Sunday Service: Week 9 - The Final

We made it! Despite the global pandemic, the 2m rule, isolation and all the rest of the challenges, Strictly managed to complete the series. I'm super sorry that it is over, as it was bringing me so much joy, but I will treasure the memories as much as any other series, if not more.

Round 1: Judges' Pick

Harvey & Janette were given their jive to perform again. They first performed it back in Week 1, so I think it was a god selection. Harvey was pretty good at it first time around, but there's no harm in giving it another run. It was enjoyable to watch again. And it probably was a bit slicker than the first time.

Jamie & Karen were given their Charleston. It was certainly a bit manic the first time around, but I really wish the judges had given them something more challenging. Something that might need a glance at a technique book, perhaps. Nonetheless, it was a dance that made me smile last time, and it did again last night. The final lift was probably a bit more confident than before.

Bill & Oti were asked to perform the quickstep again, from Week 2. Like Harvey & Janette, this was a dance that went really well the first time around, and showed everyone that Bill was a contender. It was light and fast across the floor. Bill's posture has improved throughout the series. It was a pleasure to see the routine again.

Finally, Maisie & Gorka had to revisit their samba. This time around it had a bit more light and shade, and less full out attack, which made it easier on the eye. The batucadas and voltas were not quite there, but I wouldn't be able to either step myself. It was a nice routine.

Round 2: Showdances

With so many Couple's Choice routines this year, which now don't even need to nominate a dance style, would the showdances deliver something that we hadn't seen before?

Harvey & Janette's routine was pretty much what you'd expect. There was lots of salsa, with some excellent armography. There were some typical Janette-style lifts, and her signature 'neck on the foot' move. The pot stir was gorgeous, and definitely a highlight of the routine. It was well performed, and confident. But I'm not sure it really showed me anything I hadn't seen, or anything that I wouldn't have expected Harvey to be able to do.

I did quite enjoy Jamie & Karen's routine. I enjoyed the red light at the beginning, but I'm not a fan of the use of a harness in a routine, because we are left watching the partner for too long while they are unhooked. I liked the routine otherwise. I liked how 'big' it was - it seemed to cover lots of space and was expansive. That made it quite interesting to watch. Jamie is not the best dancer, but as the judges have said many times, he gives the dances everything. I enjoyed watching, even if it wasn't a shopstopper.

Bill & Oti's showdance totally appealed to me. It was exactly what I want to see. Passion and drama. I loved the mix of paso and Argentine tango. It was strong and powerful. It was so them. I'm not usually emotional, but I was in bits when Bill got his guitar and Oti went ariel. It delivered, and I think it helped seal their place in the competition.

Maisie & Gorka's routine was pure Hollywood. I loved it. It was clean and well performed. I could live without some of the face-pulling on Maisie's part, but her body just flowed beautifully. I ended up being a little disappointed about the drop from the platform, which had been built up in the VT. There was barely a gap between her waist and Gorka's arms in the end. It didn't look that dramatic, although I'm sure it felt dramatic from Maisie. That aside, it was still a lovely, fesitve routine.

Round 3: Couples' Favourite

It was lovely to see Harvey & Janette's American smooth again. A perfect end to their series. It was glamourous, precise and big. I think the lift section at the end was slicker than the first time. Loved it.

Jamie & Karen managed to no do any ballroom or latin in the final by opting to do their Couple's Choice routine again. I enjoyed this routine the first time, and I enjoyed it again. Jamie is not perfect, but there is something very endearing about him. I really hope that we get to see him on the Strictly tour in the future, because I want the pleasure of seeing some of these routines in person.

Bill & Oti had to do their Couple's Choice again. The nation would have been in mourning otherwise. It was as slick and precise as the first time. Sometimes the reprise of a dance in the final is never as good as the first time, but this truly was. If the showdance didn't win them the competition, this dance definitely did.

Maisie & Gorka closed the competition with their quickstep. It was such a lovely routine, and it was so well danced. At did have the feel of an American smooth. Maisie is such a gorgeous dancer, and this was a nice compliment to the showdance. 

