and both incredibly gorgeous! She did have a great pair of legs! lol!

Is 19 years of age too old to start dance training? What are your opinions, I never believed I was as good as what they said on Saturday, but I seemed to fair well really. So, have any men out there started dancing at later stages in their life?
Dunno if you'll ever see this. But I thought that you did great tonight. And I think that Arlene Phillips needs to stop taking the sour pills....

Agreed with Vanessa. I thought that it was about finding raw talent, and not the finished article.

Well done.... :worthy:

Stuart
16th-April-2005, 06:33 PM
Dunno if you'll ever see this. But I thought that you did great tonight. And I think that Arlene Phillips needs to stop taking the sour pills....

Agreed with Vanessa. I thought that it was about finding raw talent, and not the finished article.

Well done.... :worthy:
:yeah:

I was waiting for Arlene and that other woman to come to blows!

Tiggerbabe
16th-April-2005, 07:10 PM
Yup! I've just voted for Adam and Rebecca too.

Felt for Paul and Natasha though, salsa just didn't work for them :sad: although she was certainly smouldering during that entrance.

Lindsay
16th-April-2005, 07:11 PM
:eek: :confused: What was that???
That was as much boogie woogie as ballroom jive is to real jive! All that kicking and jumping around- what happened to dancing into the floor, and the basic footwork, i.e. step-step-triple-triple?? Maybe that was 'ballroom boogie woogie'. Can't wait to see what they come up with for Lindy Hop!

James & Claire- they rocked! Natasha & Paul... not one of their best, felt for them tonight.

Dreadful Scathe
16th-April-2005, 07:19 PM
Dunno if you'll ever see this. But I thought that you did great tonight. And I think that Arlene Phillips needs to stop taking the sour pills....


Yeah Adam was great, 2nd best at the boogie woogie just behind the couple in blue who got the most points from the judges. By far the worst couple IMO were nathan(?) and kristy- she was all in yellow - he looked like a giant uncoordinated stick insect. The lindy hoppers were actually ok, it was mediocre salsa but thats far better than rubbish boogie woogie in my book ;) they dont deserve to go out anyway.

I'd say as a program its pretty poor, the shouting that goes back and forth when judges make comments is annoying. The judging itself seemed fairly random to me - im not convinced the judges are giving points based purely on the one dance performance, but maybe thats not the idea of course.

The choice of choreography and music seemed random as well. The costumes were odd at times for the salsa i thought.

The worst thing by far though, and the reason why I wont go out of my way to watch this again is - the BLEEDIN AWFUL CAMERAWORK - YOU'RE NOT FILMING NYPD BLOODY BLUE YOU AMATEUR BBC CAMERA MUPPETS!!!

course, that could just be me :)

Dreadful Scathe
16th-April-2005, 07:23 PM
:eek: :confused: What was that???
That was as much boogie woogie as...

Youve just been doing it wrong :D

I did find it interesting that the dance coach said "boogie woogie is a cross between rock and roll and jive" - having seen both of those, i didnt think theres enough of a difference between them to crowbar in another dance.

David Bailey
16th-April-2005, 07:50 PM
The choice of choreography and music seemed random as well. The costumes were odd at times for the salsa i thought.

Can't comment on the boogie-woogie-thingy, but I watched the salsa.

Claire and James did an awesome salsa I thought, the others weren't much different to what you might see at a local comp. or even club.

Music: My God, what a pile of poo :mad: ! At least C&J chose a salsa track (well, OK, slow pachanga, but let's not get too picky), and it showed. Anyone letting these Beeb muppets influence music choice is nuts - you've got to dance to the music you want to, the music that suits the dance, or you just don't look good.

Poor Paul and Natasha, I really felt for them, but salsa's not their thing :sad: . it reminded me of when I started salsa after doing lots of ceroc. Although Natasha's entrance did make me want to go have a cold shower :drool:

Oh yes, and :yeah: on the "camerawork", I'm lucky I've got a large-screen TV, because half the time I couldn't see the dancers.

Apart from that, good fun :)

Ballroom queen
16th-April-2005, 07:57 PM
Oh yes, and :yeah: on the "camerawork", I'm lucky I've got a large-screen TV, because half the time I couldn't see the dancers.

Apart from that, good fun :)

Thank goodness I have tickets for next week, :clap: :clap: although maybe the cameras will get in the way of the audience??? :tears:

David Franklin
16th-April-2005, 09:32 PM
Oh great - another dance demo where the cameras focus on the singer for 90% of the performance. Give me a break! (Where's that icon of banging your head against a brick wall when you need it?).

Dave

Dreadful Scathe
16th-April-2005, 09:45 PM
By far the worst couple IMO were nathan(?) and kristy- she was all in yellow - he looked like a giant uncoordinated stick insect.

Quote my own post cos Im an idiot - the yellow clad girl was of course Michelle, and she and Dan did get voted off. So people agree with me :)

The look on P&Ns faces when they werent in the last 2 was a picture but then they didnt deserve to be last 2.

It all worked out very well. Maybe theres hope for the program despite the judges :)

What about the pros doing tango...wow! What about the camera work while they were doing it...aaarghh!!

Ballroom queen
16th-April-2005, 09:53 PM
Oh great - another dance demo where the cameras focus on the singer for 90% of the performance. Give me a break! (Where's that icon of banging your head against a brick wall when you need it?).

Dave

I'm with you, I was shouting at the telly. :tears: :tears: :tears: I will be emailing the bbc, thank goodness for tickets for the live show :clap: :clap:

Dreadful Scathe
16th-April-2005, 09:59 PM
yeah you said that in your last post...stop rubbing it in !! :)

TheTramp
16th-April-2005, 10:00 PM
Quote my own post cos Im an idiot - the yellow clad girl was of course Michelle, and she and Dan did get voted off. So people agree with me :)
I disagree.

Thought that they were no way the worst dancers. While Paul & Natasha are great lindy dancers, I'd agree with the judges that their salsa wasn't good. No real passion. And the couple who messed up, and didn't get it back - Alex and Katie.

But Dan & Michelle came 6th in the judges vote. So they must have done really badly in the public vote. But they don't do any particular dancing, so don't have a following through it. And they don't have any particular sympathy vote. So I guess I can see how they got voted out.... I think it's going to be another popularity contest, and not really a dancing contest....

Tiggerbabe
16th-April-2005, 10:05 PM
I'll agree about the camerawork - what I saw of the Tango couple was fantastic! What I didn't see was just as good, I'll bet *grrrrrrr!*

Ballroom queen
16th-April-2005, 10:28 PM
I'll agree about the camerawork - what I saw of the Tango couple was fantastic! What I didn't see was just as good, I'll bet *grrrrrrr!*


I have just emailed the producer. Lets all email her about her camera men and maybe her inbox will crash when she gets back to work :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

*email address removed at the BBC's request* All contacts should be made via the Strictly Dance Fever Website. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/)


Mary, can you get a job at SDF as super scary expert camera woman???

David Franklin
16th-April-2005, 10:38 PM
Thought that they were no way the worst dancers. While Paul & Natasha are great lindy dancers, I'd agree with the judges that their salsa wasn't good. No real passion. And the couple who messed up, and didn't get it back - Alex and Katie.I'd have to agree - Paul in particular looked really uncomfortable during the performance, and it seemed Alex and Katie lost about half of their routine after missing the round-the-world.

Not sure what's going on with Paul and Natasha; like last week, they looked almost horrified to make it through, and this time you could hear him saying "Oh no, oh no!" :confused: Hope everything is alright and they start enjoying it a bit more soon!

TheTramp
16th-April-2005, 11:16 PM
I have just emailed the producer. Lets all email her about her camera men and maybe her inbox will crash when she gets back to work :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Well. There's one more email at least gone now...

David Bailey
17th-April-2005, 09:17 AM
I'd have to agree - Paul in particular looked really uncomfortable during the performance
I'm actually a little surprised that they've been on the dance scene for so long and haven't at least dabbled a bit in salsa - I guess they're just really specialised.

