Strictly week 2
Nov. 2nd, 2020 08:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shallownessI gorged on It Takes Two last week. My initial impression was that the lady pros all seemed hyper. Ian Waite was rusty, and over the week, as we met them all, it became obvious that some couples were getting on better with each other. I don’t mean that in an ‘I want to see your rumba’ way, but just for the partnerships’ sakes and because they’re bubbling and physically separate from normal support networks, and that matters even more this year.
For the show proper, they brought Bruno in, which was nice, I guess, although live Ed Balls and recorded family members hitting contestants hard was more of a thing. As Tess was in a jumpsuit, Claudia in a metallic dress, Shirley’s red dress and Motsi’s whole look were welcome. I forgot to say that I enjoy the synchronised judges sit-down as a punctuation mark. And presumably every time Motsi says ‘energy’ should be added to the Strictly drinking game if you want to get trolleyed.
Max got to go first, and had the misfortune of doing the jive after HRV’s. But actually, he performed so much better than in the tango, and I hope he’ll continue to get over the nerves and be able to do himself justice. I think I ended up thinking it was ‘quite good’ rather than ‘not bad.’
Clara’s hair was amazing as she and Aliaz did about the only routine that nodded to Halloween, with tableograohy. Good enough to deserve technical notes, but not the best Viennese Waltz of the evening (I think it would be mean if the producers gave Aljiaz and Janette the same dances for the rest of the series).
I think I may have got the order wrong from here on in. I was getting my pudding out of the microwave during the one VT I didn’t want to miss i.e. Bill’s. But, anyway, I got to watch the quickstep. First impression: ‘ooh, he’s light on his feet’ and then ‘this is actually pretty good’ and the use of the CGI animals did not get in the way. Deservedly positive comments, although I couldn’t have guessed they wougld get straight 8s. I certainly wouldn’t after last week!
Jamie comes across as likeable and entertaining, but while I thought he hit some really nice lines, I had to remind myself during the routine that they were doing an American Smooth, so the rest of it didn’t grab or impress me. His mum amused me by basically predictin he’d be in the dance-off, and based on the judges’ comments, yeah. Karen might as well be more honest than fake affirming.
There was a lot that even I could tell was good about Maisie’s tango (although it took the comment about staying in hold all the while upping the difficulty to underline what Gorka is throwing at her). My impression was that she needed to be stronger, but she got her first nine (already) for it.
Interesting stuff about how Amy is having to choreograph for JJ. It seems to be a positive experience for him all round. I thought his paso could have done with more fluidity overall, and the more I looked at Amy’s outfit, the more I wanted to puzzle it out?
Jacqui’s fan work wasn’t quite up to par, but during the samba bits I squeaked ‘what was that?’ twice, so I agreed with Craig that Anton getting her up in the air was a ood idea for cutting out the dancing bits. If she danced it without making a mistake as Shirley highlighted, a 2 was a bit harsh, though. As was a samba for a total novice…
HV’s Viennese Waltz was my favourite dance of the night. I found myself smiling throughout. I take what Craig said about rise and fall, and he obviously didn’t get all the details right, but what he did looked good to me and suggested so much potential. I only have the slightest of misgivings because of Janette’s background and history on the show as to whether another pro could get even more out of him.
I ws looking forward to Caroline’s paso, and judges’ comments about it being safe phooey, I thought it was pretty smashing, enlivened by the crowd (mainly the other contestants, I think, who were overcompensating all night.. Johannes’s red socks were absurd.
I also loved Ranvir’s quickstep - well, the bit in hold. I agree about the lack of definition that Craig talked about, although it bothered me more in the bits on the bench. Maybe the length of the skirt didn’t help. But she seems to be like a sponge when it comes to what Giovanni is telling her, and he was clearly as hapy as Larry.
Though Katya had him beat in the overscitement stakes. I was a bit confused by the choreography, as it seemed more contemporary than commercial for the first half. But Nicola danced it well, and the synchronisation I’d been worried about wasn’t a problem.
