This is the first year I have truly got into Strictly Come Dancing. Normally, unlike some of my family and friends and a lot of the nation, I don't follow all of these "reality" or "talent" programmes; like X-Factor, or Britain's Got Talent etc. With Strictly though, my mind was well and truly open and 2013's was the season I followed week-by-week. A lot of TV programmes try to cater for everyone, but I truly feel Strictly does. The concept is simple - take a broad selection of celebrities and try to teach them to dance, watching them strut their stuff (or not as the case may be!) every weekend. Yet everything surrounding this concept to make the show what it is is stupendous. Forgive me if you're a Strictly fan and have been for a while, or even if you're like me and were familiar with the format; a lot of what I say won't be new to you - but here are a few of the reasons why I was happy to follow this season of Strictly.
Firstly, and rather obviously, the contestants; we couldn't have the show without them. Of course, each year has a right mixed bunch, but as this is my first year watching I was struck by the variety, not just of dancing skill and ability, or lack of in some cases, but also of the sheer range of personality and character, that I feel might not have been as easy to see in the professional lives of all these actors, models, and sportsmen. Naturally I had my favorites and not so favorites. I have written a column about how much I loved Mark Benton (or "Howard" as I often referred to him as - see my column, it'll make sense) and his terrific display of performances. Comparatively to others he may have been lacking in dancing ability, but it was still resolutely there, and that plus his oodles pf personality ensured he did very well. A like-able surprise for me was semi-finalist Patrick Robinson, who not only progressed massively and gave some show-stopping dances, but also seemed to be a really demure, kind and caring guy, which can only be a plus. The ones I didn't really like, the voting public didn't seem to like either as they were the ones voted off the quickest. Golfing legend Tony Jacklin was the first celebrity to go. He clearly wasn't coping with the dancing, though I'm sure he did his best. But unlike say someone like Mark Benton, once it became apparent he wasn't that good, he did not even try to make an effort, either to improve or to look like he wanted to be there. Then there was Julien McDonald, the exceedingly camp, Welsh fashion designer. Yes we know he's camp as Christmas (actually he puts Christmas to shame there probably) and yes he was all smiles, but I feel he really took it to not so good extremes. All he could speak about when not dancing was the sequins on his costume, and I admire anyone who has a big optimistic smile, but his after a while made him look like a gawping idiot who couldn't quite comprehend what was going on.
All in all though, I applaud anyone who would put themselves in that position, and I think the crop of contestants this year was rather good, and featured plenty of gems. Tonight, after months of Saturday and Sunday showbiz, we witnessed the all female-final, which featured Abbey Clancy, Natalie Gumede, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, and Susanna Reid. All extremely talented, all beautiful ladies, all great personalities, all great dancers, and all very like-able in their own ways. I won't reveal who won for the sake of spoilers, but I will say it was a show-stopping final.
Now to other integral components - the judges. We have the aloof, very firm but fair Craig Revel Horwood. We also have the stunning dance sensation that is the iconic Darcy Bussell. Ballroom legend Len Goodman heads the judges. And last but certainly not least, we have the wildly passionate Bruno Tonioli. All are marvelous in their own intrinsic ways. Some of their comments and scores generate groans and boos from the audiences, and some lead to cheers and clattering applause. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Finally we come to the hosts of the show, who provide personalities that are just as essential to the show as anyone else's. Some shows just stick a bimbo or a pretty face, or just a famous one on for the sake of it, not with Strictly. However, here we are marred slightly by the negative, but first the positives. I feel they come in the forms of the two female presenters. Firstly we have Tess Daly, the glamorous northern lass who clearly loves doing what she does of a weekend and does it with such ease and fluidity. Then we have the feisty and flirty Claudia Winkleman, who co-presents the Sunday results show with Tess. Unfortunately, the negatives I feel come from Strictly staple, and TV royalty, Sir Bruce Forsyth. Like many people in TV I suppose, you either love or hate Brucie. Personally I don't really mind him generally, and there have been times when he has made me smile on the show. Don't get me wrong I love the fact that he is such an iconic figure within the show, nevermind telly generally. Yet I feel there are few things worse than seeing a great that is moving past it. I am not going to bash Sir Bruce with venom like so many viewers, tabloids, and my mother do every week. But I will say that with each show this season there have been several cringe-worthy moments, where Brucie seems to think he can still blow an audience, and contestants away with his wit and repertoire, but instead falls terribly flat and mute, you can see the tumbleweeds, and is left looking like a confused and sad old man. I don't know who writes his "material" but I do think if he is going to continue on Strictly, which I do think he has a right to if he wishes, then the producers should make sure it is improved greatly, and/or there be less of it.
By and large, I am very greatful for my first real taste of Strictly Come Dancing. There have been thrills and chills, ups and downs, highs and lows, and they've all been played out for me and the millions who enjoy Strictly week after week, and I am sure we are all very greatful. There aren't many shows on prime time TV nowadays where you can say:- "yes, that is true, classic, unabashed family entertainment". Yet Strictly certainly is. It doesn't try to be radical, or edgy, or patronizing. Instead it provides masses of dancing wonder, variety of character, comedy and drama, and more than a little of that ballroom sparkle. Thank you Strictly 2013. Roll on next year's batch!
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