Strictly Come Dancing Week 3

Ok due to our Bournemouth Dance Weekend this weekend I've had to save the blogging until today.  Rather than inundating everyone with posts I'm just going to do it in one long one instead.

This week is Broadway week, why? I don't know but I suppose they feel the need to have some form of gimmick to keep the public interested.

We missed the live show as we were having a masquerade ball, but the wonders of modern technology allowed us to hook my laptop up to the hotel's TV, fire up iplayer using the hotel's free wifi, and have all our students sit down with us to watch the show.

In between each dance we had a quick run round for scores, really wish we'd written them down as it would've been great to compare.

It did mean we were all up until gone 1am but it was fun to watch with them.

On to the show itself, up first were Holly Valence & Artem Chigvintsev with their Tango...or is it Argentine Tango?

In Chicago they perform more of an Argentine Tango so at first that's what I was expecting from this routine, however they have gone for a Ballroom Tango with Argentine flavour.

A good start from Holly, definitely getting the Chicago feel but seems a little messy once she actually gets into hold.

Manages to unhook her dress almost discreetly so that was well done but the actual Tango element of the dance was very uninspiring, just a 6 from me.

Craig: 7 "Liked the strong bold storytelling...[would like to see] cleaner and sharper finishing lines"
Len: 8 "Be still my beating heart, full of smouldering intensity...great start and great dance"
Alesha: 7 "One of my favourite musicals...definitely sexy...stunning lines...hoping it would be a little more feisty"
Bruno: 8 "You got me going, I want to be a criminal...there was an incident...lost a bit of balance"

Total Score: 30 - overmarked if you ask me I'm afraid, the Tango was very messy when in hold

Dan Lobb & Katya Virshilas Viennese Waltz

I didn't like their Salsa last week, there was too much concentrating on lifts and not enough actual dancing, let's hope it's more of a dance this week.

LOVE QUEEN!

Not a fan of the fingers Dan.  Nice start but the side-by-side section doesn't work for me, and the contra check is all bum.

A very nice frame at times, though he starts to lean further forward as the dance progresses and the pivots section was awful.

I'd have preferred more dancing and less attempts at storytelling, it was ok but again just going to give it a 6.

Craig: 5 "You have an awkward nature about you generally...you don't dance between steps"
Len: 7 "I thought your frame was good, your footwork overall was good...not the greatest 'actor' of a dance"
Alesha: 6 "Generally you move well around the floor...would have preferred more fluidity in your movement"
Bruno: 6 "You didn't really capture the spirit of the song for me"

Total Score: 24, about right for me but has potential

Anita Dobson & Robin Windsor Jive

Anita has a tendency to hunch over and this really ruins the look for me, there is a possibility that she may have been a bit of a Jiver when she was younger and that would explain the slightly hunched posture.

However she is flat footed which just removes any 'bounce' feeling from the dance.  Latin really isn't working for Anita at present, which is a shame as her actual performance of the character is excellent.

Has a tendency to dance Latin with permanently bent knees which will need looking at.

Disappointing but with plenty of energy so I'm going to give her a 6.

Craig: 6 "All too loose...technically I thought it was very messy
Len: 7 "Fun, energetic, entertaining"
Alesha: 7 "Came out and performed it...entertaining...lit up the room"
Bruno: 7 "Your performance level is always great...have to be a little bit sharper...bit more precise and cleaner"

Total Score: 27

Alex Jones & James Jordan Viennese Waltz

Lovely extensions to start and Alex is mirroring James perfectly, Alex can definitely do elegance.

It's a bit slow for my liking, I'd have preferred the tempo of the music to be just a little bit quicker, but the comparison of this Viennese to Dan's should show anyone where he was going wrong - the pivots alone are a vast improvement.

A wonderfully romantic and elegant routine and most definitely her best dance so far.

Definitely an 8 from me.

Craig: 8 "Simple, uncomplicated...would have liked to have seen it be a little bit more daring...but I loved it"
Len: 8 "It was simple, but it was simply beautiful...tonight you're a winner"
Alesha: 8 "Absolutely beautiful...most improved dancer...elegant and dreamy"
Bruno: 8 "Those opening figures, it was like watching a magical bird spreading its wings"

Total Score: 32
 
Rory Bremner & Erin Boag Quickstep

Rory was another celebrity who's Salsa left a lot to be desired last week, how will his Quickstep go?

If Rory could just stand up a little straighter it would make the beginning section look a lot better however the initial Quickstep is looking rather good...until he goes past the camera and then see his posture - all bum and crouched over with the shoulders.