Dayglo Jason was closed with a samba, and it was pretty good, though I noticed the wobble that spoiled the potstirrer and he looked better if you didn’t notice Luba. The lifts were competent – I’d like to see him do a pure dance, although I’m starting to feel frustrated that his potential isn’t quite being realised, which is a bad sign given he was third from the bottom of leaderboard and it’s onl week 2. Jamie and Jacqui should duke it out, but…
Given that she had to go without ‘Janette congoing on the floor in front of her’ Claudia’s announcing that voting was open was pretty spectacular. I loved that they got the judges involved. I had been sniffy about claims that the dancing standard was the highest it’s ever been all last week. I know we’re all glad to have it back, but…still, I was pleasantly surprised overall. (I voted for Bill and Oti.)
Results – excellent spooky opening routine. Personally, I love that they’ve abbreviated the Halloween stuff. I loved what they’d done with the song (songs?), very atmospheric dancing, great that there were two lead parts for women and Janette showed why they cast her with the fearless acrobatics.
Outfits: Tess’s legs were on show, liked the shape of Shirley’s gown and Motsi continued to let this week’s hair guide her style choices. Nice way to bring Bruno in with the round-up – ovrall some things work better than others in the new regime, but one understands why they’re done the way they are and some of them may ust need to bed in.
No shock couple in the dance-off. Craig’s advice was sensible, athough basically Jamie had to hope Jacqui joined him.
Flashy lights agogo for Sam Smith’s song (his enunciation was terrible) and Nancy and Neil were fab.
Clara has just made herself the target of the producers’ ‘no particular order’ order of reveals. Either she will be told first she’s safe in future or made to wait until the last. But it was Jacqui, and we all knew she wasn’t likely to improvem but she seemed to have had a whale of a time. There was huge gapping when Jamie and Karen were in hold, but the rest of his dancing was so much better.
HRVY and Max were poleaxed to learn that they were going to be playing a gnome and Homer Simpson respectively (Dianne as Marge, then!?) And not doing Star Wars (and inviting comparisons with Kevin and Kelly).
For the show proper, they brought Bruno in, which was nice, I guess, although live Ed Balls and recorded family members hitting contestants hard was more of a thing. As Tess was in a jumpsuit, Claudia in a metallic dress, Shirley’s red dress and Motsi’s whole look were welcome. I forgot to say that I enjoy the synchronised judges sit-down as a punctuation mark. And presumably every time Motsi says ‘energy’ should be added to the Strictly drinking game if you want to get trolleyed.
Max got to go first, and had the misfortune of doing the jive after HRV’s. But actually, he performed so much better than in the tango, and I hope he’ll continue to get over the nerves and be able to do himself justice. I think I ended up thinking it was ‘quite good’ rather than ‘not bad.’
Clara’s hair was amazing as she and Aliaz did about the only routine that nodded to Halloween, with tableograohy. Good enough to deserve technical notes, but not the best Viennese Waltz of the evening (I think it would be mean if the producers gave Aljiaz and Janette the same dances for the rest of the series).
I think I may have got the order wrong from here on in. I was getting my pudding out of the microwave during the one VT I didn’t want to miss i.e. Bill’s. But, anyway, I got to watch the quickstep. First impression: ‘ooh, he’s light on his feet’ and then ‘this is actually pretty good’ and the use of the CGI animals did not get in the way. Deservedly positive comments, although I couldn’t have guessed they wougld get straight 8s. I certainly wouldn’t after last week!
Jamie comes across as likeable and entertaining, but while I thought he hit some really nice lines, I had to remind myself during the routine that they were doing an American Smooth, so the rest of it didn’t grab or impress me. His mum amused me by basically predictin he’d be in the dance-off, and based on the judges’ comments, yeah. Karen might as well be more honest than fake affirming.
