Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 16th October

 

Not having seen any of Strictly Come Dancing, It Takes Two this week I have no idea how anyone's training has gone.  I'm also watching the recording at 8am on a Sunday morning so give me some slack if the blogging's not up to the usual standard :-)

Up first Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Quickstep,

From the training videos I'm guessing Quickstep, and having seen the [questionable] outfits I'd say that's a certainty.

First underarm turn was awkward which is a shame because the rest of the start was pretty amazing, especially with Kara's cartwheel.  It's a very high energy performance though sometimes Kara let's her core drop in hold.  Overall though a great performance.  

I'm going to give an 8 even with the slight core issues.

Judges comments and scores:

Craig: 8 "I've done a cartwheel in heels so I know how difficult that is!"

Len: 8 "Overall it was an excellent performance throughout...thought the beginning was too long"

Alisha: 8 "You haven't disappointed...very light footed...so confident"

Bruno: 7 "Very pacey and very lively...mistake as soon as you came in...arch in your back needs to be extended"

Total Score: 31

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Rumba

So two weeks ago I felt Felicity was being hampered in her hip action by her high heels, Rumba is likely to highlight this further if she hasn't adapted, let's see what happens.

Felicity shows how flexible she is with the intial backbend, and near splits!!! A nice hip action at times though she does lose it occasionally.  The pick up from the floot is awkward, and there's quite a lot posturing and lines (I think to hide lack of hip action).  Looks very uncomfortable at times.

Emotion is definitely there but I'm only going to give it a 6 I'm afraid as it looked very uncomfortable at times.

Craig: 7 "Forward and back basic very very good...neck is a bit stiff in places...but impressive"
Len: 7 "Definitely for me your best dance"
Alisha: 8 "I asked you to come out and blow me away and you have"
Bruno: 7 "I didn't know you could be so bendy...you've gotta watch transitions...underarm turns are a bit laboured"

Total Score: 29 (seems I was a bit harsh with that one then!)

Patsy Kensit & Robin Windsor - Quickstep
 
Patsy is getting more confident as the competition progresses and training is looking good.

Unfortunately starts out of time but does recover, however Patsy looks to be struggling with the speed.  Again jumps the gun once they're in hold, she's looking down and her top half needs a lot more composure - her head and body aren't quite together.  She kept going, and looks knackered by the end, but not a great performance.

For me another 6

Craig: 5 "It was all a bit Yee-Hah and Ho Downish...I felt the whole thing was too fast for your body"
Len: 6 "When you get very quick music the chasse (side, close, side) can tend to look a bit gallup'y"
Alisha: 7 "I thought it was a very good effort"
Bruno: 6 "Keep your confidence...you went wrong straight immediately...your footwork was a bit like a pony at full gallup"

Total Score: 24

Paul Daniels & Ola Jordan - Rumba

Paul didn't moved from the bottom of the table in the first two weeks but he does appear to have been working harder this week.

Rumbas this week so far feature music from Glee...wonder if it's a theme?  Hip action looks very forced when it is there but I think it's a good move from Ola to make sure there's humour in the routines as Paul is really going to need the public vote to stay in.

A 5 I'm afraid Paul.

Craig: 2 "Armography was very blocky and wooden...spin turn in the centre was infantile...I felt you spent most of the time ogling Ola"
Len: 5 "Parts were magical, parts were comical, parts were diabolical but the whole thing was entertaining."
Alisha: 5 "I love that you're really really trying...I want to see more dancing [from you]"
Bruno: 4 "It was like watching 'Ola & the giant pepper pot'...it didn't flow Paul"

Total Score: 16

Next up, Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani - Quickstep,

So far Matt's been the best guy in the competition.  I felt their Foxtrot was too Tango-esque last week but I'm really looking forward to seeing their Quickstep.

A great song from the Coral!  Matt's feet look a little stiff at the start but he soon get's into his stride and he's coping with the speed well though he's a bit too sharp in his rise at the end of the running spin in the centre.

Very good performance and I'm going to give it an 8.

Craig: 8 "I can't agree with Alisha - you don't have a timing issue...point your feet...maintained your frame throughout"
Len: 7 "I admire you Matt...however I did feel a little bit this week that the whole thing was a little bit manic"
Alisha: 8 "It was such a fast-paced routine and you didn't always look comfortable."
Bruno: 8 "Brilliant timing...you never lost timing...you're a great dancer relax a bit more"

Total Score: 31

Gavin Henson & Katya Virshilas - Rumba,

Gavin has struggled with his nerves and ability to open us so far, and the Rumba isn't a dance to be shy in!

I must say Gavin is developing some very nice hip action, though I feel he's a little 'high' at times with his footwork, he could dance in the floor a little bit more.  Needs just a tad more shaping in his hands for my liking but Gavin is developing into a bit of a dark horse.

Yet again Gavin is surprising me with his dancing ability and I'm giving him a 7.

