Reality TV
What the judges said: 'Strictly' Week Five
Published Sunday, Oct 31 2010, 12:25 GMT | By Alex Fletcher
The remaining 11 celebrities danced a variety of routines last night, but how did their performances fare with the judges? Keep reading to find out Len, Bruno, Alesha and Craig's verdicts:
Pamela Stephenson and James Jordan - Jive
Len: (7) "As always it was a solid performance. The pivot section was tremendous. It was a shame because you got into a pickle at one point after the throw, but as always you came out, high energy - well done."
Bruno: (7) "Pamela, I never knew that hell could be so much fun. But I think you were having so much fun you messed up a few steps. It's the first time that you have done so. You weren't as sharp as usual and as clean as usual and it was evident."
Craig: (6) "You have great musicality and that is clear for all to see. The kicks, however, were a bit laboured. Your feet need to be together in the slide through and the landing was a bit rough because of that. And I have to agree with Alesha that I don't think this dance suited you."
Alesha: (7) "Well done on jiving down the stairs. For me, really good basic steps, but I'm not sure that this dance really suits your style as much as other dances. It was a little messy and a tad tippy-toey. It lacked the real drive and punch we expected from a jive. However, you always dance with conviction and I enjoyed it."
Total: 28
Tina O'Brien and Jared Murillo - Argentine Tango
Len: (8) "I thought the lifts were excellent, they flowed with the dance, I thought the steps were clear and precise, I can see the dancer emerging. That's your best dance to date, congratulations."
Bruno: (7) "Gorgeous, you kinky kitten, you go very well with rubber, I can see you in rubber all the time! The most focused performance of the day, you were right in it, very vampish. However, it needs more drive on the walks of the tango, you need to use your feet on those hooks."
Craig: (6) "It was sort of a gothic version of Olivia Newton John really, in Grease, which I thought was a bit bizarre. Then it got bizarrer. They need to have a lot more swivel. There needs to be a lot more of an A frame through this dance. You need to work with a connection through your solar plexus and that really wasn't happening. It was a bit stoppy and a bit starty. I actually was just a little bit bored throughout it."
Alesha: (7) "Really nice change from last week, Tina. Obviously this dance is all about being seductive and I think you acted that side of it really, really well. The Argentine steps that you did were really nice - I liked all the leg kicks but for me you were still a little lukewarm. This isn't a bad thing but I think we've got more to come from you. I think you can push it jut a little bit more. But the acting and the role play was really well done."
Total: 28
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev - Paso Doble
Len: (9) "The last few weeks, we've seen a bit of spark - tonight there was a fire. It is kicking off and this was your best dance."
Bruno: (9) "Luscious drama, oozing with brilliant dancing!"
Craig: (9) "I really loved it. I have to say, it finally had some passion, thank you darling."
Alesha: (10) -
Total: 37
Patsy Kensit and Robin Windsor - Jive
Len: (8) "It was a tad slow getting started, but once it did I really enjoyed it. Some very sharp kicks and flicks, very clean and I thought the routine had balance. I though the routine had a good balance of technique and good choreography. Very well done."
Bruno: (8) "I love it when you do camp. You can do camp, you can comedy. You pitch it just right. It was the sharpest you have ever been. You should be proud."
Craig: (7) "I very much enjoyed the camp nature of the choreography. I really wish it was that easy to make a man that looked like him. Very good change of hands. The side by side stuff was absolutely fantastic. You got a bit stuck with the legs and the recovery wasn't that good, it was a bit laboured, but I think you did a fine job."
Alesha: (8) "All your training and hard work has definitely paid off. You are making it look effortless. You have a natural swing to the way you dance and when you are standing in front of Robin, you are still in time and you still look great. I loved the story and I just love you."
Total: 31
Felicity Kendal and Vincent Simone - Viennese Waltz
Len: (7) "It had a nice feeling of romance. Your posture was much better. It took a bit of a time to get down here and on to the floor. But once you did get down it was pretty good. Your footwork was up the swanny river a bit. All balls and no heels. But don't start booing me, I liked it."
Bruno: (7) "I loved the dark opening, two strangers meeting, it was like a secret society - the Da Vinci Code! But the thing is, you didn't follow it through. I think you were starting to laugh in the middle of it. Yes you did! You gave it away. You must keep it up."
