Strictly Come Dancing 2014, Week 9
Back from a brief absence is the loud cheering return of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. As ever the judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussel, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. Our score is in brackets to mark accordingly amid the mass over marking delusion from the outdated judges bias.
Steve and Ola
Jive
Little Bitty Pretty One – Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers
American football mad jawline lover Steve bursts through a paper like a teacloth to get on the floor. Boring, slow and empty steps. Ola joins to raise momentum by one pace. Awkward spin arounds in hold bobbing along. Pansy movements and limp choreography. Lame and boring.
The judges are talking so much tosh so forget their irrelevant comments for now.
4 7 6 6 (4)
Tess – “A four from Craig?!!” Tess, stop this trolloping. Everyone told you before, it doesn’t work dear.
Caroline and Pasha
American Smooth
Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin
Good lift off stairs to floor setting mood. Good lone and together parts. Looking effortless. Sturdy and noticeable moment with footwork easily forgotten. Good centre platform use. Stunning lifts, elegant style. Smooth transitions. Mistake covered up as a pro.
7, 8, 9, 9 (9)
Pixie and Trent
Charleston
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend – Marilyn Monroe
Good start but quite safe still. Arms little flimsy and cheap. Good push through on legs. Cartwheel done well but boring and slow. Good aeroplane hands. Not really a Charleston effect. Bit of jazzy theme but not much razzledazzle. Same as Simon now. Very safe and taking no risks. Could be out at this rate. Got to take a risk.
9, 9, 9, 10 (8)
Mark and Karen
Tango
Love Runs Out – One Republic
Karen opens her arms as Mark comes up behind and turns her around with one moment moves and no effect. Slow boring move backs with no sharpness. Kicks tepid and pifty. Standing still to music. Dips Karen an inch to get a step ticked off. On the spot dancing with no sharp effect. Horrible. Doesn’t even bother trying. Lame finish on the spot lowering hands down to Karen, who falls down in routine. All teeth and no substance. What a charming pair.
(Darcey and Bruno babble on with their over-sexual lust.)
8, 8, 8, 8 (6)
Frankie and Kevin
Viennese Waltz
What’s new Pussycat? – Tom Jones
Frankie starts wafting skirt before being lifted off bench. Lots of arm waving about for no real effect . Too repetitive. Too long getting in spins around floor. Boring and tacky music. Kevin doing all work. Barely any skill on show. Good spin around but only real highlight. Ending meant nothing. Not much dancing at all.
9, 9, 10, 10 (8) (Attempts to save her from an otherwise obvious vote from the public to dance off.)
Jake and Janette
Samba
Los Del Rio – Macarena
Great swivel down slant start. Instant rhythm and groove. Smooth hips and strong sass. Great leg extensions and backside jiggles. Fun filled and technically sound. Great musicaility. Got real dance skill. Needs high votes. Best so far. Fantastic.
9, 10, 10, 9 (10) (Our first!)
Sunetra and Brendan
Waltz
Last Request – Paolo Nutini
Sunetra waits for Brendan to join her in embrace. Smooth and graceful turns instantly. Controlled shoulder tilts. Very good footing. Beautiful elements of grace. Too hard a fling from Brendan nearly took her footing off. Warm and magical. Best of Sunetra yet.
7, 7, 8, 8 (8)
Simon and Kristina
Salsa
Let’s hear it for the boy! – Deniece Williams
Kristina loves her magazine as Simon awkwardly enters the floor back hopping in. Decent lift but all too rushed and clumsy routine in dance. Simon gets solo moment to dance. Too many spins, not enough partner connectivity to create meaning and very haphazard trying to throw everything in missing the whole point. As much as he tries he just hasn’t got it. Pretty boy has reached limit.
9, 9, 9, 9 (7)
Best dance of the night?
Jake and Janette
Danger zone
(in no particular order)
Steve, Sunetra and Frankie
IMAGES
BBC
