Deserved recommission and even though the rating have dropped a million or so since launch they're still higher than anything that aired in the years between.
Very true, he suits a suit a lot better for this programme.
This series feels a little flat to me. I partially think it's because of the lack of voiceover at the top of the programme and before the routines. I know that the X Factor and BGT have gone down that route, but there was something especially tonight going from the titles to Phillip & Holly standing there next to the judges.
The set design also feels like it forgot about presentation areas. The previous sets for the programme allowed a grand intro with the presenters on the upper deck before an intro of the judges, with presentation areas next to the judges & rink side in both versions along with the far side of the rink where Phil stood for the results. Compared to this version (not including training rink) they have the one area by the judges as the main area, and the far rink for the results, vote open and interactive scoreboard. The links above the audience and above the screens are second thoughts, don't look right and were not designed with presentation of the programme in mind.
It has improved since the first week effort I’ll give them that, a bit awkward to see the skaters skate to the area next to the judges and just stand there after the routine only for Phillip and Holly to magically appear after the commentary!
I also miss Phillip doing the vote results on his own where he would confirm he had the results via his earpiece, then turn round to the contestants and announce them...often with a ‘The next couple through...’ - (camera back to Phillip) ‘to be revealed after the break!’. They have so many breaks anyway that element used to work quite well! Holly just doesn’t have the voice and presence to make her announcements stand out so it sounds odd them both doing it
Just watched it due the first time since the reboot. It's still a good show, but it has felt the need to be more like Strictly with the 4-man judging panel and presenter in the practice rink. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but drawing parallels is a dangerous thing as it takes a lot more work to make ice dancing look passable to an audience compared to ballroom. The first few weeks of the sure could easily just be big long training sequences so we could journey with the celebs through the difficult early stages, rather than plonk them on the ice and wait for them all to improve.
The audio mixing is dire too, ITV has a habit with these live shows to have the audience mics way up in the mix to make the reactions seem bigger, but it often just makes the studio sound cavernous and makes the judges harder to make out without shouting.
Last edited by OboeShoes on 29 January 2018 9:34am
The biggest concern so far is Lemar doing the same skate off routine week after week, regardless of your opinion on if he should stay. They introduced the separate skate off dance towards the end of the original run but IIRC contestants had to do a new one if they had performed in the skate off previously.
Everything else is fixable for the next series - I'd certainly ditch the screens and if the training area is kept have a presentation area that links the two
Everything else is fixable for the next series - I'd certainly ditch the screens and if the training area is kept have a presentation area that links the two
I'd also like to see a set reintroduced. It seems to be the trend these days to just utilise screens instead of creating a set. The ribbon or banner could be kept with extra audience behind the rink. I suppose the good thing about it being purpose built is that it can be redesigned for next year.
Agree - and unlike The X Factor I don't think the screens particularly add much to the show - though they did use them as part of the Dancing on the Ceiling performance - that wouldn't have worked with an audience backdrop.
Wonder if they'll have any guest performers this season - guess they'll just place a stage on the ice if they do as there isn't really space elsewhere for them.
Seems to be back in it's flow a bit now, the training rink seems to have been shoved to the sidelines somewhat! Was nice to have the performance from the Winter Olympics Team GB.
Half way through now but doesn't really feel like it - doesn't feel like we've lost many yet or getting closer to the business end of the show. I think Strictly benefits hugely from its Blackpool show offering a tent pole event a few weeks out from the finale and DoI is missing that at the moment.