So Naga went last week and the racism row continues. Think this is all media hype, I really don't see 'Strictly' viewers as the racist type. And this week Laura was injured so didn't dance & got a bye to next week. Like it or not, those are the Strictly rules!
On to this week's performances:
Judge Rinder & Oksana
The trout mouth was back this week! Not a bad dance, flicks a bit floppy but good hip swing in places. A bit flat footed & suzie cues needed more swivels but good energy.
My score - 8
Lesley & Anton
Needed to flex knees & pull top line back & raise chin. Well performed as usual. Some heel leads missed. Great content, she did well to remember as much as she did.
My score - 7
Greg & Natalie
His left elbow was too high. Not enough pressure into the floor so lack of knee action resulting in no hips. Free arm a bit lacking too.
My score - 6
Anastacia & Gorka
Nicely danced. A bit of gapping & needed to pull ribcage up. Good routine, nice & light. Did well with a new partner.
My score - 8
Louise & Kevin
Need to keep feet on the floor when taking a step. She was picking up so not enough hip action for me. Good musicality. Classy but didn't think there was much chemistry there.
My score - 8
Ed & Katya
A shame about the lift but he did well not to drop her. Too ambitious if you ask me! NOt bad control on the foxtrot but needed more drive. Other lifts were quite good.
My score - 6
Ore & Joanne
Romantic. Good footwork and rise & fall but his left side of his frame moved a lot & his left arm kept going up & down. Did well to hit the right frame after breaking away & reconnecting into the standing spin. Good control & no gapping.
My score - 9
Daisy & Aljaz
Very original & classy. Not much basic movements but what she danced of them she did well. Good lifts too.
My score - 8
Danny & Oti
Some hip actions forced (the first forward walks) but some were ok. He lead well but needed more knee actions at point to help his hips. Sometimes over danced but was one of the better male celeb rumbas.
My score - 8
Claudia & AJ
A few errors & looked a lot like she was only just keeping up with the content & the speed. It was a routine he did for him rather than her, in my opinion. A bit fantic & stiff in places.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 this week - Ed & Greg but doubt Ed will be in the dance off as he seems popular.
Until next week
Keeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Sunday, 23 October 2016
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Week 4
Ok, I will quickly mention that I think the judges made the wrong decision. Neither Laura nor Tameka should have been in the dance off but out of the 2 of them I thought that Tameka's dance was more polished in the dance off.
Anyway, on to this week's performances:
Greg & Natalie
He was a bit stompy & needed more hip rotation. A bit hectic in places & a bit aggressive for some reason. Good lifts though.
My score - 7
Laura & Giovanni
Her chin is too high & had a bad left hand. Her head was too far back (that's not how to create a good posture). Good energy though & kept up with the routine well.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Not a single judge mentioned the heel leads! So, therefore there was not enough hip action for me. Nice ronde though & spins seemed a bit more controlled. Good arms.
My score - 6 (would have been 7 if there were no heel leads)
Claudia & AJ
Needed more drive for me. Good attempt at heel turns but struggled with the syncopated double reverse spin section. Good top line though.
My score - 7
Ed & Katya
Oh dear, Ed decides to put an entire series worth of mistakes into one dance! He was also the most camp matador I've ever seen. I did see some Paso figures like a La Passe which he did the proper steps in. Very stompy but oddly still very watchable?!
My score - 5
Naga & Pasha
Much better this week. She got more of the routine right & a lot was solo work. Better performance level too. Good energy & I disagreed with Craig, I like a Charleston to be 'informal' & slapstick.
My score - 7
Louise & Kevin
Wrong music to do a foxtrot any justice. Lots of training footage of heel turns but I didn't see her dance one?! Loses top line on occasion but good arms & styling. Good footwork too.
My score - 8
Danny & Oti
He's good! Great energy, good frame, tons of content. Nice to have proper music too! Good flight across the floor. Just a bit of gapping at times.
