Debbie & Gio - Cha Cha Cha - "The Shoop Shoop Song" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Dominic & Lilia in series 5)
1. Oh I do love these two together! Such a nice little partnership and loved that Gio blew a kiss to Debbie at the end there.
2. I can see what everyone's saying about the legs being too straight, but I did think that this was only on occasion.
3. Her arm and hand lines weren't as good as usual - hardly any extension through the hand and sometimes the arm was just thrown into position; I don't necessarily want these to be placed, but there needs to be a bit of finesse and precision and whilst Debbie normally has that down, it just wasn't there in this dance. She did also lose balance coming out of a spin which isn't like her either. Perhaps this just wasn't her dance.
4. I do have to give her credit though, this girl (sorry Brendan but I am borrowing your catchphrase and drinking game cert for a moment) can definitely perform. And I have to admit that I inwardly went 'Hell-o' when Gio opened his shirt and smoothed his hair back. I honestly don't know what is wrong with me this series in that respect, god help me if someone goes shirtless at any point....
5. I did think this was undermarked when I first saw it, but I'm pretty much in agreement with the judges after the rewatch (score of 27). This puts Debbie joint second for the Cha Cha Cha so far (with Davood) but I don't think she'll still be top 3 by the end. She's got the Rumba next, and if Gio has an open shirt I think I will lose it....
Brian & Amy - Paso Doble - "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Chris & Ola in series 7)
1. Firstly, I have to give props to Jamie, the guest singer they brought in - he pulled off this one with aplomb!
2. I actually quite liked this look on Brian, although I can see the comparisons with Julian Clary (he's still Bradley Walsh for me though)
3. Brave of Amy to let him start the routine on his own, but it didn't work for Georgia and it certainly didn't work for Brian - the foot stomping looked like a horse having a hoof tantrum.
4. Like Debbie, Brian always gives a performance, and you could tell he was enjoying it and that he really got into it. He did have some good shaping going on, though this didn't always go fully through the hand, something that I know Ian mentioned on ITT during the week.
5. Again, I'm with the judges score-wise (21). It wasn't a bad effort really and you can tell that he is steadily improving. He's got the Jive next, to 'It's Not Unusual'? The song that is THE CARLTON? Clearly they're going with the 'Amy's from Wales' theme this week but I reckon it might just backfire on them unless Dayvarch speeds it up a notch.
Mollie & AJ - Salsa - "Subeme La Radio"
1. I've said before that Mollie is like an inferior version of Pixie Lott, and this dance kind of hammered that for me.
2. Bit of a slow Salsa and yet she was still struggling to keep up at times. And she made the fundamental error of messing with her hair, save that for after you've finished or just try and flick it away when you do a spin or something.
3. I did think the routine was a little boring, the lifts were good but something went wrong with all of them (landing of the pressage, getting into the next lift initially, and Mollie's arm hitting the floor in the end position before AJ managed to lift her a bit). It was just lacking in some energy for me and I don't know whether it was the song, the choreography (which I know wasn't entirely AJ) or Mollie.
4. I did notice though, AJ didn't overdance it like he has a tendency to do with the Latin sometimes (something he's picked up from Kevin I feel).
5. I would say this was overmarked (judges scored it 27), I'd probably go about a 24 so between Brian and Debbie. She's got Viennese Waltz this week and the training does look good, her dress is gorgeous too so I've got my fingers crossed that she can wow me again like she did with the American Smooth.
Davood & Nadiya - Viennese Waltz - "Say You Love Me"
1. LIFT! Bad Davood.
2. What was with that mouth wipe move in the middle? Was Davood actually throwing up and this was their attempt to hide it? Just seemed odd choreographically. Speaking of choreography, in the realm of dramatic Viennese Waltzes, this reminded me more of a frantic Kristina-style routine than the passionate and intense style of an Oti routine (Danny's and also Jonnie's American Smooth as it was apparently a Viennese Waltz base).
3. Wardrobe messed up with Nadiya's dress this week - you can see her black bra underneath due to the sheer nature (if you look at the thumbnail on the Strictly website, it's especially obvious in that still, and you can see that the bra is fastened just underneath where the open back of the dress ends). I know nothing about fashion and yet I saw that, that says a lot.
4. I know Davood (I have to keep saying Darvard like Harvard in my head otherwise he will become Da-vood) was struggling with dizziness and motion sickness caused by the spinning, but he really does need to close his mouth or he's in danger of becoming the next Chris Hollins (although that didn't stop him winning so......). He also needed to lower his eyeline as he was staring at the ceiling almost all the way through when they were in hold. He doesn't have the musicality and lyricism of someone like Alexandra (I might not be a fan of hers but I can give her credit) so that's something else that he needs to work on, particularly for Ballroom.
