The Official Strictly 2019 thread.

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Japveesix said:

Right decision for me. I'm no fan of Mike but he didn't cock up in the dance off and clearly improved and he just has more energy and character in his dances than Emma.

Mike to go next week though as he's not great.

I agree (on both points).

Japveesix said:

She also looked like a stroppy pissy kid who didn't get her way at the end too.

I guess we all see different things, because to me she just looked like she was genuinely upset.

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Antony Moxey said:

Also wasn’t very impressed with the two guys dancing together. It just didn’t look right or believable and more like a box ticking exercise.

It's been going on all series, it's just that this was the most overt.

I've noticed that there have been a lot more trouser suits on women this series, Karen has had her boyish haircut, a lot of dances have mixed up the gender roles (eg. Michelle and Giovanni's dance)... there's been all sorts of indications and cues this series that they're preparing the way for same-sex couples in the future.

Personally I liked it, especially when they then joined up with the other couple and it blended between traditional "3 guys one girl" dance and then seamlessly into two couples again, then back again.

Edit: It's been a growing suspicion throughout this series for me. I haven't mentioned it until now as I didn't want to be the one to bring the subject up. But I have definitely noticed various little cues, nods, and indications.

Edited by Clockwork Cupcake on Sunday 3rd November 21:51

[Antony Moxey]

Clockwork Cupcake said:

Antony Moxey said:

Also wasn’t very impressed with the two guys dancing together. It just didn’t look right or believable and more like a box ticking exercise.

It's been going on all series, it's just that this was the most overt.

I've noticed that there have been a lot more trouser suits on women this series, Karen has had her boyish haircut, a lot of dances have mixed up the gender roles (eg. Michelle and Giovanni's dance)... there's been all sorts of indications and cues this series that they're preparing the way for same-sex couples in the future.

Personally I liked it, especially when they then joined up with the other couple and it blended between traditional "3 guys one girl" dance and then seamlessly into two couples again, then back again.

Yes, I get that they’re gearing up for same sex dances in future, and that they’ve flirted with it in the past, but I think so far that’s been more during the big group dances that you might see two people of the same sex pairing up briefly.

But for me, today, it just didn’t look right and looked forced. Not sure it’s even necessary - we are happy to accept gay pros and gay celebs, and they seem happy to accept that they’ll be paired with someone of the opposite sex. Today’s dance just looked awkward.

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Antony Moxey said:

But for me, today, it just didn’t look right and looked forced. Not sure it’s even necessary - we are happy to accept gay pros and gay celebs, and they seem happy to accept that they’ll be paired with someone of the opposite sex. Today’s dance just looked awkward.

Fair enough. Each to their own and all that.

Antony Moxey said:

Yes, I get that they’re gearing up for same sex dances in future, and that they’ve flirted with it in the past, but I think so far that’s been more during the big group dances that you might see two people of the same sex pairing up briefly

Glad it wasn't just me who noticed it building then.

[Welshbeef]

I couldn’t care less about sexuality, it looked good.
However IMHO it would have looked superior with the body of a female with a man, maybe that’s because it’s very new to see that or maybe I’m hoping to see a very pretty lady in skimpy clothes dancing in a sexual way.. hey red blooded Male

[MXRod]

I am surprised the keyboard warriors have not been out to flame some of the above comments, I do have a considered contribution ready to post , but I know it will not be considered in its entirety , but will be unpicked , selectively quoted to misrepresent my views ,so it is canned for the time being ,and it is not really for this thread .
My wife who is likely more enlighten that I am ( I am from an age of illegal homosexuality ) commented “ hummm “


On another note glad Emma and Anton were voted through , despite the poor judge marking , Emma W vs Mike,

SWMBO ,who used to be a dance teacher said Mike , Me, not a clue !!

Edited by MXRod on Monday 4th November 08:25

[BossHogg]

Welshbeef said:

I’m hoping to see a very pretty lady in skimpy clothes dancing in a sexual way.. hey red blooded Male

Me too, but the "non genders" will be calling us dinosaurs!

[PositronicRay]

BossHogg said:

Welshbeef said:

I’m hoping to see a very pretty lady in skimpy clothes dancing in a sexual way.. hey red blooded Male

Me too, but the "non genders" will be calling us dinosaurs!

What about 2 girls dancing together? Wouldn't that make up for it?

[Clockwork Cupcake]

BossHogg said:

Me too, but the "non genders" will be calling us dinosaurs!

Nope. Not from me anyway. There is nothing wrong with sexual preference!

It's absolutely fine to say that you would have enjoyed the dance even more if there had been some eye candy compatible with your sexuality, like Welshbeef said. What wouldn't be fine is to say it shouldn't have been allowed for that reason.

[Sway]

Can we move on please?

