Sunday, September 28, 2014
Strictly Come Dancing 2014, wk 1, Saturday, review: 'are the judges ageist?'
The BBC is sensitive about the issue of ageism but this year's Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) doesn't seem to be helping matters. Now that all 15 pro-celebrity couples have made their dancefloor debuts, clod-hopping Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills is the only thing preventing all the oldies being bunched at the bottom of the leaderboard.
After last night's taster, when the first half-dozen stars took their first tentative steps under the glitterball, this series got truly underway as the remaining nine broke their choreographic ducks.
New co-host Claudia Winkleman, stepping into the well-worn tap shoes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, made a nervous start on Friday's show but bounced back encouragingly, with witty banter on the balcony, a classy black sparkly gown and, thankfully, no sign of last night's fright-face make-up. Tess Daly, meanwhile, kept Brucey's memory alive with some painful punning.
The standout performer was Frankie Bridge from girl band The Saturdays, who shot to the top of the leaderboard thanks to her romantic, accomplished and umbrella-accessorised waltz. She's paired with popular pro Kevin Clifton (from Grimsby), who reached the final last year with Susanna Reid and already looks set to repeat that run during this series. A footballer's wife lifted the trophy last time. Might WAG-shaped lightning strike twice?
Boybander Simon Webbe impressed with a bouncy jive and Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker did the same with her fiery tango. But the night's true surprise packages were This Morning reporter Alison Hammond, whose cha-cha was personality-packed and infectiously exuberant, and wildlife expert Steve Backshall, whose passionate tango won the approval of the judging panel. Well, when they could tear their eyes away from his muscle-bound, vest-clad physique. This pair join Jake Wood from last night as the dark horses.
The biggest disappointment was rugby eye-candy Thom Evans, hotly tipped but who turned in a stiff, safe waltz. He looked annoyed with both the judges' comments and himself.
Down the bottom of the standings, it was all about the more mature celebrities. Tennis coach Judy Murray and knick-knack aficionado Tim Wonnacott struggled last night. Now they were joined in the bargain basement by Mrs Brown's Boys actress Jennifer Gibney after a leaden jive and MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, whose cha-cha was clod-hopping, hyperactive and strangely camp, earning him the new nickname "Gregg Walrus". If it wasn't for the two left-footed Scott Mills, one of the over-50s would be a sure bet for next week's first elimination.
Overall this was a solid return for the sequin-spangled contest. As the autumn nights draw in, it feels right to have it back where it belongs on Saturday nights. Let the spray-tans grow as orange as sunset, the hands get "spatulistic" and the annual ratings ding-dong with arch rival The X Factor begin.
Source : http://telegraph.feedsportal.com/c/32726/f/568414/s/3ee49903/sc/38/l/0L0Stelegraph0O0Cculture0Ctvandradio0Cstrictly0Ecome0Edancing0C111189260CStrictly0ECome0EDancing0Ewk0E10ESaturday0Ereview0Bhtml/story01.htm