Craig: 3 "My floorboards at home have more movement than that...emotionless, cold at times...you do have to get your mind, body and soul into the dance"
Len: 6 "I appreciate that you really give it a good shot...overall you gave it a really good shot...more like walking than dancing"
Alisha: 7 "I think there's been a big improvement since last week...you are holding back a little bit...bum looks great in those trousers"
Bruno: 6 "You drive me crazy...actually I think you can do it...no emotion going through"

Total Score: 22

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe - Quickstep,

Sorry Scott but you do look a bit like a gorilla up on the steps!  A very fast paced start though and looking good, loses it slightly in front of the judges, both times round.  Needs to ensure he keeps his toes pointed but another great Quickstep tonight.

Another Quickstep, another 8.

Craig: 8 "I feel at ease when you take to the floor...you've got swing and sway in there...well done."
Len: 8 "You are very close to being a very good dancer"
Alisha: 9 "Great song, great outfit...Quickstep is your dance"
Bruno: 9 "That was an action packed adventure of a Quickstep...technique was very very good"

Total Score: 34

Michelle Williams & Brendan Cole - Rumba,

Brendan's been confident all week on Twitter about their Rumba training so this should be interesting.

Not sure about the all-brown outfit Brendan!  Michelle still looks a little fragile when she dances, though actually it improves as the dance progresses.  I think she needs to watch her shoulders as she almost looks like she's shrugging at times, could be that she needs to extend her neck.

Her best performance so far I would say, still room for improvement but I'm going to give it a 7.

Craig: 4 "You did hit some really nice lines actually...little bit stilted and stiff."
Len: 6 "Lines are very good...chemistry between you is very good...may be worth trying a lower heel size"
Alisha: 7 "Right amount of sensitivity...little bit more strengthening within your legs."
Bruno: 7 "Turns have improved very much...you've got to work on the legs now"

Total score: 24

Peter Shilton & Erin Boag - Quickstep,

Bottom two last week but Quickstep should be better in hold, if he can watch that right shoulder!

Embarassing that I think Peter has more hair than I do!!! Come on Peter, give us a smile, please. It's a little flat at times, and a slight mistake in the running finish.  His arms are flung a little too high at the end.

Better than his Salsa but only a 6 from me.

Craig: 6 "Erin you have been drilling...tentative leading...lacked swing and sway...thought you did very very well."
Len: 7 "It was a proper Quickstep...if you're in the bottom two I'll show my bum in Tesco"
Alisha: 7 "Massive improvement from last week...best dance yet."
Bruno: 6 "Definitely improved...still some timing issues...Erin was pushing you round."

Total Score: 26

Jimi Mistry & Flavia Cacace - Rumba,

Jimi's bruised tendons in his foot during training, that could affect his hip action if he can't push through the floor as effectively.

Great intensity at the starts but Jimi's hips are too sharp and forced during his forward and back basics.  Hips improve when he's not thinking about them as much and just lets the movement come naturally.  Needs to watch his hands the 'peace' look is a bit strange.

Not a bad performance but not smooth enough in his hip action for my liking.  A 7 though.

Craig: 6 "Very queer and curious nature to your hip and shoulder movement...less is more"
Len: 7 "To be honest Jimi I don't quite know what to make of it...I don't know whether you're trying too hard"
Alisha:  6 "Sometimes Jimi your body looks a little awkward...keep at it"
Bruno: 6 "I don't know what happened there...it looked neurotic...trying too hard it becomes jagged"

Total Score: 25

Ann Widdecombe & Anton Du Beke - Quickstep,

How Ann is going to cope with the speed of the Quickstep remains to be seen.

Anton asked for a vote on a top hat this week, and it looks like he listened to the replies.  Ann's left shoulder is a little high and she's out of sync at times.  Needs to pick her head up and try and smile through the dance.

Uninspiring but not the worst dance of the night.  A 5 I'm afraid though Ann.

Craig: 3 "Free arm has a mind of it's own...timing was a nightmare...looked like you were chasing him...did at least dance."
Len: 5 "Last week you got swung to the right...in ballroom you need to lean to the left...can tell you've worked very hard"
Alisha: 5 "Can see you worked really hard this week...definitely an improvement"
Bruno: 5 "The look on your face...driven through it by Anton...it looked like a Quickstep"

Total Score: 18

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Rumba,

I did see a brief bit of their training on Friday and their Rumba was looking excellent, let's hope they pull it off tonight.

Pamela has some very good hip action, though I'm not a fan of the silver dress.  Her walks look a little bit stiff near the start, before the leg lift.  There's great interaction betweeen them and another excellent dance from Pamela.

James is really bringing something to the competition this year and I'm verging...actually I'm going to give it...a 9!

Craig: 9 "That was absolutely Fab-u-lous"
Len: 8 "Good technique, chemistry, great musicality...I didn't think [grabbing her ankle and throwing her round] added to it"
Alisha: 9 "It was so romantic...everyone here was mesmorised"
Bruno: 9 "You actually sang with your body...that we never see...you were on it completely satisfying at every level"

Total Score: 35