Saturday Suppositions: Week 10

 Week 10 was everything I wanted Blackpool to be...

We started with Pete & Jowita's tango. I appreciated seeing Pete do a dance with no theme, just a straight-up tango in a nice suit. Easy Lover is not dramatic enough for a tango, but they did their best. The dance suited his moody vibe. I liked it, but Pete is clearly the weakest dancer left in the competition.

Chains had the perfect amount of drama to allow for a rumba with lots of light and shade. Vito is so good at choreographing to the accents in the music. There were a couple of moments where Sarah fell into a move because she wasn't quite supporting her own weight. And as always, it was lacking a bit in hip action, but otherwise it was fab. She's so nice to watch.

JB & Lauren's classic Charleston was a delight. It was bouncy, cheeky and fun. It's a shame that JB seemed to run out of steam toward the end. The lifts could have been a little slicker. But overall, it was fun and full of choreography.

Once again, Jamie presented Michelle in a very mindful way - he really shows her off and supports her. The foxtrot was always going to be a hard sell among a lot of more crowd-pleasing numbers, but they did a very sweet job. Nice footwork. His right arm is too far forward which puts the frame out, but I still like watching him.

The paso was always going to be a difficult dance for Chris because it's so unlike anything else, and so difficult to explain to someone who has never seen it. Dianne was smart to keep most of the dance in hold and focus on moments of shape as well as the appels. It still had drama, and the choice of traditional music and costume helped to sell it. I loved it.

I loved Montell & Johannes' quickstep. It totally suits athletes, and it totally suited her. They flew around the floor in such an effortless way, and Montell was just beaming throughout. She was clearly having a wonderful time. The only thing I didn't like was her dress. Perfect colour, but I hated the stiff bodice which seemed to impair her moments, and the ugly black zip in the back was unforgivable. 

Tasha & Aljaž's American smooth was dreamy. Beautiful lifts, complex choreography. It was almost perfect, but for at least two heel turns with splayed feet. But I guess sometimes you just have to overlook those things when the whole thing is breathtaking.

I loved the sambathon, because it was like a real competition. The couples had to move around the floor, while avoiding others. It really challenged their floorcraft. Of course, any -athon is going to be challenging for the leaders as they have to direct the dance around. It's much harder for the female pros to decide where their leader is taking them. But it is also hard for the celebrity followers, as they cannot assume they will be sticking to a choreographed routine - they have to adapt if their partner chooses to do something else to steer them out of trouble. It was all tinged with hesitation, and it made it real.

I liked that they went back to getting couples to leave the floor when eliminated, as it left space for everyone else. Was it unfair on Chris? Of course. But that wasn't a reason not to include it.

My favourites of the night were Sarah and Chris, but everyone is so good there are no bad routines here. I was sorry to see Jamie leave, but there was no way he was stronger than Montell, who shouldn't really have been in the danceoff.

Sunday Service: Week 9

There's always so much hype for Blackpool. Some of the dances met those lofty expectations, and some didn't. In fact, most didn't. Let's get into it...

I loved Chris & Dianne's American smooth, which opened the show with a bang. It was a big production number, and it suited the Tower Ballroom. There are a few things Chris could still improve. His frame could be bigger. He could pull his shoulders back more. He could place his arms better when he is out of hold. He could be a bit smoother getting Dianne into lifts. But I enjoy watching him so much that I can forgive those little details. 

Montell & Johannes' disco salsa was fun, but Montell lacked fluidity for me. I hated her shoes, which were inelegant. There wasn't enough fluidity between moves. The steps had movement, but between movements it was a bit stiff. Craig said it needed to be more seamless, and I think that's what I am getting at here.

I liked the concept of Sarah & Vito's couples' choice, and it would only work with the additional dancers and the space of the Tower. I loved the ambition, but it didn't quite come off. My major issue is Sarah's lack of hip action, which made the hip thrust moments (of which there were several) look wooden. That ponytail was a liability as well, as it kept sticking to her face. There were some stand-out moments too, though. I really loved the ending where she jumped down to the chair, and then stood back on the table. 