Nicola & Katya

It was so lovely to see Nicola & Katya perform again, and this was exactly the routine we had been waiting to see in the competition. Mostly Argentine tango, Nicola lead Katya very well. It was passionate and hot. It also had some challenging lifts than only Katya can choreograph. We were robbed of seeing this pair get further in the competition, but I am glad we were treated to this routine.

The Result

For once, the person in the final I wanted to win actually did! I was made up with the result.

Bill wasn't the comedy act that people thought he would be. He was a real student of dance. He took everything seriously, learning about the origins of each dance in addition to the choreography. Every dance they did was confident and well-danced. For someone whose career is comedy, we saw a performer come out on the floor. His dedication won the day. For me, the combination of the showdance and the Couple's Choice reprise sealed it for me.

This has been one of my favourite series of Strictly in years. It was so close - you genuinely didn't know who was going to win. There were some very memorable dances that will make it in to compilations for years to come. It's helped that I have actually been home to watch it every Saturday night. With no distractions I've been able to submerge myself into Strictly world every week in a way that I usually don't have time for. And it delivered the glitz and glam that we have all needed in 2020. 

Thank you, Strictly!

Thank You, Strictly!

Ahead of tonight's Strictly Come Dancing final, I wanted to congratulate everyone involved in the series for getting the show on the air, and keeping it as normal as possible given the current circumstances.

To all of the crew who have kept the show going, I thank you. It's been difficult for all of them. There have been fewer people involved this year, which has to put pressure on the rest of the team. Couple that with the fact that they cannot get within two meters of each other, I'm sure it has been a very challenging series. Gallery, props, cameras, sound, visuals, runners, floor managers, this must have been so much more difficult but it came together and everyone should be very proud that it still looked like the same Strictly on screen as far as it could.

To the the social media team, you have kept us entertained during the week. I love the bloopers, but the audio from the mics on the floor is a highlight of my week. I enjoy getting a sneaky peek at the more intimate moments of the performances. Honourable mention to the BBC Three Twitter feed and their HRVY thread (or as he calls it, their HRVY THRD). It just didn't get old!

To all the pros who also formed their summertime bubble to record the pro numbers, and all of the team who bubbled with them, I thank you. The pro numbers have been bigger than ever, and seeing everyone perform together has been a joy each week. It's reminded us of a time past, that will return soon.

Make-up, hair and costume have smashed it out of the park this year. Thank you all for making the on-screen talent look so good. I can't imagine how difficult it has been to get everyone ready with smaller teams. Fitting costumes and assisting quick changes when you can't get very close to the performers might have been so difficult. Well done!

To the on-screen talent that keep the show going, I salute you. The Strictly band and singers, who have sounded as fabulous as ever, with reduced rehearsal time and proximity, performing behind their screens. Any band who can pivot from Un Giorno Per Noi to Enter Sandman deserve props. Craig, Motsi and Shirley (and Anton), who all looked stunning and did their jobs with little energy in the room to feed off. I was a bit skeptical about a team of three, and I hope we can go back to four next year, but they formed a lovely little team. Zoe, Rylan and the ITT team have been brilliant as always. I hope Zoe & Ian can get back into hold next year! And of course, Tess & Claudia. They have been wonderful. We've missed the chaos of the Clauditorium, but the Chaterpillar has been a great alternative. I hope that Tess & Claud will also get back into hold next year! Keeeeeep dancing!

Finally, to all the couples, I thank you for all the sacrifices you made to be a part of the show. Many separated from their families to live alone for the duration of the series and form their bubbles. We all know how hard it has been this year not to see our families and friends, but to have to seperate from members of your own household - partners, parents, children - it must have been really touch. I want them to know that as viewers, we really appreciate what they have done to keep the core element of the show - the partnerships - in tact.

From myself, and all of the 2020 viewers of Strictly Come Dancing,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Sunday Service: Week 8

It's such a close competition this year. Everyone is desperate to hang on for one more week, and not be the couple who just miss out.

Arguably the weakest couple left, Jamie & Karen kicked things off. Their first dance was the disco salsa. They might as well just make disco salsa a style and be done with it. We seem to get them regularly. Jamie lacked hip action, and he was slightly ahead of the music in a number of places. The first lift looked a bit awkward, but subsequent lifts were better. He always looks like an enthusiastic amateur. It was fun. It was competent. But it wasn't quite the standard for a finalist. 