My score - 9
Daisy & Aljaz
A bit stilted at times, needed more hip action. Romantic & good delayed forward walk action in her opening outs.
My score - 8
Judge Rinder & Oksana
His natural turns needed sway & his fleckerl was under rotated. He got most heel leads in but needed more drive. Awful music again.
My score - 7
Lesley & Anton
This woman astounds me. Amazing energy, no errors, great swivels, good lifts. Understandably started to flag towards the end.
My score - 8
Ore & Joanne
Smashed it! Incredible technique. The new top dog of this series and the one to beat. I instantly watched Jill Halfpenny & Jay's jives to compare & I think Ore's was better. More flicks & kicks than Jill's and a lot more solo work than Jay's
My score - 10 (I know it's only week 4 but credit where it's due!)
My bottom 2 - Anastacia & Ed
Until next week......keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Anyway, on to this week's performances:
Greg & Natalie
He was a bit stompy & needed more hip rotation. A bit hectic in places & a bit aggressive for some reason. Good lifts though.
My score - 7
Laura & Giovanni
Her chin is too high & had a bad left hand. Her head was too far back (that's not how to create a good posture). Good energy though & kept up with the routine well.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Not a single judge mentioned the heel leads! So, therefore there was not enough hip action for me. Nice ronde though & spins seemed a bit more controlled. Good arms.
My score - 6 (would have been 7 if there were no heel leads)
Claudia & AJ
Needed more drive for me. Good attempt at heel turns but struggled with the syncopated double reverse spin section. Good top line though.
My score - 7
Ed & Katya
Oh dear, Ed decides to put an entire series worth of mistakes into one dance! He was also the most camp matador I've ever seen. I did see some Paso figures like a La Passe which he did the proper steps in. Very stompy but oddly still very watchable?!
My score - 5
Naga & Pasha
Much better this week. She got more of the routine right & a lot was solo work. Better performance level too. Good energy & I disagreed with Craig, I like a Charleston to be 'informal' & slapstick.
My score - 7
Louise & Kevin
Wrong music to do a foxtrot any justice. Lots of training footage of heel turns but I didn't see her dance one?! Loses top line on occasion but good arms & styling. Good footwork too.
My score - 8
Danny & Oti
He's good! Great energy, good frame, tons of content. Nice to have proper music too! Good flight across the floor. Just a bit of gapping at times.
My score - 9
Daisy & Aljaz
A bit stilted at times, needed more hip action. Romantic & good delayed forward walk action in her opening outs.
My score - 8
Judge Rinder & Oksana
His natural turns needed sway & his fleckerl was under rotated. He got most heel leads in but needed more drive. Awful music again.
My score - 7
Lesley & Anton
This woman astounds me. Amazing energy, no errors, great swivels, good lifts. Understandably started to flag towards the end.
My score - 8
Ore & Joanne
Smashed it! Incredible technique. The new top dog of this series and the one to beat. I instantly watched Jill Halfpenny & Jay's jives to compare & I think Ore's was better. More flicks & kicks than Jill's and a lot more solo work than Jay's
My score - 10 (I know it's only week 4 but credit where it's due!)
My bottom 2 - Anastacia & Ed
Until next week......keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Week 3
Ok, before I go into this week's performances, lets talk about the elephant in the room... the fall out from last week's vote off. In any 'normal' dance competition, if you are injured & can't dance you have to pull out (or get disqualified for not dancing). However, this isn't a 'normal' competition. At best it's a saturday night entertainment show, at worst a popularity contest. No-one should put their long term health at risk for a TV show. Whatever you think about the way it was handled, they made the right decision (in my view) in not allowing her to dance (just think of the law suit it she had really hurt herself second time around!) Also, I know they were close in the judges marks but I still think that it didn't make any difference & Melvin would (and should) have gone home.
