BBC "Strictly Come Dancing" in Coming Back!

[DanceMentor]

From BreakingNews.ie:

Antiques expert David Dickinson and actress Claire Sweeney are among the celebrities doing the cha cha cha in BBC1’s new Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing.

The revamp of Come Dancing, which ended in in 1996 following a ratings slump after almost 50 years on air, is being hosted by comeback king Bruce Forsyth.

A surge in popularity in ballroom dancing has inspired the BBC to revive the show, retitled Strictly Come Dancing.

Today Forsyth, who has been making a comeback since guest presenting Have I Got News For You?, unveiled the eight celebrities who are learning how to foxtrot and tango with professional dance partners.

They are Christopher Parker, who plays Spencer Moon in EastEnders, opera singer Lesley Garrett and the face of BBC Breakfast News Natasha Kaplinsky.

Former Rugby league player Martin Offiah, actress Verona Joseph who plays Holby City’s nurse Jess Griffin, and comedian Jason Wood – who teams up with a dancer called Kylie, are also taking part.

The dancers will face a public and studio vote each week when the least popular couple will be knocked out.

Two teams will compete on the final week for the Strictly Come Dancing crown.

Today Forsyth, 76, whose Generation Game once drew 21 million Saturday-night viewers to BBC1, said he might do a little dancing himself.

He joked: “After eight weeks we will crown the Strictly Come Dancing champions or I’ll be trying to make another comeback. It gets harder every time.”

Of his famous catchphrases, the nice to see you, to see you… star said: “I may slip one in if it fits the situation.

“There’s always room for another catchphrase. I’ve got about nine but could make 10.”

Forsyth said it would “be lovely” to be back on TV on Saturday night, making an “all round entertainment programme”.

He joked: “I’ve always felt that on Saturday nights there is a kinder audience. That’s probably because they’re drunk.”

Co-host Tess Daly will be backstage with the dancers before they go on stage.

Launching the show today, head of BBC Entertainment Group Wayne Garvy said Strictly Come Dancing was for viewers of all ages.

He said: “This is a really important show for the BBC and BBC1 in particular.

“For a long time people have been asking ‘what are we going to do a Saturday night?’.

“This is as different as it gets. It’s about bringing fun and excitement on to the schedule.

“We’re inviting the nation to come together and enjoy the thrills and spills of Strictly Come Dancing.”

Perma-tanned contestant David Dickinson said the dancing was “very tough”.

”I smoke and I drink whisky,” he said. “Will I get through this? I’m going to try.”

Strictly Come Dancing begins on May 15 on BBC1 and BBC3.

Now if they really want to make me happy, they will also air this on BBC America. :D

[dragon3085]

Hmm I wonder if this will be transferred to the bbc america channel as well?

[Sagitta]

It would be great if it would. I'm day after day thinking of cutting off cable as the only reason I watch it is weather once a day, BBC news once a day, and dance related stuff. Off and on the cooking channel, Quuer Eye for the Straight Guy, and sometimes if I want to nap something else, but there is barely any dancing on. It almost is becoming a waste. I would love to see more dancing.

[dragon3085]

I agree, I wish espn or bravo with televise an event or two more like they used too. What dance related stuff do you watch? In case I'm missing something.

Pat

[pygmalion]

There's no mention of "Come Dancing" on the BBC America web site. Yet. :( :?

[Pacion]

Hmmm, I think there is a bit of confusion here. Even I am confused!

Come Dancing, is different to "Strictly Come Dancing" (or used to be).

Strictly Come Dancing is a "teach a celebrity to dance in 2 easy lessons" competition (my understanding of it :wink: ) versus Come Dancing which was the televising of the various ballroom/latin competitions. :? It was thanks to Come Dancing that I saw Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather routines/caberet performances. :banana:

[MacMoto]

Come Dancing, is different to "Strictly Come Dancing" (or used to be).

Strictly Come Dancing is a "teach a celebrity to dance in 2 easy lessons" competition (my understanding of it :wink: ) versus Come Dancing which was the televising of the various ballroom/latin competitions. :?
It seems the BBC have decided that, rather than simply bringing back the old Come Dancing, a Celebrity Pop Idol/Fame Academy-type format will get a better rating. What a shame. :(

All is not lost though -- celebrities will be paired up with "real" dancers (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/04_april/21/dancing_dancers.shtml), who I hope will be allowed to show what they can really do, which may inspire viewers to take up dancing. Also, as I mentioned in another thread, there is going to be a slot to help dancing viewers find a partner.

