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The training is looking good... Some great music choices ☺☺ Very difficult to predict the result.
I'll go for Chelsee and Harry and... who knows? Hope it's Holly or Jason. Sorry Alex.

Looking forward to the semis. I'll go for Harry, Jason, and Alex.:)

Can't wait to see Holly and Artem's Charleston. looks like a modern day Charleston which I think will be very interesting.

Hello ojtocs things are getting very tight now arn't they - All the training is looking so good - amazed at the standard of Harry and Chelsee - and feel those two will go through to Blackpool on Saturday. I love Alex the way she's stuck to it and improved each week but I still don't feel her standard of dancing is up with the others. I think she will sadly be one of the two to leave. So we are down to Holly and Jason - I think Jason will be great with the A. Tango but Samba may be difficult as he's not a natural dancer. Holly is going to be fine as well with A. Tango but obviously so far isn;t getting the Charleston. So that puts them equal at the moment it's just too close to call. It may come down to the music in the end - I haven't ever heard of Artems music for the Charleston so that could possibly go against them. As you say who knows? It's certainly going to be a wonderfully exciting semi final with laughter and tears at the end of the day!

Is it?

I think the best five have justly and deservedly got this far. However, I feel it will be Harry, Chelsee and Holly in the final. They have just really hit the heights and the right time. Shame we can't have 4 through to the final as they are all so good and deserving.

Hi all,

So this weekend we will be down to the business end of things all the novelty acts have been got rid off now are down to the top 5 couples well top 3 couples after Sunday's double elimination.

Now for me three couples's 2 dance routines work for me and these three couples are the ones who I think are potential finalists these are.

Chelsee and Pasha
Harry and Aliona
Holly and Artem

And for me it comes down to dance and music choice that compliments them.

Chelsee and Pasha have to dance an American Smooth to Time After Time this is one of my favourite songs of all time and an ideal choice for an American Smooth in my opinion and also their 2nd routine Paso Doble to Malagunea this song just speaks Spanish flavour and Latin Temprement to me and they have oicked them right.

Holly and Artem have an Argentine Tango to Por Una Cabeza those very words just state passion, sex appeal, and red hot love and also for their 2nd dance a Charleston to We No Speak Americano this just comes across as fun, fast paced and a really cheery routine for me.

Harry and Aliona their two dance styles and music choices Vienesse Waltz to This Years Love it just exudes a loving tender and romantic dance perfect casting and Charleston to Just Wild About Harry and I am just going to wait on the comment Bruno will come out with when Harry finishes the routine and I swear I will lay odds on Bruno coming out with the following Just Wild About Harry I'm wild about you.

These three couples have got their routines and music choices absoloutley spot on this week and for me if they nail them than they are going through to the final of Strictly 2011.

Now for the flip side of the coin Jason and Kristina and James and Alexnot so much dance choice but music choice because in my opinion 1 dance routine works the other one doesn't for both couples which will identify major flaws in these couples and their dancing.

Jason and Kristina now for their Argentine Tango to Assasins Tango Jason has proven he is pretty good at ballroom in fact he is crash hot at Ballroom and this music choice demonstrates a stylish and classy tango now for the Latin and for me this is where it falls flat Samba to Blame It On The Boogie sorry just doesn't work for me because the song and samba combined it is way to cheesy for a Samba and Jason's Latin routine and for that music choice I reckon it will be his undoing.

James and Alex same thing 1 dance works the other doesn't and it is music choice again now Alex and James their waltz to You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman this song is stylish, classy yet with a bit of soul and seriously wil set the mood for a Waltz the Latin a Salsa to 1,2,3,4 by Gloria Estefan sorry wrong music choice again and it comes down to one word cheesy I just can't see that routine coming together.

So for me the last 3 standing will be.

Chelsee and Pasha
Holly and Artem
Harry and Aliona

And going home and this is down to music choice and dance style which will leave these two couples severley exposed and in danger are.