Craig: (6) "For me, it started with great promise. There was great mystery and drama with the storytelling. And there was a great backstanding spin, which I absolutely loved. But when you got on the dancefloor it unravelled slightly. You fell a bit behind Vincent and were trying to keep up. A bit lumpy on those travelling splits, you need to straighten that leading leg slightly darling because it looks ugly."
Alesha: (6) "I loved how you started dancing with the mask and the capes, you set the scene. But I have to agree with Len, the walking down the stairs was wasting time and you lost me a bit. You lost the flow of the dance. It lacked a bit of movement and was a tad jerky. I loved the romance of the dance and the splits, but it didn't really do it for me."
Total: 26
Jimi Mistry and Flavia Cacace - Paso Doble
Len: (7) "It was like you crept out of a crypt and once you crept out and on to the floor you were straight into character. I liked the lift with the cape, but then after that you just wafted it and wafted it, which got on my wick. But apart from that I thought it was a fantastic dance. Well done."
Bruno: (8) "You obviously love being the flesh-eating living dead. You dance better as the living dead than you ever have. Stay in character, love!"
Craig: (7) "I have to agree with the others. Great storytelling. Full of intent, full of purpose. I really loved the shapes you were knocking out there. Absolutely fantastic."
Alesha: (8) "The drama, the passion, you acted it all the way through, you gave 110%. It is so difficult for the male celebrities to get the shaping right in this dance, but you gave it a good go and you were believable. Well done."
Total: 30
Michelle Williams and Brendan Cole - Jive
Len: (6) "I'm from a ballroom background and I was bitterly disappointed with it. I'm sorry. The first half, I loved because it was proper jive, but then it got caught up in the story of the 'Time Warp' and the last three quarters of it was all the 'Time Warp'."
Bruno: (8) "Oh what were you on! It was like a delightfully demented Wonder Woman unleashed upon the jive. It had nothing to do with technique. The performance was demented."
Craig: (7) "I wouldn't say demented, I would say lobotomised darling - but in a good way. I think that dance is the sort of routine people will love or hate. But as I'm from a theatrical background... I loved it! Quirky and character driven - well done."
Alesha: (8) "Michelle, that was entertaining. It was kind of how I would imagine Tina Turner would do the jive. I don't care, I thought the basic steps were good. You are both barking mad. Well done!"
Total: 29
Gavin Henson and Katya Virshilas - Paso Doble
Len: (7) "You are working your assets and I think that's a good idea. I can tell that you put a lot of work into that dance. Those knee walks are really tricky to do and when you lifted your leg there was a point to your foot which was very encouraging. It lacks a bit of passion, but it's on the way."
Bruno: (7) "I love when you come out of your shell. You have to reveal more of yourself. You can achieve really beautiful lines and you can achieve great posture at times. You have to believe in yourself and work on musicality because you have got it."
Craig: (5) "The turns need finessing, they are pedestrian. The hand shaping is still out of whack and you still have musicality problems. The whole thing was a lot of posturing, however there is a small chink in the armour that I saw tonight. Finally we have a hint of personality!"
Alesha: (7) "I disagree with Len, I think that was very passionate and sexy. It was a really nice attempt. Your body does look amazing, which really helps, because the shaping looked wonderful. But you know what, you can always give more, keep at it. It will come with time."
Total: 26
Scott Maslen and Natalie Lowe - Viennese Waltz
Len: (10) "Last week good, this week great. It was absolutely spellbinding!"
Bruno: (10) "Scot! You bewitching warlock. You just created dance magic!"
Craig: (9) -
Alesha: (10) "I think you just hypnotised the whole room. That was magical. Wonderful."
Total: 39
Ann Widdecombe and Anton Du Beke - Paso Doble
Len: (5) "It's a bit like when there's an accident on the motorway. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself. But well done."
Bruno: (4) "I don't think I will ever recover from that ending. You looked like a tug boat being dragged around there. It was heavy."
Craig: (2) "I only have three letters my love. O-M-G."
Alesha: (5) "A humble entrance this week, Ann. The only criticism I have Ann is the counting out loud. Try doing that in your head. And I didn't mind it. You walked around without much conviction and then Anton was dragging you around like an appliance. It was like she was a hoover or something. But it was very entertaining."
Total: 16
Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani -
Len: (8) "There was focus, there was intensity. But yes there was a little wobble by us down here and unlike Bruno, the first lift was great, but the rest didn't fit in with the dance. I don't want you just saying, 'look I can pick her up'. It's got to have a feeling of the dance. It's the truth! You just picking her up is of no consequence."
