[Christmas Dynamo]

Interesting article in the Daily Telegraph today:




“Never heard of them!” “Strictly C-list, more like.” “Are they casting civilians instead of celebrities now?” Such has been the social media outcry now that the last few names have been confirmed for the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing.

It is, admittedly, a limp lettuce of a line-up. Let’s not panic just yet, because personnel is just part of the Strictly’s magic formula. Such is the strength of the hit show, it usually transcends its casting. Once the hoofing commences, characters emerge and Strictly’s all-conquering format takes effect, viewers tend to forget such mild misgivings.

First things first, though. Is the ballroom backlash justified? You’d have to say yes. The not-terribly-famous-15 contestants look formulaic, generic, predictable and parochial. In terms of pure recognition level, it’s one of the worst line-ups in years. To make matters worse, the dreaded spectre of BBC ageism has once again raised its wrinkly head.




There are too many rent-a-faces, wearily familiar from other reality shows: notably Ashley Roberts (alumnus of I’m A Celebrity, The Jump and Dancing On Ice) and Lee Ryan (alumnus of Hell’s Kitchen and Celebrity Big Brother). There are too many in-house BBC names, which often smack of “We couldn’t land anyone better and they were loitering in the lobby”: see the Casualty and EastEnders types, the newsreader, Test Match Special pundit and CBeebies star.

Worst of all, and responsible for most of the online opprobrium, there are too many names to which even the most pro-Strictly viewer will ask “Who?” We’re looking at you, Seann Walsh, Vick Hope and Charles Venn. When you’ve got to Google them, goes ye olde glitterball proverb, you know you’re in trouble.




The other major mis-step is the contestants’ age range. Strictly is at its best and broadest in appeal when the youngsters take on the golden oldies. Have-a-go heroines of a certain age, such as Lesley Joseph or Judy Murray, have won the audience's hearts. Dapper gents like Daniel O’Donnell, Patrick Robinson or Brian Conley have added further variety. Pamela Stephenson and Debbie McGee even defied expectation by reaching the grand final.

This year’s intake, though, shows a distinct lack of age diversity. Red Dwarf’s Danny John-Jules is the oldest at a sprightly 57. Susannah Constantine, of Trinny ’n’ Susannah fashionista fame, is the only other contestant to have passed 50. There are three contestants in their 40s, while the remaining 10 are in their 20s or 30s.

An average age of 38 hardly reflects Strictly’s pan-generational viewership. You’d think the BBC would have learned their lesson a decade ago, when judge Arlene Phillips was contentiously replaced by Alesha Dixon.


Yet there remains a definite sense of anti-climax about this bunch. As the 15 contestants were unveiled one-by-one, I found myself hoping they were saving some headline-grabbers until last. It turned out they weren’t. It’s a line-up to elicit indifferent shrugs, rather than excited spine tingles.

It lacks the sort of international glitz previously provided by the likes of Anastacia, Jerry Hall, Michelle Williams and Holly Valance. It lacks surprises - a cha-cha-ing chef, a Viennese waltzing vicar, a foxtrotting footballer. Most deflatingly of all, there’s no obvious comedy contestant, let alone a plucky politician in the noble tradition of Ed Balls or Ann Widdecombe.




Right now, sure, the class of 2018 looks like the weakest for a while. Seasoned Strictly watchers have even surmised that it’s the most underwhelming field since way back in series three. Remember Siobhan Hayes, Will Thorp and Jaye Jacobs? Neither do their own mothers.

Yet in a month’s time, when they’ve been paired up, spray-tanned, sequin-spangled and taken their first tentative steps in the training room, it will probably be a different story. We’ll doubtless end up hooked, like we are every autumn.

When it comes to one of its flagship franchises, has the BBC dropped the glitterball? There are such grumblings every year but Strictly still seems to go from strength-to-strength. We’ll only really know when the curtain goes up and choreographic battle commences.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/lam...ancing-starts/

[BBUK-Fan]

Strictly 2018 lineup is crap

[Nicky91]

blah blah blah, let those moaning idiots moan, and i will enjoy strictly

[Nicky91]

It lacks the sort of international glitz previously provided by the likes of Anastacia, Jerry Hall, Michelle Williams and Holly Valance.

Jerry Hall boak she was my least fave in her year brrrr stone cold emotion less diva that woman is

Michelle Williams, Anastacia flopped

Holly Valance also kinda flopped right before the final

[Twosugars]

yeah, silly moaning

[Christmas Dynamo]

Its a well written article adn it captures the mood of the nation.

Thankfully the Bake Off does not need faded celebs to be a big hit.

[Ross.]

Anyone who says this is a good lineup is lying to themselves

Of course it’s still possible to enjoy the show but denying that the lineup is weak is simply wrong!

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Ross.

Anyone who says this is a good lineup is lying to themselves

Of course it’s still possible to enjoy the show but denying that the lineup is weak is simply wrong!

i'd very much prefer celebs like these lot, over the stuck up, arrogant bigger name signings tbh