WEEK 4 STRICTLY BLOG

Strictly Come Dancing

WEEK 4

 

The Halloween Special! Which of our couples will trick us into thinking they are better than they really are? And which would treat us into a fantastic demonstration of true dance finesse?  Opening the show this week was all of our dancers performing to Michael Jacksons Iconic ‘Thriller’ and each and every one of them all gave a top performance to a true entertaining routine.

 

Dani  & Vincent      Cha Cha

C 6   D 6   L 8   B 7   T 27

A great technical cha cha routine from Dani this week, full of pure rhythm and hip action, a little heavy footed in places but with a great knee and foot action developing, even though it was difficult to stop staring at Vincent who looked like a young Rod Stewart.

 

Richard & Erin     Paso Doblé

C 5   D 5   L 7   B 5   T 22

I loved the entrance to their routine this week, the passion and drama Richard installed was far stronger than we have seen him perform in other routines, most parts were performed really well however, the promenade walks and the Chasse Cape’s were still rather limp.

 

Lisa & Robin     Charleston

C 6   D 6   L 7   B 7   T 26

No one can argue as I think Lisa is looking fabulous, again another lively routine from these two this week, however I thought Lisa lost speed and energy in the second half of the routine, and the Charleston step was quite lame and needed to be higher on the toe which helps to create the swivelling action, Lisa & Robin need to up their game now as their performances are all becoming quite samey.

 

Sid & Ola     Cha Cha

C 2   D 5   L 5   B 5   T 17

Back Spins, Bum Twizzles and Drop Kicks, all tough steps for a guy to lead, but there were lots of heel leads and clumpy chasse steps which did make me cringe a little.

 

Nicky & Karen      Tango

C 6   D 6   L 7   B 7   T 26

Nicky’s dancing is definitely improving and out of all the other male celebrities he is one of the strongest, last week I commented on his bent knees being over bent and this week they were not bent enough which consequently made him too straight legged, as a result of this his steps became stompy, but overall I thought it was a good attempt.

 

Fern & Artem      American Smooth (Foxtrot)

C 4   D 5   L 6   B 6   T 21

Fern has a beautiful leg line and extensions, but she was slightly behind with her timing a couple of times, I would also have preferred a little more content to the routine, but there was grace and beauty throughout.

 

Denise & James     Cha cha

I have to say that I was a little disappointed in their performance this week, Denise is one of my favourites in the competition and we have now come to expect more from both of them, the dramatised sections were very good but when they were dancing the Cha Cha her leg and hip action was far too forced and she was restricted in her leg length.

 

Michael & Natalie      Quickstep

C 8   D 8   L 8   B 7   T 31

A great little lively Quickstep from Michael this week with good choreography and style developing, a little more attention needed to the footwork especially on the heel leads, but great shaping and topline, good work.

 

Victoria & Brendan      Tango

C7   D 8   L 8   B 8   T 31

A much better performance from Victoria this week there was good technique and staccato timing, if anything I would have preferred to see a closed hold position which holds the upper bodies together more, but Victoria is definitely moving up the leader board.

 

Colin & Kristina     Salsa

Colin can shift and his lift control is one of the strongest I have ever seen on a series of Strictly, however the basic Salsa action was not saucy enough and it was danced quite flat footed, but great musicality and light approach.

 

Louis & Flavia      Tango

C 8   D 9   L 9   B 9   T 35

Come on Louis, a great opening to their routine, brilliant dramatisation along with very good technique, again I would prefer to see a more closed hold position, but a beautiful interpretation well danced and easily deserving of a nine.

 

Kimberley & Pasha     Paso Doblé

C 8   D 8   L 7   B 8   T 35

A very good dramatised Paso, a little too forced in places rather than being strong and controlled, there was some nice shaping and gorgeous leg lines, just over danced but this could be down to nerves.

SUNDAY RESULTS SHOW

A full on show choreographed number from our professional dancers to Britney Spears ‘Toxic’ to open the results show, Sid & Ola and Colin & Kristina in the bottom two this week, but fortunately we see Colin & Kristina dance again next week.

WEEK 3, STRICTLY

Strictly Come Dancing Blog

WEEK 3

 

Hollywood week but which of our couples will be ‘putting on the Ritz’ and which would be ‘Singing in the Rain’.  A fabulous showgirl opening routine from our professionals and as if the BBC have brought back the over head camera! How many memories does that rekindle?

 

Fern & Artem      Charleston

C 5   D 6   L 6   B 6   T 23

A simple little Charleston routine that was full of drama and performance, Fern was however a little heavy footed in places and I would have liked a little more dance content, but a very clean a well polished routine.