Bruno: (9) "It was Matt out of hell with super-power and super-dancing. Those lifts were incredible."
Craig: (8) "At times a little shaky and you messed up that little section in front of us down here. But I have to say you are dynamic!"
Alesha: (9) "I could feel your nerves tonight Matt, but don't worry. It was sexy, it was hot, it was passionate. Well done."
Total: 34
Len: (7) "As always it was a solid performance. The pivot section was tremendous. It was a shame because you got into a pickle at one point after the throw, but as always you came out, high energy - well done."
Bruno: (7) "Pamela, I never knew that hell could be so much fun. But I think you were having so much fun you messed up a few steps. It's the first time that you have done so. You weren't as sharp as usual and as clean as usual and it was evident."
Craig: (6) "You have great musicality and that is clear for all to see. The kicks, however, were a bit laboured. Your feet need to be together in the slide through and the landing was a bit rough because of that. And I have to agree with Alesha that I don't think this dance suited you."
Alesha: (7) "Well done on jiving down the stairs. For me, really good basic steps, but I'm not sure that this dance really suits your style as much as other dances. It was a little messy and a tad tippy-toey. It lacked the real drive and punch we expected from a jive. However, you always dance with conviction and I enjoyed it."
Total: 28
Len: (8) "I thought the lifts were excellent, they flowed with the dance, I thought the steps were clear and precise, I can see the dancer emerging. That's your best dance to date, congratulations."
Bruno: (7) "Gorgeous, you kinky kitten, you go very well with rubber, I can see you in rubber all the time! The most focused performance of the day, you were right in it, very vampish. However, it needs more drive on the walks of the tango, you need to use your feet on those hooks."
Craig: (6) "It was sort of a gothic version of Olivia Newton John really, in Grease, which I thought was a bit bizarre. Then it got bizarrer. They need to have a lot more swivel. There needs to be a lot more of an A frame through this dance. You need to work with a connection through your solar plexus and that really wasn't happening. It was a bit stoppy and a bit starty. I actually was just a little bit bored throughout it."
Alesha: (7) "Really nice change from last week, Tina. Obviously this dance is all about being seductive and I think you acted that side of it really, really well. The Argentine steps that you did were really nice - I liked all the leg kicks but for me you were still a little lukewarm. This isn't a bad thing but I think we've got more to come from you. I think you can push it jut a little bit more. But the acting and the role play was really well done."
Total: 28
Len: (9) "The last few weeks, we've seen a bit of spark - tonight there was a fire. It is kicking off and this was your best dance."
Bruno: (9) "Luscious drama, oozing with brilliant dancing!"
Craig: (9) "I really loved it. I have to say, it finally had some passion, thank you darling."
Alesha: (10) -
Total: 37
Len: (8) "It was a tad slow getting started, but once it did I really enjoyed it. Some very sharp kicks and flicks, very clean and I thought the routine had balance. I though the routine had a good balance of technique and good choreography. Very well done."
Bruno: (8) "I love it when you do camp. You can do camp, you can comedy. You pitch it just right. It was the sharpest you have ever been. You should be proud."
Craig: (7) "I very much enjoyed the camp nature of the choreography. I really wish it was that easy to make a man that looked like him. Very good change of hands. The side by side stuff was absolutely fantastic. You got a bit stuck with the legs and the recovery wasn't that good, it was a bit laboured, but I think you did a fine job."
Alesha: (8) "All your training and hard work has definitely paid off. You are making it look effortless. You have a natural swing to the way you dance and when you are standing in front of Robin, you are still in time and you still look great. I loved the story and I just love you."
Total: 31
Len: (7) "It had a nice feeling of romance. Your posture was much better. It took a bit of a time to get down here and on to the floor. But once you did get down it was pretty good. Your footwork was up the swanny river a bit. All balls and no heels. But don't start booing me, I liked it."
Bruno: (7) "I loved the dark opening, two strangers meeting, it was like a secret society - the Da Vinci Code! But the thing is, you didn't follow it through. I think you were starting to laugh in the middle of it. Yes you did! You gave it away. You must keep it up."
Craig: (6) "For me, it started with great promise. There was great mystery and drama with the storytelling. And there was a great backstanding spin, which I absolutely loved. But when you got on the dancefloor it unravelled slightly. You fell a bit behind Vincent and were trying to keep up. A bit lumpy on those travelling splits, you need to straighten that leading leg slightly darling because it looks ugly."