5. Overmarked for me (judges scored 29) - I would have gone for about 23 (have to take some points off for the illegal lift, I'dve given this 25-26 otherwise) as he did have good footwork and it wasn't a disaster by any means. He's got the Jive next which will hopefully suit him a lot better, and I am praying that Nadiya delivers the 'proper Jive' that she promised on ITT as I haven't been impressed with her choreography so far.
Charlotte & Brendan - Jive - "Marry You"
1. *sigh* she was always going to go out when she did a half decent dance wasn't she?
2. Look at the thumbnail on the BBC website - Charlotte's looking quite happy thinking 'I'm doing it, I'm doing it!' whilst Brendan is not impressed and is looking at her hands like 'good lord what are they doing woman?'
3. Bit repetitive in terms of choreography, and too much faffing at the start (it was about 27 seconds before they BOTH started properly dancing) - don't believe anything was said about that though?
4. So Charlotte might not have got the kicks and flicks down (she was too upright and her feet weren't pointed on them) but you do have to give her some kudos as she was in sync with Brendan on the side by side sections and this was definitely one of her better dances (I still think her week 1 Foxtrot was better).
5. I'd actually say she was undermarked here a little, same level as Brian for me so 21 it is. Shame we won't be able to carry on the drinking game on hearing Brendan say 'this girl....'; I do want to know who caught the bouquet though?
Joe & Katya - Cha Cha Cha - "You Keep Me Hanging On"
1. Awwww Joe, I had such high hopes for this as it was looking ever so good in training, but it was a bit disappointing.
2. It's odd really that I was disappointed as it wasn't a bad routine by any means. I think for whatever reason, Joe's legs seemed quite stiff in places, as if he wasn't able to transfer his weight between them properly? His free arm also needed some attention as well as it was just hanging limply by his side on occasion.
3. I do have to say though - Cha Cha Chas aren't generally all that exciting to watch but I really did love the choreography and the theming that Katya put into the routine. Love the song too which always helps. Surprised it hasn't been used before though.
4. Joe was completely in synch with Katya during the shadow section with the door separating them, and his arm lines were generally quite good, he made some attempts to extend with the hand which will help him out with Craig.
5. I did agree with the judges re scoring on the first watch (they gave him 24) but I do think he was better than that and I would go for a 26 as I would put him just under Debbie. He's got Paso Doble this time, and for some reason, I'm getting Austin Healey vibes. With a Paso, I always want the male to look strong and masculine but still with the flamboyant air of the matador - I always had Mark Ramprakash as my guide previously but Danny's last series was the best ever for me, still love it.
Ruth & Anton - Tango - "Allegretto"
1. You know, we all like to take the mick out of Anton, but that guy is called the King of Ballroom for a reason, and he showed why with this dance.
2. Ruth's best dance by miles - I loved the intensity from her, and although it was lacking the sharp head movements that are normally found in a Tango, I really enjoyed this routine.
3. Her footwork was great, and she was able to keep up with Anton during both the fast and the slower sections of the music (I'm surprised that this song hasn't been used before by the way). The speed did not faze her, which I was really happy to see.
4. What I did spot though, was that she was having a real problem with that right arm. The frame kept loosening there at points and I'm not sure whether she was moving her shoulder too much or if her arm just kept wobbling, but it was a little jarring to see that and also her having to keep changing her hand position in Anton's armpit. That did put me off a bit sadly.
5. That being said, I think that deserved a 7 (judges scored it 24) and so Ruthie will get a 25 from me. She has the dance of death next week - the Samba. If Anton can get her through this, then it might be a while before she goes out. Good luck to him.
Aston & Janette - Quickstep - "Mr Blue Sky"
1. That was a dynamic routine, nice work there Janette.
2. He does have problems with his footwork (his feet weren't pointing correctly in a few places) but what I also noticed was that when he and Janette were doing a standing spin up top, he seemed to lead it with his left arm and so he lost his frame slightly. He might have to watch that for future Ballroom dances.
3. Now it might just be me, but he did seem out of sync with Janette at times (in terms of footwork) - one time he did a leap (just before they both did at the bottom) but it didn't look like she went with him.
4. Frame was generally good for the most part and it was light and bright to quote Len. He still loses points with me for having a mushroom top for hair and his insistence on wearing ripped jeans for his ITT appearances though.
5. A little overmarked for me (judges gave him 32), but I'd happily give that a 29 I think. He's got Waltz this week, so it will be interesting to see if he's made further improvements on his footwork.
Simon & Karen - Samba - "Copacabana" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Jill & Darren in series 2, Patsy & Robin in series 8, Patrick & Anya in series 11)
1. I still can't believe that this guy (paraphrasing is allowed Mr Cole) is 54. To put this into perspective, he's 2 years younger than Brian, and 4 years younger than Ruth.
2. I loved the fact that he came out and sold it - I always thought he would be one of those who would be able to loosen up in the Latin and I like being proved right.
