LittleMy
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Exactly. I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know who Greg was until Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing 2021 #5
- Thread starter Shesaidwhat?
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I've seen Brendan's live show a few times. He chats to the audience between dances and answers questions from the crowd... he said that the judges didn't like the way he strongly defended his partners from their criticisms and hinted at a major clash with Shirley when she joined the judging panel in 2017... I got the impression that he thought it was her influence made the BBC drop him from the show
Wouldn't surprise me if she had a lot of influence but a shame if a pro who has been there since Day 1 got sacrificed to keep her when she's proven to be really unpopular. I reckon she'll leave soon anyway - wasn't she commenting about her son having kids soon and wanting to go back to the States to be a grandmother? (fair enough).
LennyBriscoe
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I’m not meaning vote tampering, I’m meaning manipulate the situation - Couple’s Choice in honour of his sister who recently passed, and he wasn’t the worst of the week so he got through. This week, a Paso Doble dressed up as James Bond - he’s a distinguished gentleman, Bond’s in the news etc just now and I think he’ll pull it off and earn his votes. He ain’t no green frog…
And then after, who knows
. It’s just my theory and maybe it wouldn’t go as far as being in a contract but there are lots of different ways the Producers can manipulate - as someone pointed out yesterday, it could be perceived that Dan Walker is getting dances suitable to his build - there have been Samba, Salsa and Jives so far but he’s had a Quickstep, a Paso Doble and this week a Foxtrot. I moaned about this enough last year, Ranvir - in my opinion - only got as far as she did because of a lack of Latin. Giovanni has had more than his fair share of decent dancers and still hasn’t won, maybe they know how popular he is and think he would be a well received winner?They 100% wouldn’t tamper with the votes but I don’t think it’s as fair a process as they’d have us believe.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not a big name tbf. I had no idea Tilly Ramsay was famous and has about a million SM followers - just because I didn’t know her, it doesn’t mean she’s not a big name in her fieldExactly. I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know who Greg was until Strictly.
soccergirl
VIP Member
I’m not meaning vote tampering, I’m meaning manipulate the situation - Couple’s Choice in honour of his sister who recently passed, and he wasn’t the worst of the week so he got through. This week, a Paso Doble dressed up as James Bond - he’s a distinguished gentleman, Bond’s in the news etc just now and I think he’ll pull it off and earn his votes. He ain’t no green frog…
And then after, who knows
They 100% wouldn’t tamper with the votes but I don’t think it’s as fair a process as they’d have us believe.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not a big name tbf. I had no idea Tilly Ramsay was famous and has about a million SM followers - just because I didn’t know her, it doesn’t mean she’s not a big name in her field
I think Greg wanted to do the CC in memory of his sister so it made sense for him to do it early as it's unlikely he'll stay in long. Similarly with the Bond thing, Greg's image is suave, Mr. Willoughby etc, so it's fitting. Robert fits a comic persona much better.
Giovanni has been very fortunate IMO - he was really due a duffer this year as he's never actually had one, and I imagine they thought Ranvir would be one last year. They could easily have swapped Rose and Sara round..
I am sure you are correct though that at some level they would prefer to keep Greg in for a bit as he is the only older good-looking man.
Captainmouse
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Mathew was a huge loss to the showI'd rather they dressed Robert like this rather than a tunic, green tights and copious body paint you know they're going to.
I really don't like the body paint. It always look a bit rubbish through the TV, particularly compared to the other costumes. I'd rather they used intricate rubber masks or a furry/felt hood to get the message across with cartoon characters!
I was under the impression Robert was game for comedy numbers (he seems to enjoy dressing up and acting goofy) but maybe he isn't? I hope the silly routines aren't being foisted on him.
I love Brendan! Looking forward to seeing him on DOI especially with Arlene
I can't really remember their history. I thought they actually got on once you looked past all the pantomime judging crap on Strictly but maybe they don't!
I always feel bad for the old Strictly pros. They were instrumental in the success of the show and I don't think they were treated well when TPTB started to muck around with the format.
Matthew Cutler especially as he was a flipping amazing choreographer (group pro dances).
MollyMalone
VIP Member
a total shame. I know Brendan divided opinion but he was there since the start and definitely grew in popularity as the years went on. I loved him, he's a fantastic dancer and choreographer. Seemed a great teacher too. Pity he didn't get to leave on his own terms. Then again i'm only going on what he said at his show. Could be hamming it up! Who knows but I think the thing about a clash with Shirley is believable. Mean girl vibes off her!
I think Rose/Gio and Sara/Aljaž were the ideal matches, Aljaž's ballroom ability and teaching style seems to suit Sara (and his weaker latin won't be a problem for a celeb like her) while Giovanni is the better choreographer and can probably get the best out of Rose overall.