Alesha: (6) "I loved how you started dancing with the mask and the capes, you set the scene. But I have to agree with Len, the walking down the stairs was wasting time and you lost me a bit. You lost the flow of the dance. It lacked a bit of movement and was a tad jerky. I loved the romance of the dance and the splits, but it didn't really do it for me."
Total: 26
Len: (7) "It was like you crept out of a crypt and once you crept out and on to the floor you were straight into character. I liked the lift with the cape, but then after that you just wafted it and wafted it, which got on my wick. But apart from that I thought it was a fantastic dance. Well done."
Bruno: (8) "You obviously love being the flesh-eating living dead. You dance better as the living dead than you ever have. Stay in character, love!"
Craig: (7) "I have to agree with the others. Great storytelling. Full of intent, full of purpose. I really loved the shapes you were knocking out there. Absolutely fantastic."
Alesha: (8) "The drama, the passion, you acted it all the way through, you gave 110%. It is so difficult for the male celebrities to get the shaping right in this dance, but you gave it a good go and you were believable. Well done."
Total: 30
Len: (6) "I'm from a ballroom background and I was bitterly disappointed with it. I'm sorry. The first half, I loved because it was proper jive, but then it got caught up in the story of the 'Time Warp' and the last three quarters of it was all the 'Time Warp'."
Bruno: (8) "Oh what were you on! It was like a delightfully demented Wonder Woman unleashed upon the jive. It had nothing to do with technique. The performance was demented."
Craig: (7) "I wouldn't say demented, I would say lobotomised darling - but in a good way. I think that dance is the sort of routine people will love or hate. But as I'm from a theatrical background... I loved it! Quirky and character driven - well done."
Alesha: (8) "Michelle, that was entertaining. It was kind of how I would imagine Tina Turner would do the jive. I don't care, I thought the basic steps were good. You are both barking mad. Well done!"
Total: 29
Len: (7) "You are working your assets and I think that's a good idea. I can tell that you put a lot of work into that dance. Those knee walks are really tricky to do and when you lifted your leg there was a point to your foot which was very encouraging. It lacks a bit of passion, but it's on the way."
Bruno: (7) "I love when you come out of your shell. You have to reveal more of yourself. You can achieve really beautiful lines and you can achieve great posture at times. You have to believe in yourself and work on musicality because you have got it."
Craig: (5) "The turns need finessing, they are pedestrian. The hand shaping is still out of whack and you still have musicality problems. The whole thing was a lot of posturing, however there is a small chink in the armour that I saw tonight. Finally we have a hint of personality!"
Alesha: (7) "I disagree with Len, I think that was very passionate and sexy. It was a really nice attempt. Your body does look amazing, which really helps, because the shaping looked wonderful. But you know what, you can always give more, keep at it. It will come with time."
Total: 26
Len: (10) "Last week good, this week great. It was absolutely spellbinding!"
Bruno: (10) "Scot! You bewitching warlock. You just created dance magic!"
Craig: (9) -
Alesha: (10) "I think you just hypnotised the whole room. That was magical. Wonderful."
Total: 39
Len: (5) "It's a bit like when there's an accident on the motorway. You don't want to look, but you can't help yourself. But well done."
Bruno: (4) "I don't think I will ever recover from that ending. You looked like a tug boat being dragged around there. It was heavy."
Craig: (2) "I only have three letters my love. O-M-G."
Alesha: (5) "A humble entrance this week, Ann. The only criticism I have Ann is the counting out loud. Try doing that in your head. And I didn't mind it. You walked around without much conviction and then Anton was dragging you around like an appliance. It was like she was a hoover or something. But it was very entertaining."
Total: 16
Len: (8) "There was focus, there was intensity. But yes there was a little wobble by us down here and unlike Bruno, the first lift was great, but the rest didn't fit in with the dance. I don't want you just saying, 'look I can pick her up'. It's got to have a feeling of the dance. It's the truth! You just picking her up is of no consequence."
Bruno: (9) "It was Matt out of hell with super-power and super-dancing. Those lifts were incredible."
Craig: (8) "At times a little shaky and you messed up that little section in front of us down here. But I have to say you are dynamic!"
Alesha: (9) "I could feel your nerves tonight Matt, but don't worry. It was sexy, it was hot, it was passionate. Well done."
Total: 34
Previous: In Pictures: 'Strictly' Week Five
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