 

Victoria & Brendan     Rumba

C 4   D 5   L 7   B 6   T 22

 

I knew this would be worth waiting for, the routine started off fantastically despite several mishaps with her dress, which then through Victoria off track as she quickly lost her confidence, she also needs to release her front knee when stepping backwards, rather than lifting the foot of the floor, it looked as if Brendan was having to drag in her round in the second half a little, but despite this all the foundations are now in place.

 

Michael & Natalie     Cha Cha

C 3   D 6   L 6   B 4   T 19

Michael does have a cheeky hip action, but it is still too forced, he now needs to control his hips through his knees and soften the lowering foot by pressing it into the floor, but a vast improvement on his Jive from last week.

 

Jerry & Anton     Quickstep

C 3   D 6   L 5   B 4   T 18

A huge improvement on previous routines a true full on Quickstep, full of technical content, Jerry’s posture still needs more work and I thought the judges marks were very mean, but it is great to see Anton dancing.

 

Sid & Ola     Tango

C 4   D 4   L 5   B 4   T 17

A great dramatised performance, but for me again there was not enough dance content, even when they were in closed hold their routine was too fluid and floaty, rather than attacking and sharp.

Kimberley & Pasha     Quickstep

C 7   D 7   L 7   B 8   T 29

No one can argue that these two don’t look good together, a great show stopping performance with great technical content, definitely a red hot roaring Quickstep, a little erratic in places on the scatter chasse’s, I think a slightly simpler timing would have helped here, but easily a higher standard than we expect for a week three dance.

 

Denise & James     Foxtrot

C 8   D 8   L 8   B 8   T 32

Wow, grace, poise, sway, and a beautiful topline, this is how Foxtrot should be danced, a great storyline a real professional performance, this has to be one of my favourite Foxtrots ever on Strictly and easily deserving of a nine, do you agree?

 

Colin & Kristina     Argentine Tango

C 7   D 7   L 6   B 6   T 26

Another brilliant show stopping routine, with great storyline, Colin was definitely leading his lady well and she obviously trusted him on the fantastic lifts they demonstrated, the Tango figure they performed were executed very well and despite them only having 10 hours to rehears this week due to Colin’s other commitment, was brilliant, I thought .

 

Richard & Erin      Quickstep

C 6   D 7   L 6   B 6   T 24

A well choreographed routine with signs of good control, Richard has obviously worked very hard this week but there still needs to be more technique on his rise and fall to help give the Quickstep its true flight, but a good attempt.

 

Dani & Vincent      Foxtrot

C 7   D 6   L 8   B 8   T 29

Yet another fabulous Foxtrot , remembering that this dance is one of the hardest dances to master, a great heartfelt story, with great line and poise, beautiful shaping and sway, Dani keep up this good work, and Darcey check your paddles a six! Please.

Lisa & Robin     Jive

C 8   D 6   L 7   B 8   T 29

Another lively performance from these two this week, but for me it was more jazz rather than Jive, I would of liked to have seen a lot more Jive content as I found it a little gimmicky, and to keep in the running with the other ladies this year is now going to need steps and technique, despite that it was fast her kicks were clean and made me smile.

Nicky & Karen     Quickstep

C 6   D 7   L 7   B 7   T 27

I loved the opening to the routine, but the majority of the time Nicky was dancing on bent knees and Gorilla walking around the floor, Nicky now needs to spend more time on mastering his basics and his technique will come.

Louis & Flavia     Salsa

C 8   D 8   L 6   B 8   T 30

An amazing true interpretation of Patrick Swayze Mambo, fabulous choreographer and Flavia obviously was loving performing the routine, I do agree with Len’s comment though, the attitude that Salsa demands over Mambo was not there, and this was because they were dancing a Mambo, but as a show routine it was fab.

I thought the standard of Saturday night’s show was fantastic, but I do think that the judges need to have their comments matching their marks.

SUNDAYS RESULT SHOW

An opening routine to beat all others to open the result show this week, a fantastic Quickstep from Anton & Erin with Tom Chambers and the cast of “Top Hat”, performing ‘Top Hat, White Tails’.  Jerry & Anton and Michael & Natalie in the bottom two this week, however I thought their demonstrations were similarly matched in the dreaded dance off, but for improvement alone I would have saved Jerry & Anton but we will see Michael & Natalie dance again next week in the Halloween Special. Do you agree with this result?

Week 2 STRICTLY

Strictly Come Dancing 2012

WEEK 2

 

The first week when we have to lose one of our couples, but if I had to pick who is the weakest link in the chain, I would find it really difficult especially if the standard is as strong as last week, let the contest begin!

 

Nicky & Karen            Cha Cha

 

C4  D5  L4  B5 T18

 

Sorry, I do apologies as I thought their dance was announced as a Cha Cha, but I found it very difficult to recognise any steps, however the chasse that they danced were very flat footed. Come on Karen this is now the second week you have let Nicky down.

