DDR With The Stars?

I'm sure most people will have heard of Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly.

And most people are familiar with Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), those dance machines that live in arcades across the world.

Well, now DDR-maker Konami is trying to get a pilot of the ground, which has a working title of DDR With The Stars. A celebrity is teamed with a pro-DDR player to compete against other celebrities. Sounds good in principle, but I'm not sure it would make good telly.

That said, I watched a very interesting documentary on BBC Three on Saturday all about a couple of British competitive DDR players. Welcome To My World: Lord Of The Dance Machine followed the players and their quest to win.

I can't get the hang of those things myself. I find them very frustrating, and I can't survive beyond "Beginner" level. Twenty-two years of dancing, and I can't get past Beginner? It's almost as annoying as ice skating...

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

I watched How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? on Saturday night. This is what is going to keep us entertained until the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

I really enjoyed the show. It didn't have the usual pathetic line-up of wannabes that an X Factor audition attracts. These girls had talent. This Saturday we find out who the final 10 will be, who go on to the live shows.

The rumour is that a well-known actress has already been selected to play Maria in The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. However, if that rumour refers to Scarlett Johansson, this could be no longer the case, due to Scarlett's "ridiculous" demands.

It may well be true that this is a two-performance a week/understudy part. The show opens on 3rd November, but according to a competition on the Maria website, the selected Maria's first performance won't be until 14th November.

I imagine it will be like Victoria Wood and Julie Walters sharing Mrs. Overall duties in Acorn Antiques: The Musical!.

Dating on Ice

Dancing on Ice contestant Gaynor Faye is joining singleton skaters at the rink in Queensway for Dating on Ice. It's a speed skating dating event, where you could fall over in front of the man or woman of your dreams.

If only they did Strictly Come Dating. I could pretend to be single for that! Especially if an SCD star was in attendance.

Which reminds me, I had a dream that I got Kaplinsky to sign the 'Big Pink Book'. The odd thing was that I was wary of asking her in case she said "No". I think it might have been because it was in a green room rather than at a celeb event. And I called her Ms. Kaplinsky in the dream instead of Natasha, which I never do. I always hear the creepy autograph traders do that and it sickens me.

Poor Old Brendan

Last night was coupling up day on Love Island. Poor Brendan got picked by Kelle again. He's gagging for a change, poor boy.

Sophie is manipulating everybody still. And Brendan is as sick of her as everyone else. I loved his Beach Hut rant: "If she was an ugly bastard, no-one would listen and she wouldn't get away with half the crap she does". He also said that in all the time on the island, she's only ever talked about herself and never once asked him a question. They all seem to be a bit like that. It's Ego Island.

He says he's not going to be the one to explode this time, and look like an arse. He's probably right too. He's made himself look like a tosser to the rest of the group a couple of times now (certainly not my opinion - he seems to be one of the few behaving like a grown-up and not making a tit of himself).

Now Celebrity Big Brother contestant (slash basketball legend) Dennis Rodman is headed for the island. Oh dear Lord. Although if he stirs people up like he did in the CBB house, it could be very good telly. But I have a nasty feeling Brendan won't get on with him.

Will Young on SCD

Just found this video of Will Young's appearance on Strictly Come Dancing last November. I was in the (small) audience for this performance. I loved the song, and the dance routine. I wish the quality was better. The quality is similar to the clips on the BBC website.

Embrace the Island!

My Capital Gold fame continues.

Paul Coyte was talking about how Love Island is really good, but it's a guilty pleasure and he doesn't tell anyone he's watching.

I emailed in straight away and said "I'm totally hooked on Love Island, too! But I'm proud of it. Say it loud, say it proud. Embrace the Island.".

Next thing, his producer calls and asks if I'll have a chat with Paul. Of course I said yes, and within 20 seconds I was on air. I said how compelling it is, how Sophie is a mental bunny boiler, and how everyone should 'Embrace the Island'. It was cool.

I emailed Paul again after to say it was good to chat to him. His response? "You have coined a phrase Louise! We SHALL embrace!!!"