[pygmalion]

It appears they're going after the reality TV audience. Eh! As long as there's more ballroom on TV, I'm okay with it! :wink: :D

[looyenyeo]

I saw some clips of it on TV last week. Some of the celebrities are looking quite good, they must be working on their dancing like crazy.

What's more, it looks like fun.

Loo

[Pacion]

Hey! If I was getting private tutition (all in the interest of a reality TV show of course :wink: ), I am sure that I could "cut quite a rug too!" :lol:

[DancingMommy]

Now if they really want to make me happy, they will also air this on BBC America. :D

AMEN!

[UniversityDancesport]

Well tommorrow tells all! I dont have bbc3 so have not seen any of the build up, but there are some interesting odds online, and mixed press in the uk! (Donnie burns was supposed to be involved in show, but does not seem to be any more, and has been quoted as being dubious, saying it was a potential shambles...)
some vids on BBC site...

hopefully it will work for positive in long run though! (Even if its just the contrast in fashion etc!)

Caroline
www.universitydancesport.com

[pygmalion]

Thanks UniversityDancesport. I'm just hoping the show, even a few episodes, end up on BBC America, the US network that broadcasts British programs. Shambles or no, dancesport is hard to find on American telly.

[UniversityDancesport]

No probs. I think alot of people are recording it here, and will let you know if there are any more weblinks. However one of ex students has turned keeping up with the media stuff into a pet project


http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing

[UniversityDancesport]

would it still have the same appeal in US, without knowing the celebs?

You guys had "faking it" and "big brother" after us, so maybe you will get this aswell?

[pygmalion]

No probs. I think alot of people are recording it here, and will let you know if there are any more weblinks. However one of ex students has turned keeping up with the media stuff into a pet project

http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/news.htm

If you scroll down you will see all the uk media, and links to existing vids.

Excellent. Thanks. 8)

[Scotweb]

The series looks like being fun. I've been watching all the lead up on BBC3 and the live program on BBC1. OK, if you are a purist you won't like it but I say any dancing is better than none and it's sure to create some intertest in dance. Our club has a centre page spread in the Aberdeen Evening Express as a result of the new series.

BBC3 is showing behind the scenes training every night for the next 8 weeks! Tell me that ain't good for dance :D

d

[SDsalsaguy]

BBC3 is showing behind the scenes training every night for the next 8 weeks! Tell me that ain't good for dance :D
That sounds great! ...wish it was airing over here... :(

[tango]

Ok - so i admit its me i am the Strictly Come Dancing Media Clip Demon :D

I have been collecting all the stuff on my website from way back in october last year. Also i am intending to do regular updates/polls/results etc, so i hope that it is useful to anybody looking for info.

Today i have done a complete overhaul and have given Strictly Come Dancing it's own page on our Site.

Ian & Victoria's Come Dancing Page (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing)

Regards
Victoria
____________________
www.ianvictoria.co.uk (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk)

[pygmalion]

Thanks, Victoria. You're a jewel! :D

[UltraMagnus]

Agreed!

[Scotweb]

The BBC's own Strictly site isn't bad.....gossip, video clips etc, fast too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

[pygmalion]

Are there two different programs? One in the UK, one in Australia? Apparently, Strictly Come Dancing is such a hit in Australia that a second series of shows have already been approved. Here's an article from The Weekend Australian. 8)

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9627465%255E2702,00.html

[Victoria]

Ok - so i admit its me i am the Strictly Come Dancing Media Clip Demon :D

I have been collecting all the stuff on my website from way back in october last year. Also i am intending to do regular updates/polls/results etc, so i hope that it is useful to anybody looking for info.

Today i have done a complete overhaul and have given Strictly Come Dancing it's own page on our Site.

Ian & Victoria's Come Dancing Page (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing)

Regards
Victoria
____________________
www.ianvictoria.co.uk (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk)


Ok so i am back but under my real name now - Tango is no longer!

Just to keep you guys updated. Yes there are 2 different programmes one in UK & one in Australia.
I am keeping up with the UK one. This saturday the competition is coming live from the "Blackpool Tower Ballroom" as Blackpool is where all the pro's will be competing in the Open British championships.

