Monday Musings: Week 13

Our first all-girl Strictly final was an absolute treat. It was so close, and you really didn't know who would win. I really liked all four finalists, and would have been happy for any of them to win. For most of last week, I couldn't even decide who I wasted to win.

Round one: Judges' Choice

It was nice that Susanna & Kevin got the chance to nail their quickstep after a few issues the first time around. And nail it, they did. There were no mistakes, and it was well danced. It was great to see them get the sofa trick right, too.

Abbey & Aljaž revisited their waltz, and it was gorgeous. Probably the best waltz on Strictly since Alesha & Matthew. It was elegant, composed and romantic, and it was even better than the first time around.

Natalie & Artem's cha cha was flawless. Everything about it was wonderful. Natalie is such a lovely dancer.

Sophie really took the judges comments on board, and her Viennese waltz with Brendan was better this time around. Her neck position was improved, although still not perfect. Her balance looked a bit odd on the fleckerl too.

Round two: Showdances

The showdances have a lot of hype to live up to, and often don't deliver. When they do, they can be the difference between winning and losing. Just ask Darren Gough and Colin Jackson! 

Susanna & Kevin's routine was filled with emotion. There were some lovely lifts, which were well-executed. It had a lovely Hollywood romance about it, and it was lovely to watch. It was the perfect dance for Susanna, playing to her ballroom strengths, and was very dreamy, although wasn't really a show-stopper.

Abbey & Aljaž's showdance was strong and powerful, but with only a couple of lifts, didn't quite live up to expectations. I liked it, but it didn't blow me away. It was beautifully danced, and had great attack, but I think it could have been better. Paso and tango are a great combination, but this routine just lacked the wow factor for me.

I loved Natalie & Artem's routine. It was great for Artem to be able to show off his choreographic skills without the rules. I loved the changes of rhythm throughout. It was like something from a Gene Kelly movie, incorporating so many different styles. Natalie did everything perfectly, and it was a joy to watch. Certainly one to remember, the most show-stopping of the four in my opinion.

I enjoyed Sophie & Brendan's showdance. Sophie looked like she was having a blast. The lifts were excellent, and Sophie attacked them with such fearlessness. Brendan choreographed to Sophie's strengths, and I think the routine showed off her good points, and didn't draw attention to weaker areas.

Someone had to leave the competition at this stage. Were Sophie & Brendan the right couple to leave? Probably. Sophie was probably the weakest dancer technically. It was a big shame that we didn't get to see her Charleston again.

Round three: Couples' favourite

I wasn't at all surprised when Kevin told me they had chosen to do the paso as their favourite. They performed it just as well as the first time, although it didn't have the Blackpool atmosphere to make it come alive. The paso was the only latin dance that Susanna really owned, and she nailed it again second time around.

Abbey & Aljaž also chose their Blackpool routine to reprise - the quickstep. I think they were right to choose a ballroom dance, as it was always Abbey's strong suit. Although the salsa got a perfect 40, it didn't seem to go down quite as well with the public as with the judges (on Twitter, at least). Abbey looked relaxed and confident throughout the dance, and some of the gapping issued had improved, though not all. It was a lovely performance.

Natalie & Artem were right to choose the American smooth to perform again. It was almost like doing a second showdance! Now, despite the fact that I worship this programme, I'm not one of these people who gets emotional about Strictly. It's not often I shed a tear. But I was blubbing all the way though Natalie & Artem's performance. It was stunning. She really danced it like it meant everything to her. The final lift was gorgeous and the way she ran into Artem's arms at the end was just magical.

I couldn't make my mind up during the week who I wanted to win. I was leaning toward Abbey for most of the week, but Natalie pipped her for me on Saturday night. I loved Natalie's showdance and American smooth. She totally smashed it, and, probably for the first time, I thought she should have won. However, I wouldn't take anything away from Abbey. Abbey is a gorgeous dancer and totally deserves to win, although for me her showdance was the least interesting. I would honestly have been happy for any of the finalists to win, and Abbey was a worthy winner.

Here are the videos...

Susanna & Kevin - quickstep

Abbey & Aljaž - waltz

Natalie & Artem - cha cha

Sophie & Brendan - Viennese waltz

Susanna & Kevin - showdance

Abbey & Aljaž - showdance

Natalie & Artem - showdance

Sophie & Brendan - showdance

Susanna & Kevin - paso doble

Abbey & Aljaž - quickstep

Natalie & Artem - American smooth

The moment of truth...

Abbey & Aljaž's first reaction

Friday Flashback (On Monday)

OK, so I'm not doing very well with posting the flashbacks, but anyway...

Ahead of the final, I was thinking about some of the best showdances we've seen on Strictly. One of my all-time favourites, and a game-changer, was Tom & Camilla's showdance. I genuinely don't think he would have won without it.

