I was thrilled, thinking only robots read my posts.
The robots give me hilarious comments full of mispellings saying things like "you such great writer I love your posts please check my blog XXXX."
Anyway, the reason for no blogging is that I felt I'd said it all. The blog was becoming like a cyberspace Groundhog Day.
But, pressed into giving my thoughts on such heavyweight topics as this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up, I decided to return to the fray.
Note new blog photo showing us at the summit of Skiddaw, England's third highest mountain, on our holiday in the Lake District.
Let's have a quick fox trot through the contestants:
The Boys
Are a bit of a boring lot this year and I am not expecting great things from any of them, except maybe Whats-his-name from Hollyoaks. The Hairy Biker Dave is admirably channelling the God of Dance John Sergeant, but I feel he is capable of much more than just stomping around.
The rugby player Ben Cohen is like one of those big American fridges being moved around the floor on castors. He has already done a ballet class and I predict he will soon be getting acting lessons.
The one from Casualty, Patrick Robinson, is a smooth number aged 50. Could potentially do well, but I'm not sure he's trying very hard. Incidentally, his character in Casualty was the reason my mum stopped watching it. She found it too ludicrous that he was a nurse, left the series and came back as a doctor.
Mark Benton is this year's Lisa Riley: big chap who wants to prove he's nimble on the dancefloor. Doing OK, but looks horribly scruffy during rehearsals. One wants to reach for the Lynx.
Julien Macdonald, fashion designer, blotted his copybook by either being stoned or drunk in the opening night and screeching unpredictably in a way that bothered Bruce. I remember Macdonald when he first appeared on Britain's Next Top Model as a judge. He's had an Elle McPherson directed makeover. He used to be fat with long lank hair. Now he's a preening peacock with a forehead smoother than a baby's. I predict he'll be in the dance-off again this weekend.
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| Sophie Ellis-Bextor |
I'm predicting a 3 way final between Abbey Clancy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Natalie Gumede.
Sophie did the most fab - u - lous Charleston. I reckon she'll do it again in the final and get top marks all round. Clancy is the pouting, hair tossing wife of footballing legend (not John's view|) Peter Crouch. She's very good, but I wonder if she has vote appeal. Too much posturing. That toned midriff is a mixed blessing for the voting demographic.
Vanessa Feltz is a wiley old so-and-so. She suffers from misconceptions. People tend to think of her as loud, shouty and bossy. When I knew she was taking over the Radio 2 early show I groaned, thinking it would be too noisy. But she is a revelation. She listens intently to the people who call in and her use of English is sublime. Even her "potted history of the show thus far" is a daily mini masterpiece.
In a masterstroke, Feltz was seen blubbing over James Jordan in their lovely waltz, admitting the dance made her remember old love affairs. Transformed into someone vulnerable she sailed through, and if she keeps it up, may stay in for a while.
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| Fiona Fullerton |
Natalie Gumede is this year's Coronation Street entry and she seems a bit bland to me, but a good dancer from the stage school trained intake.
Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden is radically remodelling herself and coming across very well. The miracles performed on her and Feltz by the wardrobe department with Spanx and Lycra are amazing.
Newsreader Susanna Reid is coming across as a bit frantic, desperate to impress and too orange. Her hair is too dark and she spends too much time in the tanning booth.
Finally Rachel Riley from Countdown doesn't seem to be trying very hard, and that's something we can't forgive.
Finally a word on the Bruce situation. Agree with the majority on Twitter who said last week's show was better without him. It had a new energy with Tess and Claudia presiding. There was no sense of dread. "Will Bruce forget his lines?" "Will he look startled as usual when the camera finds him after Tess?" "Will he forget the names of the dancers and judges?" I just hope that when he does retire, the BBC will not decide to get in another man just for the sake of it, but will stick with the winning formula of Tess and Claudia.
That's my round up - what do you think? Who's your favourite so far? Mine are Sophie and Fiona.
2 comments
A great review of this year's strictly...Yes, even long-distance multi-day cyclists watch it as well as reading your blog and I can assure you that I am NOT a robot..lol
I love strictly!! My interest in SCD has increased over the years and it has now surpassed X factor :O
I agree with your review to date - Sophie is awesome, Natalie is really good but for some reason she doesn't have high likability factor..while Abby goes further to be a tad annoying sometimes though I think she has great dancing skills. I think Rachael has all the assets to become a real contender so hopefully she will get better.
The boys... Rugby player Ben - *swoon*!! He is pretty light on his feet given his frame! Not too sure about the so many raunchy moves choregraphed by his dance partner though... (the inner prude speaking..:P)
Can't wait for Sat :)
Ps: Vanessa still puts me off on the show (haven't heard her on the radio).
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