You can check out my website for updates:

Ian & Victoria's Come Dancing Page (http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing)

Regards
Victoria

[pygmalion]

Thanks for the clarification, Victoria. I wondered. 8)

And welcome again, under your "new" name. :D

[pygmalion]

Hmm. Interesting editorial here. Makes me wonder how popular ballroom dance really is in the UK, Australia and other places. Moreso than in the US, perhaps. :roll:

http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/eddesk.nsf/0/F73257A791106B55CA256E7E002CB7B7?OpenDocument

[robin]

I certainly wouldn't describe ballroom dancing as being "popular" in the UK, though the "strictly come dancing" show has brought it back into the public mind a bit more. Dancing is very popular in Germany, and I imagine it must be in eastern europe, considering the large number of excellent competitors from there!

Last saturday's show saw Paul Killick (+Verona) being knocked out, doing Paso of all things. They didn't have much time to practice apparently so it looked pretty under-rehearsed. Also the viewers liked the two remaining male celebreties (a soap star and a pretty legendary rugby player) so they stayed due to the audience vote.

Some of the dancing is actually really impressive considering the short amount of time they've had to do it. Particularly Natash Kaplinsky (morning tv host on bbc) who dances with Brendan Cole looks pretty polished for having only a couple of weeks of training...

Robin

[MacMoto]

Some of the dancing is actually really impressive considering the short amount of time they've had to do it. Particularly Natash Kaplinsky (morning tv host on bbc) who dances with Brendan Cole looks pretty polished for having only a couple of weeks of training...
I still haven't had a chance to see the show (I mean, why do they have to put it on Saturday night, when dancers are out dancing? :? Ironically, my non-dancing ex says he's been watching it) and didn't realise Natasha Kaplinsky was in it. I like her in the morning news show. I've also just noticed Lesley Garrett (opera singer) is among the contestants... I think I'll tape the next show.

[pygmalion]

Hmm. why is it that non-dancing ex's see the value in dancing only after you've given up and moved on? :roll: :x

That said, Saturday night seems like a poor choice of time slot. why not Sunday, when people are at home viewing? A Saturday night time slot is where TV programs in the US go to die. :?

[Victoria]

Interestingly the show is on sunday night this week, because of the Euro 2004 football. This may be interesting as the viewing figures could increase.

We shall see.

More strictly come dancing stuff available from my site.

[pygmalion]

Thanks Victoria. I'll check it out. 8)

[robin]

It appears they are already thinking about a 2nd series...

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds14711.html

the article also claims that i's very successful in terms of ratings (without giving figures)..

[pygmalion]

Now if only they'd export it to the US ... :idea: :roll:

[dave_aw]

Well given the recent trend of US Networks remaking UK TV hits, I'd imagine someone in the US is considering a US version, which will then ironically re-exported back to us over in the UK to watch!

[pygmalion]

One can only hope! :wink: :lol:

[Emlou85]

I have thoroughly enjoyed Strictly Come Dancing over the past couple of weeks, unfortunately I missed the first four or five episodes! Did anyone out there record ANY of the episodes of the show which they could let me have a copy of? (I will cover costs and live in the U.K.)

I have contacted the BBC to ask them if they are planning on releasing the programme on video or DVD, but at the moment there are no plans to do so. However, I have been given an address to write to, if you wish to suggest that the programme should be released on video/DVD:

Commissioning Editor
BBC Worldwide
Woodlands
80 Wood Lane
London W12 OTT

[pygmalion]

Is DVD format the same internationally? Meaning, VHS tapes produced in the UK have to be converted before being viewable in the US. And PAL to NTSC (?) format is readily available, here, but it's pretty expensive. Video games are also in different formats in the US versus, say, Europe. (Don't ask how I know LOL) How about DVD's? Are they in the same data format?

[cl5814]

Is DVD format the same internationally? Meaning, VHS tapes produced in the UK have to be converted before being viewable in the US. And PAL to NTSC (?) format is readily available, here, but it's pretty expensive. Video games are also in different formats in the US versus, say, Europe. (Don't ask how I know LOL) How about DVD's? Are they in the same data format?

DVD's have region codes. You would not be able to use a dvd from europe here. Check the back cover of your dvd - it normally has the region code on there.
You can download/buy dvd region free software for your pc.
You can also purchase a dvd region free player - only online - not available in stores, well not the ones i have checked in any case.
I also learned this the hard way.

[Laura]

My husband and I watch a lot of Asian films, so we bought an all-region DVD player that can handle both PAL and NTSC formats. We have the Malata DVP-520, and love it. Malata is not known in the US, but it is a high-quality brand, either from Hong Kong or Taiwan, I can't recall which.

[DancingMommy]

That reminds mme - we need to pick up a new DVD/VCD playeer on our trip through Singapore.....