There was a lot that even I could tell was good about Maisie’s tango (although it took the comment about staying in hold all the while upping the difficulty to underline what Gorka is throwing at her). My impression was that she needed to be stronger, but she got her first nine (already) for it.
Interesting stuff about how Amy is having to choreograph for JJ. It seems to be a positive experience for him all round. I thought his paso could have done with more fluidity overall, and the more I looked at Amy’s outfit, the more I wanted to puzzle it out?
Jacqui’s fan work wasn’t quite up to par, but during the samba bits I squeaked ‘what was that?’ twice, so I agreed with Craig that Anton getting her up in the air was a ood idea for cutting out the dancing bits. If she danced it without making a mistake as Shirley highlighted, a 2 was a bit harsh, though. As was a samba for a total novice…
HV’s Viennese Waltz was my favourite dance of the night. I found myself smiling throughout. I take what Craig said about rise and fall, and he obviously didn’t get all the details right, but what he did looked good to me and suggested so much potential. I only have the slightest of misgivings because of Janette’s background and history on the show as to whether another pro could get even more out of him.
I ws looking forward to Caroline’s paso, and judges’ comments about it being safe phooey, I thought it was pretty smashing, enlivened by the crowd (mainly the other contestants, I think, who were overcompensating all night.. Johannes’s red socks were absurd.
I also loved Ranvir’s quickstep - well, the bit in hold. I agree about the lack of definition that Craig talked about, although it bothered me more in the bits on the bench. Maybe the length of the skirt didn’t help. But she seems to be like a sponge when it comes to what Giovanni is telling her, and he was clearly as hapy as Larry.
Though Katya had him beat in the overscitement stakes. I was a bit confused by the choreography, as it seemed more contemporary than commercial for the first half. But Nicola danced it well, and the synchronisation I’d been worried about wasn’t a problem.
Dayglo Jason was closed with a samba, and it was pretty good, though I noticed the wobble that spoiled the potstirrer and he looked better if you didn’t notice Luba. The lifts were competent – I’d like to see him do a pure dance, although I’m starting to feel frustrated that his potential isn’t quite being realised, which is a bad sign given he was third from the bottom of leaderboard and it’s onl week 2. Jamie and Jacqui should duke it out, but…
Given that she had to go without ‘Janette congoing on the floor in front of her’ Claudia’s announcing that voting was open was pretty spectacular. I loved that they got the judges involved. I had been sniffy about claims that the dancing standard was the highest it’s ever been all last week. I know we’re all glad to have it back, but…still, I was pleasantly surprised overall. (I voted for Bill and Oti.)
Results – excellent spooky opening routine. Personally, I love that they’ve abbreviated the Halloween stuff. I loved what they’d done with the song (songs?), very atmospheric dancing, great that there were two lead parts for women and Janette showed why they cast her with the fearless acrobatics.
Outfits: Tess’s legs were on show, liked the shape of Shirley’s gown and Motsi continued to let this week’s hair guide her style choices. Nice way to bring Bruno in with the round-up – ovrall some things work better than others in the new regime, but one understands why they’re done the way they are and some of them may ust need to bed in.
No shock couple in the dance-off. Craig’s advice was sensible, athough basically Jamie had to hope Jacqui joined him.
Flashy lights agogo for Sam Smith’s song (his enunciation was terrible) and Nancy and Neil were fab.
Clara has just made herself the target of the producers’ ‘no particular order’ order of reveals. Either she will be told first she’s safe in future or made to wait until the last. But it was Jacqui, and we all knew she wasn’t likely to improvem but she seemed to have had a whale of a time. There was huge gapping when Jamie and Karen were in hold, but the rest of his dancing was so much better.
HRVY and Max were poleaxed to learn that they were going to be playing a gnome and Homer Simpson respectively (Dianne as Marge, then!?) And not doing Star Wars (and inviting comparisons with Kevin and Kelly).
