Strictly Come Dancing 2020

[Cleoriff]

So it will be going ahead this year, despite Covid 19. It will start a month later than usual in October.

They have announced the first 6 contestants

I presume each couple will maintain their own social bubble and I think they are planning a limited audience (the info is so limited, which is why I'm late posting!!)

I do know that Bruno Tonioli's appearances will be limited due to his appearances in the US.

So I'll post this in case @sheepdog @Anonymous @jonsie @MI5 and @Mi-Amigo are still interested.

Actress Caroline Quentin is the first contestant announced

Then we have Jason Bell, a former professional American football player living in the UK now

Third contestant is Max George from the group The Wanted (We all remember Jay McGuinness from the same group)

Max George

4th Contestant is Ranvir Singh (Good Morning Britain)

5th Contestant is Clara Amfo from BBC Radio 1

And just announced this morning is Nicola Adams the boxer, who will be dancing as part of a same sex couple

I'll update the thread when further contestants are announced.

[Cleoriff]

Songs and dances for the semi-final....

Bill & Oti: Tango to Enter Sandman by Metallica & Charleston to (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey by Ottilie Patterson with Chris Barber

HRVY & Janette: Charleston to Another Day of Sun by La La Land Cast & Rumba to Only You by Kylie Minogue and James Corden

Jamie & Karen: Quickstep to Thank God I'm a Country Boy by John Denver & Salsa to Last Dance by Donna Summer

Maisie & Gorka: Viennese Waltz to A Thousand Years by Christina Perri & Couple's Choice: Street/Commercial to Gettin' Jiggy Wit It by Will Smith

Ranvir & Giovanni: Waltz to Un Giorni Per Noi by Josh Groban & Jive to Candyman by Christina Aguilera

Very pleased to see Ranvir being pushed out of her comfort zone of ballroom! Well for one dance anyway, the jive.

Bit unfair that HRVY is the only one doing the dance of death (Rumba)

[sheepdog]

Think this is going to be an intriguing show with even more curious choices of tunes sung either badly or brilliantly by the DAO.

I would say it would be Jamie exiting at this week but I the jive may be too much for Ranvir as speed and solo'ing aren't exactly her thing. 

Yet looking at Maisie's choice especially the worse Will Smith song ever she may be in there. Its just not an inspiring dance tune and look forward to seeing lots of face gurning mouth open and arm pumping.  Let me guess, the outfits will be bling and tacky trackies. 

[Cleoriff]

Jamie and Karen. Salsa. Awful song, performed badly. I didn't like the dance at all.

Judges praised it but only Scored 24

2nd Dance. Quickstep. Mmmm Hardly a quickstep. I wish they would stop talking about 'his joy of dance'. Scored 24.       Total 48

Ranvir and Giovanni. Waltz. Must be a theme tonight....not keen on the music. Danced quite well  although not perfect. Judges tended to disagree, though I will go with Craig. Scored 26

2nd Dance. Jive. Not impressed at all. A bit laboured. Scored 18     Total 44.

Bill and Oti.  Charleston. First dance I've enjoyed tonight. Scored 25 (undermarked in my opinion)

2nd Dance. Tango. I loved that, although it wasn't perfect. Metallica.. Well done DAO

Scored 23     Total 48.

Maisie and Gorka. Couples Choice (Street Commercial) Just excellent. Loved every minute of it Scored 30.

2nd Dance. Viennese Waltz. Danced that beautifully. Well done. Scored 29. Total 59

HYVY and Janette. Rumba. Oh dear. I thought he did quite well but it's the Rumba which should be spot on. Pity no-one else has chosen to do this! Scored 23. (shame)

2nd Dance. Charleston. Oh damn well done! Brilliantly performed Scored 30. Total 53.

Probaby Ranvir and Jamie in the Dance off.

[sheepdog]

Tess: put on your sunglasses

Claudia: take off your sunglasses

Motsi: avert your eyes young man

A bit flat tonight though with 2 dances, you could see some tiredness. Way too much of the family and friends support segments and worse to come next week.

Jamie: time may be up but over the two dances oddly consistent. Definitely say the quickstep was unique! We did notice his first dance was almost a repeat of last weeks jive. 

Ranvir: dull first dance and I thought Giovanni did more of the work. I had a really worrying moment she may make it to the final by being the least dynamic of the night by playing it safe. No fear, the jive proved that thought wrong. Deserves to be in the dance-off for that and at this point of the series, there should be more effort put in on a weaker dance. Against Jamie, she needs to do the Waltz though I'd actually prefer to have Jamie in the final.

Bill: still gets my 3 votes and needs to be in the final. DOA doing heavy metal was a highlight of the series. Agree with the judges, more technique in the Tango and the Charleston was very good. Not keen on the Charleston tune though. 