 

 

Colin & Kristina    Viennese Waltz

 

C6  D6  L6  B6  T24

 

A graceful and elegant attempt, even though Colin was flat footed, but the styling in his arms was effortless. From the waist up it was great, from the waist down a little clumsy.

 

 

Dani & Vincent           Salsa

 

C7  D6  L7  B7  T27

 

Dani can definitely shift and gives as good as she gets, she matched Vincent perfectly, great fluidity.  Keep up the hard work Dani, and you will be with us till the end.

 

 

Fern & Artem              Viennese Waltz

 

C6  D6  L6  B6  T24

 

Second dance and Fern floored it again. A beautiful effortless approach, she looks right at home on the dance floor. If anything I would have preferred to see a slightly stronger heel lead, but a very fluid waltz.

 

 

Richard & Erin            Cha Cha

 

C3  D6  L5  B5  T19

 

Ace Ventura - Call of the Wild eat your heart out! There were however some recognisable steps, overall it was a lively performance, but a little harder work on the technique and less running up and down the stairs would have helped.

 

 

Victoria & Brendan    Foxtrot

 

C6  D6  L7  B7  T26

 

Victoria did look elegant but her balance on the spins and when not in hold, needs quite a bit of work. She does need to relax a little more though when in hold, and she still did look nervous towards the end of the routine.

 

 

Michael & Natalie       Jive

 

C2  D5  L4  B4  T15

 

Shakin’ Stevens with the added bonus of Shake ‘n’ Vac- there was however a nice kick action developing but far too many props and not enough control, but a very difficult dance for week two, a lot simpler choreography would have helped this routine.

 

 

Louis & Flavia            Viennese Waltz

 

C7  D7  L8  B8  T30

 

A little skippy in places and a softer knee action would have helped the flow better. Louis also needs to pull his shoulders down but a very good attempt showing great promise and potential.

 

 

Denise & James           Jive

 

C8  D8  L8  B8  T32

 

Very well danced, stylised and a great story line. Very good flicks, kicks, and breaks, she gave James a run for his money. A great professional standard jive demonstration.

 

 

Johnny & Iveta           Foxtrot

 

C5  D5  L5  B5  T 20

 

A very clean, well poised foxtrot, well executed. A little rounded in the shoulders at times but great presence around the floor. One of the hardest dances to master, but a very convincing attempt. Keep on the ball Johnny.

 

 

 

Sid & Ola        Salsa

 

C6  D6  L5  B5  T22

 

Not a bad attempt at the saucy salsa, good rhythm and well executed step patterns with good content to the routine. However it was a little clumpy in places.

 

Kimberley & Pasha     Foxtrot

 

C7  D6  L6  B7  T26

 

A very well matched couple dancing a fluid foxtrot showing great expertise. If anything, there body alignment was a little off-set which forced Kimberley’s right arm to be straight most of the time.

 

 

Jerry & Anton             Foxtrot

 

C3  D5  L5  B5   T18

 

Definitely a lot more content in their routine this week however it did look like Anton had to work hard to carry her around the floor, but lovely chorepgraphy.

 

 

Lisa & Robin               Viennese waltz

 

C7  D6  L6  B6  T 25

 

There was some very well controlled footwork and a great rotary turn action, a little tense when in closed hold and I thought the Cinderella story line was a little weak, but another great performance. Lisa is definitely my dark horse in this competition – do you agree?

 

Sunday Result Show

 

Perhaps perhaps perhaps probably one of the best show numbers to open a Sunday results show from our professional dancers. Johnny & Iveta and Richard & Erin were both in the dreaded dance-off, neither of these couples were the worst on Saturdays show but I thought they were both well matched, Richards routine seemed slower in the dance off and Jonny seemed very nervous, but we see Richard & Erin dance again next week, I am not convinced this was the right decision, do you?

Strictly Come Dancing 2012

WEEK 1

 

FRIDAY

Season 10 which is said to be the ‘biggest and best yet’, the first time out on the floor for our new celebrities either performing a Waltz or a Cha Cha,  were their nerves going to get the better of them, or would they shine, sparkle and entertain us? We also have the amazing Darcey Bussell joining the judging panel who I am know will be a great asset to the Strictly phenomenon.

 

 

Fern & Artem          Cha Cha

C 4    D 5     L 5     B 5   T 19

 

To be the first couple on the floor is never easy, but Artem was obviously so excited he had forgotten to button up his shirt!  A very good confident routine from Fern, with some good controlled footwork even though a little slip on her syncopated Cuban breaks, but for her first dance she should be very proud, but  the judges marks were a little low.

