Strictly dancing please!

I am pretty sure that everyone — in the UK, at least — has heard about Strictly Come Dancing. For those of you who haven’t, Strictly is a talent and entertainment program where celebrities are paired up with professional dancers and perform a dance (either ballroom or latin) routine each week on TV. It began broadcasting on BBC One back in 2004 and is now on its 6th season. The concept has been replicated to 30 other countries (according to Wikipedia) including the US where it is known as Dancing With The Stars.

Strictly is now halfway through this season and usually at this stage only the solid couples who consistently deliver a good routine that both technically sound and entertaining. However, last Saturday (08 Nov), the public has made it clear that this time round, dancing is not required to remain in the competition.

I am, of course, referring to Mr John Sergeant, who is a political broadcaster in his day job. I would like to make it clear that it is not my intention to personally attack him in this post. His cha-cha-cha last Saturday was just simply not a cha-cha-cha. There was no hip action as required by most Latin dances. His partner is, on the other hand, fabulous! Kristina is not only a great dancer but also a good choreographer. For the entire series, so far, she had managed to adapt the routine of the dance to John’s ability to dance (or not!). Here’s a clip of their performance last Saturday.

So, what do you think? Was that cha-cha-cha? Her, yes. Him, no. Entertaing, yes. Dancing, hmm…

The reason I am blogging about this is because I was very disappointed with the results. For that weekend, Heather Small (with her partner Brian Fortuna) and Rachel Stevens (partner Vincent Simone) were in the dance off! In the words of one judge, Craig Revel Horwood, “Travesty!” Here is the clip of each couples routines last weekend:

Rachel and Vincent — dancing the American Smooth

Heather and Brian — dancing the Tango

Now, compare that to Mr Sergeant’s performance. It’s unfair and totally ridicules the essence of the program! Many people have argued that John is entertaining that is why the public keeps him in the competition. I agree. But as this is a dancing competition there are movements or steps that each couple or dancer should manifest for each type of dance. I don’t understand therefore why the viewing public keeps on saving them week after week. Has Britain lost their sense of talent? Thing is, the same thing happened at another talent show where the public is given the chance to select their “winner”. The X Factor, which is a singing competition, also had shocking results. Read my ranting about it on my other blog, April Journeys.

Anyway, one of the judges, Craig, appeared on Monday’s BBC Breakfast show to “appeal” to the public and NOT to vote for Mr John Sergeant. But I don’t think it would make any difference at all unless the public voting part is removed or the judges boycott the subsequent shows. They are there to provide an expert opinion so that the viewers will be guided of who is good and who is not. Unfortunately for this time round, the public is no longer listening to their expert opinion. So, if I was one of the judges and I care passionately about the craft, why bother?

Strictly Come Dancing is a program watched by the entire family, including little children. It is actually a joy to see very young people take interest in this artform. Dance instills a discipline in each person that is motivated by self-achievement. Moreover, each dance has a social behaviour into it that perhaps if learnt at an early age, might improve the manners of the youth these days. But if things remain as they are on Strictly, what message is this sending to the children? That it is okay not to strive for improvement and perfection as long as you are entertaining? I simply shudder at the thought.