I'm baaaaaaack! Yep, with another new series of Strictly, it's another run of the blog. So just some formalities before I crack on - in the 9 months that have passed since my last post (and apologies for not doing the final, I was kept super-busy in the run up to Christmas and then went away for New Year) I've got a job so I have less time than before to write up the blog. That means that the shows will be divided into 2 or 3 posts to start off with (aside from this week, where it's just night 1 and night 2), but then later on I may be able to get it all down into 1 post, we'll see!
I also never saw the launch show this year; I was on holiday at the time but I was able to find out who was paired with who. Been so excited at work all week for this show to come back!
In Friday's Style Stakes: Claudia was the winner (the cut-outs on Tess' dress at the neckline looked awful); and actually, from what I've seen so far, Wardrobe has definitely improved this year.
Kellie & Kevin - Tango - "You Really Got Me"
*RECYCLED SONG ALERT! (Ricky & Natalie in series 7)*
Was I the only person that thought they were doing a Jive from their outfits? I get the whole 60s thing that Kevin seems to love (like Brendan and his 80s obsession) but it just did not go with this dance style - it would have been better if they were styled a bit more 'rock'-ish, and put in the moves to match. I usually like KFG's choreo but he needed to put more Tango in dammit! It started off a bit like a comedy Cha Cha Cha, then looked a little like a Paso Doble with the shaped arms and hands, and then finally at around 30 seconds in they got into hold and started doing a Tango. One thing I always look out for with the week 1 Tango(s) is the hold - footwork is one part of the package (which Kellie was pretty good at from what I could see), but if the hold and frame isn't right, it looks messy. Kellie's hold was quite strong and her left hand was tucked in just the right place under Kevin's armpit (Craig mentioned this at some point last series as being the way to go). I would have liked some more staccato and aggression/passion, but Kevin's choreography put paid to that idea..... if anything I would have said this was slightly overmarked if you look at the other 27 scorers, but as a first dance, I'll take it.
Recycled prop alert: their phonebox was used in Dani & Vincent's Tango back in series 10, and I'm not entirely sure but the motorbike may well have been from Steve & Ola's Tango last year.
My score: 6.5
Anthony & Oti - Jive - "Wake Me Up, Before You Go Go"
*RECYCLED SONG ALERT! (Jason & Kristina in series 9, Julian & Erin in series 2*
Oh good lord, the producers must have thought that this would be soooooo clever (when we all predicted this would be a song that they'd give him). His arm injury was never going to help him (although Oti was great at helping to disguise it), but that said, I thought this was really undermarked, especially in comparison to some of the night 2 dances (but that will be continued in the night 2 post). His kicks and flicks weren't bad for week 1, and I noticed what the judges said about him trying to do the pumping action with the leg for those. He was in sync with Oti pretty much all the way through as well, which can be difficult for a Jive. Also, kudos to Oti for not over-dancing which the pros like to do in these dances (Giovanni I'm looking at you, and Kevin is normally a serial offender), especially as it makes the celeb look a lot worse than they might actually be.
Anthony's got Waltz next week, and apparently he's finding it 'nigh on impossible' - I do hope he's ok otherwise he may well have to pull out at some point.....
My score: 6
Helen & Aljaz - Waltz - "With You, I'm Born Again"
*RECYCLED SONG ALERT! (Denise & James in series 10, Mark & Karen in series 4, Natasha & Brendan in series 1)*
This is starting to catch up with 'Roxanne' in the recycled song chart. Now whilst this was beautiful and Helen looked gorgeous, I felt this was a poorer version of Aljaz's Waltz with Abbey in series 11. When Helen mentioned about her turned-out feet in the VT beforehand, I was deliberately looking out for them in this routine and she did have them a few times. Also, there was a fair bit of gapping and I think there was a mistake towards the end - there probably wasn't, but it looks like there could have been; and the floor sweep was not needed and made Helen a little unsteady on her feet when she got back up. Somehow I think Helen will really struggle in the Latin, she'll have a problem 'letting go' I feel.
My score: 7
Carol & Pasha - Cha Cha Cha - "Thunder In My Heart"
I found it a little odd that it was one of the female singers doing this one, as even in the remix (which I think may have been the version used) it is still definitely Leo Sayer..... interesting. Sadly, apart from Pasha descending from the heavens on a glittery cloud - you know this will be a future GIF guys - that was probably the only interesting thing about the routine. Carol was stood still for quite a while, and then it was basically: hands on hips, do something with the legs, hands on hips again..... I do think Pasha could have put a little more variety into the choreography maybe, but who knows if Carol could do much else? Again like Oti, credit to Pasha for not outdancing his partner, he went at Carol's speed for the most part (although I think she forgot a few steps at one point).
Foxtrot next week for Pasharol (apparently that's their team name. Cute!). Slow Ballroom so Carol might be alright with this one.
My score: 3.5
Daniel & Kristina - Waltz - "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"
Hee hee, his VT was him showing Kristina how to sing this song properly, so I wonder how he would have thought Hayley did? Joking aside, this was actually a really nice performance, and as you guys are well aware I'm not normally a fan of Kristina's, but occasionally I do have to give her props on her choreography and this is one of those times. Now some people on the forums were wondering if Daniel had had a stroke - bit harsh but I can see where that came from as his mouth sort of dropped on the one side (can't really judge him for that though, as mine does the same when I try to smile), which made his smile look more like a grimace. Daniel's footwork looked good, he just needed to pull up his frame a little more as he was starting to hunch over in parts. This was a bit of a pleasant surprise for me so I'm intrigued on how he handles the Latin! (Forgot to mention: love the projections, even though it was basically 'this guy is Irish, so let's Irish the s*** out of everything!' I didn't mind it this time :D )
My score: 6.5
Anita & Gleb - Cha Cha Cha - "Rather Be"
Thought this song would have had it's first outing on last series (it did come out last year didn't it, or am I imagining that the awful Cortana adverts with Clean Bandit were in the run-up to Christmas?), so bit of a surprise that this was used and not another 'pun' song - I suppose they could have gone for 'Country Girl' by Primal Scream but that may have been a bit overkill. Onto the dance and WOW - I'm regretting having my free virtual bet on Anita being the first to leave, as that was awesome from her. Great footwork, nice arms. I think she was slightly ahead of Gleb in timing towards the end but managed to pick it back up superbly, and the drag-through was done well. I wish there was more interaction between the two of them, but then it's a positive that Anita has the confidence to be able to dance on her own and do it well, as not many people can do that in week 1. If she can do Ballroom too then we may have another contender on our hands!
My score: 7
Judges' Leaderboard:
1. Helen & Aljaz - 29
=2. Kellie & Kevin, Anita & Gleb - 27
Daniel & Kristina - 24
Anthony & Oti - 21
Carol & Pasha - 16
My Leaderboard:
=1. Helen & Aljaz, Anita & Gleb - 28
=3. Daniel & Kristina, Kellie & Kevin - 26
5. Anthony & Oti - 24
6. Carol & Pasha - 14
So this is part 1, and part 2 should be up either tomorrow or Tuesday (depends when I have time to write it up, and what time I manage to get back from work for!) :)