Anyway, onto this week:
Daisy & Aljaz
Pleasant & good choreography (not much basic though). She still needs to pull back her top line a fraction & her head line was a bit wrong & looked a bit stiff.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Romantic & classy. Needed a bit more drive & she also needs to pull her top line away from her partner more. Good fleckerl though.
My score - 7
Danny & Oti
Did a good dance to terrible music - it wasn't the right tempo, timing or phrasing for a Paso! Good stance & shaping, good synchronicity. Probably one of the best male celeb Paso's I have seen in a while. Just a bit flat for me in places (like Len's beloved Coup de Pique).
My score - 9
Lesley & Anton
I like her but shame about the mistake. Very light & quick. Good performance but poise needs soe work (even though it oddly worked in this character!)
My score - 7
Will & Karen
Great twist to a Salsa. Good mix between styles. Good energy & lifts but I'm with Len, needed more salsa content for me.
My score - 8
Naga & Pasha
Better but still too many mistakes. Looked like he was dragging her around at some points. Good head transitions & good drama though. Needed more heel leads.
My score - 6
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Shame about the mistakes. Good swivels, good lifts & energy. Pleasantly surprised by the flip at the end!
My score - 7
Ore & Joanne
More her style - she likes show dances more. Lovely performance. Light, smooth, good control & frame. Very nice but just needs to watch the position on his right hand on her back, it went across to the other side of her spine a couple of times.
My score - 9
Laura & Giovanni
Good energy. Annoyingly, I couldn't see the synchronicity as the camera only concentrated on one of them at a time! Very sexy, good timing & I liked her hips. Little bit too much attack at times & legs were a bit too stiff in places.
My score - 7
Greg & Natalie
Better ballroom then last week. Excellent lifts & good romance & chemistry. 1st foxtrot section was better than the 2nd. In the second section his frame was weaker & it definitely looked like his bum was stuck out to me!
My score - 8
Claudia & AJ
Amazing speed & control. Great swivels & lifts. Just lost timing with AJ in one small section but this dance played to her athleticism. Good to see her starting to perform it too.
My score - 9
Tameka & Gorka
Not bad. Timing & performance were good but again she needs to pull her top line off of her partner. Needed more heel leads too.
My score - 7
Ed Balls & Katya
I admit it, I love Ed Balls! (not literally, just as a performer!) He might not be the best dancer but by golly he throws everything into hi performances! Not bad samba steps but great character. The 'pot stirrer' - the continual spins they did - is very difficult to lead for the man.
My score - 7
Louise & Kevin
The freestyle stuff was good but the Cha Cha Cha sections were too bouncy with not enough hips due to her being a bit too bent knee'd. Good control & timing though.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 - Naga & Judge Rinder - due to the amount of mistakes.
I will just say that I don't think Ed should be bottom. Craig clearly has an issue with him. Ed didn't go wrong & performed it with 100% commitment. Naga, Lesley & Judge Rinder all made mistakes & Ed's technique (particularly for a Samba) was no worse than theirs.
We will see what the voting public think tomorrow!
Until next week
Keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Anyway, onto this week:
Daisy & Aljaz
Pleasant & good choreography (not much basic though). She still needs to pull back her top line a fraction & her head line was a bit wrong & looked a bit stiff.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Romantic & classy. Needed a bit more drive & she also needs to pull her top line away from her partner more. Good fleckerl though.
My score - 7
Danny & Oti
Did a good dance to terrible music - it wasn't the right tempo, timing or phrasing for a Paso! Good stance & shaping, good synchronicity. Probably one of the best male celeb Paso's I have seen in a while. Just a bit flat for me in places (like Len's beloved Coup de Pique).
My score - 9
Lesley & Anton
I like her but shame about the mistake. Very light & quick. Good performance but poise needs soe work (even though it oddly worked in this character!)
My score - 7
Will & Karen
Great twist to a Salsa. Good mix between styles. Good energy & lifts but I'm with Len, needed more salsa content for me.
