Strictly Come Dancing 2022 #25 It is the Fever of The Saturday Night

[Vanelope]

That DS thread is blaming Sarah James and Jason Gilkerson for the over production and change in tone. I agree with that. She needs to stop getting emotional all the time, strictly was always emo, it didn’t need the extra manipulation she brings.

Who do you reckon she is talking about? Who did she get rid of? Brendan? James and Ola? Or is that too far back? What is this obsession with being a family in the workplace? Families can be the most backstabbing, ruthless places where everyone knows too much about each other. What is wrong with being professional?

 

[soccergirl]

The latest Huffington Post interview is with the executive producer, who spent nearly a decade working on the X Factor and BGT. I would never have guessed

I’m Strictly’s Top Boss – These Are The Calls I Have To Make Being In Charge Of TV's Biggest Show

“I genuinely get quite emotional when I think about the difference Strictly Come Dancing has made to my life,” says executive producer Sarah James.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk

This is interesting, wasn't sure how the new pro recruitment process worked:

"This series, we’ve got four new dancers and we did auditions at the beginning of this year and got Jason [Gilkison, the show’s creative director] to teach them some of a group dance, got them to teach one of our researchers like they were a celebrity. We filmed it all, interviewed them and that was how we chose them."

Wonder who she's referring to here? She joined the show in 2014...

"When I first joined Strictly, to be completely honest, there was some sort of tension among the dancers…
There were some people that weren’t that grateful for the show, that were suspicious of the show"

 

[diamondthunder]

What in the absolute heck is 'some dancers were suspicious of the show' supposed to mean?




Were they skulking around backstage with a big magnifying glass and a pipe?

 

[soccergirl]

What in the absolute heck is 'some dancers were suspicious of the show' supposed to mean?




Were they skulking around backstage with a big magnifying glass and a pipe?

Did it mean they were too big for their boots?? Pros who left after she arrived: Ola, Kristina - I could see them thinking they were above it maybe? or maybe she's talking about our beloved Tristan, who clearly was very sceptical about the show!!

 

[Willow9999]

This is interesting, wasn't sure how the new pro recruitment process worked:

"This series, we’ve got four new dancers and we did auditions at the beginning of this year and got Jason [Gilkison, the show’s creative director] to teach them some of a group dance, got them to teach one of our researchers like they were a celebrity. We filmed it all, interviewed them and that was how we chose them."

Wonder who she's referring to here? She joined the show in 2014...

"When I first joined Strictly, to be completely honest, there was some sort of tension among the dancers…
There were some people that weren’t that grateful for the show, that were suspicious of the show"

Robin, Iveta and Tristan left in 2015 according to The Radio Times. Is that the right time frame?

 

[soccergirl]

Robin, Iveta and Tristan left in 2015 according to The Radio Times. Is that the right time frame?

I think so. She says she worked on the show for 5 years before getting promoted to head producer in 2019...

 

[OtherMoon]

That DS thread is blaming Sarah James and Jason Gilkerson for the over production and change in tone. I agree with that. She needs to stop getting emotional all the time, strictly was always emo, it didn’t need the extra manipulation she brings.


Who do you reckon she is talking about? Who did she get rid of? Brendan? James and Ola? Or is that too far back? What is this obsession with being a family in the workplace? Families can be the most backstabbing, ruthless places where everyone knows too much about each other. What is wrong with being professional?

I think there was more tension between the Clifftons and others but yes probably Brendan too. The thing is it's easy to find a team that's like one big happy family when they are all recruited from Burn the floor (Jasons own production I'm surprised the BBC are allowed to get away with this) and have known each other for years.

From the current Pros that have done BTF Johannes, Kai, Laura, Jowita, Gorka Dianne, Graziano, Karen, Luba, Michelle and Nancy.
Past Pros also include Kevin, Aljaz and Jannet.
Those with titles both Jones, Nadiya and Amy don't appear to have done BTF too busy I guess.
Nikkita and Vito both came from other shows in the franchise.
Giovanni is a bit of an anomaly having not come from BTF or any significant titles yet is one of their most successful pros.

And we all know with the shift to BTF alumni came a decline in quality in Pro dances and more of a focus on Latin over ballroom. Which has to be coming from Jason and Production because the dancers are excellent and are capable of more.

 

[diamondthunder]

Did it mean they were too big for their boots?? Pros who left after she arrived: Ola, Kristina - I could see them thinking they were above it maybe? or maybe she's talking about our beloved Tristan, who clearly was very sceptical about the show!!