A few stumbles it looks like in places but actually not too bad a Quickstep, just a 7 for me but he's definitely showing improvement.

Craig: 7 "Leaning over Erin...posture isn't great...BUT it's full of style...panache"
Len: 8 "The right song, the right style, the right routine, YOUR best dance"
Alesha: 8 "You held the character of the dance from beginning to end...Quickstep is your dance"
Bruno: 8 "All the razzle and all the dazzle...just be careful with the trout pout"

Total Score: 31

Lulu & Brendan Cole Rumba

I'd like to see straighter legs when Lulu's walking but it's a good start, the cape and smoke definitely give the dance some atmosphere.

A nice drag across the floor, but WHY THE LIFT Brendan, ok I understand there's a real highlight in the music but there must have been other options that wouldn't have broken the rules.

Still a few moments when Lulu looked unsure and shaky but the dance on the whole was actually quite good.

A definite improvement, I'd like to see straighter legs and more hip action, and I have to knock off points for the lift so just a 7.

Craig: 5 "Illegal lifts will not be tolerated...playing with fire"
Len: 7 "You have to break eggs to make an omelette, and sometimes you have to break rules to make a routine complete"
Alesha: 7 "It was romantic and you played it with sensitivity"
Bruno: 7 "You missed a few passes...choreography was very difficult...otherwise very well done"

Total Score: 26

Nancy Dell'Olio & Anton Du Beke Tango

Nancy performed the chair section much better in the training video, but some nice straight legs at times.

Unfortunately she's needs to keep control of her head to avoid looking like a rag doll, Nancy also still has an element of 'stompiness' about her dancing.

Her best dance yet, but the only way really was up!  I think I'm going to give her a 6.

Craig: 4 "I don't know what Bruno was watching...plodding mule...heavy, no accents"
Len: 5 "It was so terrible last week anything would have been an improvement...lots of style but no substance"
Alesha: 5 "I like the intro, I like the drama...do need to strengthen your body from head to toe"
Bruno: 6 "Tempestuous temptress...much more content...actually looked like you can dance"

Total Score: 20

Audley Harrison & Natalie Lowe Quickstep

Not a fan of the start on the stage, and isn't that a lift also?!

Frame not too bad but still needs improvement, but Audley is again showing that he can be light on his feet.

I'd like to see an improvement in his use of heels, and it feels a little pedestrian at times, and they very nearly trip over right in front of the judges.

Not a bad performance but still needs a little polish, just a 6 for me.

Craig: 5 "Timing got out at the beginning...lot more energy [required]...much lighter than I'd expected"
Len: 6 "Up the top you are joyful and full of verve...from the waist down we've got to get better in the footwork"
Alesha: 6 "Lot's of good content in the routine...right attitude for this competition...need to work on those feet"
Bruno: 7 "I think you did incredibly well...feet the size of surfboards!...I think you did very well"

Total Score: 24

Robbie Savage & Ola Jordan Tango

A really good Foxtrot last week so I'm looking forward to seeing his Tango.

Needs to work more on his posture and really don't agree with the chair dance but he's got good characterisation.  Lacks a little bit of drive for my liking, and needs to keep his chin up.

Almost stumbles with Ola at the end, which would have been a dangerous situation for her.

A good Tango, compared to the others we've seen tonight, so I think I'll give him a 7.

Craig: 7 "Full of aggression...well done"
Len: 7 "Robbie the Savage attacks the Tango...full of attack and aggression...no one said it's easy"
Alesha: 8 "You should be proud...bundles of attitude and passion"
Bruno: 8 "Stronger and stronger"

Total Score: 30

Russell Grant & Flavia Cacace Foxtrot

Russell looks like he's trying to entice the camera but he's really giving the dancing a go, which is great to see.

Really looks like he's enjoying himself and it really makes his performances so enjoyable to watch, I couldn't help smiling on Saturday night, and I can't help smiling now.

I have no idea what his footwork was like but he's brought back the enjoyment I felt from the first week.  Think I'm going to have to give him a 7!

Craig: 6 "I would advise a more masculine approach...a little less Barbara darling and a bit more Rambo"
Len: 7 "You were like a little white cloud drifting across the floor, and your little yellow dickie was the sun...put the 'show' in showbiz"
Alesha: 7 "You are my guilty pleasure"
Bruno: 8 "Uplifting quality of blazing sunshine...I've enjoyed it so much"

Total Score: 28

Jason Donovan & Kristina Rihanoff Tango

Well this looks a little camp for a Tango, and suddenly there's a roar on Jason's face...I don't know if I can take it seriously especially with the camp challenge section in front of the judges.

