Strictly Come Dancing Recap: Start Spreading the News
It feels like this season is going in the completely wrong direction – down the drain, and it’s going down as quickly as the contestants need to be gliding over the floor – all because of one major flaw, as mentioned in last week’s recap: the format!
The lines open just before the first couple takes the floor, and closes almost right after the last couple left the floor – it’s a completely ineffective system. Viewers do not vote when the lines open, the majority wait to see the couples dance, and this was evident in this week’s results. The last two couples to take the floor, which the viewers had the least time to vote for, were in the dance-off, two couples who performed better than 3 other couples on the night. Those three couples were the first three couples to take the floor.
It boggles the mind.
Nkuli and Slikour were the celebrity contestants with the lowest combined score purely based on them being the last two to perform for votes, giving the viewers barely 15 minutes to cast votes for them. Neither deserved to be in the dance-off and yet one of them had to leave the competition. Please, producers, get the format right – and fast!
Rant over.
The theme for the night was Flashback Friday, for a weekend blast from the past. It was pretty fun.
The first couple of the night was comedian Jason Goliath and his partner Sammy, doing the Foxtrot. They used the Pink Panther theme for their routine, complete with Jason being a detective on the hunt for his crook, partner Sammy. As always, the characters and story were portrayed well. Jason was so winded after the dance that I thought he was going to pass out, but thankfully, no ambulance was needed. Get in shape, boy. The judges thought there wasn’t enough movement across the floor, and that it wasn’t light enough on his feet. No improvement from this couple – their score has stayed consistent for all 3 weeks so far. Judges score: 16/30
Pearl Modiade and her partner Grant were next to take the stage with the night’s first jive. It wasn’t fast enough for me as she seemed to be lagging quite often, not sharp enough in her movement. The judges agreed, Michael saying that her feet and legs weren’t where they needed to be. They did manage to get their personal best score, though. Judges score: 17/30
Sureshnie Rider and her partner Obed did the Foxtrot next, selling the story and the characters very well, really looking the part, but there wasn’t much actual dancing going on, little movement across the stage. The judges agreed. Tebogo thought there wasn’t enough foxtrot content to judge, but Michael applauded her for owning her character and owning herself. Their score was stagnant. Judges score: 17/30
The couple desperate for that #1 spot, Karlien van Jaarsveld and partner Devon, attempted the jive. Again, the story was well sold, great character work, and it was fun, but instead of rising week to week, they fell flat and dropped a spot to 3rd. It was a stumble week and might cost her in the long run. Tebogo was very disappointed. Michael as well, saying that technically, it wasn’t happening. Her body posture was upward throughout, instead of forward, like she was doing Ballroom. In her video package, Karlien did say that she prefers ballroom to latin, so this was clearly a difficult task for her. Judges score: 20/30
Retired rugby player Gary Botha was up next with partner Jeanné, doing a foxtrot. They had balloons and it was sweet, again, a story well sold. All the contestants get the story right, but technically most of them lack, focusing on flash over substance. Samantha and Michael thought Gary is in his head too much, that he needs to let go otherwise he’ll lose who he really is. Also no improvement in their score. Judges score: 18:30
Stanton Fredericks and partner Erin did a jive next – and completely nailed it. By far the best jive of the night. It was a complete surprise. It was fun, and his leg work was strong and fast, very sharp, and the crowd loved it. Michael said he hasn’t seen someone improve so much in his live. He said it: Stanton is a jiver. Was this a fluke? Is the jive just suited to him? We’ll see next week. If he can keep it up during other styles, we might have a finale contender. Judges score: 23/30
This season’s dominant force and probable deserved winner, Leigh-Anne Williams was up next with partner Johannes, doing an elegant and graceful foxtrot. She glides across the floor with so much class and grace, it’s not taught. She just has it. Michael applauded the way she holds herself and her frame, and loved the quality of movement. Samantha thought she looked like a screen goddess. Improving upon her score again to another highest score of the season thus far, she looks unstoppable. Judges score: 26/30
Nkuli Tshirumbula and partner Nombulelo followed a very energetic and fun jive. It was entertaining, spirited, and fast-paced. The judges however quickly burst his bubble – they hated the technique. Samantha thought his legs were bad, his footwork was off, and concluded that it wasn’t great at all. Tebogo kept with the detention story they sold during their dance, saying that she “would have left them in the class [for] the next three days”. So not good. Still, I think Nkuli has tons of potential and SHOULD go far. Judges score: 19/30
The last couple to take the floor was Slikour and his partner Michelle. Looking back at it now, “New York, New York” was a bad omen for them. As the song says: “Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today”. Do they deserve to? No. Thank the format. The judges seemed positive, Tebogo saying that Slikour understands what he needs to do to improve, and that in 6 months he’ll be an amazing dancer. Michael thought he’d need less than 6 months. Judges score: 18/30
And then the voting lines closed. No more voting. Slikour barely finished dancing and the voting lines were closed. Wrong. Just wrong.
Results in no particular order:
SAFE – Karlien van Jaarsveld and Devon
SAFE – Stanton Fredericks and Erin
SAFE – Gary Botha and Jeanné
SAFE – Jason Goliath and Sammy
SAFE – Leigh-Anne Williams and Johannes
First couple into the DANCE-OFF – Nkuli Tshirumbula and Nombulelo
SAFE – Sureshnie Rider and Obed
Which leaves Pearl Modiade and Slikour.
Pearl Modiade and Grant are SAFE which means that...
Slikour and Michelle go into the DANCE-OFF against Nkuli and Nombulelo.
During the dance-off, it was clear that Nkuli had more star quality than Slikour. His performances were entertaining, and he has shown the most promise.
Judges decisions:
Samantha saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Tebogo saves Nkuli and Nombulelo.
Slikour and Michelle are the next couple eliminated from the competition.
There you have it. Slikour becomes the victim of having to perform last and bites the dust. It should have been Jason and Sammy, but that’s how the format works. Perform last will equal less votes.
What did you think of the elimination? Did the right couple leave? Please sound off in the comments below!
