Strictly week 10
Nov. 27th, 2023 08:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shallownessMop-up from last week: most booted celebs have refused to say who they think will win, but Angela R decided to tip Ellie, while Layton was in the studio, because she hadn’t had any training. It was also pointed out that Dianne has always been voted from the dance-off (because of course Joe never got into the dance-off and went directly into the final) so no wonder she was emotional. We got some more of Vito’s stream-of-consciousness on Friday.
Live show
Would it be a post-Blackpool slump? We were reminded that the quarter finals will be next week. At first sight, Tess’s halter-neck shoulder-baring dress looked bronze, but I think it was more rose gold. More shockingly, Claudia was wearing a full-length orange dress. Shirley in blue had mega sleeves, Anton went for a teal jacket, Motsi went for a bright green, and Craig for restraint.
Opening were Layton and Nikita with a waltz/foxtrot/jazzy American smooth. He was wearing very wide trousers with splits; basically they wanted to be a skirt. We’d been reminded of his relative weakness in ballroom and although I think he’s improved, the open work was much better. The judges laid in, and at 34, that’s his lowest score in a while.
Next up were Nigel and Katya’s rumba. The story helped him big time, he was clearly in the moment, and Katya choreographed up to the song (It’s All Comin Back To Me.) I thought he got stiffer as it went on, although I’m willing to accept that he worked on being where he needed to be for Katya and balance and all that. I’m always worried about going to the judges’ comments with him, but they were positive by male!rumba standards. He has to be happy with 33 (and having done the best male rumba so far this series.)
Annabel and Johannes (with polka dots and a lot of bare back) next, doing a traditional paso, with a Very Dramatic opening, or should I say launch? I thought she made a creditable attempt at being the cape, but was a bit surprised by the mahoosive response from the studio audience and the judges, (well, Craig aside.) They even got their first 10 (an Anton!10), making them surprise top of the leaderboard at the halfway point.
The only Angela left and Carlos would be doing a disco cha cha. Solo opening, sharp legs, her hand carefully placed so there was no free arm at the beginning, not great at the limbo. Half the judges said she was lacking in hip action. Ouch, first 7s of the night. Bottom of the leaderboard.
Bobby and Dianne had a lyrical contemporary couples choice, and in the VT he talked about losing his mother at the age of 4. Beautiful opening to the routine. I don’t think I breathed during it. They danced every second, and his partnering work for the lifts was built on the foundation of all the dances he’s done previously. They both clearly felt it. Craig was predictably nitpicky, but the dance got two emotional 10s for Bobby’s best score yet.
To close, Ellie and Vito had an Argentine tango starting with Ellie the boss, her climbing him like he was a spiral staircase and I thought it was glitterball worthy, myself. It was the kind of night where Craig finally reached for the 9 paddle! But weirdly, so did Anton (like Tess, I thought he might have been joking about the lack of intensity.) Still, Shirley and Motsi gave it 10, putting them top of an interesting leaderboard, because we know Annabel, Nigel and La Scanlan have public support. Ellie stayed on top, Annabel improved, Bobby improved a lot (although the couples choice is meant to play to your strengths) and Nigel didn’t mess up a tough dance. Not a great time for Layton to wobble a little, and not a great time for Angela to get the cha cha.
I voted for the dances I reacted the most to: once for Bobby, twice for Ellie.
Results
I loved the PI ‘solves’ a case jazzy pro dance. Kai got to show off his American accent, Nadiya got to vamp it up as the movie star client, and the way Kai’s character ‘relived’ what had happened worked rather well.
TessnClaud reverted to different types of black for this show.
The recap put the top 3 in the top group although they included Craig’s criticism of Annabel…for us to have Motsi’s riposte?
Called safe: Bobby (aww, also predictable because he’d been in the dance-off last week) Ellie (not really in doubt.) The four lower scoring couples were left to sweat. Dancing again: Layton. I felt smug for predicting that.
Bobby will be doing the iconic ‘Had the time of my life’ (which some really good dancers have had on the show in the past, and several someones on the internet have probably pointed out it was a movie first.) Claudia has got message about butchering songs, Vito got to break Claudia with his Vitoness.
