I think they definately overplayed that - just because the two link together doesn't mean it needs to be seen on screen. Guess though it kind of replaced the chats with the waiting celebs sat in the studio from the old version.
One thing which is lacking on this set is presentational positions - Holly and Phil could only really host from one place next to the judges within the main set or the training rink, though they did take a higher vantage point to introduce the pros-skate (which I felt was rather underwhelming to be honest). On the old set they had the main stage where Phil talked to contestants, plus the raised area above, then positioned by the judges and amongst the seated contestants and also Phil would often link from within the audience too, plus the Skate Off was announced from rink side and I think in the last couple of series Christine talked to skaters in the tunnel as well.
I agree about the presentation positions being restricted. I personally feel they could have had slightly shorter screens around the rink with the audience seating above. They could also have had an area in the middle (like previous series) for Phil and Holly to do the main presenting. Its as if someone designed the set and forgot about Phil and Holly needing to be there.
I feel like the camera angles are more restricted now with the audience being out of shot and some of the angles were awkward as they were obviously from the top of the seating. The set features are nice but need a bit of rearranging to work nicely.
I thought it looked a bit lonely on the set without being able to see the audience in the background, just watching screens with animations on them. In fact, I think the screen animations detracted from the main skating performances.
I thought it looked a bit lonely on the set without being able to see the audience in the background, just watching screens with animations on them. In fact, I think the screen animations detracted from the main skating performances.
I thought it was a bit weird you couldn't see the audience too, as that was a big part of how the show looked in its original incarnation.
I thought it looked a bit lonely on the set without being able to see the audience in the background, just watching screens with animations on them. In fact, I think the screen animations detracted from the main skating performances.
I thought it was a bit weird you couldn't see the audience too, as that was a big part of how the show looked in its original incarnation.
Though the audience were shown every time they cut to the commentary area before the scores were announced.
I thought it looked a bit lonely on the set without being able to see the audience in the background, just watching screens with animations on them. In fact, I think the screen animations detracted from the main skating performances.
I thought it was a bit weird you couldn't see the audience too, as that was a big part of how the show looked in its original incarnation.
Though the audience were shown every time they cut to the commentary area before the scores were announced.
I know, it just looked odd because that's what I was used to.
I think it seemed to lose a bit of the atmosphere without the audience in the background too but maybe that’s simply because we remember it was such a prominent feature of the original show. I see why they’ve done it - the screens do look great and you still get some audience on the wide shots. Just another thing that Strictly has got bang on.
The leaderboard was a great idea, nice to see augmented reality used for something other than footballers posing.
Can’t say I was much of a fan of the new commentator although replacing a voice like Tony Gubba was always going to be difficult.
The guy who replaced Gubba in the first incarnation was pretty good. I presume he may be off at the Olympics though which is the difficulty they would have faced launching this show on a winter Olympic season.
I was half expecting the show to reinvent itself to a 2018 audience. Much like Strictly where there's all the contestants on the balcony supporting everyone with team spirit and for there to be a bit more of a 'show' with the performances with props and staging etc. They done it with Antony Cotton but his was the only one.
In fact unfortunately it just seems that the show is just carrying on as it did before with very little changes. The judges need to get their scoring on balance, the commentator needs to be a bit less grating, and I'm not a fan of the set compared to the last ones.
Overall 4 years since the 'final' series and I already got a bit bored with the show tonight. I will persevere for now but going the full 10 weeks is dubious.
I think it seemed to lose a bit of the atmosphere without the audience in the background too but maybe that’s simply because we remember it was such a prominent feature of the original show...
Certainly reduce the atmosphere. It made it seem as though the applause was canned applause with there being no head-on shots of the audience. I think the camerawork also was limited due to them filming in a seemingly smaller studio than previous.
I will, however, watch again. But things need to be changed.
I loved the idea of the leaderboard being done in the way it was.
I also understand why the roles of Holly and Phil have changed, but I preferred them being more static- one with the contestant, the other with the judges.
I feel like the studio and set really inhibited the overall show which is a shame when it's so purpose built. The set really reminds me of Stephen Mulhern's Catchphrase set.
As previously said- I really think this rink is smaller than we've seen before.