Tom & Camilla's showdance, Series 6, Week 14



At the time I wrote:

Tom & Camilla's show dance was a lot more theatrical, but theatrical is a strength of Camilla's (remember James Martin's Mein Herr tango?). The routine suited Tom perfectly. I love how Camilla left him out there on his own to do his Fred Astaire tap solo, and then joined him for a fantastic routine. I loved the little bit of tango, and the lifts were well executed.

Sunday Service: Week 12

It's the semi-final! And while I thought last year's competition was close, this one blows it out of the water.

I was in the studio last night, so I have a slightly different perspective, and having watched the dances on TV, I think some of them came over better on TV than they did in the studio.

Natalie & Artem's salsa was brilliant, but fell a little flat in the studio, hence no standing ovation (which Sir Bruce was not happy about). But watching back, it was excellent. It had loads of salsa content, and was presented so well. It was clean and precise. And those turns at the end were amazing. I haven't seen turns like that since Nicole Cutler was a pro on the show. A brilliant routine, and totally deserving of four tens.

I just loved their Argentine tango. The choreography was sublime, the music was traditional but modern, and the routine was beautifully danced. The only thing I didn't like was Natalie's expression. She was smiling a bit, and I wanted her to look more intense. That would be the only thing that could have been better.

Patrick & Anya started with a waltz. Patrick has improved so much. His footwork looked pretty good, and he led Anya, but his shoulders looked a bit twisted. The routine was nice, and they covered the floor well.

Their paso fell a bit flat. I spent the whole thing watching Anya and didn't actually notice Patrick very much. He seemed to be acting with his chin. It wasn't very pretty. Listen out for Len's comment about the paso on Len's Lens tonight. Very funny.

Sophie & Brendan's paso was strong and dominant. I loved the crouched spin at the beginning. Sophie was possibly still a little woolly and uncontrolled like in the tango, but her performance made up for it. She looked a bit angry, rather than aggressive. She also needs to watch her long arms in places, which can look a bit gangly. But she's still good to watch.

Their American smooth didn't impress me completely in the studio, but looked better on TV. I loved Brendan's slide down the bannister! The lifts were really good, and as Darcey said, she did a lovely job of transitioning in and out of them.

I was really willing Susanna & Kevin to be amazing, but they seemed to fall a little short. They had two amazing tracks, but I didn't feel that they were fully realised. Like Sophie & Brendan's American smooth, Susanna & Kevin's foxtrot looked better on TV than it did in the studio. It was very cute, but her footwork wasn't very good. She didn't flick up her toes, and there were some heel leads missing. She could have strode out more too.

The salsa was a bit disappointing too. There was a bit too much shimmying, and not enough salsa content. It was a bit repetitive, and just didn't quite get the party started. It's clear that Susanna was having a brilliant time, but it just didn't translate to the dance.

I thought that Abbey & Aljaž totally nailed both of their routines this week. Their samba was lovely. Loads of samba content. It had lovely musicality, and I loved how their picked up the accents in the music. It was a shame there weren't any samba rolls, but there was loads of other basic steps. Abbey had a fairly decent bounce, and their chemistry is gorgeous.

The American smooth was really sweet. I loved the story. The lifts were smooth, and again, Abbey totally nailed the interpretation of the music. Abbey's coy smile was so cute. Again, the choreography picked up the accents in the music. I think this week was Aljaž's best choreography of the series.

Since I already know who has gone through, I won't comment on the bottom two. But I did feel that the leaderboard reflected what had happened perfectly. Abbey and Natalie were impossible to split at the top, Sophie was excellent but not quite as good as them, Susanna didn't quite realise her potential and Patrick didn't have the best week. The final is going to be a corker!

Natalie & Artem - salsa



Natalie & Artem - Argentine tango



Patrick & Anya - waltz



Patrick & Anya - paso doble



Sophie & Brendan - paso doble



Sophie & Brendan - American smooth



Susanna & Kevin - foxtrot



Susanna & Kevin - salsa



Abbey & Aljaž - samba



Abbey & Aljaž - American smooth

Susanna Leading The Voting?

Is Susanna getting double the votes of her nearest rival? 

The Daily Star claims that she is getting twice the votes that nearest rival Sophie is, with Abbey and Natalie not far behind.

A source told the paper: “Susanna is by no means the best dancer on the show but she’s connecting with the audience at home much more than the others. We’re looking at an all-girl final and something drastic will have to happen for Susanna to lose. But Sophie, Abbey and Natalie shouldn't give up just yet as we know with this show that anything can, and will, happen.”

So we'll probably see Patrick in the dance-off again this week.

Friday Flashback (On Saturday)

This week, I'm looking back at Lisa & Brendan's cha cha.