Personally, makes zero difference to me - it's a physical art form, and makes little to no difference what bits or attire the participants are/wear.

All I will say, is I'm not sure how the formal dances end up working - assume there is always a "masculine" partner and a "feminine" one, although I suppose they can swap during the routine.

I see Mike has received at least one death threat - which is just fking nonsense.

[Scabutz]

Sway said:

Can we move on please?

Personally, makes zero difference to me - it's a physical art form, and makes little to no difference what bits or attire the participants are/wear.

All I will say, is I'm not sure how the formal dances end up working - assume there is always a "masculine" partner and a "feminine" one, although I suppose they can swap during the routine.

I see Mike has received at least one death threat - which is just fking nonsense.

Yes agree to move on. I am all for 2 men dancing, or 2 women if that's what they want to do. Live and let live.

Death threats, seriously? I struggle to see the kind of person who watches strictly sending death threats. I know its easy hiding behind a computer but who would think of that. Its not even his fking fault. The judges have repeatedly kept him

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Sway said:

Personally, makes zero difference to me - it's a physical art form, and makes little to no difference what bits or attire the participants are/wear.

Well, quite. I agree.

Sway said:

All I will say, is I'm not sure how the formal dances end up working - assume there is always a "masculine" partner and a "feminine" one, although I suppose they can swap during the routine.

I think in many cases it will work much like it did with Michelle and Giovanni's dance on Saturday - with both partners seamlessly blending in and out of the traditional "roles" during the dance.

But, yes, I do agree that some of the really traditional male-lead formal ballroom dances could be more difficult to implement. It will be interesting to see what the pros choreograph.

Although I loved the dance between Johannes and Graziano, and also enjoyed Michelle and Giovanni (and others) playing with gender roles in their dance, I'm actually fairly "meh" about the idea of same-sex couples in the actual competition (which I know will surprise some). As in, I'm not against the idea but I'm also not beating the drum for it to happen either - I'm not really that fussed either way.

[BossHogg]

The guys did a brilliant dance, I won't deny that, it's the 21st century, we have same sex marriage, there's nothing wrong with same sex dancing. I'm in a hetero marriage, but each to their own, I won't knock them for it.

[poo at Paul's]

BossHogg said:

The guys did a brilliant dance, I won't deny that, it's the 21st century, we have same sex marriage, there's nothing wrong with same sex dancing. I'm in a hetero marriage, but each to their own, I won't knock them for it.

Genuine question as I don't know, is it allowed in the "strictly ballroom" competitions. Apparently is allowed in competitions in USA, but what about the UK?

I think what sits ill with me, is are BBC pushing it this way as they perceive or are told it is needed, or is it necessity as they have been unable to land some contestants who have demanded a same sex partner? Or indeed a professional? There have been several gay contestants who have danced with opposite sexes, pretty successfully and been seemingly very pleased to do so. And I have always assumed that is because it is ultimately a type of sport or entertainment with certain rules and regulations and that despite the elements of acting and intent of certain dances, it is not a pastime where one's sexuality needs to come into it? Yes there are some romantic or similar tones to some dances, but the acting side deals with that. I suppose what I mean is, I don't see why in this pastime one's sexuality should put one at a particular advantage or disadvantage?
So is it really "needed" or just deemed to be required by the PC brigade at the BBC and elsewhere...?

I think it may drive away some of the current rather loyal Strictly fan base / viewers. Not so much for homophobia, more that they are traditionalists perhaps who don't like change when they believe it isn't really needed?

I wonder what the actual percentages of the various sexualities are within the sport / pastime / competition itself?

As for the result yesterday, I was left scratching my head a bit and think there is more to this that meets the eye! Viscount Emma was not brilliant by any means, but had her moments, and her training sessions were always popular to watch as she always looked incredible.

[AlexRS2782]

I doubt it will be an issue if they do decide to have same sex partnerships next year tbh.

By the time Strictly is back next Summer it will already have been done, discussed at length & gone through the usual Daily Wail ringer as ITV have already announced a same sex pairing between Ian "H from Steps" Watkins & pro skater Matt Evers for Dancing On Ice when it kicks off in Jan 2020.

[Magnum 475]

poo at Paul's said:

BossHogg said:

The guys did a brilliant dance, I won't deny that, it's the 21st century, we have same sex marriage, there's nothing wrong with same sex dancing. I'm in a hetero marriage, but each to their own, I won't knock them for it.

Genuine question as I don't know, is it allowed in the "strictly ballroom" competitions. Apparently is allowed in competitions in USA, but what about the UK?

Ballroom & Latin comps in the UK have had same sex couples for some time. Not many, but they are there. Girl-girl couples are very common in the younger age categories, mainly due to the shortage of male competitors(!)

