I’ve been criticised vehemently in the comments for not being sufficiently moved by Torvill and Dean’s opening performances. This week they were accompanied by Leona Lewis performing her new single. I know I supposed to find it moving – there were twinkly lights, a gospel choir and a big ‘ta-da!’ finish – but I just didn’t. Perhaps I need more wine.
Still the show’s not really about Torvill & Dean – it’s about the celebs. This week was the semi-final and, excitingly, all four remaining contestants were rather fab. So often in these kind of shows a clunker manages to make it through, but thankfully not this time.
This week’s required element was to skate out alone. And Gareth Gates did it beautifully except that he was wearing a weird spangly flesh-coloured vest. It made him look like he was wearing a bustier, which is never a look I’ve really wanted to see on a man. It was a good routine, with lots of tricks, but I still didn’t think he performed it quite enough. He doesn’t look up and he looks like he’s thinking about the performance rather than actually performing it.
Suzanne Shaw’s programme was gorgeous. She skated beautifully alone and then even more beautifully with her partner. I was transfixed and they also did a float spin which made me shiver. They got 5.5 across the board, equalling her highest score from a previous week. Christopher Dean also pointed out that Suzanne did the wrong steps at the beginning, but improvised and no-one noticed, which is amazing.
Zaraah Abrahams had been in the skate-off for the past three weeks, so there were worries that she’d be the one to go, but on the basis of this week’s programme she deserved to be in the final. From the solo skate, to Fred joining her on the ice, to the fabulous ending, it was utterly thrilling. Although I did find the Mary J Blige version of U2′s One that they skated to a bit distracting (less is more, Mary J!). They scored 27 – their best score by far – 5.5s from everyone, but Karen Barber.
Chris Fountain and his partner Frankie skated to Livin’ La Vida Loca, which is my drunken dance floor fave. It was frenetic, it was exciting, it was accomplished and there were a couple of great lifts, but it wasn’t my favourite of their programmes. They scored three sixes though – which shows what I know – and two 5.5s. Jason Gardiner said the programme wasn’t flawless: there were a couple of timing issues and Chris’s salsa arms were “too flailing”. The audience booed, but, yes, a six is a perfect score and it wasn’t perfect. Still. It *was* brilliant.
Nicky Slater reminded Jason that the routine was put together in a week, which is phenomenal when you think about it. Not just Chris, but all the celebrities have done incredibly well this series, these remaining four particularly.
In the results show I was thrilled to see that Chris and Suzanne were first through leaving Gareth and Zaraah in the skate-off. Zaraah’s the better skater overall and her performance was much better during the show and the skate-off.
The judges voted for her unanimously and I was thrilled. Much as I’ve loved Gareth and enjoyed watching him, he was the weakest skater of the four semi-finalists so that was a good result.
Roll on the final.
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Wow, just been reading last week’s comments! mmm.
T & D are just far too good at what they do, is all. It’d be awful if Chris Fountain won the whole thing when Suzanne is the real star. I don’t think it’s fair when people who have previous prolonged ice skating experience are allowed to participate. I know it’s quite different, etc – he hasn’t danced on ice before and so on and, of course, that’s just my opinion but he does have a distinct advantage.
The only reason I (and many others) watch Dancing on Ice is to see Jayne and Chris skate. It is SUCH a blessing to have them back performing.
here we go again.. if you dont have anything nice to say about Jayne and Chris, don’t say anything about them..
i wonder sometimes, why people like you are able to actually put these tat reviews of amazing shows on the web because all you come out with is utter rubbish!
oh and you need more then more wine…
The show isn’t about Torvill and Dean? So you think the show can sustain without them?
Most of the shots in that routine were close ups of Leona warbling away, but I’m sure you would rather see the mock up of Mariah Carey meets Whitney Houston because you don’t seem to have much taste.
And like someone said, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it. In fact, why have they let you even write an article? You’re trying to be one of those world famous critics that can only slag the best off because they’re bored with the worst.
How can you say Jayne and Chris are not moving in their performances? On Sunday night i was so moved by their performance, it was truely wonderful and so full of emotion. Jayne and Chris are a big part of DOI, it isnt all about the celebs. DOI has given Jayne and Chris the chance to reunite and show their fans and new fans what talent they are on ice. Torvill and Dean are DOI, without them there wouldn’t be a DOI! They make DOI for me and it wouldnt be the same without them starting the show each week and being their to give constructive advice to the celebs.
I agree with Maz, i only watch Dancing on Ice because of Torvill and Dean, with out them there would be no DOI. They are Dancing on Ice! It’s not just about the celebs!
It is wonderful to have them back again, and their peformance with Leona was so moving and breathtaking and just left me speachless! They are known for the connection they have when dancing, how they move their audience, to say that is just ridiculous, i dont think you need more wine, mabye you have had too much and therefore are not seeing straight!
I also agree with B in saying ‘if you dont have anything nice to say about Jayne and Chris, don’t say anything about them..’ so true! There’s just no need!
Well, I honestly don’t know what to say. I am not a resident of the UK. I actually live in the US, and still I refuse to miss even one episode of DOI. I don’t have a clue who the celebs are, never even heard of most of them, and only decide whether I like their personalities after several weeks of watching the show. The only thing that draws me to the show are Jayne and Chris. Without them, the whole show would be quite boring really, and since I really hate most of the celebs personalities, it certainly wouldn’t be something I would ever watch. It is clear that you must not be a fan of ice dance, but only watch the show to see if someone is going to hurt themselves and to see how outlandish the costumes are. With that in mind, I think maybe you shouldn’t comment on the actual ice-dancing portion of the show. Leave that to people who know what they are talking about. You should keep your opinions to the superficial aspects that you seem to understand and appreciate.