Lisa & Brendan's cha cha - Series 6, Week 11



At the time I wrote:

I thought the cha cha was absolutely brilliant on all counts. Great song, brilliant choreography with plenty of basic and more complex choreography. Lisa was fantastic. Her turns have all the control that was lacking at the start of the competition, and she has brilliant control of her long legs now. She straightens her legs, and uses her feet giving her great hip action. And a smile that could light up a small town. Her best latin dance so far in my mind. In fact, one of the best latin dances of the entire series.

It was such a good routine that they performed it again in the final. I loved Lisa's energy. She was a brilliant performer. Just don't mention the showdance...

Sunday Service: Week 11

The semi-finals mean it's time to start doing two dances. The usual number plus the 'Swingathon', where there are 'no rules' and 'anything goes'. So they say.

After the high of last week, this week just didn't live up to expectations. You so wanted the routines to be great, and nothing quite hit the mark.

Ashley & Ola's salsa was a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde routine. The lifts were showstopping and brave. The neck drop was one of the best tricks we have ever seen. However, the salsa content was very flat-footed on Ashley's part. There were a couple of errors, and his arms looked a bit awkward when they were free.

Natalie & Artem's paso was well-danced, precise and accurate. But not very interesting. There was too much skirtopgraphy, and not much else. Artem's choreography was supposed to please Len. Not only did it not please Len, but it alienated everyone else. Natalie is perhaps being let down by her partner here. But Natalie is brilliant, and, as always, danced what she was given expertly. The judges should still judge the performance of the celebrity. The celebrity does not get to decide the choreography. Well, expect Mark and The Dinosaur.

Patrick & Anya had decent chemistry, although the rumba did feel like a battle rather than a romance. It felt like one of those lyrical routines you always see on shows like So You Think You Can Dance. I felt that it could have done with being 'bigger' on Patrick's part. His walks were a bit short and his lunges could have been broader. His hip action was fair. He is quite unlucky to have rumba so late in the competition, as they are never classic dances. But I agreed with Darcey that he brought something new to the floor this week.

The song choice was the biggest problem with Susanna & Kevin's Argentine tango. It made the whole thing not quite right. It looked a bit tentative and under-rehearsed, which of course it wasn't. It was there, but it wasn't there. It was all a bit of a shame, actually.

Abbey & Aljaž brought the show back on track with their Viennese waltz. It was really lovely and had simple choreography. I loved the underarm part by the stairs. Abbey did a decent fleckerl attempt. Their hold was lovely. A good job.

I loved Sophie & Brendan's tango routine. Brendan has been on fire this year, and this was one of his best ever. I loved the story. Unfortunately, the whole thing was let down by Sophie's lack of strength. The attitude and attack was there, but her frame and core was weak. It was very wobbly and wooly. The hold was a bit too ballroom and not enough tango. It's such a shame. If Sophie had nailed it, it could have been one of those routines that people talk about for years to come. Jill & Darren's jive. Mark & Karen's Argentine tango. Chis & Ola's Charleston. But poor execution means it will just be another tango.

The Swingathon is impossible to judge at home, because you can only see what the camera shows you. It doesn't add anything to our viewing experience. I don't think I would have placed Natalie & Artem first, as I thought their performance was too vanilla. It was clean and precise, but lacked something. We're at a real disadvantage at home. They should really find a way to address it. Maybe a Brady Bunch-style split screen, so we can see all of the couples at once. The best part of the Swingathon was Darcey's reactions. She clearly didn't agree on more than one occasion. She didn't agree that Susanna & Kevin should go first, and she wanted Patrick & Anya to win. I love how she just keeps her head down while Bruno and Len are talking. Watch the video below if you missed it. It's classic.

It's so hard to pick a bottom two. Everyone is decent that it is now more about popularity than talent. I would put Ashley in the bottom two. His salsa was too hit and miss to go through automatically. So many couples got it wrong stylistically last night, that any of them except Abbey could be in the bottom two. Patrick was too angry. Sophie was too wooly. And Natalie and Susanna had routines which just didn't quite hit the mark. I really couldn't call it. My least favourite of them is Patrick, but that's not based on his dancing. I just like all of the girls more. I agonised over who to vote for for the first time in a while. I don't envy the judges one iota.

Here are the videos...

Ashley & Ola



Natalie & Artem



Patrick & Anya



Susanna & Kevin



Sophie & Brendan



Swingathon

Strictly Stars In Panto

You can see stars of Strictly Come Dancing past and present treading the boards across the country this Christmas.

Here is a round up...