There was something I didn't like about this routine on Saturday night, but having watched it again I have no idea what it was.  Just watched a third time and it's his hunched over frame after the disco section.

Ignoring that though it's another fantastic performance and Jason's definitely coming out as the top contender at the moment.  Originally I gave this an 8 in front of the students but on second (and third) viewings I'm going to upgrade to a 9.

Craig: 9 "Stu-pen-dous"
Len: 9 "I'm going to call you the midwife because you keep delivering"
Alesha: 9 "Incredible Tango with a twist"
Bruno: 9 "Strong, powerful, aggressive...then camp as Christmas...Fan-tast-ic"

Total Score: 36

Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev Cha Cha Cha

Chelsee's hip action was a little bit lacking in the Salsa last week so I'm hoping they've worked on it some more for this Cha Cha.

We use Beggin' as one of the tracks in our Cha Cha playlist, it's a great track to dance to.

I feel Chelsee's hip action is a little bit forced, it should come more from what the feet are doing.  The whole routine just seems to be a little bit too frantic and complicated, something that I think Pasha needs to take into consideration, I know she's talented but you have to help her into the competition before she can shine.

Disappointing as I still think she's got a lot to offer but just a 7 from me.

Craig: 6 "Timing, energy and spirit absolutely fantastic...very hit and miss...too disco"
Len: 8 "Need to take more attention to detail...come out and give it some wellie!...Pasha you know what I'm saying"
Alesha: 8 "So close to being a great Cha Cha Cha...just need to tighten up on a few little things"
Bruno: 8 "Cha Cha is defined as cheeky, saucy, playful...you have all of that"

Total Score: 30

Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani Jive

Not really seeing a lot of Jive here, a lot of Grease disco dancing though Harry is performing the dance really well.

I'm never that happy with Aliona's routines, I think she's goes far too much for gimmicks when she could instead be really showing off what Harry is capable of.

He's a good dancer, but this wasn't a good Jive as there really wasn't any Jive there really to mark on.

Not sure how to mark it so I'm going to abstain on this one and see what the judges thought.

Craig: 8 "You have FINALLY arrived"
Len: 8 "Sharp kicks and flicks, great musicality...would have liked a little less messing about"
Alesha: 9 "A lot of messing about, but I liked it...so good to see you having fun and letting go"
Bruno: 8 "Action packed expression of youth...a very good performance"

Total Score: 33, I'd like the judges to be a little harsher with routines that don't actually feature enough of the choreography of the dance!

Scoreboard

1. 36 points - Jason & Kristina (9)
2. 33 points - Harry & Aliona (-)
3. 32 points - Alex & James (8)
4. 31 points - Rory & Erin (7)
5. 30 points - Holly & Artem (6)
5. 30 points - Robbie & Ola (7)
5. 30 points - Chelsee & Pasha (7)
8. 28 points - Russell & Flavia (7)
9. 27 points - Anita & Robin (6)
10. 26 points - Lulu & Brendan (7)
11. 24 points - Dan & Katya (6)
11. 24 points - Audley & Natalie (6)
13. 20 points - Nancy & Anton (6)

So table is again fairly accurate, on Saturday night I predicted that Audley & Nancy could be in trouble.

Result

First group safe are as follows:

Audley & Natalie
Alex & James
Rory & Erin
Holly & Artem
Anita & Robin
Robbie & Ola


Whilst first in the bottom two are Dan & Katya.


Second group safe:


Lulu & Brendan
Harry & Aliona
Jason & Kristina
Russell & Flavia
Chelsee & Pasha


Meaning that Nancy & Anton join Dan & Katya in the bottom two.

If there was a dance off then I think Nancy would be going home but unfortunately that's not the case this series.

Going home then, if you haven't worked it out by the greyed out photo above, are Dan & Katya! 

Reflecting back on his highlight of being part of Strictly, Dan stated “Oh, dancing with Katya – it’s a wonderful opportunity to dance with somebody who works at the top of their profession, who is so talented.”

And Katya added, “I have loved every single moment of it. I loved my tennis lesson”. I shall cherish that. I didn’t get a chance to get up with you at 3:30am though!”

Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani - Viennese Waltz

I wasn't entirely sold on this first time round, if I remember correctly (haven't time to go back and look).  Shoulder line loses it a little bit, and it's a bit too clipped at times.  Can't quite tell if they miss a hand at the end or not.