As has been said before, you are obviously one of these critics who thinks its wonderful to slag off the best shows on the box because they have nothing better to do. It would also help if you KNEW something about ice dance because from your “review” it sounds as though you don’t even know there’s ice beneath their feet!
I completely and utterly resent your comment about Torvill and Dean. This show would not be possible never mind as fabulous as it is if Jayne and Chris weren’t there! If you aren’t moved by their performances then you really do have an emotional problem don’t you!
I’d like to see you get out on that ice, choreograph not just your routine but 4 other celeb routines in a week and carry it off as wonderfully as Jayne and Chris do and move the audience.
Maybe there is a heart and conscience under all this seemingly “bad girl” act. Maybe next week drink some more wine and try to say at least something nice, if you can’t find anything nice to say then just keep your views to yourself!
Cant believe you actually think suzanne is the star of the show, and as for skating experience, he skated for a year when he was 15 and it wasnt figure skating it was ice hockey, since when in ice hockey did you have to lift a partner and dance??? Suzanne also has experience she figure skated for a couple years when she was younger, giving her a slight more of an edge over chris. And Chris is the deserving winner 7/9 weeks he has topped the leader board, and he has given the most consistent performances and does not rely on the sympathy vote!! It is far more easier for a female to skate they get lifted by the partner, the males have to learn how to lift there partner, if they make one mistake there partner could end up injured!!!!!!!!! I would rather chris won the show over Suzanne ‘i just want to talk about myself, i’ve hurt myself again please vote for me’ Shaw
I live in Belguim and can not watch the show on tv but that doesn’t stop me following the show
the whole evening(Thanks too the wonderfull forum
people keeping me informed)and the only reason for that are the magnificant,breathtaking Jayne &
Chris..Neh review that!
i completely disagree with your comments regarding jayne and chris. the shows success is completely due to them, not only do they show what a good routine is they also create all the celebrities routines and dedicate all of their time to the show. to be criticised from someone who clearly doesnt understand the grace and elegance they have and who can slag off the greatest ice dancers the world has ever seen is utter rubbish and completely ridiculous. however from all the replies to your post it sounds as if no one agrees, probably because the only thing you found gave you a shiver was a mere float spin compared to the rest of us who find that the shiver comes from our appreciation of the beauty that ice dance has along with the difficulty.
The show’s not about Torvill and Dean?! Good grief! I’ve never heard something so ridiculous in my whole life. Do you really think the show could go ahead without them? Do you really think the celebs could learn their routines week by week, gain their skating skills, entertain the public without Jayne and Chris there as their mentors? They are a vital part of the show – and arguably the biggest. I cannot get over how you think they are unimportant. Not to mention the fact they are flipping legends! I was unimpressed by your comment the other week too. Emotionless? I beg to differ. They are nothing if not wonderful, talented, moving, fantastic and darned awesome. They count and they certainly bring a smile to my face every week.
Suzanne Shaw has never ever figure skated, let alone for a couple of years!!!
Do even have a clue what your talking about!
Dancing On Ice is all about T&D, i personally know that i really only watch Dancing on Ice to see Jayne & Chris they are just amazing & they always will be, your comments are utter rubbish you should really think about what you say…it seems you are on a mission to make some kind of reaction. do you actually think the celebs would be that good without them….NO! you really have no idea perhaps you should get a different job as you pretty much suck at this one! surely by now you must no the fans of Jayne & Chris will always defend them!
“The show isn’t really about Torvill and Dean”…!?!? Are you out of your mind?! Clearly your head isn’t screwed on right. So you think anyone could do what Jayne and Chris have done and train so-called celebrities to become the skaters you seem to admire so much? The show is an incredible success, it’s currently in it’s third season, with a fourth confirmed for next year, and shows on their nation-wide tour are completley sold out. Do you think all this would have happened if Torvill and Dean weren’t the driving force behind it all? If everyone follows your line of thought (if you can even call it ‘thought’), next season we might as well just be rid of them (you’d probably think ‘good riddance’) and the celebs can just teach themselves to skate and we can all laugh at how pathetic they are. I’m like Elizabeth and am not a resident of the UK, and also like her, I refuse to miss one episode of the show. I have no idea who any of the celebrities are (and frankly I don’t give a damn) – I watch the show (along with many others) only for Torvill and Dean – for their magic and brilliance. Clearly you don’t appreciate a good thing when you see one. Like many before me, I think you should just stick to commenting about the injuries and sparkly costumes. Better yet, if you don’t have anything nice to say about Torvill and Dean have more wine and keep your bloody mouth shut.
If you can’t find anything nice to say then just keep your views to yourself? I think you’ve misunderstood the concept of a “review”.
See also: “irony” (“if you don’t have anything nice to say … keep your bloody mouth shut.”)
Let’s face it the best part of this show is Tony Gubba’s godlike commentaries. Who knew when he was rounding up the FA Cup 1st round highlights from the Leatherheads & Blyth Spartans of this world on Match of the Day that he would be able to produce such poetry as he does on a regular basis describing the various celebrity flying pigs paraded in front of him??
Jayne Torvill looks as she always has; Shrek in a frock, the Hardy to Dean’s Laurel. When are they going to stop trotting out their mediocre interpretation of Ravel’s slushy tripe like it’s still 1984. Next you’ll be telling me that Van Halen have reformed….
Pip Schofield blethers on making less sense than that stuffed gopher whose arse his hand used to be up. And Holly Willoughby has to resort to flashing her headlights every week. If it got any more revealing you could see what she had for dinner. And don’t the Daily Mail LOVE it, eh?
Gubba for ever!!!