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shallownessI think that may have been my favourite Friday panel on ITT so far this year.
It was a bit tight to watch ‘Strictly’ at the earlier start time, although I suppose it’ll mean they all get an earlier night.
Red jacket, top and trousers from Tess, which I liked more than Claudia’s mad sleeves. Craig wore a sparkly red jacket, and Shirley had gone for a short red dress with lots of feathers, while Motsi wore a drapey yet close-fitting dress.
‘Kicking things off’ was Krishnan and Lauren’s samba. Some bits were quite good, but most of it wasn’t. The judges said ‘personality’ almost as often as Blackpool had been mentioned already (translation: lacking in technique.)
Vito was not only mentioned in the Clauditorium but his bare chest was located right in the middle of the shot.
Even the camera wanted to get involved in Bobby and Dianne’s Viennese Waltz American Smooth. It was lyrical and much more like it (they’d said he might have plateaued on the Friday panel, but I’m glad he hasn’t.) All the lifts were well choreographed, except maybe the last, which was almost too spectacular.
Angela R and Kai’s paso doble featured very clever choreo, from the great opening that was a nod to the song and started off Kai manipulating the skirt onwards. I thought Angela’s timing was good, but I liked the dance less than the judges did. But with all 8s, that definitely hit the ‘comeback from the dance-off’ narrative.
As trailed on ITT, Katya’s dress for Nigel and Katya’s ‘classic Hollywood’ couples choice was gorgeous. The routine was very much an An American in Paris homage, and if I were Nigel I’d take that as a compliment from Katya the choreographer and the dancer, as she was dancing to her best. In fact, for me she mainly outshone him, but he danced at a higher level than any of the other celebs that we’d seen so far. I’m glad he got some 9s.
Ellie and Vito’s rumba was very impressive. I was especially taken by her control, because I never felt worried about her at all. High-quality stuff and I’ll steal ‘poise’ from Shirley, although the judges’ comments made me wonder whether Vito had got the balance right between difficulty level and what showed her off. But then, it’s tough with a rumba. (I am not engaging with whatever Vito says the concept was.) Top of the leaderboard, but leaving space for Layton, who had the Argentine tango.
Speaking of space, Annabel was always going to get more than 25 for her samba. Did she find her inner Shakira? Um, not for me. I still think she looks elegant, although she did a decent job with the technique. (There were a couple of awkward moments, but I’m glad the near whoopsie with the hat didn’t throw her off.)
Angela S and Carlos had a waltz, and that was her best ballroom so far, anyway. Choreographically speaking, for me, the opening and ending jarred with their ultra formal outfits.
Layton and Nikita closed with a purple Argentine Tango. Of course, it was very good. What a surprise that someone who’s danced in the West End can dance from the tips of his toes, through every sinew and molecule. So, I’m not outraged that Craig gave it a 9 rather than a 10, but I wish he’d explained his rationale. (I’ve thought about it, and had to concede that he was usually a point lower than the rest and hadn’t got out the 9 before.)
A look at the leaderboard (they all fit on the one screen now) revealed that Krishnan was well off the pace, his 25 contrasting with everyone else being in the thirties. In fairness, Layton had distinguished himself from the rest of them. Krishnan absolutely needs all the votes.
I voted for Bobby once (although I thought Nigel was better) and Ellie twice. I thought Dianne, Kai, Katya and Nikita/the Argentine tango people won at choreography.
Results show
Opened with a Remembrance themes pro dance that was very lyrical and featured Kai and Lauren, particularly showing off what a lovely dancer she is. The cuts to previously filmed external bits worked well. (I eventually accepted Lauren’s wig, but I did snark that Kai’s tats were more Merchant Navy than Royal Navy. Arguably, it was too…ahistorical, but that’s subjective.)
TessnClaud (and the judges) had gone for black apart from Shirley’s red shoes. Strong make-up from Tess and strong earrings from Motsi. The round-up grouped Layton, Ellie and Nigel at the top, although the latter was only a point higher than Angela S, but she got grouped with nearly everyone else. There was only one lonely couple in the bottom group.
And Krishan wasn’t the first to be called safe. No, that would be Ellie and Vito(‘s bare chest.) Three of the top four were safe, but the red light fell on Angela and Kai again. Ouch. She asserted she knew the drill, and Craig gave a supportive speech. Hysteria in the Clauditorium, and Ellie got to be this year’s North England contestant.
I went out to the kitchen while ‘Hallelujah’ (which I hate) was sung by Bocelli and another of his nepobabies. I’m sure the pro’s dancing was a delight, but I wanted my pudding, and I didn’t bother using the pause button.
Claudia got and took her chance to ask Craig why he gave Layton’s Argentine Tango a 9. He claimed it was too aggressive, and not reactive enough. Something to work on for the reprise in the final, then. They showed a brief clip of Angela and Carlos’s waltz in which there was minimal gapping.
Second lot of names, and Nigel was called safe, so was Annabel, so Bobby got tortured again, but Krishnan was under the red light. He seemed accepting of his fate, but Anton got to tell him not to be too hasty. More hysteria and bad singing in the Clauditorium, with Annabel getting to thank the voters for saving them.
Dance-off: Krishnan markedly improved. I liked Angela’s paso more this time around and didn’t notice the issue/save with her kick. It sounded as though it was properly close, and had it gone to Shirley, she’d have saved Krishnan, apparently, although he seemed mentally prepared to go. Unsurprisingly articulate.
