Strictly Come Dancing Season 8 Premiere – Recap
Welcome to the first weekly recap of South Africa’s favourite – and only – reality dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. As we get into the swing of things, I hope we can follow the show together, and that you enjoy reading the recap as much as I will enjoy writing it. Let’s make it a fun weekly thing. I can’t do it without some crazy fans. Share your thoughts and we’ll have some cool discussions.
Season 8 starts off a with a recap of season 7, from the start all the way through to Jonathan Boynton-Lee’s surprise victory over Leandie du Randt at the finale. I think it’s safe to say that a popular and handsome guy won’t win over a more talented female celebrity dancer this season. The professional dancers of season 8 opened the live show with a piece choreographed by judge Tebogo – a rather underwhelming piece which didn’t really show off the dancers in the best light. I could’ve done without it.
At least Katlego Maboe and Roxy Burger brought back their natural fun charm to the show, a pairing that has really worked well. That girl has come so far since her days on K-TV, and Katlego is almost literally everywhere you look, thankfully not in that terrible Afrikaans acapella group anymore. They then introduce this season’s 10 couples and speak to the judges before the actual dancing finally starts.
The first couple to take the stage was Expresso presenter Leigh-Anne Williams and her partner Johannes, who also partnered LeAnne Dlamini last season. They danced the waltz, and with that really set the bar for the season. She was graceful and elegant and really delivered a strong performance, handling it with ease. The judges agreed that it was a great start to the season, with Michael going so far as to say that he could see her growing into a possible champion. Although, he said that to a few others too. The only thing that did not quite look as good to me, and the judges, was her running. It seemed a tad heavy-footed, and judge Sam did tell the pair to work on Leigh-Ann translating more into her feet. But it was all in all a very strong start for episode 1. Judges score: 22/30
Mzanzi’s sexiest man of 2015 and Muvhango actor, Nkuli Tshirumbula, and his partner Nombulelo were up next doing the cha-cha. He seemed a little tight and uncomfortable to me, the hips not quite there yet. He was constantly looking at her for direction, but the lift at the end was really strong, and saved the dance for me. The judges mostly agreed that he was still a little stiff and needed to adjust more, but Sam thought the lift was spectacular. Judges score: 18/30
The next couple to take the floor was 5FM DJ Sureshnie Rider and her partner Obed, doing the waltz. Sureshnie is very likable and it’s easy to root for her, but her performance was stiff and did not look nearly as graceful as Leigh-Anne’s, struggling to glide over the floor. The judges agreed. Tebogo wanted more gracefulness and fluidity, and for Sureshnie to become more “friendly with the floor”. Judges score: 14/30
Retired soccer star Stanton Fredericks and partner Erin delivered probably my least favourite performance of the evening with their not-so-cha-cha-cha. During their video segment, dance partner Erin quipped that “If dancing was easy, they’d call it soccer”. If only. The best thing about the dance was Stanton’s dribbling skills right at the start. The judges agreed. Tebogo couldn’t recognize the cha-cha in it, and Michael thought the fundamentals were missing. Judges score: 13/30
Retired Blue Bulls and Springbok rugby player Gary Botha and his partner Jeanné were up next doing the waltz. I fully expected it to be bad. And it wasn’t. It was actually one of my favourites of the night. And I don’t think I have ever written the words “Blue Bulls” and “favourite” in one paragraph before. I thought it was strong and sweet, and the lift and swing was pretty strong too. The judges agreed. Tebogo was as surprised as I was. Sam thought it was beautiful and Michael added that it was smooth and light and that Gary too could win the competition. Judges score: 17/30
Bridget Masinga and her partner Sifiso did the cha-cha next, and it underwhelmed just like Stanton’s before it. Masinga seemed a little tight and could not sell the sexiness of the dance. Complete lack of it actually. It’s ironic that they danced to a cover of Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’ since it’s a little Beyonce that Bridget needed to bring out. The judges agreed, and she got the lowest score of the night. Judges score: 12/30
Hip-Hop artist Slikour and his partner Michelle did the waltz. I thought they really sold the story well. I felt the emotion somewhat, and that’s something that the performances on this show usually don’t focus on. If you tell a story and you really emote and connect to it, and just capture the crowd – you’ll win me over. This performance did not quite get there, but it was amongst the best storytelling of the night. The judges felt that the technicality was completely lost, though. Michael said the dancing was “shocking”. He said the posture was wrong, the timing out, and that it was awkward. The audience booed. Judges score: 13/30
MetroFM DJ Pearl Modiade and her partner Grant were up next dancing the cha-cha. It was clear – she was the crowd favourite, and judging by her great personality, she could be a threat. The performance was fun and enjoyable and Pearl sold the feeling behind the cha-cha very well. I felt it. Michael thinks she has star quality and that she has all the tools to go far in the competition, and because she made him want to dance, he could forgive the lack of technique a bit. No such luck with Tebogo – she ripped the performance apart, saying she was very disappointed, and gave it a score of 3. The crowd did not like that at all. Judges score: 16/30
The Melissa McCarthy of Strictly Come Dancing was up next: Comedian Jason Goliath and his partner Sammy did the waltz. I say he is the Melissa McCarthy of SCD because he continually makes jokes about his weight for laughter, but his a “g-string in my size is called a jean” was particularly funny. The likable fat guy. And he did well. They told a story. Jason comes in as a drunk, they argue, he tries to say sorry, they embrace, do the waltz, and in the end, sadly, she leaves him. It was believable. The funny guy trying to be all dramatic. All the judges agreed that they told a believable story well. Judges score: 16/30
The final performance and cha-cha of the night came from Afrikaans pop star Karlien van Jaarsveld (Yes, Bobby’s sister, they’re everywhere) and her partner Devon. The mom to twin boys really sold it – she looked good doing it, really selling the blonde bombshell stereotype well. It’s clear the producers wanted another Leandie du Randt. Time will tell whether Karlien will deliver the same highs, but for the first night she did really well. Best cha-cha of the night for me – and the judges agreed. If a hot guy gave that performance, the crowd reaction would not have been so timid. Michael thinks she just has “it”. All the judges agreed that it was a strong performance. Michael, again, thinks that there may be a winner in the house.
All in all, not a very strong night, but for the first night of dancing it wasn’t that bad. I thought I would make a bold prediction and then we’ll see how right I was at the end of the competition.
The winner will be Leigh-Anne. She dances well already, but more importantly, the viewers on SABC3 know her well. Wake up to her every morning. And it seemed to work well for Jonathan last season. Karlien van Jaarsveld could be the runner-up. Maybe Pearl. Those 3 girls make up my early prediction for the top 3. It could very well be a season of girl power and domination.
Next week’s dances are the rumba and the quickstep. Tune in.
What did you make of the season 8 premiere? Sound off in the comment section below.