Hope they start to get more adaptable. it must be difficult to throw away all these habits so quickly... The bonus of never having done a dance class - like, err, forgotten guy's name (Andy?) - is that you don't have anything to unlearn, so he'll presumably just get better and better.

Lynn
17th-April-2005, 11:47 AM
Claire and James did an awesome salsa I thought, the others weren't much different to what you might see at a local comp. or even club. :yeah:
I thought they were better than the salsa couples who danced last week in the London auditions.


Poor Paul and Natasha, I really felt for them, but salsa's not their thing :sad: I wanted them to do well but it was clear, from Paul's dancing especially, that they were Lindy dancers trying salsa and it could have been a lot better - and hopefully next week's dance will be.

I thought Arlene was esp harsh on Adam, and I noticed that Luca gave a high score, I think to overcome her low score. I thought Adam and Rebecca danced well, especially from his starting point - to go from no dance training to that in a week! :worthy: (Though as has been said, he has nothing to 'unlearn', wheras P&N have a lot of 'lindy muscle memory' to overcome.)

I think many of us don't get to see the second show (or don't remember to set the video for it :whistle: ) so can someone post the results on this thread as they hear them? Just whoever posts next after knowing who was voted out that week.

David Bailey
17th-April-2005, 05:35 PM
:yeah:
I thought they were better than the salsa couples who danced last week in the London auditions.

:yeah: I videod it and watched it again today, and it still looks great. They were given some stick for getting off to a slow start - but, THEY WERE DANCING TO THE MUSIC :mad: The track starts off slow, it builds up, and their dancing reflected that - I thought it was excellent, very effective, I love it when a dance kicks into gear a little way in. OK, I thought the lift at the end did look a little forced, but everything else was lovely.

I also thought the comment "do more spinning" to Claire was a bit dumb - it's salsa, and that's not really a spinny dance so much. Claire especially is a lovely dancer, I hope they'll win it.

:worthy: to C&J, definitely.

By the way, if you didn't set the video, there are yesterday's downloadable clips on the
BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/dancefever/news/2005/04/16/18598.shtml)

Dreadful Scathe
17th-April-2005, 06:32 PM
it's salsa, and that's not really a spinny dance so much.

its not ? Its one of the most 'spinny' dances ive seen anyway.



I wanted them to do well but it was clear, from Paul's dancing especially, that they were Lindy dancers trying salsa and it could have been a lot better

but it wasnt bad too watch, just dull. The 2 couples that had the lowest scores were both 'bad' :)

bigdjiver
17th-April-2005, 07:15 PM
It looks like we are seeing the same voting pattern as last time - "my favourites are in danger, so I must vote" vs "my favourites are way up the table on the judges vote, so I don't need to bother". Quite possibly we have lost the dancers who were most likely to have made it as pro show dancers. The show will have helped get them jobs through the "seen on telly" connection, but may well have temporarily dented their higher ambitions by wrongly labelling them "not popular with the public".

David Bailey
17th-April-2005, 07:16 PM
its not ? Its one of the most 'spinny' dances ive seen anyway.
Well, lots of turns, sure, but I don't think it has many spins / double-spins / etc. Of course, I could be just ignorant...

The judge guy (new one) definitely said "spin", but he could have meant "turn" of course.

Then again, who knows what rules these Beeb muppets (like that word :) ) set up to define the difference between Cuban / Columbian / New York / London style; maybe they insist on serious spinnage, I dunno.

clevedonboy
17th-April-2005, 08:52 PM
Quite possibly we have lost the dancers who were most likely to have made it as pro show dancers.

Don't agree - the couple who won the judges vote look the real deal.

Dan & Michelle were dull in their boogie woogie & only Luca's take on them placed them artificially high. That said I don't think they should have gone at this stage.

The current format seems to disadvantage the more specialist couples and suots lowest common denominator dancers so i expect to see Paul & Natasha & Kate & Alex (is that right - the Tango couple) struggle. Much as I admire James & Claire, I can't see them winning it.

Ballroom queen
17th-April-2005, 09:13 PM
The current format seems to disadvantage the more specialist couples and suots lowest common denominator dancers so i expect to see Paul & Natasha & Kate & Alex (is that right - the Tango couple) struggle.

Not so sure. I thought Katie and Alex were fab, :clap: but they fluffed the lift :tears: and then were rubbish at carrying on :( - I guess they are so used to stopping and arguing rather than just getting on with it (from the drivel shown on BBC3 during the week). :angry:

anyway, what I don't like with the voting is that the lines are open all week. Last night people were (I live in hope) voting for the dance on the night, now we have the situation that all week we can vote - so whenever people (eg) see those kids crying they'll vote for their mum, etc etc. I'd prefer those lines to only be open on the night, and only when all dancers had finished dancing. But hey, then the beeb would make less money. :devil:

Hey ho.

bigdjiver
17th-April-2005, 09:52 PM
Pro show dancing is about mostly about individuals dancing in formation or to choreography rather than partner dancing. The two eliminated are already doing that. They have already shown the drive and determination and talent to do that sort of dance, and that counts for a lot. I do not know what their experience of partner dancing is, but it is probably less than many others in the show, and they did well enough considering. A lot of the others may have more dance talent, but without the sustained drive they are not going to make it long term. It is far to early to judge.

I find it impossible to pick favourites yet. At the moment I am with them all as members of the dance community, and feel for anybody going out. Without wishing ill to any of them, I would have loved to see Viktor and Carol doing Salsa.

TheTramp
17th-April-2005, 10:06 PM
But hey, then the beeb would make less money. :devil:
I thought that the proceeds were going to Comic Relief?

Having said that, a quick check of the website doesn't say that at all anywhere, so I'm probably wrong. Nothing new there! :what:

TheTramp
17th-April-2005, 10:07 PM
I would have loved to see Viktor and Carol doing Salsa.
Isn't the idea that they don't get to perform dances that they've already got experience in. Which is why Paul & Natasha ended up doing salsa and not boogie woogie. So I guess that Viktor and Carol would have ended up doing boogie woogie if that's true.

Ballroom queen
17th-April-2005, 10:26 PM
I thought that the proceeds were going to Comic Relief?

Having said that, a quick check of the website doesn't say that at all anywhere, so I'm probably wrong. Nothing new there! :what:

Yeah, "proceeds". it costs 25p per call, of which 12p to comic relief. Where does the rest go? sorry for being cynical.

TheTramp
17th-April-2005, 10:34 PM
Yeah, "proceeds". it costs 25p per call, of which 12p to comic relief. Where does the rest go? sorry for being cynical.
Ummm.....

To hire 'the mansion'
The choreographers
The judges
Graham Norton
All the people who've worked on the auditions and shows
To actually make the show
Other extras - cars, costumes, etc.
The £50,000 prize.

Lory
17th-April-2005, 10:53 PM
Ummm.....

To hire 'the mansion'
The choreographers
The judges
Graham Norton
All the people who've worked on the auditions and shows
To actually make the show
Other extras - cars, costumes, etc.
The £50,000 prize.
Ahh but isn't that what our licence fees are for, you don't see them asking for 'top up' money for an elaborate costume drama, do we?

Anyway, I agreed with the way the vote went. ;)

I thought unfortunately Paul let Natasha down, he wasn't exactly red hot and smouldering :sick: but I was pleasantly surprised by Natasha. :)

I agree about the camera work, do we really want to see the back of the judges heads? :angry:

The one thing I really like about the show is, at the end of the day, it's live and mistakes happen but the real test for some of them, was how they recovered!

My favourites of the night were, Claire and James but at this stage, I think I'd put my money on Cem and Jemma, Joseph and Sadie and Jodie and Danny making it through to the final!