My score - 8
Naga & Pasha
Better but still too many mistakes. Looked like he was dragging her around at some points. Good head transitions & good drama though. Needed more heel leads.
My score - 6
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Shame about the mistakes. Good swivels, good lifts & energy. Pleasantly surprised by the flip at the end!
My score - 7
Ore & Joanne
More her style - she likes show dances more. Lovely performance. Light, smooth, good control & frame. Very nice but just needs to watch the position on his right hand on her back, it went across to the other side of her spine a couple of times.
My score - 9
Laura & Giovanni
Good energy. Annoyingly, I couldn't see the synchronicity as the camera only concentrated on one of them at a time! Very sexy, good timing & I liked her hips. Little bit too much attack at times & legs were a bit too stiff in places.
My score - 7
Greg & Natalie
Better ballroom then last week. Excellent lifts & good romance & chemistry. 1st foxtrot section was better than the 2nd. In the second section his frame was weaker & it definitely looked like his bum was stuck out to me!
My score - 8
Claudia & AJ
Amazing speed & control. Great swivels & lifts. Just lost timing with AJ in one small section but this dance played to her athleticism. Good to see her starting to perform it too.
My score - 9
Tameka & Gorka
Not bad. Timing & performance were good but again she needs to pull her top line off of her partner. Needed more heel leads too.
My score - 7
Ed Balls & Katya
I admit it, I love Ed Balls! (not literally, just as a performer!) He might not be the best dancer but by golly he throws everything into hi performances! Not bad samba steps but great character. The 'pot stirrer' - the continual spins they did - is very difficult to lead for the man.
My score - 7
Louise & Kevin
The freestyle stuff was good but the Cha Cha Cha sections were too bouncy with not enough hips due to her being a bit too bent knee'd. Good control & timing though.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 - Naga & Judge Rinder - due to the amount of mistakes.
I will just say that I don't think Ed should be bottom. Craig clearly has an issue with him. Ed didn't go wrong & performed it with 100% commitment. Naga, Lesley & Judge Rinder all made mistakes & Ed's technique (particularly for a Samba) was no worse than theirs.
We will see what the voting public think tomorrow!
Until next week
Keeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Sunday, 2 October 2016
Week 2
Firstly, apologies for the lateness of this blog post! A child-free night away meant that I didn't get to watch the show until Sunday afternoon! I promise that I've written this before seeing anything to do with the results show!
So, this weekend we got to see all 15 couples & compare them. The only difficulty was trying to compare 8 different dance styles! So I did what any good judge would do and marked them on their individual merit.
The performances:
Ore & Joanne
Sorry but I think her choreography is letting him down. Too much disco & not enough proper figures. He was dancing 'out of his hip' as I call it so wasn't into the floor enough, therefore no hip action (also due to the fact that he was flat footed). He had a lot of timing issues too. Good performance though & would probably do better with a different pro.
My score - 6
Claudia & AJ
He is dumbing his dancing ability down to her level instead of trying to get her to dance to his (my coach would go mad if I did that!). A bit too much faffing at the start & needed more rise & fall. She also needs to wait to be lead instead of trying to do it herself, she was ahead of him a couple of times.Poise quite nice, especially during pivots at the beginning.
My score - 7
Will & Karen
Those trousers were awful & maybe he wouldn't have pulled a muscle if he wasn't wearing baseball boots! He lost the routine quite a bit, was too flat footed & didn't have much energy. I wanted to pull his trousers up the whole way through! He also needed more doing with his free arm. Disappointed.
My score - 5
Lesley & Anton
Really liked it! Good character, good energy & not a bad technique either! Good leg actions too so had some hip movement.
My score - 7
Greg & Natalie
He really needs to get his pelvis forward. That would allow him to get his shoulders back & down & open his chest. It would also sort his weight out to stop he being so ploddy. Hated the music - no way was that a Tango. I also disagree with Bruno, a Tango should not glide. The description of a walk in Tango from the technique book of the IDTA requires the feet to be picked up & placed with speed, not glided across the floor.