Jamie & Karen's second routine was the heavily themed hoedown quickstep. Thank God I'm A Country is a very bold choice because it has a weird time signature with extra counts at the end of phrases. I guess this is less troublesome if you are listening the the music rather than counting it, as I suspect Jamie does. I didn't care for the bench section in the middle, especially as Karen tended to look down at her feet (she did this last week when dancing on the classroom tables, too). The parts in hold were OK. His frame is quite nice and he is light on his feet. There wasn't really any gapping. I did actually enjoy the routine. I just miss the days of routines with less out-of-hold sections.

The waltz was always going to be a good choice for Ranvir & Giovanni. Classic ballroom. Nothing could go wrong. Giovanni is one of the few pros who goes pure with ballroom and I love it. This was elegant and controlled. It was difficult to see Ranvir's feet under the dress, but her topline looked nice. I have a problem with her head position at times - it's a bit far back and looks like it's sinking into her neck. But otherwise, it was everything you would want from a waltz.

I have no idea what Ranvir's jive was like, because did you see Giovanni's costume? OK, I went and watched it back after. Ranvir's dress was similar in length to Maisie's jive dress, and both were giving me flashbacks to Jill. I was waiting for her to catch her heel. Thankfully she didn't. In order to do that should would have had to have picked her feet up more. This was probably one of Ranvir's weakest dances. It lacked energy. The flicks were heavy. She needed to point her feet. It was fun, but pretty ugly. Why Giovanni didn't opt for a rumba it beyond me. What might have been. But we'll always have his sailor suit, and an overwhelming desire to buy perfume.

Bill & Oti started their night with the Charleston. It wasn't the best Charleton I've seen on the show, but it was decent enough. Fun and breezy. Some of his lag action was a bit heavy, swivvels and kicks could have been sharper. But I liked it.

The tango sounded like a winner on paper - Enter Sandman is a all time classic. Perhaps it would have made a better paso, though. The routine lacked a bit of drive and intent. Bill's posture was not as good as it has been, his shoulder were forward and his hips were back. Perhaps doing two routines meant they didn't have the time to finesse these details that would have elevated the performance. The small sections out of hold looked better. I wanted to love it, but I just didn't.

Maisie & Gorka's couple's choice was the dance she needed to do. For the girl who often attacks each dance with too much energy, this was uncharacteristically laid back. It was perfectly in sync, it was fun and it was super cool. I'm really not a big fan of couple's choice, but it has given us some great routines this year. I was a bit put out when it was pointed out by Keep Dancing Podcast that Getting Jiggy Wit It was a hit before Maisie was born. Ugh.

The Viennese waltz was a big change of pace, but I liked it almost as much. OK, so it did feel like a young adult movie where one of the main characters going to die and then the other finds a note written from the beyond telling them to be free and find happiness with someone else, but it was still lovely. It was beautifully danced. Maisie's footwork looked good. Her topline is natural and relaxed, and she dances from her soul. A great job.

The final couple, Harvey & Janette, took a risk and gave us the only rumba of the series. I like rumba, as it's great for separating the wheat from the chaff. We have not had many good rumbas on Strictly. It's difficult and exposing, and has become the dance the pros like to dodge. In leiu of a Christmas special this year, we got Harvey & Janette dancing in a AR snow globe. This routine watched like a competent medal test. Lots of basic steps executed correctly. Harvey presented Janette nicely. Of course it had no chemistry, but it was sweet. It was definitely the best rumba of the series.

Their Charleston was helped along by the song, which did a lot of the heavy lifting for me. Another Day Of Sun is such a feel-good song (and easily the best part of Laa Laa Land) that the audience is in a good mood before you've danced a step. I liked the concept of moving around the different areas - the café, the gas station, the park - but it had a frantic nature which I didn't really enjoy. I liked the content of Bill & Oti's routine more than this one. It was fine, but I didn't love it.

The leaderboard was probably fair, but it's not the order I wanted to see the couples in. I voted for Ranvir, Bill and Maisie, mainly because those are the three I definitely want to see in the final.