I was a bit worried for Adam before his performance because of the behind the scenes footage but then I was amazed how he pulled it off on the night and gave a such great performance! Well done Adam! (big up the forumite :cheers: )

Dreadful Scathe
17th-April-2005, 11:41 PM
no net access in the big house then ? shame - footage of Adam posting on the forum would have been cool :)

Lynn
18th-April-2005, 12:46 AM
:yeah: I videod it and watched it again today, and it still looks great. They were given some stick for getting off to a slow start - but, THEY WERE DANCING TO THE MUSIC :mad: The track starts off slow, it builds up, and their dancing reflected that - I thought it was excellent, very effective, I love it when a dance kicks into gear a little way in. I was a bit also annoyed about the comment about the pace of the dance at the start - it showed a total ignorance of salsa music and dancing and does make you wonder about the judges level of knowledge when they make comments like that. Of course I'm now an expert, haivng done one workshop on salsa musical interpretation! :rofl: But at least I understand the basics of the structure of salsa music.
I also thought the comment "do more spinning" to Claire was a bit dumb - it's salsa, and that's not really a spinny dance so much. Claire especially is a lovely dancer, I hope they'll win it. Cuban salsa especially I don't think is supposed to have many spins or even 'turns' (in its purest form hardly any at all I think?) which is what there were supposed to be doing but I understand that Cuban salsa as danced in Cuba is pretty different to Cuban salsa as danced in Europe.

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 09:50 AM
Of course I'm now an expert, haivng done one workshop on salsa musical interpretation! :rofl:

Hey, that's one more than most of us! :)


Cuban salsa especially I don't think is supposed to have many spins or even 'turns' (in its purest form hardly any at all I think?) which is what there were supposed to be doing but I understand that Cuban salsa as danced in Cuba is pretty different to Cuban salsa as danced in Europe.
Basically, when it comes to salsa styles, who knows? It's a mystery. For what it's worth, there's a definition of different on Edie's web site (http://www.dancefreak.com/stories/dance_styles.htm), but I'm not sure that clarifies things to me.

(Mmmmmm, Edie... She came over on tour a few years back, I still remember dancing with her... :worthy:) )

Bigger Andy
18th-April-2005, 09:50 AM
I thought unfortunately Paul let Natasha down, he wasn't exactly red hot and smouldering :sick: but I was pleasantly surprised by Natasha. :)



:yeah:
Absolutely ! Paul didn't get his hips moving at all and I thought that he was probably the worst of the 20 dancers on the night.
However, Natasha was excellent as was the entrance that the couple made.



I was a bit worried for Adam before his performance because of the behind the scenes footage but then I was amazed how he pulled it off on the night and gave a such great performance! Well done Adam! (big up the forumite :cheers: )


:yeah:
I thought that Adam was excellent ! :clap: The height that he gets on his jumps is phenomenal ! As someone who has had no formal dance training until entering the house, to my mind, he clearly has the most potential of anyone there.


I think that the couple that got voted out were a bit unfortunate. They performed their routine well enough. However, their choreography was perhaps what let them down. It was a routine that did not capture the imagination or provide any really memorable moments. Perhaps it was too forgetable ?

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 10:03 AM
I think that the couple that got voted out were a bit unfortunate. They performed their routine well enough. However, their choreography was perhaps what let them down. It was a routine that did not capture the imagination or provide any really memorable moments. Perhaps it was too forgetable ?

Dunno, can't really remember it offhand :)

Bigger Andy
18th-April-2005, 10:13 AM
Dunno, can't really remember it offhand :)


Precisely ! :whistle:

David Franklin
18th-April-2005, 10:42 AM
:yeah: I videod it and watched it again today, and it still looks great. They were given some stick for getting off to a slow start - but, THEY WERE DANCING TO THE MUSIC :mad:To be fair to the judges (much as it pains me), I thought the gist of their comments was that Claire and James looked better to the fast section, NOT that they were wrong to dance slowly to the slow introduction.

OK, I thought the lift at the end did look a little forced, but everything else was lovely.Hate to say it, but Arlene might have had a point about Claire and James having trouble in the Lindy Hop et. al.. Because looking at the boogie-woogie routines, I bet the judges are going to expect a shedload of airsteps in the Lindy and R'n'R. Pity the judges don't seem to expect (or care about) having a decent dance connection...

Trish
18th-April-2005, 12:30 PM
I have just emailed the producer. Lets all email her about her camera men and maybe her inbox will crash when she gets back to work :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Mary, can you get a job at SDF as super scary expert camera woman???Cheers Ballroom Queen, I knew someone would come up with the email address to contact - I shall certainly be complaining about the camera work, especially with that Tango. I suppose the have a vague point showing the singer when it's someone famous, but when it's not even anyone special, then why can't they show us the dancing instead?!!!

Trish
18th-April-2005, 12:47 PM
Pro show dancing is about mostly about individuals dancing in formation or to choreography rather than partner dancing. The two eliminated are already doing that. They have already shown the drive and determination and talent to do that sort of dance, and that counts for a lot. I do not know what their experience of partner dancing is, but it is probably less than many others in the show, and they did well enough considering. A lot of the others may have more dance talent, but without the sustained drive they are not going to make it long term. It is far to early to judge.

I find it impossible to pick favourites yet. At the moment I am with them all as members of the dance community, and feel for anybody going out. Without wishing ill to any of them, I would have loved to see Viktor and Carol doing Salsa.

This is only my opinion, but personally I didn't like Michelle and Dan - to me in both their performances they looked gangily and awkward and messy. I can't believe Luka thought they were that good. I have no expertise in either Salsa or Boogie Woogie, but I still say as far as aesthetics go to me they were my least favourite. I think Katie and Alex (I think that's their names - the ballroom people), danced badly and also deserved to be in the last two. As far as Natasha and Paul went, she was much better than him, but they certainly weren't very sexy, he looked petrified, and as th new judge said, stuck his bum out too much - lindy fashion! I did think the couple that came top with the judges really deserved it though, they were excellent, as were Adam and Rebecca, very entertaining to watch, and also got through it all fairly cleanly from what you could see.

Anyway, despite Arlene :mad: I really enjoyed the show, it's just nice to watch people dancing and trying hard to master the different styles. I can understand why some of you are getting annoyed with things, but it's still good to have dancing on the telly. Hopefully the dancing and the camera work can only get better and better!

Bigger Andy
18th-April-2005, 01:41 PM
Cheers Ballroom Queen, I knew someone would come up with the email address to contact - I shall certainly be complaining about the camera work, especially with that Tango. I suppose the have a vague point showing the singer when it's someone famous, but when it's not even anyone special, then why can't they show us the dancing instead?!!!

I e-mailed the producer and got the following reply :-



Many thanks for your e-mail, I'm glad you enjoyed the show and appreciate your feedback.


But, this is an entertainment show based around a dancing competition, it's not strictly a dance show.


And, while I endeavour to bring a balance between the dance and the entertainment values, I'm afraid we can't please all the people all the time and without the live music, the stunning singer and the beautiful setting some viewers wouldn't find watching a straight Argentine Tango a fulfilling three minutes of television (which is why you rarely see it!)


So I endeavour to strike a balance and produce good TV with a wide appeal and hope I've done dance a service through my shows by making it a more attractive and digestible watch.



Thank you for your comments

David Franklin
18th-April-2005, 01:56 PM
I e-mailed the producer and got the following reply :-
Pretty much the same standard reply she was sending out after similar events on SCD I'm afraid. Heaven forbid anyone might suggest the "creatives" at the BBC might not understand what the viewers want! I'm sure it's only us dance fanatics who wanted to see the dancers dance, rather than the virtually motionless and expressionless singer. And of course everyone likes the roving camera work - it's a lot cheaper than a ride on a roller-coaster after all!

Honestly, you can see the complaints now:


I sat down this evening to watch Strictly Dance Fever. Imagine my shock and outrage during the Tango demonstration, when the cameraman focussed on the dancers for the entire performance, rather than spending 80% of the time on the singer and orchestra. I appreciate the idea was so we could get an idea of what next week's dance was supposed to look like, but that's no excuse for depriving us of shots of unknown people playing the violin and pictures of the face of a singer I've never heard of. Why on earth would we want to spend that much time watching dancers on a program called Strictly Dance Fever anyhow?

