IT TAKES TWO
Week 9
Monday
28th November 2011
An unusual exit interview this week, with not a couple, but trio of contestants joining Zoe to talk about their Strictly experience - Anita, Robin and Brendan. I love the It Takes Two on the day of the filming of the Christmas Special with all the girls in their glittery makeup. Bobby told us how heartbreaking it was to be forced to watch from home, Brendan talked about what a responsibility it was and how gutted he was that he couldn't help Anita stay in the competition, while Anita told us her favourite dances were the Argentine tango and her first dance, the waltz. Lots of highlights to show in her "Strictly Story" but a few tears back on the sofa.
Some great behind the scenes footage from the weekend (made me chuckle a few times anyway) before it was time for Craig's regular Monday visit to give us some more thoughts about the weekends performances, including a defence of his 9 for Harry's quickstep. Loved it as always.
Time for the 2011 ITT Pro Dance Challenge to be announced! And what a great one it is ... an attempt to break the official world record for the number of botafogos in 30 seconds. Natalie was the first pro to attempt it, who thought she was a bit too careful, but she performed 63 botafogos in 30 seconds! Tomorrow, we'll see Aliona's attempt.
Tuesday
29th November 2011
Alex & James were Zoe's first guests tonight, and a quick look back at their weekend shows James storming off after the harsh judging of their Charleston. Alex told us how she loved dancing it, she hadn't gone wrong, and the audience loved it, so it was disappointing to hear the judges comments - and James still had steam coming out of his ears when they started the Swing-A-Thon! American Smooth this week, and James hasn't really got a routine together yet, but they're dancing to a song from Pretty Woman (they didn't confirm it would be the theme song though, but I'm guessing it will be).
Time for Aliona to take the Pro Challenge - hands up who's been practising their botafogo's (that would be just me then) - and she had 5 disqualified steps, but her total score was 64 beating Natalie by just 1 step.
Onto Choreography Corner with Karen Hardy, and a chance for each couples dances to be looked at, with especially good comments for Artem's foxtrot and Holly for her technique, and Kristina & Jason's charleston (although I suspect there was assistance from a specialist choreographer for that) and a fabulously detailed look at the difficulty of Aliona's quickstep routine using professional standard choreography at times, plus some tips for Chelsee.
Finally, it was time for a review of the costumes with fashion and textile designer Celia Birtwell and Oonagh O'Hagan.
Wednesday
30th November 2011
Starting the show, Holly & Artem were the first guests tonight, with Holly admitting that they're really depending on the public vote, and it was frustrating that the routine went well and they were still in the bottom two, while Artem gave his thoughts on the song choice and Lens comments. They'll be dancing the paso doble this week for Movie Week using the theme from Zorro, and Holly is loving it so far. Sounds like a great song for a paso, and I can't wait to see it.
It was Erin's turn to find out how she did in the 2011 Botafogo challenge, and she seemed completely laid back about the whole thing! She suggested it should be the number of spins in 30 seconds, which I suspect is because she wants something more ballroom appropriate - I think they should do fleckerls. Anyway, onto Erin's attempt, and it was 51 putting her in third place so far.
Time for the best bit of the ITT week next, with Waite's Wednesday Warm Up. Great comments and advice for all as usual, lots of demonstrations of steps. Fabulous darling.
Finally, Jason & Kristina graced the ITT studio, who explained that the camerawork hid most of the bit where Jason was a bit out of time with his kick section in the Charleston, but Kristina's going to keep challenging Jason, but as Zoe pointed out, he's now the oldest person left in the competition. American Smooth for them this week, dancing to "Singin' In The Rain", and Jason said they're going to try and pay homage to the Gene Kelly performance in the film. This is now the further through the competition that Kristina has got, and she got a bit emotional when Zoe reminded her of that. Aw, bless.
Thursday
1st December 2011
Boys training updates first tonight, with Robbie & Ola joining Zoe on the sofa. They've had a tough week as Robbie lost his great friend Gary Speed in tragic circumstances last weekend, but Ola's been fantastic in getting him through. They both thought they were going home last weekend after finishing bottom of the leaderboard, but more now than ever, Robbie appreciates that life's about living each day as it comes and having fun. Their song is "Little Green Bag" from Reservoir Dogs for their quickstep, and Ola admitted that she's had to get Robbie to work on being cool. And just don't make him spin!
Time to find Rent-A-Pro some more work, and he gave us a step by step guide to the American Smooth. Fabulous choice of pro for this segment, as his routine with Kelly Brook was the BEST EVER on Strictly, in my opinion.
Zoe took a trip down to wardrobe for a sneak peak at this weeks costumes before it was Ola's turn to show us her attempt at the ITT Pro Challenge for botafogo's in 30 seconds, and her score was revealed as ... 64, and she joins Aliona at the top of the leaderboard.
Girls training updates next and finally Zoe was joined by Chelsee & Pasha. I love these two, they've got such a great partnership, and Chelsee is so genuine, and Pasha seems to be getting used to the It Takes Two experience as well. Zoe had some presents for them - a tiara for Chelsee and some Shrek ears for Pasha in honour of their upcoming jive to "I'm A Believer" for Movie Week. Chelsee told us she'd be devastated if she didn't make it to the semi-final, and I have to be honest, so would I.
Friday
2nd December 2011
Last weeks top scoring couple, Harry & Aliona were the first inhabitants of the purple sofa tonight, and they were delighted with the scores, the swing-a-thon and Aliona thought it was so funny that Craig had to find something the pick on, but Harry admitted that Aliona noticed his pigeon toes on the very first day he walked into the training room. He's enjoying this weeks rumba, dancing to "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and has been getting a little too into the song over the weeks training.
Time for the Friday panel next with Tess Daly, DJ Sara Cox, and presenter and series 7 champion, Chris Hollins. Chris stole the show, and you could tell he and Sara were both fans, and I loved hearing his reminiscences (plus his jealousy of watching Ola dancing with Robbie). Good week.
A quick bit of filler with a video of the celebs telling us which role they would play in "Strictly: The Movie" to give Zoe time to get down to TC1 to catch up with Friday rehearsals. A quick chat with Jason and Chelsee in the wardrobe department, before into the main studio to chat with Holly, and then a glimpse of the pro charleston demo coming up this weekend, although as usual James Jordan couldn't be trusted, causing mayhem and generally encouraging the lot of them to mess about!