Then by the magic of tv he’d turn up to dance with Luba in the next bit. I kind of admire Sharlene Spiteri for deciding to go on Strictly wearing clothes that screamed popping into the supermarket. The song was fine, the dancing was brilliant and they went all out for production with the streamers – was it a dress run for the final?
Judges – in golds, browns and animal print. Shirley’s hairstyle felt most drastic – came to talk to Claudia. Craig not having given a 10 yet vs narrative of how brilliant it all is (though last night wasn’t quite the full-on post-Blackpool slump.)
More names: Nigel was called safe, Katya went wild. Annabel and Jojo were clearly preparing themselves to face Layton but it would be Angela which seems fair. Motsi urged her to fight without a note.
Trailer where we got to judge everyone’s top hat game for MUSICALS WEEK (Nigel won.)
Dance off: I do not get the opening of that American smooth routine or the set dressing. No obvious mistakes. Angela seemed determined to enjoy it and the limbo bit worked better. Layton was inevitably called safe (although Shirley would have saved Angela for the purity of the dance style, which seems like more of a dig at the choreo) but we now know Layton isn’t that popular, and he must be hoping to avoid ballrooms for the next rounds, but I don’t know if he can.
Angela and Carlos were clearly gutted, and she ended up having to mother him, even though he'll be back next series and she won't, but for so many of them now, it’s going to be about what dance they get.
Live show
Would it be a post-Blackpool slump? We were reminded that the quarter finals will be next week. At first sight, Tess’s halter-neck shoulder-baring dress looked bronze, but I think it was more rose gold. More shockingly, Claudia was wearing a full-length orange dress. Shirley in blue had mega sleeves, Anton went for a teal jacket, Motsi went for a bright green, and Craig for restraint.
Opening were Layton and Nikita with a waltz/foxtrot/jazzy American smooth. He was wearing very wide trousers with splits; basically they wanted to be a skirt. We’d been reminded of his relative weakness in ballroom and although I think he’s improved, the open work was much better. The judges laid in, and at 34, that’s his lowest score in a while.
Next up were Nigel and Katya’s rumba. The story helped him big time, he was clearly in the moment, and Katya choreographed up to the song (It’s All Comin Back To Me.) I thought he got stiffer as it went on, although I’m willing to accept that he worked on being where he needed to be for Katya and balance and all that. I’m always worried about going to the judges’ comments with him, but they were positive by male!rumba standards. He has to be happy with 33 (and having done the best male rumba so far this series.)
Annabel and Johannes (with polka dots and a lot of bare back) next, doing a traditional paso, with a Very Dramatic opening, or should I say launch? I thought she made a creditable attempt at being the cape, but was a bit surprised by the mahoosive response from the studio audience and the judges, (well, Craig aside.) They even got their first 10 (an Anton!10), making them surprise top of the leaderboard at the halfway point.
The only Angela left and Carlos would be doing a disco cha cha. Solo opening, sharp legs, her hand carefully placed so there was no free arm at the beginning, not great at the limbo. Half the judges said she was lacking in hip action. Ouch, first 7s of the night. Bottom of the leaderboard.
Bobby and Dianne had a lyrical contemporary couples choice, and in the VT he talked about losing his mother at the age of 4. Beautiful opening to the routine. I don’t think I breathed during it. They danced every second, and his partnering work for the lifts was built on the foundation of all the dances he’s done previously. They both clearly felt it. Craig was predictably nitpicky, but the dance got two emotional 10s for Bobby’s best score yet.
To close, Ellie and Vito had an Argentine tango starting with Ellie the boss, her climbing him like he was a spiral staircase and I thought it was glitterball worthy, myself. It was the kind of night where Craig finally reached for the 9 paddle! But weirdly, so did Anton (like Tess, I thought he might have been joking about the lack of intensity.) Still, Shirley and Motsi gave it 10, putting them top of an interesting leaderboard, because we know Annabel, Nigel and La Scanlan have public support. Ellie stayed on top, Annabel improved, Bobby improved a lot (although the couples choice is meant to play to your strengths) and Nigel didn’t mess up a tough dance. Not a great time for Layton to wobble a little, and not a great time for Angela to get the cha cha.