In adult categories we do have both male & female same-sex couples, some of whom are really very good. The senior 1/2/3 (I’m S2 these days) are the one place where I’ve not seen any same-sex couples yet.

Of course, there is also a separate competition circuit just for same-sex couples. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of male dancers aren’t gay (we like dancing with women!), hence a gay dance organisation has existed for many years to cater for the gay dance community with no feeling of discrimination or being marked down for being ‘different’.

Edited by Magnum 475 on Tuesday 5th November 06:00

[Abbott]

poo at Paul's said:

BossHogg said:

The guys did a brilliant dance, I won't deny that, it's the 21st century, we have same sex marriage, there's nothing wrong with same sex dancing. I'm in a hetero marriage, but each to their own, I won't knock them for it.

Genuine question as I don't know, is it allowed in the "strictly ballroom" competitions. Apparently is allowed in competitions in USA, but what about the UK?

I think what sits ill with me, is are BBC pushing it this way as they perceive or are told it is needed, or is it necessity as they have been unable to land some contestants who have demanded a same sex partner? Or indeed a professional? There have been several gay contestants who have danced with opposite sexes, pretty successfully and been seemingly very pleased to do so. And I have always assumed that is because it is ultimately a type of sport or entertainment with certain rules and regulations and that despite the elements of acting and intent of certain dances, it is not a pastime where one's sexuality needs to come into it? Yes there are some romantic or similar tones to some dances, but the acting side deals with that. I suppose what I mean is, I don't see why in this pastime one's sexuality should put one at a particular advantage or disadvantage?
So is it really "needed" or just deemed to be required by the PC brigade at the BBC and elsewhere...?

I think it may drive away some of the current rather loyal Strictly fan base / viewers. Not so much for homophobia, more that they are traditionalists perhaps who don't like change when they believe it isn't really needed?

I wonder what the actual percentages of the various sexualities are within the sport / pastime / competition itself?

As for the result yesterday, I was left scratching my head a bit and think there is more to this that meets the eye! Viscount Emma was not brilliant by any means, but had her moments, and her training sessions were always popular to watch as she always looked incredible.

Good summary,

[heebeegeetee]

MXRod said:

SWMBO ,who used to be a dance teacher said Mike , Me, not a clue !!

Well look, thanks for posting, but could I ask you to ask your better half for me, because I really don't get it.

As far as I can see, Mike Bushell was barely dancing. His routine was just a mix of stomping around with some jumping up and down thrown in. I'm no dancer at all, but I can dad dance with the best of them. Seriously, give me a week and I could stomp around in time to the music like Bushell, no problem at all. I might struggle to remember the routine in it's entirety, but I reckon there were no moves in that routine that any dad-dancer couldn't do.

Now I know Emma was not a contender for the finals, but she was dancing, and dancing in a way that I know I could never achieve. Same for the other Emma too. Both are fit women, I'm an unfit 60 year old, I could never emulate either, but I could match Bushell's stomping given a week of training. (I can already stomp). I mean, there was barely *any* dancing in his routine at all. He got 2x eights! What for?

This has really quite spoilt the series for me this year (I'm a big fan ) It seems the judges have taken a disliking to two fit, elegant ladies and I'm blowed if I can see why.

Honestly, I'd really appreciate an explanation from a dancer such as your better half, if you/she wouldn't mind.

[Clockwork Cupcake]

heebeegeetee said:

I mean, there was barely *any* dancing in his routine at all. He got 2x eights! What for?

Well, it was an entertaining Charlston. He captured the goofiness of it quite well and sold it.

I think he was lucky, tbh. If he'd had a more traditional ballroom dance he'd have been out this week. But he happened to get a dance that suited him well, and he made the best of it. I think he'll probably go out next week.

For the dance off, Craig told him to just not make any mistakes (or, at least, make fewer mistakes) and Mike delivered that.

I'd much rather have seen Her Emmaness go though, for sure, but I had to concur that for the dance off, Mike showed the most improvement which is, ostensibly, the judging criteria for the dance off (although we all know that it doesn't always seem to be the case).

[iandc]

Clockwork Cupcake said:

Well, it was an entertaining Charlston. He captured the goofiness of it quite well and sold it.

I think he was lucky, tbh. If he'd had a more traditional ballroom dance he'd have been out this week. But he happened to get a dance that suited him well, and he made the best of it. I think he'll probably go out next week.

For the dance off, Craig told him to just not make any mistakes (or, at least, make fewer mistakes) and Mike delivered that.

I'd much rather have seen Her Emmaness go though, for sure, but I had to concur that for the dance off, Mike showed the most improvement which is, ostensibly, the judging criteria for the dance off (although we all know that it doesn't always seem to be the case).

+1 Every "dance" Mike performs is a comedy routine. Lots of energy and arms flapping about. So 10/10 for effort but 3 or 4 out of 10 for actual dancing.