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.