DVD Review: Best of Strictly Come Dancing - Len's Grand Finale
It's been three years since the Showstoppers compilation DVD was released, so it was high time for another, and with Len's departure from Strictly around the corner, the perfect opportunity has arisen.
The new DVD - Best of Strictly Come Dancing: Len's Grand Finale - is hosted by Len, and is a walk through some of the most memorable Strictly routines of the last 13 series.
The DVD is divided into categories, and Len hosts the links between each set of routines. Having presented a few shows for the BBC in recent years, Len is a relaxed and competent host. But what I loved about this DVD is that it's focus is very much on the dancing. It contains great routine after great routine, with Uncle Len there just to gently move things among.
Of course, there are routines that had to be in here, often memorable for very different reasons. We have Jay & Aliona's jive, Simon & Kristina's Argentine tango, and the full version of Mark & Karen's salsa, complete with re-start. Then, of course, we have Anne & Anton's samba, John & Kristina's paso doble and Russell & Flavia's jive.
What I liked most, though, was being reminded of dances and couples I hadn't thought about in a long time. Mark Benton, Dave Myers, Patrick Robinson, Jason Donovan, Ali Bastion, Chelsee Healey.
The DVD is perhaps a little Charleston-heavy, but they are such great routines that it's a pleasure to see them again. And, yes, Chris & Ola are on there.
Toward the end, Len takes a look around Elstree, and he visits with some of the people who make the show happen. Personally, I would have preferred this to come a little earlier, to break up the relentless dancing throughout the rest of the programme. But I do understand why it was at the end - it's Len's goodbye.
Len chooses his favourite all-time dance at the end. I won't spoil it - you'll have to watch to find out what he chose.
The DVD was an absolute pleasure to watch. Get it for Christmas, and it will be perfect for a grotty Sunday afternoon in January when there is no Strictly to look forward to for nine months.
Still not convinced? Watch this trailer...
Disclosure: Thank you to the nice folks at BBC Worldwide for supplying a copy of the DVD for me to review.
The DVD is divided into categories, and Len hosts the links between each set of routines. Having presented a few shows for the BBC in recent years, Len is a relaxed and competent host. But what I loved about this DVD is that it's focus is very much on the dancing. It contains great routine after great routine, with Uncle Len there just to gently move things among.
Of course, there are routines that had to be in here, often memorable for very different reasons. We have Jay & Aliona's jive, Simon & Kristina's Argentine tango, and the full version of Mark & Karen's salsa, complete with re-start. Then, of course, we have Anne & Anton's samba, John & Kristina's paso doble and Russell & Flavia's jive.
What I liked most, though, was being reminded of dances and couples I hadn't thought about in a long time. Mark Benton, Dave Myers, Patrick Robinson, Jason Donovan, Ali Bastion, Chelsee Healey.
The DVD is perhaps a little Charleston-heavy, but they are such great routines that it's a pleasure to see them again. And, yes, Chris & Ola are on there.
Toward the end, Len takes a look around Elstree, and he visits with some of the people who make the show happen. Personally, I would have preferred this to come a little earlier, to break up the relentless dancing throughout the rest of the programme. But I do understand why it was at the end - it's Len's goodbye.
Len chooses his favourite all-time dance at the end. I won't spoil it - you'll have to watch to find out what he chose.
The DVD was an absolute pleasure to watch. Get it for Christmas, and it will be perfect for a grotty Sunday afternoon in January when there is no Strictly to look forward to for nine months.
Still not convinced? Watch this trailer...
Disclosure: Thank you to the nice folks at BBC Worldwide for supplying a copy of the DVD for me to review.
posted by Loulabelle44 @ 3:16 pm
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