Another good performance, but not perfect, just a 9.

Craig: 9 "Thank you darling for those thumbs, gorgeous, unlike your head placement"
Len: 9 "Excellent ballroom dancer...little pickle with your fleckerl"
Alisha: 10 "A beautiful performance...impressive from the very beginning"
Bruno: 9 "Dashing, elegant...very nice Waltz."

Total Score: 37

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Viennese Waltz

Pamela is still for me the most consistent, and entertaining, of all the competitors - Emma can't stop laughing every time she sees the Salsa stumble.

We're in for another treat with this Viennese Waltz I hope.

I'm ashamed to say I have a little tear in my eye, whether it's the music from Ghost, or their storytelling I'm not sure but this is still one of the most beautiful Viennese Waltzes I've ever seen.

I wish now that I'd given the other two 9's as this is just a step above.  In light of that I'm going to have to give it an 11!

Craig: 10 "Simple, effective...another remarkable performance"
Len: 10 "I think the correct three have got into this final...you'll have to wait and see if you did it [maintained your standard, in the marks]
Alisha: 10 "Even more emotional...true star...invitation into movie magic"
Bruno: 10 "Beautiful acting, beautiful dancing, completely focused, simply brilliant"

Total Score: 40

A beautiful dance and fully deserving of a perfect score.

Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev - Viennese Waltz

A lot to follow this week after Pamela's 40 last week.  Needs to watch looking down during the spins at the start as she just looked slightly off balance.


Some of the transitions from in and out of hold look a little messy.  They obviously tried to put more in than Pamela and James last week but I think they could've done an even better performance if they just toned it down a little bit.

For me just a 9 I'm afraid.

Craig: 9 "Concerned about the end, your foot came off the floor twice...technically a lift"
Len: 10 "If I'm dreaming don't wake me up...fabulous"
Alisha: 10 "You mirror each other perfectly...don't think you realise how good you are...simply beautiful"
Bruno: 10 "Beauty...quality of movement...expression of musical phrasing...work of art"

Total Score:  39

Normally the judges allow a slight leeway if the foot is only just off the floor, feels like Craig had a bone to pick with that one!

Pamela Stephenson & James Jordan - Viennese Waltz

A wonderfully elegant start and looking great in hold, though I still feel her shoulders could be lower in hold.  A great dramatisation and excellent retelling of the 'Ghost' storyline.

Aside from her shoulder line there's not really anything I can criticise so I'm actually going to give it a 10.

Craig: 10 "Elegant...stylish...tasteful...full of emotion...gorgeous"
Len: 10 "Tonight is all about who should get through to next week's semi final...on that performance I'll see you next week"
Alisha: 10 "Perfect song...perfect dress...perfect choreography...perfect dance"
Bruno: 10

Total Score: 40

Our first perfect score of the series, and I think Pamela appreciated that, not sure James' ears did...what a birthday present though!

Scott Maslen & Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz

Good to see someone getting [pretty much] straight into the dance.  I feel Scott is just a little wooden during the fleckerls.

It's a good performance but I felt they did better last week, easily an 8 though.

Craig: 9
Len: 10 "Last week good, this week great...absolutely spell binding"
Alisha: 10 "I think you hypnotised the whole room, that was magical"
Bruno: 10 "You created dance magic"

Total Score: 39

Looks like I'm being overly critical this week!

Felicity Kendal & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Felicity and Vincent appear to have gone down a very traditional route, in terms of the history of the dance from the balls of Vienna.

It takes them quite a while to get down onto the floor though (from the bridge) which I know Len isn't going to like.

There's a little bit too much skipping from Felicity, though she can still do the splits better than I can.

Overall I thought the dance was ok, but nothing special.  I'll give it a 7.

Craig: 6 "Beginning held great promise...unravelled when you got to the floor...bit lumpy on the travelling splits"
Len: 7 "Nice feeling of romance...posture much better...took a bit of time to get down on the floor...no heels"
Alisha: 6 "Wasting time down the stairs...tad jerky...loved the splits."
Bruno: 7 "I think you were starting to laugh in the middle...feet mucking up"

Total Score: 26

Strictly Come Dancing - Saturday 30th October

It's Strictly Come Dancing, it's Halloween, and we have shirtless male pro dancers to start the show.  Shame the band can't quite live up to Matt Bellamy's vocal range.  A powerful performance though and a great way to open the show.

So tonight we're going to see a Jive, Paso Doble, Viennese Waltz and Argentine Tango.  Let's get on with the show.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Viennese Waltz

A perfect 40 in Blackpool, let's see if they can recreate that magical dance tonight.