And the camerawork! What were they thinking of, staying essentially stationary and pointing at the dancers instead of twirling around the whole time? Rather than having the scenary whirling around constantly, I had to resort to watching the dancers spinning instead! Disgraceful!

foxylady
18th-April-2005, 02:04 PM
I sat down this evening to watch Strictly Dance Fever. Imagine my shock and outrage during the Tango demonstration, when the cameraman focussed on the dancers for the entire performance, rather than spending 80% of the time on the singer and orchestra. I appreciate the idea was so we could get an idea of what next week's dance was supposed to look like, but that's no excuse for depriving us of shots of unknown people playing the violin and pictures of the face of a singer I've never heard of. Why on earth would we want to spend that much time watching dancers on a program called Strictly Dance Fever anyhow?

And the camerawork! What were they thinking of, staying essentially stationary and pointing at the dancers instead of twirling around the whole time? Rather than having the scenary whirling around constantly, I had to resort to watching the dancers spinning instead! Disgraceful!

:rofl: :rofl: You are on a roll today David - tried to give you some rep but it won't let me !

Foxy

Trish
18th-April-2005, 02:24 PM
Thanks David, you've made me laugh!

I got the same reply. I've emailed her back with something that basically says the same as David said above, just not in as witty as format - should have read this first!

Never mind, they did take some notice of us about the cameras last time with SCD, so maybe they will this time.

Lynn
18th-April-2005, 02:40 PM
But, this is an entertainment show based around a dancing competition, it's not strictly a dance show. Says it all really...

Entertainment first - dancing second - in other words where there is any decision to be made about any aspect of the show - the entertainment value will be first and dancing second. Which makes a bit of a mockery of the whole thing (and explains why they have Graham Norton as host!)

Its the discrepency between that and how the show is advertised - as a dance show - that annoys me! :mad:

I think they should rename the programme from 'Strictly Dance Fever' to, in the producer's own words 'Not Strictly a Dance Show'!!!

bigdjiver
18th-April-2005, 02:46 PM
I have emailed her mentioning insets and superposition and also that the thirties dance films managed to have the dancers performing in front of the singer and band.

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 02:53 PM
To be fair to the judges Well, that's a poor start to any post... :whistle:


e), I thought the gist of their comments was that Claire and James looked better to the fast section, NOT that they were wrong to dance slowly to the slow introduction.

I didn't get that impression - the comment was something on the lines of "getting better when you picked up the tempo" - OK, fair enough, could be interpreted different ways.



Hate to say it, but Arlene might have had a point about Claire and James having trouble in the Lindy Hop et. al.. Because looking at the boogie-woogie routines, I bet the judges are going to expect a shedload of airsteps in the Lindy and R'n'R. Pity the judges don't seem to expect (or care about) having a decent dance connection...
I see your point. Claire's one of the sexiest dancers I've ever seen, but I don't see James swinging her around a lot. I'm sure they're good enough to work a routine around that, though.

TheTramp
18th-April-2005, 03:10 PM
Thanks David, you've made me laugh!

I got the same reply. I've emailed her back with something that basically says the same as David said above, just not in as witty as format - should have read this first!
Me too. Very amusing...

And I'd sent an email, and got the same stock answer from her (or someone on her behalf). So, I hope you don't mind David. But I emailed her back, using your example!!

Franck
18th-April-2005, 03:38 PM
At the BBC's request, I have removed all contact details for the Strictly Dance Fever Producer. All feedback / complaints should be made via The Strictly Dance Fever Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/)

It seems that the Forum has certainly made an impact :what:

TheTramp
18th-April-2005, 03:47 PM
Uh huh :)

I wonder who told them about us!!! That's quite funny though... :rofl:

Bigger Andy
18th-April-2005, 03:57 PM
Uh huh :)

That's quite funny though... :rofl:

It's a bit of an ostrich like approach, isn't it ? :sick:

Bury your head in the sand so that you can't hear any (constructive) criticism ! :sad:

Franck
18th-April-2005, 04:11 PM
It's a bit of an ostrich like approach, isn't it ? :sick:

Bury your head in the sand so that you can't hear any (constructive) criticism ! :sad: Not really, as well as emailing me first, they also took the time to speak to me on the phone, and the main reason they wanted the email contacts off the Forum was that the volume of emails was interfering with her ability to do her job and deal with other important emails.
I presume that there is a system for dealing with feedback before it reaches the producer...

It is a shame that we can't communicate directly, though I'm not surprised as nobody likes to be mail-bombed. In hindsight, it would have been more useful to restrict the emails to one or two well worded messages.

I personally agree that the camera work was poor, and that generally SDF is more targeted at 'entertainment' than dancing.

My main gripe however is that rather than show that anyone can learn to dance / improve given time and professional help, it makes dancing even less accessible and negative :sad:
From the first show, they expected fit, exceptional dancers and made fun of everyone else. Bring back Strictly Come Dancing.

TheTramp
18th-April-2005, 04:14 PM
My main gripe however is that rather than show that anyone can learn to dance / improve given time and professional help, it makes dancing even less accessible and negative :sad:
From the first show, they expected fit, exceptional dancers and made fun of everyone else. Bring back Strictly Come Dancing.
YEAH!!!

Maybe they should have taken people like Tiger Girl, and the Dancing Doctor into the house, rather than the people that are there. And we could have seen their improvement over the time.....

How scary would that show be?! :D

Not to mention watching Vanessa and Kevan's reactions to trying to teach them to dance!!

Northants Girly
18th-April-2005, 04:17 PM
Bring back Strictly Come Dancing.Oh no - I say bring back Come Dancing! with a Modern Jive category of course! :D

Chef
18th-April-2005, 04:20 PM
We all told the BBC this (whizzing camera angles, we are intersted in the dancers not the singers) during the 8 weeks of SCD series 1 and through the 8 weeks of SCD series 2. Now we are saying these same things to them in SDF. All of the people that I know in the Ballroom world are emailing the BBC to say exactly the same thing.

I think that we should just come to the realisation that the BBC has it's fingers in it's ears and is saying

"la la la la, I'm not listening, talk to the hand because the face doesn't care".

We should face up to it that the BBC doesn't own the "Big Brother" or "I'm a celebrity" format and has found a dancing format as an excuse to do something similar.

Pick any field of humand endevour and......

Select members of the public/celebrities
Make them do near impossible things (like learn two dances each week - it will come)
Tell their personal story so that the public gets to like/hate certain people so we feel that we want to phone up and pay to keep them in the competition (Chris Parker didn't really stay in SCD1 through his dancing ability now did he?) This brings in revenue for Comic relief (Hurrah), BT and BBC (what was that licence fee for?) in order to pay for the whole thing.
Have a nasty judge so we all have a panto villan to go "boo, hiss" at.
Have a cheeky chirpy presenter who is everybodies friend.

It's not really about dancing. Dancing is the excuse. It's about filling up 90 minutes of saturday night air time. What dancers want doesn't seem relevant to them or they would have taken some notice when we told them all this during SCD1.

I am just happy we have some great dancing on TV at all. It is just that I would be a lot happier if, when we are shown "top argentine tango dancers" that we could at least see them, rather than a whizzing tracking shot of the 2nd violinist.

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 04:46 PM
My main gripe however is that rather than show that anyone can learn to dance / improve given time and professional help, it makes dancing even less accessible and negative :sad:
From the first show, they expected fit, exceptional dancers and made fun of everyone else. Bring back Strictly Come Dancing.
:yeah: Exactly. I didn't really care who won SCD, it was just so lovely to see people learn to love dancing, and find out how much fun it was.

The Beeb, having lucked into the idea of "hmm, dancing = good telly", seem now to want to milk it for every penny - unfortunately, that means we have to put up with inferior clones. I mean, good grief, Strictly Ice Dancing?!? Was that the biggest pile of poo or what?

And no, don't bring back Come Dancing, please - it went on for 50 years, I think we deserve a new format...

Lynn
18th-April-2005, 05:54 PM
...the main reason they wanted the email contacts off the Forum was that the volume of emails was interfering with her ability to do her job and deal with other important emails. You would think the volume of emails would give them a bit of hint! That maybe a lot of dancers watch the show and phone in and vote? That maybe they should be listening to their viewers instead of ignoring them to get on with more 'important' stuff? Just a thought...silly me, the viewers aren't important!