I've always wondered if there was some reason why Tristan seems to have basically always gotten a tit partner, on DWTS as well. And then out under suspicious circumstances with the only good one. Just bad luck, or something else? Bless him, he got the worst team every time there was a group dance when he judged the Australian one too.

 

[nicalibres]

That DS thread is blaming Sarah James and Jason Gilkerson for the over production and change in tone. I agree with that. She needs to stop getting emotional all the time, strictly was always emo, it didn’t need the extra manipulation she brings.
View attachment 1732052

Who do you reckon she is talking about? Who did she get rid of? Brendan? James and Ola? Or is that too far back? What is this obsession with being a family in the workplace? Families can be the most backstabbing, ruthless places where everyone knows too much about each other. What is wrong with being professional?

See this reads to me that she managed to get rid of the upstarts and is now happy to have a group of pros who know that doing what they’re told and being up her and JG’s arse is the best way to have their contract renewed every year. Being grateful for your job doesn’t mean never voicing your opinion, or disagreeing with your bosses or how things are done.

 

[Boring Monday]

See this reads to me that she managed to get rid of the upstarts and is now happy to have a group of pros who know that doing what they’re told and being up her and JG’s arse is the best way to have their contract renewed every year. Being grateful for your job doesn’t mean never voicing your opinion, or disagreeing with your bosses or how things are done.

It must be difficult for the pros - dancing is such finite career that to have the security of a 3 month gig on the tele and then all the add ones like the various tours and name recognition and possiblities to branch out in to other areas must be very seductive. The urge to just turn up, put up and be Romeo/Juliet, Tony/Maria on a weekly basis must be strong.

on the other hand, for likes of Nancy who has basically spent this series with a celeb who greets every week with a This Song Means A Lot To Me, excuse me while I just leaving training for a little weep it must be a bit depressing.

 

[nicalibres]

It must be difficult for the pros - dancing is such finite career that to have the security of a 3 month gig on the tele and then all the add ones like the various tours and name recognition and possiblities to branch out in to other areas must be very seductive. The urge to just turn up, put up and be Romeo/Juliet, Tony/Maria on a weekly basis must be strong.

on the other hand, for likes of Nancy who has basically spent this series with a celeb who greets every week with a This Song Means A Lot To Me, excuse me while I just leaving training for a little weep it must be a bit depressing.

Oh 100% which makes even worse than people like JG and Sarah whatever her name is are possibly using their authority in such a way that the dancers know that if they don’t toe the line they could be out of a job.

 

[ButtonDownTheHutches]

With JG controlling the show dances, it makes me sad to think that we may never see another Brendan/Lisa freestyle/showdance - which for me is the most iconic strictly dance.

I completely agree - as unintentionally hilarious as it is, at least they tried to do something a bit different (ok, something very different to anything ever attempted by humans ever before or since).

I was thinking of Tom & Camilla’s show dance too: gloriously bonkers, but highly original and reflected their personalities and showcased Tom’s strengths as a dancer. We’ll never get something like that again.

That DS thread is blaming Sarah James and Jason Gilkerson for the over production and change in tone. I agree with that. She needs to stop getting emotional all the time, strictly was always emo, it didn’t need the extra manipulation she brings.
View attachment 1732052

Who do you reckon she is talking about? Who did she get rid of? Brendan? James and Ola? Or is that too far back? What is this obsession with being a family in the workplace? Families can be the most backstabbing, ruthless places where everyone knows too much about each other. What is wrong with being professional?

I really don’t like that comment from her about some people not being ‘grateful’ enough for the show.

She took over as executive producer from the 2919 series. That was the year that Pasha left, and that Gorka and Graz were benched. Maybe they’re completely unconnected events, who knows

This, from the press release announcing she’d be taking over from Louise Rainbow, explains a lot:

“Sarah is a highly experienced Producer who has worked on some of the UK’s biggest, live entertainment shows including Big Brother, The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.”

 

[IndominusRex]

I loved Tom and Camilla’s showdance! Theirs and Louis and Flavia’s were real stand outs.

 

[Boring Monday]

With JG controlling the show dances, it makes me sad to think that we may never see another Brendan/Lisa freestyle/showdance - which for me is the most iconic strictly dance.

The whole of series 6 was just one great big, sloppy, glorious mess … and all the better for it.
We’ll not see the like of it again.

 

[OtherMoon]

I completely agree - as unintentionally hilarious as it is, at least they tried to do something a bit different (ok, something very different to anything ever attempted by humans ever before or since).

I was thinking of Tom & Camilla’s show dance too: gloriously bonkers, but highly original and reflected their personalities and showcased Tom’s strengths as a dancer. We’ll never get something like that again.