Ali's elegance always suits the mainly slow Ballroom dances.

A little shaky at times but otherwise faultless and I think this could be the first perfect score of the night.

Viennese Waltz tips from Anton Du Beke

Fresh from leaving the show on Saturday night, Anton gives us his top 3 tips on dancing the Viennese Waltz:

Competition Viennese Waltz

So the first time that the competitors have been required to actually compete against each other, let's see how they cope with a normal dancing competition scenario.

This will be made difficult by the camera angles, very hard to compare when it keeps jumping around.

For me I still think Ricky's frame is not the best, especially when doing the fleckerl as he has a tendency to lean his head.

Chris' frame also has a bit of a lean to it.

Laila looks a little unstable at times.

For me I would place it:

1. Ali & Brian
2. Natalie & Vincent
3. Laila & Anton
4. Chris & Ola
5. Ricky & Natalie

If Ricky could sort out his top line it wouldn't make me cringe every time he goes into a turn and I'd have marked him a lot higher.

How would you have placed them?

Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Viennese Waltz

Chris has been hit-and-miss this series, let's see how he copes with the tricky Viennese.



Not quite sure that Chris' feet were correct during the slow fleckerl at the start.

Nice pivots, although you could see the tension forming in Chris' shoulders every time he dances them.

A good performance and should get 8's.

The moment of truth, dance off, and result

I'm expecting Laila to be saved by public vote, and a Natalie Cassidy/Phil Tufnell dance-off - but how have the public voted?

Well that's one of my dance-off possibles saved by the public, could Laila be in trouble this week? Either way I think they'll save her till the bottom three.

As expected!

Out of these two I think Phil will be the one going home, assuming Ricky can make the Viennese a little smoother this time.

A nice performance from Phil & Katya, let's see Ricky's response.

Seems smoother this time, but still too skippy. Not quite as dynamic this time and I think Ricky could be in trouble.

It'll be a close call and I imagine it will be a Len decider tonight.

2-1 to Phil, then Len votes for Ricky so Phil gets sent home, the right decision I feel.

Do you agree with the decision?

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Viennese Waltz

Another celebrity who's more at home in the ballroom dances. His Viennese American Smooth was very good so I'm expecting good things tonight.

A little skippy, which i'm sure Craig will pick up on, fleckerl wasn't too bad though.

The dance is let down by the skipping as it ruins the overall look, and with only 3 real steps to choose from you do have to perform them well.

I think it should easily achieve 8's.

Professional's Viennese Waltz

The group Viennese Waltz was choreographed by Ian Waite - apparently the chandeliers are in completely different positions from where he was originally told!


Looks like the pro's have managed to cope though.

Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Viennese Waltz

Ali really suffered with an injury last week, but this should be very good and could finish top if all goes well.

Ali really does pull off elegance with aplomb, it looks a little skippy at points but excellent nonetheless.

I can't really fault the performance, it looked a little shaky at times but this should really get top marks.

Judges scores: CRH 10, LG 10, AD 10, BT 10.

Fully deserved - do try not to cry though Brian!

Laila Rouass & Anton du Beke - Viennese Waltz

Back to ballroom, and Anton's forte, we should see significant improvement this week

The training mid-week for this looked excellent, let's hope she can perform tonight.

There's something just not quite right with her frame, it doesn't look like she's quite standing up from her core, which is resulting in a slight chin protusion.

That slip right in front of the judges won't do them any favours.

Anton felt this had the potential to be 10's, but it hasn't quite lived up to it on the night, could well get 8's though.

Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - American Smooth

Ricky and Erin have decided to choose a Viennese Waltz as their American Smooth dance and from the training videos I think that could prove to be a good choice.

Shame he was out of time at the start there as they came together. An excellent performance, with a cheeky bit of Quickstep thrown in for good measure. Looked a little uncomfortable during the second lift however.

Should comfortably get 8's.

Phil Tufnell & Katya Virshilas - Viennese Waltz

This was looking very good, if a little boppy in training...

Unfortunately still quite a lot of bobbing there Phil but some lovely throwaways.

A bit of a frantic ending for my liking, and the finish appeared to go a bit wrong.

Should easily get the 7's I thought it would though.

Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz

Thought training for the Viennese looked quite good, though I've only predicted 7's.

Picking her feet up far too high in the pivots at the start and it's causing an horrendous motion.

Too boppy for my liking, nice hands when out of hold though.

6-7