I have never seen anyone so incapable of swiveling, but it's almost as if Wynne's ankles don't twist in that way. That means that this failed to look like a Charleston at all. It's a good thing Katya isn't afraid of a lift, as that was what made this interesting. Wynne certainly sells it, but I'm just not buying.

Pete got completely stitched up last night. The whole concept for is cha cha was questionable, from the Pepto Bismol colour palate to the PVC strides. It was very camp. But Pete just rolls with it, and I admire that. Somehow he maintains a level of masculinity throughout. His timing was not great, but we saw in the week that the counting was proving difficult. But as always he partnered Jowita well, and I was entertained.

I loved JB & Lauren's routine. It was pure quickstep from start to finish. Fast and flying. They didn't stop, no filler. Exactly what a quickstep in this ballroom should be. He was unphased by extra dancers, especially on the section travelling down the floor when they danced as a group. I liked it.

I think I would have liked Tasha & Aljaž's paso more if it had been to a different piece of music. The music lacked crescendos. I was dying for a key change or something to give it some drama. In fact, it washed over me on first viewing, and I needed to watch it again to fully appreciate it. On second view, it was clear that they danced it as if there were crescendos there. The dancing, as always, was flawless. I just hated Tasha's facial expression. Drama came across as 'stank face'.

I absolutely loved how camp and daft Jamie & Michelle's jive was. A giant glittery ketchup bottle? Of course! Dancers dressed as ketchup and mustard? Don't mind if I do! Jamie was properly leading Michelle - the pushes he gave her turns could have spun her to the seafront. His acting when surrounded by the bottles was so fun. His arms were a little overly placed in a couple of places, and he could have been more up on the balls of his feet in places. Why didn't they give him red shoes? Especially when Pete had pink ones. It accentuated the heaviness of his feet. I still don't know why the judges are so down on Jamie. They never seem to praise him more than criticise him.

My favourites were Chris and Jamie, followed by JB. For me the bottom two were in line with the leaderboard. I think Pete got a bit stitched up by the concept, although he is now clearly the weakest in terms of timing. Wynne did not have the styling of the dance at all. I'm really not going to be happy until he is gone.

Sunday Service: Week 8

The couples were fighting for a place on the Blackpool this week, and the judges weren't making it easy for any of the couples. Here's how I thought they got on.

Tasha & Aljaž's quickstep was cute. It was light, fast and very well executed, as always. Lovely footwork and topline. They moved around the floor as one. The only thing I didn't like was Tasha's dress, which was way too bulky for her frame.

I really liked Shayne & Nancy's rumba. They had an emotional connection, which I don't think we've seen from them before. His hands were a bit splayed and ugly at times, but his lovely walks made up for it. It was cute when that smile came across his face. The storytelling was beautiful. A good job.

I kept exclaiming "Wow!" throughout Sarah & Vito's American smooth. The routine was lovely all the way through, and the lifts were breathtaking. The standard of the choreography was so high that I think it was a shame the judges nitpicked so much. I can't believe the scores were so low. Sarah should be very Proud of that performance. 

Pete & Jowita's couples' choice routines absolutely played to his strengths in partnering and making lovely shapes. He presented Jowita beautifully, and he really felt it emotionally in a way I hadn't seen from him before. I think Anton captured it well when he said it was "the greatest hits of you". Lovely storytelling.

JB & Lauren's samba was pure party. I loved the vibe of the dance, and it was clear that JB did too. His body was so fluid, and his hip action was on point. There was lots of recognisable samba content, and a good attempt at the samba rolls. He looked fantastic too, I loved that costume. It's so good to see JB having a good week with Latin.

I loved the intimacy of Jamie & Michelle's Argentine tango. It was very intense. There was a fantastic gancho section in the middle. It possibly lacked a bit of light and shade and dynamism, but that's more a criticism of the choreography than the performance. And yes, maybe he was a bit off balance in places, but I still enjoyed the performance.