 

Nicky & Karen           Waltz

C 2     D 5     L 5     B 5   T 17

 

A very nice American entrance to their routine, this is normally only used in later performances or to hide mistakes. Nicky does have very rounded shoulders and is quite flat footed, he needs to soften through the knees more to develop a correct rise and fall. I am so glad that Craig mentioned the illegal lift, as Len did say in the last series if anyone was deliberately breaking the rules they will be penalised, so to score Nicky the same as Fern was just insulting, The routine was over dramatised and to put your hands in your pockets so often cheapened the performance, I thought. Nicky does have great potential and is obviously a very hard worker. I am looking forward to seeing him dance the Latin rhythms.

 

Michael & Natalie          Waltz

C 5     D 5     L 6     B 4     T 20

 

This did not in anyway look like a week one Waltz by one of our male celebrities. I loved the simplicity and performance of their opening and Michael’s lines and poses were excellent, his rise and fall was a little lumpy at times and he does have a slight sickle, but I think we are in for a treat over the coming weeks from these two.

 

Victoria & Brendan            Cha Cha

C 3     D 4     L 5      B 4     T 16

 

Victoria looked a million dollars, however I do think that the routine was a little too complicated for her and she did look as if she was wearing her mum’s high heels! I do think that Victoria will shine in the Ballroom dances, her grace and poise will help her develop that style better, but I think we will end up being wowed by her leg line.

 

Colin & Kristina     Cha Cha

C 4     D 7     L 6      B 6     T 23

 

Good musicality, rhythm and fluidity to their routine, with a nice foot and leg action developing, a little more hip action would have made it amazing but a great performance, again another celebrity who I think is going to wow us over the coming weeks.

 

Denise & James     Waltz

C 6     D 6     L 6      B 7     T 25

 

It was obvious that Denise has had some dance experience but not at Ballroom and to dance like a pro on week one showing great lines and interpretation was lovely, I honestly would have had Denise down for a Latin dancer and now I cannot wait to see them show off her hip action.

 

 

SATURDAY

Kimberley & Pasha          Cha Cha

C 7     D 7     L 7      B 7     T 28

 

A very good, well controlled cheeky, Cha Cha, with some very nice shaping. A little straighter in the leg action would have helped to polish off the performance,  but a very good attempt, and Pasha the definition of a lift is too support your partner with both feet leaving the floor! Compared to some of the routines on Friday night I thought the scoring was again a little too high.

 

 

Sid & Ola          Waltz

C 6     D 6     L 7      B 7     T 26

 

Not a bad attempt from our Sid, good clean lines with simple shaping, there was even signs of good footwork and graceful poise and presentation, for a male celebrity on week one, Well done, come on lad!

 

Jonny & Iveta          Cha Cha

C 3     D 5     L 5      B 4     T 17

 

A very good start for Johnny, full of power and versatility, Johnny now needs to soften his knees a little more and push his feet in to the floor, but a great hip action.

 

Dani & Vincent          Waltz

C 5     D 5     L 6      B 5     T 21

 

A lovely graceful, fluid Waltz with some lovely footwork which was beautifully performed, a few little hiccups but Dani is definitely one to watch.

 

Lisa & Robin          Cha Cha

C 8     D 8     L 7      B 7     T 30

 

OMG! This has to be one of the liveliest Cha performances ever on Strictly, Lisa your energy is contagious, great solo work with superb rhythm and timing, with a great little hip and leg action developing, I could watch you perform all night. Well done a true dancing star in the making, and has Craig ever given an eight on a week one show before?

 

Richard & Erin          Waltz

C 5     D 5     L 7      B 5     T 22

 

Some nice shaping from Richard however there is a little more work needed on his rise and fall and footwork, but a very elegant performance to be proud of.

 

Jerry & Anton          Cha Cha

C 3     D 5     L 5      B 5     T 18

 

A very clean looking Cha Cha, maybe a little bit safe, there were however some nice footwork and leg actions, but it was nice to see Anton having to dance for once rather than having to drag his partner around the floor.

 

Louis & Flavia           Cha Cha

C 6     D 8     L 6      B 7     T 27

 

Not a bad attempt from Louis, however there is quite a lot of work needed to achieve the correct hip action as it was a little too forced. Louis would have been better in a Cuban heel to pitch his body correctly and to achieve a better leg action, if I am completely honest I think I was expecting more, there is a long way to go but I am sure Louis will work his hardest and achieve great results in the end.

 

Overall on both programmes this week the most disappointing part for me were the judges marks and remarks, as they were just not consistent, at least we have the dreaded ‘dance off’ back but none of our celebrities embarrassed themselves and should all be very proud of their achievements first time out.

 

Graham

 

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