My score - 5
Tameka & Gorka
He's gone down in my opinion. After the pull through the legs he was so intent on being on time, he let her struggle up from the floor on her own. Not a very nice thing to do, especially from the pro dancer. Good energy & not bad swivels considering the shoes she was wearing! Good performance.
My score - 7
Laura & Giovanni
A bit too much out of hold for my liking. Needed more rise & fall and drive. Poise not bad but needs to get her back a fraction more. Good arms out of hold, quite romantic.
My score - 7
Melvin & Janette
Bad poise, kicking like a kick boxer instead of a dancer & stompy. Bad music too. Nothing else to be said really. Didn't like it.
My score - 4
Louise & Kevin
This lady has surprised me. Lovely synchronicity with Kevin at the start & excellent arms. Poise lovely but lost it occasionally. Good fleckerl but the whole thing needed heel leads.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Liked it but she looked in pain bless her. A bit under stated but a good performance. Spins not great but better than last week.
My score - 6
Ed & Katya
I really liked it! He didn't go wrong, he had good timing, he had a good character & great performance level. Full of energy, just a shame he didn't have the swivel action. I disagreed with Craig I'm afraid, it was very watchable. Good lifts too.
My score - 6
Naga & Pasha
Needs more knee action & energy. No performance level really but not bad timing. Shame about the mistakes again.
My score - 5
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Good lifts & performance but still a bit frantic at times. Needs more drive & his footwork was a bit rubbish. Also not sure of his mouth actions, looks a bit like a fish gasping for air!
My score - 5 (almost a 6 if he calmed down a bit)
Daisy & Aljaz
Sorry but I disagree with the judges. It was a bit flat for me. Weak leg actions which were highlighted by her dress. Think she may be this year's judges favourite?
My score - 6
Danny & Oti
That contraption is called a topline frame. I have one & they are great to train poise properly. The dance was nice. Good posture, good floor coverage but needs to stop 'spotting' when he turns. Missed heel leads so he wasn't as smooth in places as he could have been Good natural dancer though.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 for the last 2 weeks combined - Naga & Melvin.
Before I go can I just ask, what's wrong with having traditional music for a Tango instead of the rubbish they are playing at the moment?!
Right, I'm off to watch the results show!
Until next week
keeeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
So, this weekend we got to see all 15 couples & compare them. The only difficulty was trying to compare 8 different dance styles! So I did what any good judge would do and marked them on their individual merit.
The performances:
Ore & Joanne
Sorry but I think her choreography is letting him down. Too much disco & not enough proper figures. He was dancing 'out of his hip' as I call it so wasn't into the floor enough, therefore no hip action (also due to the fact that he was flat footed). He had a lot of timing issues too. Good performance though & would probably do better with a different pro.
My score - 6
Claudia & AJ
He is dumbing his dancing ability down to her level instead of trying to get her to dance to his (my coach would go mad if I did that!). A bit too much faffing at the start & needed more rise & fall. She also needs to wait to be lead instead of trying to do it herself, she was ahead of him a couple of times.Poise quite nice, especially during pivots at the beginning.
My score - 7
Will & Karen
Those trousers were awful & maybe he wouldn't have pulled a muscle if he wasn't wearing baseball boots! He lost the routine quite a bit, was too flat footed & didn't have much energy. I wanted to pull his trousers up the whole way through! He also needed more doing with his free arm. Disappointed.
My score - 5
Lesley & Anton
Really liked it! Good character, good energy & not a bad technique either! Good leg actions too so had some hip movement.
My score - 7
Greg & Natalie
He really needs to get his pelvis forward. That would allow him to get his shoulders back & down & open his chest. It would also sort his weight out to stop he being so ploddy. Hated the music - no way was that a Tango. I also disagree with Bruno, a Tango should not glide. The description of a walk in Tango from the technique book of the IDTA requires the feet to be picked up & placed with speed, not glided across the floor.