I've made no secret of the fact that I don't really like Wynne, and this American smooth didn't do anything to change my mind. This dance didn't really do anything for me. Katya's choreography wasn't as clever as it sometimes is. I think Craig summed it up when he said it lacked style. I think that's exactly why Wynne doesn't work for me. He lacks panache. And that "I'm mad, me" suit didn't help. But you can't put him in black tails because of that ad campaign.

I liked Montell & Johannes' paso, but I felt that some of the time it was a little soft. There were some really strong moments, but there were also some soft moments which could have had even more attack. I know there needs to be light and shade, but that comes from the choreography, the slow and the quick. The routine had light and shade built in already. I loved her intensity. I really liked it, but I wanted even more.

Chris & Dianne's couples' choice routine looked like a showdance. If they make the final, I'm not sure where they go from here. It was nice to see Chris look relaxed, as there was no technique to worry about it. So many lifts, which well well executed. A small error on the judges' side of the floor, but I'm not completely sure who went wrong. I lovely routine which was enjoyable to watch.

JB and Sarah were my favourites this week. It's so hard to pick a bottom two, as everyone is so good. I'd happily see Wynne in the bottom. I guess I'd have to put Jamie or Shayne there too, but I loved both of their routines. I wouldn't like to be in the judges' shoes for the results show.

Saturday Suppositions: Week 7

 Icons Week. Oh dear. What a mess. Let's get into it...

Oh Pete. The salsa was a dance disaster. I almost wanted him in the bottom two to give him a chance to do it again correctly. The lift in the middle was good, but he didn't quite get hold of Jowita at the end so it was a bit messy. And he spent the rest of the dance just not really doing much. Not an exciting routine. I am warming to Pete, though. He seems to have found a love of dance and it's cute.

I really don't understand what the judges see in Wynne. They shower him with parise, and I don't know why. His rumba was competent, yes, but it lacked fluidity in places. He's trying hard, no doubt about that, but I don't enjoy the shapes he makes with his body. Perhaps Craig was right, it had too much attack. Too much emotion to the point of being affected. Katya was phenomenal, though.

Sam & Nikita's American smooth was very sweet. It had elegance and poise. Sam looked steadier on her own feet than perhaps she has up to this point. The hold was good, the footwork was solid. One of her better dances.

Chris & Dianne's tango was a bit hampered by the song choice, which wasn't staccato enough for a tango, nor did it have any kind of crescendo. The tango is a tricky dance to understand if you have never seen it, because it's hard to understand the drama it requires. I felt this was the first routine which might have suffered due to Chris disability. Everything else was there, as always. His timing was great, he led Dianne well.

Did anyone feel nervous seeing a Madonna track starting with a cape and a set of stairs? I love Sarah, but her cha cha was a little too 'upright' for me. Her legs are so straight and balletic that the cha cha lacked a bit of movement for me. She doesn't have much action which the dance needs to give it dynamism. Otherwise, she is amazing. And Vito's "What is wedgie?" question will live on in Strictly lore. 

JB's couples' choice was 24-karat magic! I loved it. And I think JB had a bit of a touch being partnered by Lauren for this number. I love Amy, I really do, but I don't think this dance would have been quite this good with her partnering JB. It was so wonderful to see JB finally shine.

Montell & Johannes' waltz was cursed. This arrangement of I Will Always Love You was not good. How Johannes made something of it shows what a fantastic pro he is. Montell is a beautiful dancer, and I think she was just unlucky to be in the dance off. The waltz is not a wow dance. As a Whitney fan, they should have given Montell an uptempo dance instead.

I don't get why the judges love Wynne, yet they seem to always give Jamie a hard time. Jamie had some really nice shaping in the samba, lovely hip action, nice footwork. The promenade runs were delightful. He and Michelle are becoming a good partnership, and I disagree with the judges that they lack connection.

The contemporary, lyrical type of couples' choice (or showdance) is not really my bag unless it's done really well. Tasha & Aljaž did do it really well. The lift section in the middle was professional level. But I'm afraid it didn't make me feel anything. It was beautiful, I just didn't connect with it emotionally.