Clive Long
18th-April-2005, 06:24 PM
At the BBC's request, I have removed all contact details for the Strictly Dance Fever Producer. All feedback / complaints should be made via The Strictly Dance Fever Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/)

It seems that the Forum has certainly made an impact :what:

<< Rant >>

It's a bit of a reach - but maybe we are blazing a trail for a new form of participative democracy ??? :waycool:

let's hope at this time when we are being accosted on the street by a bunch of misfits, no-hopers and attention seekers wearing coloured rossettes and kissing dumb animals that "they" might listen
<< end rant >>

Oh my, where was I Auntie 'Em? I'm in Kansas? There's no place like home .... (Repeat) ...

MartinHarper
18th-April-2005, 07:03 PM
Entertainment first - dancing second

There's a certain level of irony here. Modern jive is all about entertainment, simple fun, mass appeal, socialising - all these good things. Sometimes that means MJ teachers skip over dancing elements that they feel would detract from the entertainment, or limit the appeal. I don't see that it's wildly surprising that the BBC takes the same approach.


It's a bit of an ostrich like approach, isn't it ?

Reminds me of an anecdote a BBC Online person related to me. Apparently, the BBC came in for some fairly hefty criticism of some show (forget which) they did, including a lot of negative comments on the show's BBC messageboard. The immediate reaction of the management? "Close the messageboard!". Fortunately the BBC Online folks talked them out of it, and I understand they're a little more net-savvy these days.

Perhaps a more positive approach would help? I wonder if the BBC would consider putting out a DVD of the show - with options to "just watch the dancing" (or indeed, just the band). Certainly that's something I'd buy.
Yesterday, I was watching a cabaret by Viktor and Carol, from November last year. After reading Arlene's comments, I found it very difficult to tear my eyes away from his legs. Disturbing...

Ballroom queen
18th-April-2005, 07:25 PM
Not really, as well as emailing me first, they also took the time to speak to me on the phone, and the main reason they wanted the email contacts off the Forum was that the volume of emails was interfering with her ability to do her job and deal with other important emails.
I presume that there is a system for dealing with feedback before it reaches the producer...



:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
Sorry, but that was the idea - I was rather hoping that with a high volume of email complaints she might listen. I got the same stock email reply, as did another (non-forum) friend, I can't believe she said its "not strictly a dance show" and yet "strictly" and "dance" are in the title of the show.

I have replied to her response.

All we can hope is that she does change her ways.

I did also email the bbc complaints web site.

Ballroom queen
18th-April-2005, 07:47 PM
Ummm.....

To hire 'the mansion'
The choreographers
The judges
Graham Norton
All the people who've worked on the auditions and shows
To actually make the show
Other extras - cars, costumes, etc.
The £50,000 prize.

ok fair point, I was originally (trying) to make the point that IMHO the voting shouldn't go on all week, as people may end up voting in sympathy for what ever rather than simply for the best dancers on the night.

However, now I know that its not strictly a dance show I shouldn't really be so worried if its not the best dancers who win.

hey ho

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 08:01 PM
Sometimes that means MJ teachers skip over dancing elements that they feel would detract from the entertainment, or limit the appeal. I don't see that it's wildly surprising that the BBC takes the same approach.

:rofl: :rofl: Maybe they'll start debating how important footwork is or isn't next week....


You would think the volume of emails would give them a bit of hint! That maybe a lot of dancers watch the show and phone in and vote? That maybe they should be listening to their viewers instead of ignoring them to get on with more 'important' stuff? Just a thought...silly me, the viewers aren't important!
:yeah:
Imagine if she was a politician, and said she didn't want to hear from the smelly* public, she was far too busy doing her job to listen to what the prole voters thought, she was getting too much information and feedback to distract her... The BBC is a strange and wonderful beastie, isn't it?

Still, they brought back SCD and Doctor Who, so they can't be all bad...

* OK, or sweaty public in my case.

David Bailey
18th-April-2005, 08:04 PM
<< Multi-hued Rant >>Just found the colour tag then, Clive? :whistle:

bobgadjet
18th-April-2005, 09:39 PM
And no, don't bring back Come Dancing, please - it went on for 50 years, I think we deserve a new format...
50 years :what:

Maybe it should be, in the film way of doing things

COME DANCING 2 :whistle:

or even

COME DANCING 2005 :waycool:

then at least it can progress by number each year, and have a new format each year..............................

OK, perhaps not :eek:

Minnie M
19th-April-2005, 02:09 PM
This Saturday Paul & Natasha will be performing a Hustle routine (70's Disco in the style of Saturday Night Fever)

David Bailey
19th-April-2005, 02:35 PM
50 years :what:
So I read - well, 49 years, but I think that's close enough...

Minnie M
20th-April-2005, 01:09 PM
Not sure if this is on another post - check out our forumites ! Great shots of Mr. Sheepman and partner and Melanie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/dancefever/news/2005/04/08/18383.shtml

Trish
20th-April-2005, 01:47 PM
This Saturday Paul & Natasha will be performing a Hustle routine (70's Disco in the style of Saturday Night Fever)

I'd guess they'd be better at that than the Tango, taking into account how they got on with the Salsa routine last week. I had no idea what hustle looked like until I saw it on the BBC3 thing on Monday.

Bardsey
20th-April-2005, 02:20 PM
Not sure if this is on another post - check out our forumites ! Great shots of Mr. Sheepman and partner and Melanie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlydancefever/dancefever/news/2005/04/08/18383.shtml
Where exactly are the pics? When I click on the link it just takes me to the home page. :blush:

Lynn
20th-April-2005, 02:32 PM
Where exactly are the pics? When I click on the link it just takes me to the home page. :blush: It takes me straight to the London auditions clip? Anyway - below the couples on the right hand side there are a list of video clips - click on the one called 'The Look' - that's the clip Minnie was referring to.

Minnie M
20th-April-2005, 03:05 PM
It takes me straight to the London auditions clip? Anyway - below the couples on the right hand side there are a list of video clips - click on the one called 'The Look' - that's the clip Minnie was referring to.

:yeah: Thanks Lynn :hug:

Watch London's finest (requires RealPlayer)

curious
21st-April-2005, 09:08 AM
BBC Breakfast - Paul and Natasha on now! 09:04

Minnie M
21st-April-2005, 02:23 PM
BBC Breakfast - Paul and Natasha on now! 09:04

missed it - was watching Will & Grace :whistle:

Paul and Natasha celebrity sponsor is Anton Du Beke - jammy or what :really: :cool:

Poor old Adam has that girl from Eastenders :tears:

Minnie M
22nd-April-2005, 08:55 AM
My sister very kindly made me up a tape from all the BBC3 shows from Viktor & Carole's night to last Monday - Mainly because I wanted to see the build-up to V&C performance

I was absolutely amazed to find (or NOT find I should say) very very little of V&C - in fact blink and you miss them :tears: and lots and lots of Paul & Natasha. Even the last 'dance-off' to show all the performers before the live show left them out :mad:

Dancing Teeth
22nd-April-2005, 12:11 PM
My sister very kindly made me up a tape from all the BBC3 shows from Viktor & Carole's night to last Monday - Mainly because I wanted to see the build-up to V&C performance

I was absolutely amazed to find (or NOT find I should say) very very little of V&C - in fact blink and you miss them :tears: and lots and lots of Paul & Natasha. Even the last 'dance-off' to show all the performers before the live show left them out :mad:

The conspiracy theorists can have a field day with this one, but What happened happened and it's all in the past now... as the beeb said. This is an entertainment show loosely based around dancing and not strictly a dance show...

hhuumm.. :confused:

As a dancer, you know you're being used, but this is advertising no amount of money could ever buy. So the fact that you take part makes it all worth it... and if you happen to win it too, hey.... the world is your oyster.. :waycool:

I think, everyone should have a go next year...if not for the money... then, the experience... :clap:

As the old saying goes... "it's best to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all". I so understand these words more now than ever.. :flower: :grin:

Lory
22nd-April-2005, 12:48 PM
I'm going to the live show tomorrow! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Bigger Andy
22nd-April-2005, 12:58 PM
The conspiracy theorists can have a field day with this one, but What happened happened and it's all in the past now... as the beeb said. This is an entertainment show loosely based around dancing and not strictly a dance show...

hhuumm.. :confused:

As a dancer, you know you're being used, but this is advertising no amount of money could ever buy. So the fact that you take part makes it all worth it... and if you happen to win it too, hey.... the world is your oyster.. :waycool:

I think, everyone should have a go next year...if not for the money... then, the experience... :clap:

As the old saying goes... "it's best to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all". I so understand these words more now than ever.. :flower: :grin:


I admire the very gracious and philosophical way you are dealing with the outcome ! :clap:

As you say, the experience of entering and getting feedback on your dancing from the "experts" must be very beneficial once the initial disappointment of not progressing has been overcome.