My score - 5
Tameka & Gorka
He's gone down in my opinion. After the pull through the legs he was so intent on being on time, he let her struggle up from the floor on her own. Not a very nice thing to do, especially from the pro dancer. Good energy & not bad swivels considering the shoes she was wearing! Good performance.
My score - 7
Laura & Giovanni
A bit too much out of hold for my liking. Needed more rise & fall and drive. Poise not bad but needs to get her back a fraction more. Good arms out of hold, quite romantic.
My score - 7
Melvin & Janette
Bad poise, kicking like a kick boxer instead of a dancer & stompy. Bad music too. Nothing else to be said really. Didn't like it.
My score - 4
Louise & Kevin
This lady has surprised me. Lovely synchronicity with Kevin at the start & excellent arms. Poise lovely but lost it occasionally. Good fleckerl but the whole thing needed heel leads.
My score - 8
Anastacia & Brendan
Liked it but she looked in pain bless her. A bit under stated but a good performance. Spins not great but better than last week.
My score - 6
Ed & Katya
I really liked it! He didn't go wrong, he had good timing, he had a good character & great performance level. Full of energy, just a shame he didn't have the swivel action. I disagreed with Craig I'm afraid, it was very watchable. Good lifts too.
My score - 6
Naga & Pasha
Needs more knee action & energy. No performance level really but not bad timing. Shame about the mistakes again.
My score - 5
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Good lifts & performance but still a bit frantic at times. Needs more drive & his footwork was a bit rubbish. Also not sure of his mouth actions, looks a bit like a fish gasping for air!
My score - 5 (almost a 6 if he calmed down a bit)
Daisy & Aljaz
Sorry but I disagree with the judges. It was a bit flat for me. Weak leg actions which were highlighted by her dress. Think she may be this year's judges favourite?
My score - 6
Danny & Oti
That contraption is called a topline frame. I have one & they are great to train poise properly. The dance was nice. Good posture, good floor coverage but needs to stop 'spotting' when he turns. Missed heel leads so he wasn't as smooth in places as he could have been Good natural dancer though.
My score - 8
My bottom 2 for the last 2 weeks combined - Naga & Melvin.
Before I go can I just ask, what's wrong with having traditional music for a Tango instead of the rubbish they are playing at the moment?!
Right, I'm off to watch the results show!
Until next week
keeeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Week 1, Episode 2
Well we thought last night was good, but tonight was even better! Ed Balls isn't abysmal!
I have to quickly say that I still wonder at all of the dances they make the celebs perform on week 1. Paso Doble & Tango? Give them a chance!
Part 2 of the performances:
Louise & Kevin
Best so far. Really liked these 2. Great energy, excellent timing & did a lot of it solo - very brave! Tons of content too. Good work, Kevin! Think she is one to watch.
My score - 8
Melvin & Janette
Not good. Not much content, too much mucking about in the middle of it. Flat footed so no hips. Good energy though.
My score - 5
Daisy & Aljaz
Very romantic. Good poise but could be slightly further back, it was held well through the pivots. Good stride and rise & fall.
My score - 8
Danny & Oti
Good timing & energy. Very clean with good hips & rhythm. Best cha cha cha so far.
My score - 8
Tameka & Gorka
Paso on week 1 is just wrong. A hard dance for this early but at least she go it out of the way on a week she cant get voted out! Awful music, awful camera work. A good attempt but a bit soft in places for me, probably due to the music. Good performance though.
My score - 6
Anastacia & Brendan
Well performed, very flexible & good rhythm. Great body control but a shame about losing balance on the spin which seemed to out her off a bit.
My score - 6
Ed & Katya
Well, I'm staggered! Good frame (better than some of the others!), excellent footwork (sorry Craig but I saw a lot of rising on his toes!). He does need to work on his fall though. Soooo much better than I expected - I will have to eat humble pie on the radio show on Saturday morning! He just needs to drop his shoulders a bit. Totally agreed with Len's comments.