Giovanni's turn for the 'dud' partner next year though!
PontiacBandit
Chatty Member
I got the impression that despite his onscreen persona he was popular with *most* of the pros and the crew however he clashed with the producers and as already mentioned Shirley. Maybe Bruno/Craig at times since they can both be arrogant and don't know as much as they think they do about ballroom and latin. I assume Shirley had a lot of influence as she was quite a big signing at the time. Brendan argued with her repeatedly on the live show which he probably wasn't scripted to do
I know it's the nature of the show but as a pro dancer I'd be pissed off having my choreo and teaching constantly pulled apart by people with limited/lesser/completely different dance backgrounds, who sit on their backsides earning ££££ and adulation while I slaved away all week.
Not to mention producers interfering behind the scenes - overloading a beginner routine with dodgy choreo/music/props/gimmicks/costumes and turning it to tit.
I don't blame Brendan for being sick of it by the end. Does he ever appear on any other BBC shows or has he burned his bridges? I'd like to see him on the panel instead or Shirley or Motsi (replace them both!) but I can't see it happening. He's too outspoken, the producers want someone who'll listen to them and stick to the script!
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LennyBriscoe
VIP Member
That’s the point I was making - maybe mutually they wanted him in for a few weeks. It’s difficult to tell if he’s even enjoying himself sometimes but I’m glad he did his dance for his sister and maybe that’s all he really wanted from it.
The BBC is such a luvvie-fest, the Producers would’ve loved having Emma Thompson in the audience
StephenTJackson
VIP Member
Im a massive Mamma Mia fan. I'd want to do something from Mamma Mia Here We Go Again for Movie Week. And something from Mamma Mia for Musical Week.I have a playlist of all the songs I’d want to dance to and I’d be so disappointed if any of my many ideas were vetoed
I can never come up with what I'd actually want to dance to for spooky week though, because I wouldn't want a super cringe theme.
orlyb1310
VIP Member
I think I'd pick Psycho Killer for Halloween weekIm a massive Mamma Mia fan. I'd want to do something from Mamma Mia Here We Go Again for Movie Week. And something from Mamma Mia for Musical Week.
I can never come up with what I'd actually want to dance to for spooky week though, because I wouldn't want a super cringe theme.
Diagnosis123
VIP Member
John's boyfriend's recent purchase 
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NonDairyQueen
VIP Member
To be honest, I can't really bring myself to care that much. These people are already celebs, and are being paid a fee to entertain us for a Saturday night. It's not like bgt, where they manipulate the audience into believing that people who stood in a queue outside because their nan told them they were better singers than Beyonce so they've given up their job in the supermarket have any chance at all against people they have scouted and invited on the show! The scd celebs want to raise their profile and get more work doing something they already do. They are not being taken advantage of, and the audience is being entertained.That’s the point I was making - maybe mutually they wanted him in for a few weeks. It’s difficult to tell if he’s even enjoying himself sometimes but I’m glad he did his dance for his sister and maybe that’s all he really wanted from it.
The BBC is such a luvvie-fest, the Producers would’ve loved having Emma Thompson in the audience
Jelly Bean
VIP Member
Was Debbie McGee viewed as a dud at first I wonder? I know she had ballet training and was in terrific shape - but she was older. Giovanni just does seem to have such an ability to get the best from what ever material he is presented with.
LennyBriscoe
VIP Member
Who said anyone was being taken advantage of?
I can’t remember - maybe before the series started but once she got going, it became clear that she was good.
He’s never had a Martina Hingis, that’s for syre
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NonDairyQueen
VIP Member
No one. I was using Strictly in comparison to other talent shows. Its not a high stakes competition so if the producers have given some people higher profiles because they thing it will mean more entertainment for the viewers then I personally don't really care that much.
LowCalCalzoneZone
VIP Member
I think Ranvir was supposed to be a duffer, but it was pretty clear she was going to be half decent at ballroom quite early on and Gio ran with that and made it work, to his credit.
I don't think she wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the semi finals in a normal year though - she certainly wouldn't have been able to get away with avoiding nearly all the Latin dances and she was terrible doing anything that didn't involve hanging onto Giovanni for dear life
Edit: just to add I think giving the celebs dances they were good at was a general theme last year - Maisie got lots of fast latin, Jamie got upbeat stuff and avoided ballroom etc. I think they just wanted an upbeat series with little negativity
ButtonDownTheHutches
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Fillyjonk
VIP Member
I feel so stupid, I thought it was the name.of the production company even though it's pretty clear Strictly is a BBC show. Taxi for Filly, please!
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