We should all enter next year !

bigdjiver
22nd-April-2005, 12:59 PM
All of the dance advice that the producer gets on this show almost certainly comes from people who know very little about MJ, and hate most of what they do know. There was even one clip of one of them saying that they hated MJ.
They were brought up in a completely different cultures of dance tuition, and they know that those cultures work, at least for the minority that can be persuaded to learn that way.
"It am the way it am"

How about the Champs DJ's picking tracks from SDF for the competitions?

David Bailey
22nd-April-2005, 01:11 PM
I think, everyone should have a go next year...
Oh God, they're not planning another series already?!?! :sick: :sick:

Ballroom queen
22nd-April-2005, 02:21 PM
I'm going to the live show tomorrow! :clap: :clap: :clap:


I trust you got the tickets then!
See you there!
:cheers: :cheers:

Ballroom queen
22nd-April-2005, 09:22 PM
Ok, on BBC3 tonight they showed the dancers going for a night out at a Tango club. So what music do they (the BBC) play over the shots of them in the club? "Sway" - a Cha Cha. :confused: The beeb really are useless aren't they. :tears: :tears:

Hey ho, will report on the live show tomorrow! :clap:

Minnie M
23rd-April-2005, 02:17 PM
Just received this email :-



Sunday 24th April 2005
340 Kennington Road, Kennington, London SE11 4LD
7.30pm to midnight

Come and Meet the competitors from
BBC's STRICTLY DANCE FEVER!

Paul Crook and Natasha Hall have been allowed a night out from the Strictly Dance Fever House and will be coming along to Hula Boogie, together with the other competitors from the show this Sunday.

Stuart
23rd-April-2005, 06:12 PM
Just received this email :-




Am I reading too much into this, or does it mean that they won't be knocked out this week?!

Conspiracy theory or what!

Minnie M
23rd-April-2005, 07:18 PM
Am I reading too much into this, or does it mean that they won't be knocked out this week?!

Conspiracy theory or what!

Hmmm.... good point Stuart, didn't pick up on that

Must admit I thought the judges were extremely generous with them tonight - I certainly was not impressed - however the do have a lot of support, so you never know

Loved the argy tango :drool: didn't they all do well :worthy: especially as they have never done it before and it IS a hard dance to learn

Adam you were fantastic :worthy: loved it - loved your outfits too

What was that awful pink thing they put poor Claire into :sick:

Fav outfit tonight was Jodies :drool: (got to loose weight :tears: )

I am still upset V&C didn't get through, would have loved to see them dancing all these different styles and I KNOW they would have been fab

foxylady
23rd-April-2005, 07:55 PM
What was that awful pink thing they put poor Claire into :sick:




Absolutely ! Poor girl... She may not be stick thin, but that outfit made her look ridiculous !

Minnie M
23rd-April-2005, 10:02 PM
.........Fav outfit tonight was Jodies
woops - I meant the blue one - Sadie :really:

Well I was most upset that Alex & Katie have gone :tears: they would have been great for the lambada next week

- looking forward to Lory and Ballroom queen think as they were there

Dreadful Scathe
23rd-April-2005, 10:47 PM
Yeah, no way Alex and Katie should have gone out - Alex was fantastic.

Yellow is clearly a bad colour as the yellow couple were by far the worst this week....but the public has spoken :)

Still the stupid arguments across the floor with Graham Norton in the middle - seems childish to me but it makes good TV I suppose.

I am currently listening to Nine Inch Nails - "the hand that feeds"..it would make a decent cerocable track if any DJ would play it ;)

Lory
24th-April-2005, 12:09 AM
Well having just got back, I have to say I've had a thoroughly good evening, the seating for the audience is 100% better than it was for SCD.

We had simply brilliant seats! And the bonus was, we were out of shot cos most of the time they were filming from our angle!

Anyway, My first observation was, the TV does all their performances favours, Yes they look good but all they come across better on TV.

I know I'm going to upset a LOT of people here (puts crash helmet on) but Paul and Natasha were quite frankly pants, they almost looked like it was just a run through, I was cringing in my seat! :sick: And believe me, I so wanted to like there performance! :sad:

Adam (our forumite) on the other hand pulled it out the bag again this week and shone out, he has real stage presence when he dances and he looks like he's putting his heart and soul into it! :worthy:

I wasn't the only forumite there tonight, Stephen and I went with Bryony and David, then met up with Mie and Danielle and Ballroom queen in the queue, then Asif turned up with Natalie who teaches with Lindyhop with Martin at Hammersmith, then Geordieed, who WAS at the back of the queue, but because someone mentioned that he was very opinionated, he was asked along with Natalie, to judge the judges! Hence you may have seen them sitting right next to them, to the right? :waycool:

There were also many other jivers I recognised there! :)

Anyway, guess what, I managed to Speak to Adam and say hello from all of us! He was really sweet and said pass hello back from him! :hug:

The couple who really came across brilliantly were Sadie and Joseph, :worthy: then second for me were Cem and Jemma, then Adam and Rebecca and Danny and Jodie!

I quite agree with MinnieM about Claires dress, it was truly hideous! I also felt quite sorry for Cassy, her costume seemed really un practical to dance in, I'm not sure if it showed on TV but she appeared to get caught up in it a few times! :rolleyes:

Can't think of anything more to say right now!


But if anyone's got tickets for the coming weeks, here's my tips, get there really early, take loads of drinks and snacks with you but keep them in as small bag as possible as they won't let you take very large bags in. And go to the loo before you sit down!

HEADLINERS
24th-April-2005, 08:32 AM
Just to let people know that on Saturday 25th June James & Claire and
Jodie will be performing at Ribby Hall Village, Blackpool together with
Broadway's Robert Royston and West End Dancers Impact Dance featuring
Hakeem Onibudo. There are many others on the bill including Jodie's
full time partner and one of the worlds top pros Steve Dunn. For further
details see www.ssc.moonfruit.com or email dance@headliner.plus.com
but hurry as it has almost sold out. :wink:

Minnie M
24th-April-2005, 10:00 AM
Just to let people know that on Saturday 25th June James & Claire and
Jodie will be performing at Ribby Hall Village, Blackpool together with
Broadway's Robert Royston and West End Dancers Impact Dance featuring
Hakeem Onibudo. There are many others on the bill including Jodie's
full time partner and one of the worlds top pros Steve Dunn. For further
details see www.ssc.moonfruit.com or email dance@headliner.plus.com
but hurry as it has almost sold out. :wink:

I think I am being a bit thick here :innocent: is this a Line Dancing thingy ? :blush: (I mean is the whole thing related to Line Dancing)

David Franklin
24th-April-2005, 10:03 AM
We had simply brilliant seats! And the bonus was, we were out of shot cos most of the time they were filming from our angle!I ended up with slightly less than brilliant seats, but perhaps got an extra perspective by watching it all from behind! [spotted turns look really wierd from that angle!].


Anyway, My first observation was, the TV does all their performances favours, Yes they look good but all they come across better on TV.Agreed. All the camera changes may be frustrating, but the dancing looks a lot more static seen live.


