Strictly not funny

My favorite TV show at the moment is Strictly Come Dancing (known as Dancing with the Stars in Holland), or at least it was until tonight.

I’m sure you know the format: a number of innocent celebrities are paired up with professional dancers. Each week, each couple dances and they are given grades by professional judges. The public is also allowed to vote for their favorite couples and together, these scores determine which two couples have to do their routine again in a dance-off. Based on these performances, the judges then vote which couple has to stay. There were 16 celebrities this year, more than ever, and after this week, there are only 7 left.

There is, however, one couple that have the entire country in an uproar. The celebrity, John Sergeant, is a BBC political correspondent, he’s well into his sixties, and he’s rather, shall we say, portly. He also has two left feet and he’s obviously the ‘politically correct’ contestant this year. I don’t think anybody expected him to last beyond week two, but somehow he’s managed to get the popular vote, and he has managed to avoid the dance-off so far.

I must say, I am really impressed with his professional dance-partner Kristina. Somehow, every week, she choreographs a routine that John can barely manage, every week she looks fantastic on the floor, and every week she keeps him there. It is commendable. No matter which dance it is, or how incredibly clever the choreography, he manages to make it look the same. His tango resembled his walz, resembled his paso doble, resembled his samba and so on. It’s actually quite a feat, thinking about it.

Some of the British public seem to love him, causing an interesting split in the Strictly-audience. Because what is the purpose of this show? Is it a dance competition, in which the best dancer is supposed to win? Or is it entertainment, where any joke is allowed? So far, the people who support the entertainment-stance seem to be winning, because John is still there. I don’t much see the entertainment value of an old man stomping across the floor with a beautiful girl who is young enough to be his granddaughter. In fact, I think it’s rather pathetic and it would be great if the doddering stumbler could finally be put out of his misery, but there you have it.

But here’s the thing. The other remaining couples were really great, all the relatively ‘bad’ dancers have been voted out, John being the only dead wood (literally) remaining. But instead of voting him off, this weekend he avoided the dance off again, causing a great couple to be forced to leave. And so, yet again, a cheap laugh has won over great dancing. And in my opinion, the joke has gone just too far.

So if anyone knows of a good movie on TV next week, please let me know. I don’t think I’ll be watching the dancing: it’s just too painful.