Jason and Kristina
James and Alex

Just my views see you all here Saturday
Keeeeeeeeeep Dancing

Hello everyone

I'm really looking forward to the semis - they are usually more exciting than the finals and anyone whose reached this point should be proud of themselves.


I have to say, at the moment Harry is looking the best of the bunch, but you never can tell what will happen on the day.

I'm a Hartem supporter but I think Artem's got the choice of music wrong this time for the Charleston. I've listened to it on You Tube and to me it's intensely annoying and repetitive. I'm not an old fuddy duddy even though I'm in my sixties (I loved the choice of music for the foxtrot), but each time Artem's gone for modern music they've been in the bottom 2.

The music for the AT on the other hand is sublime - perfect for the AT if Holly performs it as it should be.

Chelsee too is looking great, if she can get the feel of the paso correctly. She's got to act it. She got it right in the tango up to the wardrobe malfunction and this is similar. I'm sure she'll be great with the American Smooth.

Jason's AT doesn't look bad - not sure his body shape is quite right, but the samba is difficult, and he's finding it so.

Alex - I think it's going to be get your coat time - sorry!

hi guys, this is for It takes 2!! Any chance I can get Jason Donovan's T with his say "you have to jumo to fly"? We are at a crossroads at the moment and that is exactly the encouragement we need! thanks

Do you think that by now the Ö÷²¥´óÐã has got the message that all the fake whooping and cheering is really getting on everyone's nerves? As the cameras pan round the audience it is easy to see there are smiles and applause but no-one is whooping, cheering. That awful cocophany is stage managed by the production team to give the show a party atmosphere. It's AWFUL! It's so ITV! Let's hope that next year, the SCD audience can react as it pleases and when there is cheering we know it is genuine. When there is a standing ovation it is an instinctive response to a superb performance.

Absolutely agree if an audience has to be encouraged by Bruce to stand up after the dance then it's not a true standing ovation.

I support Chasha but supported Kara and Artem last series - loved all his music choices last year. But not always been quite so keen some of the music he's gone for whilst dancing with Holly. I don't like what he's chosen for their Charleston would have thought as Holly said she's not getting the Charleston, perhaps it would have been better for Artem to have chosen some more traditional Charleston music that may have made this dance a little easier to grasp for her?

Hi Flatfeet - I absolute agree about the choice of music for the charleston - it's muzak, not music. The music should evoke the 20s. To me it evokes supermarkets or lifts that you can't escape.

I don't think anyone from the Ö÷²¥´óÐã actually read any off the blogs, or if they do they take no notice.

How many people have asked for Aleisha to be replaced with a proper judge?
How many times have people critisised Bruce?

There was an article in the Daily Mail (i think it was that one) saying the Ö÷²¥´óÐã had received complaints about the screaming etc from the audiences, but as only 30 people officially complained they were taking no action.

The message is clear, all complaints should be taken to a higher level. I think these sites are here for us to vent our frustration, thereby removing the need to complain directly.

To be fair nuttynora19 in the grand scheme of things the few dozen who regularly post on this blog are hardly representative of the majority of viewers. Nor would I say do viewing figures back up your assumptions.

I do think the Ö÷²¥´óÐã are wrong about the noisy audience issue, just so few people can be bothered to officially complain as it is not particularly outrageous. Just a blummin pain in the ear for anyone with hearing problems.

Mrs Arcanum - totally agree. These blogs are not the majority of viewers. As it happens I don't think Alesha should be replaced. Her point of view is a contrast to the professionals. I think those who knock her are unfair and missing the point. As Len has said what's the point of having 4 professional dance judges. You'd just get the same comments. As it happens the support for these blogs has been minimal this year.

The whooping by the audience is another matter - contrived and irritating.

Agree Sealjay about Alesha - it's taken a little while for me to get used to her but she has won me over. I think she has shown a lot more confidence in this year's SCD and I think she makes a refreshing contrast to the rest of the judges.

