Or as we Brits like to call it, well some of us, WEM-BER-LEY. This particular week has been held up as the Holy Grail since week one of this series. Usually it is BLACKPOOL which we are told over and over again is The Home of Ballroom, but this year it has been WEM-BER-LEY and it seems that the entire evening was in aid of Children in Need and raised a staggering amount. OK this puts anybody critting it on the defensive straight away because the BBC, prime masters in telling you to piss off, will have this to hand should anybody dare tell them that the whole programme was dire.
The comments in newspapers and on the forums and message boards are, almost without exception, as one in saying how awful it was. The size of the place was totally wrong for the format of this show and the dancers had a job filling the arena with their personality and dance. The sound was dreadful and the couples all had problems with their timing and seemed out of sync with the music, probably because it was a beat or two behind all the time. None of them impressed though some coped better than others.
Holly was back with Artem and though it was always obvious that this pair have zilch chemistry, it has been shown up even more with her one week with Brendon in which she seemed to perk up a bit. Not much mind, but a bit. Quickstep was quite competent but the dress she was wearing was mind bogglingly awful and, as always, she seemed mildly detached from it all. Bruno voiced what everyone thinks, that she is 'infuriating' and not involved and I think she will find herself in the bottom two this week which might shake her up a bit. Something has to and Artem is looking a bit fed up. Mark you he always has a gloomy Russian persona but even by his standards he is not sparkling with joy. He rounded off the evening well by falling over when all the couples came out at the end of the show.
Alex and James did the Tango and the judges thought it was wonderful and went a little bit potty. Cannot think why, it was perfectly competent and that was it and I know this pair are not my favourite, but other comments on the message boards say the same.
Chelsee and Pasha - sparkling and lively and best dance of the night. She is turning into a lovely dancer.
Anita and Robin - not particularly well danced but Anita's joy and fun persona lit up the arena and I have a feeling she will get through this week and not be in the bottom two.
Harry and Aliona - usual choreography from Aliona showcasing herself and not her partner who seems to rely on flashing his pecs each week to get through. So far it is working though the joint slavering of Bruno and Alesha are getting a bit wearing. I still maintain he is not as good as everyone thinks he is.
Jason and Kristina did the jive and it was a disaster at the end with Jase totally losing his timing and steps but the judges said they were not going to penalise him for that (WHY?) and he was ludicrously over marked. My two daughters used to adore Jase back in the 80s but oh my goodness he is sooooo boooring to listen to and a tad self obsessed.
Robbie and Ola - not sure what dance they were supposed to do as you simply could not tell from the choreography, or at least how it was interpreted by The Savage. Lots of hair tossing (Robbie not Ola) and strutting about and a bit of a laugh but what it was meant to be remains a mystery. He will get through though.
Russell and Flavia also doing the jive, but as he made his entrance being shot out of a cannon it really did not matter. Totally ludicrous, insane and fun and of course everyone loved it. However, we have now reached the stage where the Funny Turn, which we have each year, gets turfed out as it gets serious and I think now that the public have allowed him to get to WEM-BER-LEY this may be his farewell performance. If it is, he will certainly go out with a bang.
Other thoughts - 'Look at this, look at this!' is Sir Brucie's cry as standing ovation after standing ovation was given for each couple, largely undeserved. A sitting ovation and cries of Less would have been in order for most of them but the crowd, who I can only assume were fed liquid mercury on arrival, went totally bananas most of the time shrieking, screaming and bouncing up and down like demented cheerleaders. Tess as inane as ever though her frock wasn't bad this week but somebody needs to get her a new bra, the judges totally inconsistant as ever, with the exception of Craig, and Alesha not alone tonight in over marking. I think the excitement of it all went to their heads.
It will be interesting to see It Takes Two on Monday to see if any mention is made of the show being pretty poor but I am guessing not and the phone calls on the Points of View on the show will only be the positive ones.
Best to get back into the studio next week which I think will be a relief for all and sundry. I am assuming that tonight's result show is also from WEM-BER-LEY and then that will be that thank goodness.
Sanity was restored after this by a cup of tea and then sitting down on the sofa to watch the first two episodes of The Killing 2. Already I can see it is going to be good and Sarah Lund has a new jumper. I am assuming she binned the old one....