It was a bit tight to watch ‘Strictly’ at the earlier start time, although I suppose it’ll mean they all get an earlier night.
Red jacket, top and trousers from Tess, which I liked more than Claudia’s mad sleeves. Craig wore a sparkly red jacket, and Shirley had gone for a short red dress with lots of feathers, while Motsi wore a drapey yet close-fitting dress.
‘Kicking things off’ was Krishnan and Lauren’s samba. Some bits were quite good, but most of it wasn’t. The judges said ‘personality’ almost as often as Blackpool had been mentioned already (translation: lacking in technique.)
Vito was not only mentioned in the Clauditorium but his bare chest was located right in the middle of the shot.
Even the camera wanted to get involved in Bobby and Dianne’s Viennese Waltz American Smooth. It was lyrical and much more like it (they’d said he might have plateaued on the Friday panel, but I’m glad he hasn’t.) All the lifts were well choreographed, except maybe the last, which was almost too spectacular.
Angela R and Kai’s paso doble featured very clever choreo, from the great opening that was a nod to the song and started off Kai manipulating the skirt onwards. I thought Angela’s timing was good, but I liked the dance less than the judges did. But with all 8s, that definitely hit the ‘comeback from the dance-off’ narrative.
As trailed on ITT, Katya’s dress for Nigel and Katya’s ‘classic Hollywood’ couples choice was gorgeous. The routine was very much an An American in Paris homage, and if I were Nigel I’d take that as a compliment from Katya the choreographer and the dancer, as she was dancing to her best. In fact, for me she mainly outshone him, but he danced at a higher level than any of the other celebs that we’d seen so far. I’m glad he got some 9s.
Ellie and Vito’s rumba was very impressive. I was especially taken by her control, because I never felt worried about her at all. High-quality stuff and I’ll steal ‘poise’ from Shirley, although the judges’ comments made me wonder whether Vito had got the balance right between difficulty level and what showed her off. But then, it’s tough with a rumba. (I am not engaging with whatever Vito says the concept was.) Top of the leaderboard, but leaving space for Layton, who had the Argentine tango.
Speaking of space, Annabel was always going to get more than 25 for her samba. Did she find her inner Shakira? Um, not for me. I still think she looks elegant, although she did a decent job with the technique. (There were a couple of awkward moments, but I’m glad the near whoopsie with the hat didn’t throw her off.)
Angela S and Carlos had a waltz, and that was her best ballroom so far, anyway. Choreographically speaking, for me, the opening and ending jarred with their ultra formal outfits.
Layton and Nikita closed with a purple Argentine Tango. Of course, it was very good. What a surprise that someone who’s danced in the West End can dance from the tips of his toes, through every sinew and molecule. So, I’m not outraged that Craig gave it a 9 rather than a 10, but I wish he’d explained his rationale. (I’ve thought about it, and had to concede that he was usually a point lower than the rest and hadn’t got out the 9 before.)
A look at the leaderboard (they all fit on the one screen now) revealed that Krishnan was well off the pace, his 25 contrasting with everyone else being in the thirties. In fairness, Layton had distinguished himself from the rest of them. Krishnan absolutely needs all the votes.
I voted for Bobby once (although I thought Nigel was better) and Ellie twice. I thought Dianne, Kai, Katya and Nikita/the Argentine tango people won at choreography.
Results show
Opened with a Remembrance themes pro dance that was very lyrical and featured Kai and Lauren, particularly showing off what a lovely dancer she is. The cuts to previously filmed external bits worked well. (I eventually accepted Lauren’s wig, but I did snark that Kai’s tats were more Merchant Navy than Royal Navy. Arguably, it was too…ahistorical, but that’s subjective.)
TessnClaud (and the judges) had gone for black apart from Shirley’s red shoes. Strong make-up from Tess and strong earrings from Motsi. The round-up grouped Layton, Ellie and Nigel at the top, although the latter was only a point higher than Angela S, but she got grouped with nearly everyone else. There was only one lonely couple in the bottom group.
And Krishan wasn’t the first to be called safe. No, that would be Ellie and Vito(‘s bare chest.) Three of the top four were safe, but the red light fell on Angela and Kai again. Ouch. She asserted she knew the drill, and Craig gave a supportive speech. Hysteria in the Clauditorium, and Ellie got to be this year’s North England contestant.
I went out to the kitchen while ‘Hallelujah’ (which I hate) was sung by Bocelli and another of his nepobabies. I’m sure the pro’s dancing was a delight, but I wanted my pudding, and I didn’t bother using the pause button.
Claudia got and took her chance to ask Craig why he gave Layton’s Argentine Tango a 9. He claimed it was too aggressive, and not reactive enough. Something to work on for the reprise in the final, then. They showed a brief clip of Angela and Carlos’s waltz in which there was minimal gapping.
Second lot of names, and Nigel was called safe, so was Annabel, so Bobby got tortured again, but Krishnan was under the red light. He seemed accepting of his fate, but Anton got to tell him not to be too hasty. More hysteria and bad singing in the Clauditorium, with Annabel getting to thank the voters for saving them.
Dance-off: Krishnan markedly improved. I liked Angela’s paso more this time around and didn’t notice the issue/save with her kick. It sounded as though it was properly close, and had it gone to Shirley, she’d have saved Krishnan, apparently, although he seemed mentally prepared to go. Unsurprisingly articulate.