I can't help thinking that Ranvir would have been higher if they had done a rumba. Their waltz scored higher than either of Jamie's routines, but they ended up at the bottom because of the jive. It's frustrating. If Jamie ends up in the final at Ranvir's expense I will be livid.

I have enjoyed Jamie throughout the series, but he is the one I would be most happy to lose from the competition.

Sunday Service: Week 7

The short series has brought Musicals Week, and the semi-final, around very quickly this year. Two more eliminations from this group, and then we'll be left with our finalists.

JJ & Amy's Charleston to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang kicked things off. I was worried about JJ's swivel action, but it was actually very nice. But there was a lot of jumping in this routine, which I assume is to give the feeling of movement when there isn't much going in with the upper body. Clever perhaps, but it wasn't for me. Amy did all of the heavy lifting in this routine, moving around JJ while he stood and maybe offered a hand for her to balance. The swivel section face to face near the end looked incorrect. A Charleston is usually a free pass into the next round, but that might not be the case here.

I love Ranvir & Giovanni, and this Viennese waltz was certainly well-danced, but I didn't feel moved in the way I had with some of their earlier performances. There was a lovely fleckerl, annoyingly obscured by a dodgy camera angle and Ranvir's dress. Her footwork looked good, and she was safe in Giovanni's lead. It had a nice mood. There was nothing surprising here, other than Ranvir not performing any part of the routine as a solo.

The first of the night's two jives came from Maisie & Gorka. It wasn't as neat as some of Maisie's other routines, It felt a tad uncontrolled compared to other dances she's done, although I can't pinpoint why I feel that way. I appreciate that Gorka had choreographed the routine to the music, but this gave the routine a staccato quality which I found quite jarring. However, Maisie is an incredible dancer and still enjoy watching her each week.

I feel as though maybe Bill & Oti were the only couple this week whose dance style was shoe-horned into a music choice which didn't really fit. Phantom would work better as a ballroom tango to my mind. It's too dramatic for the intimacy of an Argentine tango. That said, a steamy storyline wouldn't have worked for this couple, so maybe its for the best. I enjoyed watching the dance. I feel as though Bill's lead wasn't strong enough and Oti was having to do a lot of the work herself. Bill's acting was brilliant, though. I loved the way he looked at Oti. A solid performance.

I really liked Harvey & Janette's American smooth. It was big, it was glitzy, it was showbiz. It had a lot of nice lifts, although I'm a bit unsure about the lift sequence at the end of the routine which felt a but laboured. There was probably a little too much out of hold for my taste, but I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if it had been in hold. I do wish Harvey had pasted on a proper dancing school smile, because there were points in the routine where he looked deep in concentration rather than in performance mode. But overall I thought it was the best number of the night, and I wish it had closed the show.

Closing the show instead was Jamie & Karen with jive number two, to Everybody's Talking About Jamie. I get why it was last. Theatre has suffered a lot in 2020, and ETAJ is one of the few shows reopening this side of Christmas. It's also a very uplifting story which celebrates being yourself. Everybody has been talking about Jamie Laing, who has been quite the surprise of this series. Sadly, he just wasn't worthy of all the potential piled on his shoulders. Jamie's free arm was a dead weight throughout the number. His footwork was heavy and untidy. I spent the whole routine wondering when he was going to reach into a desk and pull out his red heels, but alas no. They didn't even put any drag make-up on him. Although putting a heavy dose of Ruby Woo on his lips probably would've just drawn attention to some of the odd faces he was pulling.

My favourite of the night was Harvey. I also voted for Bill and Ranvir, because I want them to stay.

It's getting really tough, but the weakest for me are JJ and Jamie. JJ is a competent dancer, but not once have I felt excited to see what he's going to do. Not once have I wanted to immediately rewind and watch again. I feel the opposite about Jamie. I have really enjoyed watching some of his numbers. Karen has done an amazing job turning an excitable puppy into something who can pass as a performer. But I feel that he has reached the end of the road. Essentially, these are the two participants that I don't really want to see in the final. JJ is probably the better dancer, but I think I'd rather see another week of Jamie.