I know I'm going to upset a LOT of people here (puts crash helmet on) but Paul and Natasha were quite frankly pants, they almost looked like it was just a run through, I was cringing in my seat! :sick: And believe me, I so wanted to like there performance! :sad:Seen live, I'm afraid I have to agree. Don't understand what's going on - they looked so much better in the BBC3 clips, but on the show it just seemed like they couldn't get it together. However, I've now looked at the broadcast, and the camera angles really did them a lot of favours - it looked a lot stronger on TV, if still not great.

Seems the BBC may have listened after all, as they showed the majority of the Hustle demonstration. Thought their dancing was amazing, but the lifts were borderline. Would have been great to have David/Lily on there! [Lily: Maldives...Wembley - ooh, it's a tough choice :wink:. David: You think I'm going to dance to Amarillo on national TV? :confused: ]. And sorry Arlene, but I didn't think much of the choreography either! :devil:
I quite agree with MinnieM about Claires dress, it was truly hideous! I also felt quite sorry for Cassy, her costume seemed really un practical to dance in, I'm not sure if it showed on TV but she appeared to get caught up in it a few times! :rolleyes: Thought Claire's dress looked better live than on TV, but it didn't feel like the most flattering choice. But the colour probably constitutes cruel and unusual punishment whatever your size and shape!

Dave

Minnie M
24th-April-2005, 10:14 AM
I know I'm going to upset a LOT of people here (puts crash helmet on) but Paul and Natasha were quite frankly pants, they almost looked like it was just a run through, I was cringing in my seat! And believe me, I so wanted to like there performance!



.......Seen live, I'm afraid I have to agree. Don't understand what's going on - they looked so much better in the BBC3 clips, but on the show it just seemed like they couldn't get it together. However, I've now looked at the broadcast, and the camera angles really did them a lot of favours - it looked a lot stronger on TV, if still not great.


What IS going on :mad: these two are masters of Charlston (or should be), in fact I think they even teach it - isn't Charlston the original Lindy Hop :really:

from Planet Jive web site:-


The battling lindy hoppers now look set for a comparatively easy third week honing a Charlston routine while others learn the lambada.

Ballroom queen
24th-April-2005, 10:51 AM
Hello!
Well what a FANTASTIC night it was yesterday :clap: - after a few blond moments about who had already got their tickets and whos I was carrying, and people having their next weeks tickets with them as well!!! :rofl:

Yes, If you have tickets get their REALLY early. I had suggested 4pm (for 5.15pm doors open), and we ended up on standby (they send out more tickets than their are seats). David, :hug: bless him, who got there at 3.30, swapped his ticket that had been validated for entry with mine on standby, and so I sat With Lory et al and had the most FAB view. (David is going again next week - I'm in Greece!) Anyway, some of those on standby ended up on one of the tables right next to the dance floor!!!! You can just about make them out on the telly if you know what / who you are looking for! People with standby up to about 40 got in, but it was FAR TOO STRESSFUL for my likeing!

If I were going next week I'd suggest 2.30, but probably roll up about 1pm! (Friday) :really: (only kiddin').

Anyway, it was fantastic being able to see the whole couple and not just what the telly showed. I have skimmed thru the TV stuff - was very tired last night, Joseph and Sadie were ACE, that dress was AWESOME, :worthy: (and I thought made her look slimer than she was in her audition - or has she lost weight?), and yes, Adam did very well - the best hustle I think. I do find it very hard to compare a dance I absolutely love (tango) with one thats "fine". Plus they put the hustlers in such STUPID clothes. I am not especially a Toby and Casey fan, but their outfits were just AWFUL, and impractical and to be honest Natasha's was pretty awful too - and it really didn't match Paul's shirt.

Gutted that Alex and Katie went out, :tears: I am intrigued as to why - really not convinced that the public are voting for the best DANCER on the night, but hey ho, us Brits like the under dogs?!

Best bit was seeing the cabaret act, and personally I thought it was FAB. :worthy: Some might say bits were a bit dodgy but I was VERY impressed - and generally am at any sort of dancing like that, even if others can do better. They did it, on (well not quite) live TV (but only one take). (The music and dance bit is recorded during the gap between BBC3 and the results show - they did a walk thru, and rehearshal - pretty poor - and then the real thing).

It was fantastic to be able to watch this properly after last week, and yes, I agree, I think they did show more of the dancing on the telly - may be I'll email and thank the producer! :cheers:

So, all in all a wonderful evening, also fascinating to see how its all put together, that the judges and dance coaches get their make up touched up between EVERY dance - while we watch the stuf during the week before the demo, to see the auto que, the fact that half way thru they bring in a TV so Graham can read off the results so far, and just so many people - camera men, floor people, people escorting us lot round to the loos etc etc. They did give us a kit kat and small drink, and had an "entertainment" guy to keep us all amused when we were not on air. We also got to watch the dress rehearsal of the results show - how weird was that, Nathan and Christie went off in this !!! All very weird.

Much as I had / have "issues" with what is put on the telly for the viewer, huge respect for the team work of producing a live show, so well done all. :cheers:

Mary
24th-April-2005, 10:53 AM
I've never met this costume designer but she must have being having a brain fart when she put Claire in that hideous pink thing. Claire dances beautifully - great leg positioning, footwork, spinning, presentation and it was all hidden by that frightful frock. I thought the idea was the costumes should add to and highlight the dance, not hide it!!!! :angry:

Jodie and Danny look great - Danny has great posture and a fantastic face, whilst Jodie is just so graceful.

But for me Cem and Gemma have something special. As a partnership they are electrifying. They dance totally as one. I never look at one or the other, and they give off this fantastic energy. Gemma didn't have the best legwork, and it looks like Cem is probably a bit of a pain the a**, but they do give off that something special. And it looks like choreography is their speciality. :worthy: :worthy: Move over Arlene. :wink:

M

Minnie M
24th-April-2005, 11:38 AM
I've never met this costume designer but she must have being having a brain fart .............
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: (true though :flower: )

Magic Hans
24th-April-2005, 12:20 PM
I think, everyone should have a go next year...if not for the money... then, the experience... :clap:

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

Might well do that ... if it's on. I can imagine it would be a fab day out. Then, I think I'd probably contract some horribly deadly and contagious disease to prevent myself from continuing!!


.... I've just figured out what's caused my respect level for Arlene to go negative. She's horribly inconsistent, in a most exagerated manner. Noone is ok. Either the sun shines out of their *rses, or they should be restricted to a mobility scooter for their own safety! The comment "They have more style (I think it was, or maybe passion) in their little finger than anything else in the entire show" sums it up for me .... hmmmmmm ..... yes, very believable Arlene :sick:

At least Craig, in SCD was entirely consistent, and typically the most harsh of the judges, even the few times that he was (slightly) impressed. A true "Bad Cop" .... Arlene seems to switch from extreme Good Cop to extreme Bad Cop at a moments notice, and I find myself simply ignoring her.

I really felt for Paul and Natasha. Whatever it is that's going on, they simply don't look truly at ease on that stage. Maybe it's the cameras, or the venue size, or audience, or judges, or competition, I really can't see any pazzazz! :sad:

I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see them staying around any more than a few weeks, without phone votes.

Graham
24th-April-2005, 01:00 PM
The phone vote can be very unpredictable. I think Paul and Natasha will be up against it because they'll be at or near the bottom of the judges scoring every week - they're relying on the phone vote to stay in.

Does anyone know how it is decided who is going to dance which style each week? I could see how it was done last week but this week wasn't so obvious. Personally I think the tango couples had a distinct advantage, as I find hustle frankly dull, even when performed really well.

Dance Demon
24th-April-2005, 01:44 PM
Well, I have had a change of heart. I posted earlier about Paul & Natasha doing a more eyecatching routine on the night than Victor & Carol. With the aid of hindsight ( ain't it a wonderful thing)...I think Victor & Carol would have coped far better with the other dances. Certainly so far, the sala & Tango would have suited them better and I think they would have done better than P& N have.
For me last night, I thought Danny & Jodies Tango was fab, closely followed by Joseph & Sadie. If I am honest, I think Paul & natasha were weakest & should have gone out.

Minnie M
24th-April-2005, 02:00 PM
........I am still upset V&C didn't get through, would have loved to see them dancing all these different styles and I KNOW they would have been fab


I think Victor & Carol would have coped far better with the other dances. Certainly so far, the sala & Tango would have suited them better and I think they would have done better than P& N have.