I don't really know why they decided to end the show with Shayne & Nancy. There was quite a lot of gapping during the fast-moving sections of their quickstep. There seemed to be a lot of dead time where they were not in hold. I don't really understand why he needed to take off the jacket. I don't think it was hiding his body or getting in the way. It was a big moment in the dance which served no purpose.

Icons Week was a bit underwhelming. I don't like that we have had two theme weeks in a row. JB was my favourite of the week by a mile, and the only one I would want to watch again. The bottom two for me were Pete, because he messed it up so royally, and possibly Chris because he wasn't able to get the drama of the dance. But I voted for both of them because I wasn't ready to see either of them go, and I was hoping that Wynne might end up in the dance-off.

It's a shame that Sam got knocked out on what was quite a strong week for her, but we're getting to the point where everyone is pretty decent. Every dance-off is going to be tough. Montell was just unlucky, and hopefully she will absolutely nail the paso this week.

Saturday Suppositions: Week 6

I was away last weekend, so I was a little late to the Halloween party. So better late than pregnant (IYKYK), here are my thoughts on last week's special.

Chris & Dianne kicked off the show with their disco samba. There is a certain amount of artistic licence that has to be tolerated on a theme week. The samba had zombie elements which weren't quite in keeping with the dance. But I enjoyed it nonetheless. As the judges noted, it was too jumpy instead of bouncy, but Chris continues to bring fun to the floor.

I really enjoyed Pete & Jowita's Viennese waltz. Some of Pete's moves weren't finished completely, he doesn't always close his feet properly. There was at attempt at a fleckerl in there, and they covered the floor well. And he totally nailed the character. He embodied Joker, and that took it from an OK routine into a good performance.

I thought that Montell & Johannes' cha cha was good, but I didn't love it. I felt that Montell's body got lost in a mass of hair, tassels and sleeves. I felt like I couldn't see her, she was hidden. It was good, but it just didn't stand out for me. I love this pairing, and I want to see them fly.

Punam didn't look steady on her feet during the tango, and Gorka was keeping her up and getting her where she needed to be. She needed more sharpness, and she needed her bodyweight be on her own feet. But I enjoyed the routine - it had plenty of content.

Katya is fearless. She always gets her partners to lift her in ridiculous ways, even when perhaps it might be beyond them. The first and last lifts were fine, but that shoulder plank lift in the middle was not comfortable to watch. It was a bit too ambitious for Wynne. The dancing in between was fine, although a bit 'picked-up' and not into the ground enough.

JB & Amy's foxtrot was very sweet. The footwork was good, his frame continues to improve. It was a charming routine. Not a showstopper, but competent and nice to watch. 

Tasha & Aljaž's samba was so much fun. I loved the characterisation, but there was also a recognisable dance in there. I very rarely say this, but they actually look like a professional couple. The only thing that wasn't professional level were the batucadas, which didn't have the level of hips that the pros have. But that is being super picky.

I'm afraid I have to agree with the judges about Shayne & Nancy's paso - the theme meant that there wasn't enough paso content, and the dance didn't showcase Shayne enough. What he did get to do was reasonable. His shaping looked a bit off in places, although I think he was hindered by the costume, which cut his body and made him look short. Great storytelling, but death by theming.

I liked Jamie & Michelle's American smooth. A nice mix of content in hold and out of it. The characterisation was there, more so out of hold than in hold. It was a fun routine. He doesn't seem to be that comfortable with lifts, which will be a hindrance if they come to do Argentine tango.

Apart from the opening lift off the bed, which was frankly awkward, Sarah & Vito's lifts were stunning. But the parts of the Argentine tango in hold seemed to lack connection in the body. It was very good, but I almost wish I could've seen an AT from them without the theme.

The Bucks Fizz reveal was definitely the thing which sent Sam & Nikita though to next week. I spent the first half of the routine wondering why they were on last. It was unexpected. But otherwise, Sam's jive lacked sharpness. She was out of time in a very noticeable way. She is starting to fall behind the pack. I liked this number because it was fun, but Sam has a lot of work to do.

Tasha was my favourite of the night. Sam and Punam were the weakest, and I think it was right for Punam to go home. Now on to Icons Week.