I voted for the dances I reacted the most to: once for Bobby, twice for Ellie.
Results
I loved the PI ‘solves’ a case jazzy pro dance. Kai got to show off his American accent, Nadiya got to vamp it up as the movie star client, and the way Kai’s character ‘relived’ what had happened worked rather well.
TessnClaud reverted to different types of black for this show.
The recap put the top 3 in the top group although they included Craig’s criticism of Annabel…for us to have Motsi’s riposte?
Called safe: Bobby (aww, also predictable because he’d been in the dance-off last week) Ellie (not really in doubt.) The four lower scoring couples were left to sweat. Dancing again: Layton. I felt smug for predicting that.
Bobby will be doing the iconic ‘Had the time of my life’ (which some really good dancers have had on the show in the past, and several someones on the internet have probably pointed out it was a movie first.) Claudia has got message about butchering songs, Vito got to break Claudia with his Vitoness.
Then by the magic of tv he’d turn up to dance with Luba in the next bit. I kind of admire Sharlene Spiteri for deciding to go on Strictly wearing clothes that screamed popping into the supermarket. The song was fine, the dancing was brilliant and they went all out for production with the streamers – was it a dress run for the final?
Judges – in golds, browns and animal print. Shirley’s hairstyle felt most drastic – came to talk to Claudia. Craig not having given a 10 yet vs narrative of how brilliant it all is (though last night wasn’t quite the full-on post-Blackpool slump.)
More names: Nigel was called safe, Katya went wild. Annabel and Jojo were clearly preparing themselves to face Layton but it would be Angela which seems fair. Motsi urged her to fight without a note.
Trailer where we got to judge everyone’s top hat game for MUSICALS WEEK (Nigel won.)
Dance off: I do not get the opening of that American smooth routine or the set dressing. No obvious mistakes. Angela seemed determined to enjoy it and the limbo bit worked better. Layton was inevitably called safe (although Shirley would have saved Angela for the purity of the dance style, which seems like more of a dig at the choreo) but we now know Layton isn’t that popular, and he must be hoping to avoid ballrooms for the next rounds, but I don’t know if he can.
Angela and Carlos were clearly gutted, and she ended up having to mother him, even though he'll be back next series and she won't, but for so many of them now, it’s going to be about what dance they get.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-27 12:59 pm (UTC)Vito has really come out of his shell this year hasn't he? Last year he was more reserved. Same with Carlos. Vito is so looking like the son in law of Ellie's parents now isn't he!
I loved the judges' tones of brown and gold. I wish they'd have a colour theme each week. Or maybe they do but I didn't notice 🤦♀️
I remember Bobby's mum dying, no wonder he did a special dance for her. It was a tragedy.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-28 07:44 am (UTC)I suppose you're right about Vito and Carlos, and it's only natural they'd feel more comfortable, although I suspect neither will get such good partners next series. The show is totally pushing an Ellie/Vito narrative.
I don't think the judges' stylists co-ordinate much. Having the colour theme worked as a change.
Losing his mother must have been the biggest thing in Bobby's life so far, and the couples choice is often about the celeb's life story. We've had two well danced emotive dances about grief this year.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-28 04:06 pm (UTC)Yes, Vito and Carlos have been so lucky each with 2 good partners in a row. Surely it's their turn for a less talented one next year. Did you see Ellie and Vito's Instagram posts? Really looking like a couple 😋
Poor Bobby indeed. I hope nothing even worse happens in the rest of his life and he's had his share of grief. People were so horrible to Jade, they regretted it when she died.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-30 08:19 am (UTC)I'm not on Instagram, but I understand that the 'probably really a couple' storyline is being pushed. I hope that they don't feel too exploited or whatever in a year or a few years' time.
no subject
Date: 2023-11-30 03:07 pm (UTC)Vito and Ellie's post was lots and lots of pictures of them cuddling, with inspirational quotes underneath. It was quite odd tbh. I think you could be right: they are being pushed to act like a couple.