My score - 6
Claudia & AJ
I wish they wouldn't train in trainers! It doesn't help with feeling the floor & must be against health & safety as they stick to the floor & can cause injury! A bit stilted & agree with Len (again!) that they need to stop with the gymnastics. She needs to express more & let go a bit. He seemed a bit camera hungry to me - maybe that will calm down when he settles into it.
My score - 6
Will & Karen
Not bad. Lost a few steps in one part. Good drama & performance. Not a bad poise & good foot speed. He needs to keep his knees flexed at all times - came out of them a few times.
My score - 7
I won't give a bottom 2 this week. I'm going to wait until next week.
I have to say that I think this is already shaping up to be a brilliant series. Some really good first performances.
Until next week,
keeeep dancing!
Lloyd
I have to quickly say that I still wonder at all of the dances they make the celebs perform on week 1. Paso Doble & Tango? Give them a chance!
Part 2 of the performances:
Louise & Kevin
Best so far. Really liked these 2. Great energy, excellent timing & did a lot of it solo - very brave! Tons of content too. Good work, Kevin! Think she is one to watch.
My score - 8
Melvin & Janette
Not good. Not much content, too much mucking about in the middle of it. Flat footed so no hips. Good energy though.
My score - 5
Daisy & Aljaz
Very romantic. Good poise but could be slightly further back, it was held well through the pivots. Good stride and rise & fall.
My score - 8
Danny & Oti
Good timing & energy. Very clean with good hips & rhythm. Best cha cha cha so far.
My score - 8
Tameka & Gorka
Paso on week 1 is just wrong. A hard dance for this early but at least she go it out of the way on a week she cant get voted out! Awful music, awful camera work. A good attempt but a bit soft in places for me, probably due to the music. Good performance though.
My score - 6
Anastacia & Brendan
Well performed, very flexible & good rhythm. Great body control but a shame about losing balance on the spin which seemed to out her off a bit.
My score - 6
Ed & Katya
Well, I'm staggered! Good frame (better than some of the others!), excellent footwork (sorry Craig but I saw a lot of rising on his toes!). He does need to work on his fall though. Soooo much better than I expected - I will have to eat humble pie on the radio show on Saturday morning! He just needs to drop his shoulders a bit. Totally agreed with Len's comments.
My score - 6
Claudia & AJ
I wish they wouldn't train in trainers! It doesn't help with feeling the floor & must be against health & safety as they stick to the floor & can cause injury! A bit stilted & agree with Len (again!) that they need to stop with the gymnastics. She needs to express more & let go a bit. He seemed a bit camera hungry to me - maybe that will calm down when he settles into it.
My score - 6
Will & Karen
Not bad. Lost a few steps in one part. Good drama & performance. Not a bad poise & good foot speed. He needs to keep his knees flexed at all times - came out of them a few times.
My score - 7
I won't give a bottom 2 this week. I'm going to wait until next week.
I have to say that I think this is already shaping up to be a brilliant series. Some really good first performances.
Until next week,
keeeep dancing!
Lloyd
Week 1 - Episode 1
Well, here we are again! Another, year, another Strictly & another Strictly Confidential! I'm also excited to announce that as well as writing this blog I will also be live on BBC Radio Kent every Saturday morning (from next week) as their weekly Strictly 2016 reviewer! So no you can here my views first hand as well as read them!
Nice to see this year's line-up it looks like we may have a good season!
On to tonight's performances:
Laura & Giovanni
Well performed & not a bad opener. She needed sharper & stronger leg actions to help with her hip movements. She lost her timing a bit towards the end too.
My score - 6
Naga & Pasha
Needs to keep her chin & eyes up which would help her poise. A lady should never have her chest on the man's chest so she needs to pull up more. She had nice arms out of hold, She missed her section with the double reverse spins. Also needs to work on rise & fall which will help the whole thing look softer & needs to soften her supporting knee on her Same Foot Lunge & Contra Check actions. She did have a good body contact with Pasha (until she went wrong!)