I really don’t like that comment from her about some people not being ‘grateful’ enough for the show.

She took over as executive producer from the 2919 series. That was the year that Pasha left, and that Gorka and Graz were benched. Maybe they’re completely unconnected events, who knows

This, from the press release announcing she’d be taking over from Louise Rainbow, explains a lot:

“Sarah is a highly experienced Producer who has worked on some of the UK’s biggest, live entertainment shows including Big Brother, The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.”

I really don't like the grateful line too these Pros work their arses off each week for months doing a 50 - 60 hour work weeks and often on their only day off they have to choregraph all for around 50K. Whilst the BBC sell the show around the world and the Judges are paid enormous fees for 12 days work per series!

 

[Captainmouse]

I’m a bit conflicted on this, because I totally get it should be the best dancer that wins, but anything that involves a public vote does tend to become a popularity contest.
And it’s also an entertainment programme; Tony was very entertaining and also pulled in a lot of viewers who wouldn’t normally watch SCD.
So i agree the time was probably right for him to bow out, but I totally disagree with people (allegedly) complaining to the Beeb and demanding he be removed from the show!

But we’re they watching? Or just voting?

Didn't Molly already do a Charleston? I could see her getting a Jive for Blackpool. Tyler probably needs to hope for a Salsa, I don't think he's as comfortable dancing in hold and I really don't think AT will suit him.

But Diane won’t choreograph AT

Len is leaving DWTS - can we ship Shirley over and replace her please?

Can she take motsi?

 

[gingeminge43]

Question for the Strictly hive mind. I’m considering tickets to the Professionals tour in Brighton- as it’s my closest venue- for myself & my daughter, and maybe my folks as a Christmas pressie.
Its obviously quite a lot of money, so I guess what I’m asking is do people rate the Pro tour? Is it worth the journey & ticket price? The actual Strictly tour is well out of my budget.

*edited for dreadful autocorrecting

 

[louseylou]

I've always wondered if there was some reason why Tristan seems to have basically always gotten a tit partner, on DWTS as well. And then out under suspicious circumstances with the only good one. Just bad luck, or something else? Bless him, he got the worst team every time there was a group dance when he judged the Australian one too.

I think Tristan leaving might have been more down to his life at the time. He moved to Australia with his wife afterwards and they started their family then.

But we’re they watching? Or just voting?


But Diane won’t choreograph AT


Can she take motsi?

I know she won't. My point was that Tyler seems to do better dancing by himself rather than with someone/ in hold. If he gets an AT for Blackpool that problem will still be there no matter who choreographs it.

 

[posy]

Question for the Strictly hive mind. I’m considering tickets to the Professionals tour in Brighton- as it’s my closest venue- for myself & my daughter, and maybe my folks as a Christmas pressie.
Its obviously quite a lot of money, so I guess what I’m asking is do people rate the Pro tour? Is it worth the journey & ticket price? The actual Strictly tour is well out of my budget.

*edited for dreadful autocorrecting

I haven’t seen the pro tour but know people that have been, enjoyed it. The closest to the pro tour for me was him and me, it was a fun night but nothing spectacular - they did have really good dancers and singers - it was at my local theatre and my ticket was about £30, I personally wouldn’t pay more than that for a strictly professional show. I paid the same to see Cabaret - had a good view, got a free shot of schnapps as I went in and it is possibly the best WestEnd show I have seen in years. Having said that I think anyone that loves strictly, will enjoy the pro tour as you get to see dance to their full potential.

 

[glasgow27]

With Len retiring, I do think we might have a shot of getting rid of Shirley. Definitely think she'll audition and will leave us if she gets the gig. Wouldn't shock me if they went in-house though and promoted long term pro Cheryl Burke who is planning to stop dancing after 25 seasons in the same way that Strictly promoted Anton.

Regarding that interview with Sarah James and tension with pros, I can well believe that, it was around the time that James was axed, Ola was no longer happy, the Cliftons were taking over (with Kevin as teacher's pet, that had to rub some long termers up the wrong way), Aliona had Gregg that year and then decided that 2015 would be her last year, Kristina wanted to leave after 2014 as well etc, Robin was injured, Tristan may have felt disillusioned going from DWTS to SCD, Brendan was totally phoning it in after Sophie etc. I don't think some of the pros were happy with Louise Rainbow if I'm being honest.

The whole happy family thing is both toxic and creepy in equal measure, like a cult. If my workplace wanted to promote that, I'd run a mile at the earliest opportunity.