Craig Revel Horwood (judge) & Lisa Riley (Series 10), Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs - Cliffs Pavillion, Southend

Camilla Dallerup (ex-pro), Cinderella - Spa Theatre, Bridlington
Brian Fortuna (ex-pro), Peter Pan - Theatre Royal, St Helens

Claire Sweeney (Series 1), Santa Claus: The Musical - The Pavilion, Worthing
Julian Clary (Series 2), Jack & The Beanstalk - New Theatre, Cardiff
Natalie Cassidy (Series 7), Jack & The Beanstalk - Thameside Theatre, Grays
Ricky Groves (Series 7), Beauty & The Beast - Cresset Theatre, Peterborough
Scott Maslen (Series 8), Aladdin - Bournemouth Pavillion, Bournemouth
Anita Dobson (Series 9), Sleeping Beauty - Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury
Russell Grant (Series 9), Snow White - Lighthouse Theatre, Kettering
Dani Harmer (Series 10), Jack & The Beanstalk - Hexagon Theatre, Reading

John Barrowman (Christmas 2010), Dick Whittington - SECC, Glasgow
Su Pollard (Christmas 2011), Peter Pan - Theatre Royal, Nottingham
Debra Stephenson (Christmas 2011), Jack & The Beanstalk - The Lighthouse, Poole

Oh yes they are!

Friday Flashback

As I have been writing this blog for many years, I have decided to start revisiting some old dances, and what I said of them at the time.

Emma & Darren's Waltz - Series 4, Week 9



At the time I wrote:

Something about Emma & Darren's waltz left me a bit cold on first viewing. Emma spent the first half of the dance with a very serious expression on. Perhaps that was nerves. Their standing spin was gorgeous. Once Emma relaxed into the dance, it was much better.

What do you think?

Sunday Service: Week 10

Musicals week. Although all of the musicals are also movies. It would've been nice if one of the dances had been from a stage musical like Wicked or Rent.

That aside, it was the best week of the competition so far. Everyone really raised their game. It was such a brilliant show to watch.

I could really live without the company of dancers on same of the routines, though. It was OK for Blackpool, because everything is bigger, and there is more floor to fill, but back at Elstree it's really unnecessary. I don't think anyone liked it, except the company themselves...

Patrick & Anya started the show with their Charleston. It was a great opener. There were great lifts, and Patrick executed them well. The routine was packed with steps. They captured the spirit of the music really well. I didn't like it quite as much as Sophie & Brendan's, but it was excellent nonetheless.

Natalie & Atrem did a lovely routine, but it was a typical Artem American smooth. You just knew that Len was going to complain about the lack of foxtrot content or choreography in hold. It was a lovely performance from Natalie. She totally nailed it. The lifts were brilliant. The acting was great. It had great fluidity and musicality. I know Artem wants to choreograph to the music, but he should still choreograph the dance his has been given. This is not a showdance.

Mark & Iveta's samba was very cute. Iveta's choreography was just perfect. Mark performed so well, as usual. There wasn't enough hip action, but he did a good job. It was very entertaining. Mark is just so lovely to watch, but it's clear that he is now lagging behind the other participants.

Sophie & Brendan's Viennese waltz was old school. It had so much genuine Viennese waltz content, including a fleckerl. The only problem was Sophie's head position. It was sinking into her neck a bit. The dress she was wearing made it look worse, I think. It the routine was amazing, and she performed it well. It was clear that Sophie loved it.

Abbey & Aljaž's salsa was very entertaining. At first, I didn't think there was very much salsa content, but on second viewing, it was clear that there was for the first minutes and then it became pure disco. The dancing in Saturday Night Fever is pretty atrocious, so it was good to see some dancing that was actually better than the film. I'm not sure it deserved a perfect 40 for the same reasons that Artem didn't.

I really like Ashley & Ola's sweet rumba. Ashley looked really good, and he showed off Ola very well. There could have been more hip action, but otherwise it was lovely. Like Brendan, Ola choreographed a romantic rumba, and they looked lovely. Ashley is one of the most improved dancers in the competition.

Choreographically, Susanna & Kevin's quickstep was brilliant. It's just a shame it wasn't executed very well. It was all a bit messy. Susanna messed up a kick section quite early on. The sofa moment wasn't great either, as she need ended up on her rear. The bits in between, however, were good. Susanna totally nailed the character of the dance. I hope Susanna isn't in the dance-off, but I almost want her to get a second go at that dance to get it right.

I think that however much we've enjoyed Mark's performances over the past few weeks, he is now the weakest dancer. He's a brilliant performer, but just doesn't have the technical ability of the others. But who should be in the dance-off with him? Susanna made the most errors last night, so perhaps it should be her. Natalie's routine lacked the required content (which is obviously not her fault), so perhaps it should be her. No-one really deserves to be in the dance-off anymore, but sadly someone has to be. It's so hard to split them now, that it starts to become a popularity contest.

Here are the videos...

Patrick & Anya



Natalie & Artem



Mark & Iveta



Sophie & Brendan



Abbey & Aljaž



Ashley & Ola



Susanna & Kevin