My score - 5
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Well performed but a bit frantic. Good spotting on his first spins but went downhill from there for me. His cha cha cha technique was very bad. Flat footed & heel leads with no pressure through the floor. All the 'performance' worked as a good distraction from his dance ability.
My score (for his technique) - 5
Lesley & Anton
Needs to get her shoulders down. She had good head placements though. Her footwork was pretty good, as were her heel turns. She also had the beginnings of rise & fall.
My score - 6
Ore & Joanne
Sorry but didn't see what the judges saw. Don't get me wrong, he was quite good (unlike those trousers!) but I think he needs work. His poise is all off. Needs to get his pelvis forward & open his chest but pinching his shoulder blades together, he is way too hunched. Due to her desire to always be centre of attention, the beginning was far too long with too much faffing. The music stopped him creating the passion for a tango. He has potential though.
My score - 5
Greg & Natalie
Pigeon toes are not good for Jive (or any latin really). Kicks were floppy & he lost a bit of the choreography at one point. He was light for a big guy though and it was quit energetic. Not bad for a non-dancer.
My score - 6
I will just like to get a couple of things off my chest from the outset. Already the camera angles are not letting me see what I need to see technically. Too much moving about. The guys 'new' style trousers for latin (tight with belts) are awful & help to show off bad leg lines.
Finally, why are they calling it a Cha Cha and not a Cha Cha Cha? If I called it a Cha Cha in front of my coach she would crucify me!
Anyway, I will be back tonight for the next episode. Until then,
keeeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
Nice to see this year's line-up it looks like we may have a good season!
On to tonight's performances:
Laura & Giovanni
Well performed & not a bad opener. She needed sharper & stronger leg actions to help with her hip movements. She lost her timing a bit towards the end too.
My score - 6
Naga & Pasha
Needs to keep her chin & eyes up which would help her poise. A lady should never have her chest on the man's chest so she needs to pull up more. She had nice arms out of hold, She missed her section with the double reverse spins. Also needs to work on rise & fall which will help the whole thing look softer & needs to soften her supporting knee on her Same Foot Lunge & Contra Check actions. She did have a good body contact with Pasha (until she went wrong!)
My score - 5
Judge Rinder & Oksana
Well performed but a bit frantic. Good spotting on his first spins but went downhill from there for me. His cha cha cha technique was very bad. Flat footed & heel leads with no pressure through the floor. All the 'performance' worked as a good distraction from his dance ability.
My score (for his technique) - 5
Lesley & Anton
Needs to get her shoulders down. She had good head placements though. Her footwork was pretty good, as were her heel turns. She also had the beginnings of rise & fall.
My score - 6
Ore & Joanne
Sorry but didn't see what the judges saw. Don't get me wrong, he was quite good (unlike those trousers!) but I think he needs work. His poise is all off. Needs to get his pelvis forward & open his chest but pinching his shoulder blades together, he is way too hunched. Due to her desire to always be centre of attention, the beginning was far too long with too much faffing. The music stopped him creating the passion for a tango. He has potential though.
My score - 5
Greg & Natalie
Pigeon toes are not good for Jive (or any latin really). Kicks were floppy & he lost a bit of the choreography at one point. He was light for a big guy though and it was quit energetic. Not bad for a non-dancer.
My score - 6
I will just like to get a couple of things off my chest from the outset. Already the camera angles are not letting me see what I need to see technically. Too much moving about. The guys 'new' style trousers for latin (tight with belts) are awful & help to show off bad leg lines.
Finally, why are they calling it a Cha Cha and not a Cha Cha Cha? If I called it a Cha Cha in front of my coach she would crucify me!
Anyway, I will be back tonight for the next episode. Until then,
keeeeeep dancing!
Lloyd x
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