3. His hips can certainly move, that's for sure!
4. He did have some decent footwork in places, and some nice arms too, but Karen committed a cardinal sin in my book - I hate it when the male celebs have their free hand on their hip all the flipping time and he was doing it big time here.
5. Score's about right I think, Charlotte was a tad better for me (judges gave him 19). He's got the Charleston this week, and he's having to play a fiddle during the routine - just watch Alexander Rybak in his Eurovision days Simon, you'll be well away.
Gemma & Aljaz - Paso Doble - "Viva La Vida"
1. It was better than I thought when I rewatched it.
2. Her arms and hands were good, but the whole thing felt a little stop-start for me and I just wanted a little more attack from her - maybe not Alexandra levels of attack, but something along the lines of Susanna in her Paso with Kevin, or maybe Frankie's.
3. I think these 2 are that one couple that I'm completely indifferent to every year (it was Louise and Kevin last year). I'm struggling that much to come up with anything else to say.
4. I did like her hair though, I can say that much.
5. Overmarked for me (judges gave 35), I'm struggling to place it but I think it was a little better than Aston's dance so I'm going to go 31. She has Foxtrot this time and it does look good from the training footage, I haven't been wowed by any of Gemma's dances so far so I do hope that I'll be pleasantly surprised.
Alexandra & Gorka - Jive - "Proud Mary" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Verona & Paul in series 1)
1. Of course, we remember this song for the 'Strictly Jive that Never Was' aka Natalie Gumede's with Artem.
2. The thumbnail for the website clip has her with her normal hair rather than her big hair (seems to be tied up as well, it was the same with Danny's Paso with Oti last year, her hair was down in the performance but the thumbnail has it up). Just a fun fact, or not so fun, anyway.
3. She can perform alright! Tons of energy which I always like to see in a Jive, however, as much as I hate to admit this, Ore's last year was better. Alexandra's feet didn't always seem to point on the kicks and flicks, and they definitely missed a hand grab for a spin - covered it up well though.
4. Her free arm also went a bit wobbly whilst she was doing some spins, not sure what happened there.
5. I can't give this a 10 because there were some noticeable mistakes (so the fact that they scored 39...), but they were definitely best of the night so I'd give 34. She has Samba this week and I think this could be an awesome dance for her, just a pity that they have an awful song (Ed Sheeran). Strictly doesn't have that good a record with Mr Sheeran's songs - Simon Webbe's Tango, Joe's Tango from this series, Peter Andre's Rumba (ick).....
Jonnie & Oti - American Smooth - "Cry Me a River" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Kara & Artem in series 8)
1. Not sure why Craig reckons Jonnie needs acting lessons - I could see the emotions and characterisation through his face?
2. He has definitely improved his Ballroom hold from when he did Waltz week 1. He is still a little hunched but the bum is tucked under more, I know Darcey pays particular attention to that every week.
3. Stunning lifts, all 3 of them. That first one was something else!
4. He just needs to watch his free arm a little, and did something happen near the end after Oti got out of that last lift? Jonnie went over by where he dropped his coat (I did think 'ooher' when he was removing it) and seemed to almost crouch for a second.
5. A tad overmarked for me (judges gave him 31), I'd give a 28 as it was just under Aston in my opinion. He has Quickstep this time so Oti's happy because the blade is back. This did look decent in training so I have my fingers crossed for them.
Susan & Kevin - Quickstep - "Bring Me Sunshine" (RECYCLED SONG ALERT! - Lisa & Robin in series 10)
1. *gives standing ovation*
2. Now that is my kind of routine, so much joy coming from both of them, and I continue to be in awe of Kevin's choreography.
3. Susan is so light on her feet, and her top line was decent too. She did occasionally take steps that were too large and so both of her feet were off the ground, but it was only on 2 occasions that I could spot. Her best dance by far.
4. Overdancing Kev only came back for one moment (the kicks at the end with the hats) but hats off to Susan for being so in sync with him during the side by side sections.
5. I've got to go with the judges on this (they scored 30), it was better than Aston's for me. She has Cha Cha Cha this week and I'm a little nervous for her as the Cha Cha Cha can be a bogey dance (just ask Charlotte), but the training looked better than I expected so I hope that she does well.
My Leaderboard:
1. Alexandra & Gorka - 34
2. Gemma & Aljaz - 31
3. Susan & Kevin - 30
4. Aston & Janette - 29
5. Jonnie & Oti - 28
6. Debbie & Gio - 27
7. Joe & Katya - 26
8. Ruth & Anton - 25
9. Mollie & AJ - 24
10. Davood & Nadiya - 23
=11. Brian & Amy, Charlotte & Brendan - 21
13. Simon & Karen - 19
Weekly Recycled Song Alert Count: 6, but very lazy on Simon's song choice, those Song-Picking Pixies!
Overall Recycled Song Alert Count: 19
No comments:
Post a Comment