Wicked!

SCD Pros Video

Aimee from the Anton & Erin forum made this video showcasing what the pros can do. It's fabulous!

Strictly Island Dancing

Is someone from Love Island reading my blog? After asking yesterday why they weren't getting dance lessons from Brendan, Brendan was tasked with teaching each of the girls a different dance. I still don't know why they hadn't been asking him all along and they had to be told to learn, but they did it nevertheless.

Sophie dragged her mind away from Shane long enough to learn a reasonable tango. Kelle's Samba was pretty good too. Victoria seems to be a weak link, with Brendan doing the Fiona Phillips trick of carrying her around the floor.

There was an interesting game in the resort yesterday. Each girl asked the guys a question that they all had to answer. The girl selected the man who gave the weakest answer and pushed him in the pool, Man-O-Man-style.

Colleen asked, "Why did your last relationship fail?". Brendan's answer was simple. "Because I was still in love with someone else". Was the last relationship Kaplinsky? Was the someone else Camilla? I'm not one of those people who spends their life obsessing over the Kaplinsky-Brendan 'relationship', but even I found the comment interesting. Colleen saved Brendan from being pushed in, saying she had been through the same situation before.

I Got A Mention on Capital Gold!

I sent a question to Paul Coyte on Capital Gold, to ask Anton if he'd be a part of the newly announced SCD4 (as well as telling him he's fabulous!). I knew the answer would probably be "Yes" and indeed it was.

I had a silly grin on my face while listening. I missed a bit of the interview because Emma B had the audacity to ask me a work question while I was listening!

Anton was canvassing votes on air and I emailed Paul again to say that I would vote for Anton. I then got an email back saying: Anton says "Louise, thanks very much. I'm officially off and running" x x. So I am OFFICIALLY Anton's first voter. Now what's that number? 09011...

I'm gutted about Saturday. They have this thing going on in Trafalgar Square, but I've arranged to go to Hertford to visit Emma S and Jenny. Jen offered to rearrange, but we've had it in the diary for ages and I want to see their lovely new homes.

SCD 4 Confirmed! My Life is Complete!

The BBC announced their Autumn schedule yesterday, and Strictly Come Dancing is a part of it. AMEN! Then the scrum for tickets begins. According to forum gossip, Ian Waite says it's going to be bigger and better than before. There will be 14 couples according to the press release. Fourteen. Methinks that might be just a little too many. All the judges are back which is excellent news. It's too early to confirm returning dancers. Obviously Ian, Camilla, Anton and Erin are safe bets. I hope Karen Hardy returns. Maybe Brendan will be OK after all. They'll need the dancers they can get if they're having 14 couples.

I can't wait!

I shall be listening to what Anton du Beke has to say on Capital Gold this afternoon, although he'll be talking about Saturday's Dancing In The Streets show mainly.


Image ©BBC 2005

Love Island or Mental Asylum?

Love Island just gets better.

Sophie Anderton is starting to turn into a right bunny boiler. She is convinced that Shane has feelings for her and she can't stop talking about him. She's humiliating herself. It's probably good for her that only a couple of million are watching! But Shane should really set her straight. Especially as he has now learnt that "little hottie" Colleen shares his faith and that seems to have sparked his interest in her.

Lee has offered to "step aside" and let Leo have Bianca. Bless Lee! He's so honest, perhaps sometimes too much so.

And then there's Steve-O. He's really making waves. He's tactless and rude. But he has made great telly!

I love Love Island!

And I get to ogle the lovely Mr. Cole every day too. Why has no-one asked him to teach them to dance? There's bog-all else to do on the island. You could spend the days learning to dance. Imagine having dance lessons every day. It would be awesome. And with Brendan Cole, such an accomplished dancer. What is wrong with these people?

Jugement Day!

Love Island got interesting on Friday. The islanders had to choose between the nominees for deportation - Alicia, Chris and Colleen.

Many of the islanders refused to vote, but good old Brendan was straight in there making a choice. As someone who has had to judge others for a living, he understands why and how to make these choices. It doesn't mean he likes anyone any less, it's not personal, but sometimes in life we have to make these decisions. Of course it's difficult, but if that's in the rules, then that's how it has to be.