:yeah: :tears:

Lynn
24th-April-2005, 02:05 PM
Watched this with Drathzel, Rachel and Marc at my house (who were all in Belfast this weekend so I organised a dance last night which was great! :clap: If any other forumites ever happen to be travelling to NI for any reason, let me know!). Thought Paul had improved on last week and looked like he was enjoying himself this week. But I still get annoyed by Arlene!

bigdjiver
24th-April-2005, 03:47 PM
I think I am being a bit thick here :innocent: is this a Line Dancing thingy ? :blush: (I mean is the whole thing related to Line Dancing)If you follow the link given it leads to a "Country dance" site, which includes line dance and several partner dances, two step, WCS, ECS and cha-cha. There is some video of two different two step styles, and a track listing of the competition music for this year. It seems that the various competitions under this banner all use the same music in their categories.

Dreadful Scathe
24th-April-2005, 06:37 PM
Well, I have had a change of heart. I posted earlier about Paul & Natasha doing a more eyecatching routine on the night than Victor & Carol. With the aid of hindsight ( ain't it a wonderful thing)...I think Victor & Carol would have coped far better with the other dances.

Theres no doubt whatsoever that V&C would dance better then P&N at other things but P&N did dance much better than V&C when they competed against them. Its a shame Viktor didnt do more :(



For me last night, I thought Danny & Jodies Tango was fab, closely followed by Joseph & Sadie. If I am honest, I think Paul & natasha were weakest & should have gone out.

I'd disagree! Admittedly Paul & Natasha have been mediocre with simple choreography the last two weeks but the couple in yellow who just avoided getting kicked out were actually quite bad. Strangely I thought the couple that did go were pretty good, Alex was great, it was Katie that wasnt quite so strong.

Adam did a great hustle i didnt find it boring to watch at all ;)

Ballroom queen
24th-April-2005, 09:39 PM
Still the stupid arguments across the floor with Graham Norton in the middle - seems childish to me but it makes good TV I suppose.

wow, the arguments come across totally different on TV compared to live, live they seemed like a passionate discussion - on TV its like world war 3 !!!

Trish
25th-April-2005, 11:15 AM
Theres no doubt whatsoever that V&C would dance better then P&N at other things but P&N did dance much better than V&C when they competed against them. Its a shame Viktor didnt do more :(



I'd disagree! Admittedly Paul & Natasha have been mediocre with simple choreography the last two weeks but the couple in yellow who just avoided getting kicked out were actually quite bad. Strangely I thought the couple that did go were pretty good, Alex was great, it was Katie that wasnt quite so strong.

Adam did a great hustle i didnt find it boring to watch at all ;)

:yeah: I liked the Hustles better than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the Tangos though.

I can't believe Paul & Natasha have been allowed to Charleston next week, does anyone else wonder whether they've now decided they'd better let them play to their strength to keep them in the competition?!

clevedonboy
25th-April-2005, 11:40 AM
I can't believe Paul & Natasha have been allowed to Charleston next week
Why not? Charleston isn't Lindy though admitedly related & just because they may know how to Charleston shouldn't stop them - after all we don't know if any of the other couples might know how to Lambada already

El Salsero Gringo
25th-April-2005, 12:36 PM
I can't believe Paul & Natasha have been allowed to Charleston next week, does anyone else wonder whether they've now decided they'd better let them play to their strength to keep them in the competition?!Quite right. They should be forced to do latin-y dances that they're uncomfortable and unfamiliar with every single week until they get voted off.

Bex
25th-April-2005, 04:24 PM
I for one am really keen to see Paul and Natasha master the Charleston this week, they come across as genuinely nice people and obviously have a massive following (http://www.paulandnatasha.co.uk) :whistle: . However, it is a dance competition and if you compare them to some of the other couples, they are not advancing as quickly as they should IMO but maybe they've had their hardest dance styles to learn so far??? We'll see....

Roll on Saturday!

David Bailey
25th-April-2005, 04:41 PM
I for one am really keen to see Paul and Natasha master the Charleston this week, they come across as genuinely nice people and obviously have a massive following (http://www.paulandnatasha.co.uk)
OK, now that's just scary... :eek:

Minnie M
25th-April-2005, 05:03 PM
I for one am really keen to see Paul and Natasha master the Charleston this week, they come across as genuinely nice people and obviously have a massive following (http://www.paulandnatasha.co.uk) :whistle: . However, it is a dance competition and if you compare them to some of the other couples, they are not advancing as quickly as they should IMO but maybe they've had their hardest dance styles to learn so far??? We'll see....

Roll on Saturday!

I thought as Lindy dancers and teachers, surely they have already mastered the Charleston - however, I am not sure if their (SDF team) version is anything like the Charleston I have seen perform, judging by what I thought was the Hustle and the Boogie Woogie :whistle:

They ARE genuinely nice people, and do have lots of friends and I admire them for doing this, as there are not many dancers that can give up so much time (and money) to do this.

I have to keep telling myself this is not a dance competition - it is TV entertainment - so I expect them to be fantastic on Saturday and I hope they do us and all their fans proud :flower:

Lory
25th-April-2005, 05:10 PM
I for one am really keen to see Paul and Natasha master the Charleston this week, they come across as genuinely nice people
I'm SURE they are! :)

I know I must be really weird but I just want the ones who learn, improve and perform their dances the best to go through each week! :rolleyes: :blush:

Ballroom queen
25th-April-2005, 05:30 PM
I know I must be really weird but I just want the ones who learn, improve and perform their dances the best to go through each week! :rolleyes: :blush:

I'm with you here. :cheers:

For example, I didn't particularly like Joseph and Sadie's audition, but their tango was awesome, so I voted for them, much as I felt like voting for Katie and Alex as I like them, and was wanting a ballroom couple to do well.

No way is the hustle harder than the argentine Tango, and P&N come from a back ground of doing lifts, so I don't agree with the earlier statement that P&N have had harder dances.

David Bailey
25th-April-2005, 07:07 PM
No way is the hustle harder than the argentine Tango
Offhand, I can't think of any dance that's harder to learn and get right than Argentinian Tango for a Western couple.

OK, Capoiera, maybe - that'd be a good one, they could drop-kick Arlene :)

Minnie M
25th-April-2005, 07:50 PM
Photos of the SDF gang on their release day yesterday :-

http://dancefeverphotos.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

Dreadful Scathe
25th-April-2005, 07:53 PM
Im with Lory - it shouldnt be about popularity and personal fan clubs, it should be about performance on the night - that seemed to be the case the first week, not so sure about this week :) But then who am I to say what it should be about - its only a TV program the public are given the ability to vote and its up to them if they vote based on colour, age or whatever.

Ballroom queen
25th-April-2005, 08:09 PM
Im with Lory - it shouldnt be about popularity and personal fan clubs, it should be about performance on the night - that seemed to be the case the first week, not so sure about this week :) But then who am I to say what it should be about - its only a TV program the public are given the ability to vote and its up to them if they vote based on colour, age or whatever.

yeah, and as I've said before week one was the only week voting took place after the dancing - after that we can vote all week, I am convinced this skews the results.

hey ho

Ballroom queen
25th-April-2005, 08:18 PM
Offhand, I can't think of any dance that's harder to learn and get right than Argentinian Tango for a Western couple.



:yeah: :yeah:

Ballroom queen
25th-April-2005, 08:19 PM
Photos of the SDF gang on their release day yesterday :-

http://dancefeverphotos.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/

damn, if I'd known Anton du Beke was going I'd have got off my arse!!! :tears: :tears:

Keep us posted on any more days out!!!

foxylady
26th-April-2005, 12:01 AM
damn, if I'd known Anton du Beke was going I'd have got off my arse!!! :tears: :tears:

Keep us posted on any more days out!!!

:yeah: Me too !! He is just divine.... I crave my half hour with him ! :drool:

(and yes I do know he is gay, it's his dancing I'm after !!.... I am aware that that's not like me !!!!)