[Chris Stratton]

DVD players have gotten so ($40) cheap though that rather than hauling one back from a trip you might almost be better off buying an extra one or two locally and setting them to foreign regions you care about (you are supposed to be able to change the region only 4 or 5 tmes over the life of the player, though the mechanism for enforcing this might not always be robust).

[Pacion]

DVD's have region codes. You would not be able to use a dvd from europe here. Check the back cover of your dvd - it normally has the region code on there.
You can download/buy dvd region free software for your pc.
You can also purchase a dvd region free player - only online - not available in stores, well not the ones i have checked in any case.
I also learned this the hard way.

Sorry Cl5814, depending on how one reads your post, that is not entirely correct. If you buy a DVD coded as Universal/Region Free in Europe or anywhere else in the world for that matter, it will work, anywhere in teh world. DVDs have nine regions/categories at this present time. 1-8 and the '9th' is all regions/universal. www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/502554+DVD+regions&hl=en]From (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cache:-y-UJSnSPBYJ:[url) Amazon.co.uk[/url]

Region 0 (or "region free") is compatible with DVD players from any region.

The majority of all current titles play only in one specific region unless otherwise noted.

0 = Region Free
1 = US,
2 = UK, Europe, Japan, South Africa and Middle East
3 = Southeast and East Asia
4 = Australia, New Zealand, Central and South America (including the Caribbean)
5 = Former Soviet Union, Indian sub-continent, Africa, North Korea and Mongolia
6 = China
7 = Reserved for future use
8 = International Territories (ships, planes etc)

The Amazon link gives you a further breakdown of the countries that come under the various classifications.

When it comes to the players, this is the sticky part :|

Region 1 discs are intended for use with standard DVD players in North America (Canada and the USA). In most instances they can also be played on compatible "multi-region" DVD players (also known as "chipped" or "region-free" players).

They also require an NTSC-compatible television. NTSC is the standard picture format in North America, and differs from the PAL format adopted in Britain and Europe. Region 1 DVDs are usually presented in NTSC format, so you should ensure that your TV is capable of reading the NTSC signal before purchasing Region 1 DVDs.

Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE)

Regional Coding Enhancement (RCE) has been added by some film studios (specifically Warner and Columbia) to selected Region 1 DVDs, with the intention of preventing these discs from playing on some multi-region DVD players. We are therefore unable to guarantee that all Region 1 discs will be compatible with all multi-region players.

[Laura]

DVD players have gotten so ($40) cheap though that rather than hauling one back from a trip you might almost be better off buying an extra one or two locally and setting them to foreign regions you care about (you are supposed to be able to change the region only 4 or 5 tmes over the life of the player, though the mechanism for enforcing this might not always be robust).

Right, so every time I want to watch a different DVD from a different region I have to find the right DVD player, the right remote, etc etc. It's easier just to buy the universal DVD player and bypass this whole region scam to being with! And what if I want to play Audio CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, SVCD, or MP3 CD? My Malata does it all, plus can double as a Karaoke machine :-)

Unfortunately, I just learned that the Malata DVP-520 is out of production and is out of stock from our source (http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/), but they recommend the Jaton PSD-7611K as an alternative.

[DanceMentor]

Could we get someone who has access to the show in England to tape a few episodes and send them stateside? I would be happy to pay the expense of doing so.

[DancingMommy]

We'll be getting DVD ripping/authoring software when we go, so we could most likely be able to burn it....

[Chris Stratton]

So how many of you are planning to vote for congressmen who made the things you are proposing largely illegal, and seem intent on making them even more so?

[Pacion]

Could we get someone who has access to the show in England to tape a few episodes and send them stateside? I would be happy to pay the expense of doing so.

DM, I believe the programme has finished now, with the last/final being 3 July. The thing would be to find someone who taped any of it at all (or if there are repeats to catch it then?)

I unfortunately did not get to see any of it so can't help.

[robin]

The programme has finished indeed and the "dancers favourites" won over the more popular soap-star despite the result being decided entirely on audience vote...

The winning couple (Brendan Cole dancing with a News presenter called Natasha Kaplinsky) were actually pretty amazingly good considering she had a total of less than 3 months training.

I don't know if anyone has videos, but the website has some very low res clips on it at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/

[Victoria]

I have started a discussion board on my site regarding Strictly Come Dancing - people are trading videos etc. You are welcome to visit for more information:

http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/comedancing

Follow the link to the discussion board (under the polls).