I respect him so much.

Stop Press: Sport Relief

Looks like something Strictly connected will be on Sport Relief this Saturday. Sadly, I'm going to the 7pm-10pm part of the show. Darn! In my defence, I did request Late Show tix, but they sent me Early Show.

"Post watershed it gets a bit edgier with a racy mini-episode of Footballers' Wives and Strictly Come Dancing."

BBC News Website

Welcome, new readers!

Just wanted to say a big Hello to anyone who's visiting from one of the Activeboards, Strictly Come Dancing Reunited or Dancing, Strictly Come Dancing. Thanks for dropping by. Please come back.

Also Hi to those popping over from the Darius Music Forum.

Now back to Love Island! I was a little disappointed to hear that romance may not be on the cards for Brendan and Kelle. They seemed very well matched. And they look good together. But Brendan seems to have his eye on "little hottie" Colleen. As do all the other guys. We'll see how that works out.

There is a video of Brendan dancing on the Love Island website, but I can't watch it for some reason. I don't know why. Firewall, probably.

Kelle & Brendan's Date

How sweet was Brendan & Kelle's deep-sea fishing date on Love Island last night? I found myself grinning throughout the whole thing. I am loving Brendan right now. I've always found him too competitive, cocksure and condescending. Of course, he was very sweet in real life... I'm now seeing him in a whole new light. He's fantastic. And he's getting on very well with Kelle. I hope he doesn't get banished to the Love Shack.

Meanwhile, Diarmuid had a good run last night on Only Fools On Horses. Maybe he has got a flair for riding after all.

There was some daft bat on Capital this morning who said she's refusing to watch Only Fools On Horses, because Only Fools & Horses is one of her favourite shows, and she objects to Only Fools On Horses having such a similar title. What is that about? I don't know what the written equivalent of sticking your tongue under your bottom lip and making an 'urrrn' sound is, but whatever it is I'd like to express it *here*.

Oh Yes They Are!

Stars of Strictly are hitting theatres all over the country this Christmas.

Jill Ha'penny will be in Jack & The Beanstalk in Newcastle, Julian Clarey will be in Dick Whittington in Northampton and Aled Jones will be in Jack & The Beanstalk in Richmond.

Methinks I'll be heading to Richmond. It's on for almost two months, so even with my holiday I should be able to fit it in.

Love Island

I can see myself getting totally hooked on Love Island.

I tuned in last night, mainly drawn by Strictly's own Brendan Cole. And, as I am not watching Big Brother this time around, I need something to fill the reality void in my life. I won't be voting, though, as I don't think there is any money going to charity. Disgusting. But then they have to pay Brendan's reported £40K somehow.

It was interesting that ITV showed a clip of Sophie Anderton talking to Lady Victoria about Brendan. She said that she thought he was a nice guy, and was impressed he never sold his story about Kaplinsky. Kaplinsky has always protested that nothing happened. So maybe there was no story to sell. Maybe it was only a dancefloor romance. Only she and Brendan know the answer to that one. And I can't say that I really care that much.

Of course, I've also been dabbling in Only Fools On Horses, with Diarmuid proving to be a slightly better rider than dancer.

Vote SCD!

At last, this blog can fulfill its destiny, promoting Strictly Come Dancing! That's why it's called Strictly Come Blogging. Just wait until the new series starts. Everyone will be reading my blog, and Claudia will mention me on her show. I will rule the world and all those silly DS forum users will be forgotten. Mwah ha ha ha ha! Mwah ha ha ha ha!

Woah. Sorry about that.

Voting is underway for the National Television Awards. Strictly has missed out in the past, but with our votes, we can get it in there! SCD (or people within it) is nominated in the following categories:-

TV Contender - Fiona Phillips, Darren Gough
Entertainment Presenter - Bruce Forsyth, Tess Daly
Entertainment Programme - Strictly Come Dancing

Vote on this ITV microsite.