Maisie: Was her Street commercial as good as Jamie's or Bill's? Not in my opinion but can't fault her really. Second dance finally showed she is capable of being elegant. Top of the leader board and no way can be in the dance-off. 

Biebs: Dance of Death and I feel for him having to be the only one doing it this series. If he had chosen it himself, then he deserves an extra point for doing so. Fortunately he put more effort into the Charleston, save for the awful tune, top class. 

Tomorrows music mediocrity: Little less of a Mix.

[Cleoriff]

No surprise to see Ranvir in the bottom two joined by Jamie.

Craig went for Jamie, Motsi went with Ranvir...thankfully Shirley went with Jamie.

No surprise there as she definitely likes him (a lot)

Next week it's the final at 6pm.

Did I hear them say each couple are doing FOUR dances?

[sheepdog]

Claudia: Voice of the The Mysterons

Motsi: Shirley looked good, have words with her wardrobe assistant please. 

Little Mix: meh. Mumbled and screeched but I'll check out their song on youtube later as it seemed ok. 

Johannes & Lupa: good partnership. More of these two dancing please.

Really surprised at Craig's long drawn out choice in picking out Jamie. Does he go for someone who does try and will make the final a bit more spectacular or go for the competent dull one. Shirley made the right choice for the final as it won't be dull 

@Cleoriff I heard 3 dances. I reckon one will be their choice, one the judges and one Health & Safety show dance. Though there is four of them in the final with lots of padding to do inbetween plus the musical mediocrity act, the pro dance routines, the voting farce and some review of the series parade, I don't think there's enough time to do 4 in under 2 hours. 

Edit: Forgot to add, I didn't get the opening routine as usual but I do like rotating concentric circles in dances. Just something hypnotising about it. Also: bit disappointed we didn't get the dirty mac flash from Lupa 

[Cleoriff]

Certainly will be a long show @sheepdog with a lot of padding as you say!

In the final am I right in thinking  they don't do the so called 'Sunday' show?

It's all announced on the Saturday?

Oh well, one more week to go, then it's hanging around waiting for DOI

[Anonymous]

Thank you @Cleoriff and @sheepdog as usual for your interesting and entertaining thoughts

Thank you too Cleo for letting us know it is a 6pm start next Saturday

Well, I watched the first 2 shows and I fully intended to watch last night's semi-final, but tiredness got the better of me

I do dislike padding in this show

Looking forward to next week's final

Rock and Roll Bill Bailey, he will get my votes.

[Cleoriff]

SCD: Songs and Dances or Final Week.

Bill and Oti:

*Favourite dance: Couple's Choice: Street/Commercial to Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang

*Showdance: The Show Must Go On by Queen

*Judges' Pick: Quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin

Maisie and Gorka

*Favourite dance: Quickstep to When You're Smiling by Andy Williams

*Showdance: We Need A Little Christmas by Idina Menzel

*Judges' Pick: Samba to Samba (Conga) by Gloria Estefan

HRVY and Janette

*Favourite dance: American Smooth to One (Singular Sensation) from A Chorus Line

*Showdance: Boogie Wonderland by Brittany Murphy

*Judges' Pick: Jive to Faith by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande

Jamie and Karen

*Favourite dance: Couple's Choice: Street/Commercial to Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) by C+C Music Factory

*Showdance: I'm Still Standing by Elton John (Taron Egerton version)

*Judges' Pick: Charleston to Zero To Hero from Hercules

As a massive Queen fan, I'm really looking forward to Bill and Oti's Showdance.

I notice Jamie is doing all fast dances.

[Anonymous]

Given that I havn't watched much of SCD this series, I don't suppose I have much of a voice in this series final

Always been rooting for Bill

Maisie is very very good ... but ... just the very very wrong kind of person for me to take to

The two other male celebs just don't enter into it for me at all

I have kept up with @Cleoriff 's and @sheepdog 's posts though = avid reading

I don't watch It Takes Two with Zoe Ball either because I just can't stand her = a Gob on a Stick ... but, I do know I miss things on that programme I would otherwise like eg ex SCD pro dancer Ian Waite's contributions to the show

3 dances is a lot for the couples to do ... but ... their adrenaline will be pumping ... and their pro partners are very competitive with each other and they will be extra supportive of their celeb partner

6pm Saturday, you say Cleo? ... ... ... just hope to hope I am not too tired and in bed ... Saturday is a day I visit my very vulnerable mum ... and ... just sometimes it all takes it out of me ... mum was a good dancer as was my dear dad Roy, bless him ... happy times and competitions when mum made mine and my sister's dance dresses ... me and mum won the parent and child Boston Two Step many times at Bradford Textile Hall ... ... ... have lots of photos taken by dad from his 1/2 frame Canon camera ... ... ... would love to look at them with mum ... but ... mum is really really not very well & I wouldn't want to 'push' her.

'Dancing Brings People Together'

*Robin Cousins*

Sochi Winter Olympics