I'm also loving Zoe Ball - she has made ITT a joy to watch. I love her great sense of fun and the fact that she has been a contestant before really comes across when she talks to the celebrities.

Agree with the whooping by the audience - it is annoying.

I like Alesha too. Nice girl. Balances the panel well. I like Zoe so much more than I expected...
so much so I'd be happy for her to stay on next year!

I am also surprised at how much I like Zoe doing ITT. I was upset when I heard there would be no Claudia but Zoe is brilliant. Also agree about the whooping audience and the forced standing ovations are awful. A genuine standing ovation is fantastic and these forced ones just de value the real thing. Still not sure about Alesha. Would prefer Karen Hardy I think or having Arlene back.

Post 17 and 19 I am with you - Zoe is adorable. I like her very much, it's a real joy to watch ITT this year. Well Done, Zoe!

Echoing all the comments about Zoe. She brings a great vibrancy to It Takes Two, and I love her in it ! Please come back next year Zoe !!
And my wishes for my three to make it for the final are Chelsee (also to win the whole thing), Harry (Very good to watch) and Alex (the dancer who has made the most progress from start to finish) . I am just not gelling with Jason and Holly.

16. At 12:26 9th Dec 2011, sealjay

Well, if its considered that 4 judges aren't needed, why has Alesha been foisted upon the viewing public? Of course we need another 'proper' judge - I don't want to know the opinion of anyone who doesn't have the stature and knowledge of a ballroom/dancing judge. I couldn't care less about Alesha's opinion so I mute her when she's 'speaking' - its merely the opinion of a 'pop singer' who has no real depth or knowledge of dancing. I want to know specifics, where people go wrong, where they get it right and excel, I don't want to know that 'you was good' or 'you should be proud' or 'I commend you'. This once very popular show is being dumbed down and I for one have had enough - I'll see this year out but won't bother watching next year, unless there are significant changes.

My wishes are for Holly, Harry and Jason to be in the final.

Have not warmed at all to Chelsee being the youngest in the competition it is an advantage for her with speed etc..... but not sure on her technique really.

Alex has been so overexposed being on the One Show she has been lucky with that when the voting comes around. James has been very clever with her dances not too taxing for her and mostly always in hold or faffing about with props.

Anyway to all the five couples good luck for tomorrow here's to a great show.

I hate to disagree ... but ... we prefer Claudia to Zoe & hope she'll come back next season as Claudia brings a great warmth & humour to ITT.
As to our 3 finalists, it just has to be Chelsee, Harry & Holly - her 'Zorro' last week lit the dancefloor alight = Am-ay-zing!!! These are the best 3, although I agree Alex has come on hugely & is very good too.
On a different note, has anyone noticed how much more air time Jason has had recently - far more than any of the other teams! Perhaps he has a better publicist than the others. Anyway, I can't gel with him either & wont miss his going on about how "hard"/"difficult" everything is. Yes Jason that's what amazes us, it is hard to learn a new dance but to learn 1 (or even 2) in 1week is definitely incredible. Everyone else just seems to enjoy their dancing & never complain.
Well, we don't want the dream that is "Strictly" to end, well done to all involved, crew, LX, wardrobe, backstage, etc - A HUGE Thank You!!!

I agree with many of the comments about the choice of music, but how much say does the professional get - I wonder if the prodution team are behind some of the odder choices?

Thank you to all our 5 couples for a FAB series and for all the GREAT dances. You all rock!

Personally my fave is Holly and Artem... they showed some amazing strength of character to come back from being in the bottom two (twice) when they didn't deserve to be there. But I love you all.

Enjoya yourselves and have FUN!

Come on Hartem!

harry, chelsea and .............. jason/holly

16.@ sealjay wrote: These blogs are not the majority of viewers.

It's generally accepted (by shops and so on) that for every person who actually takes the time to complain, that there are 100 more people who are equally offended, but don't actually complain.

The number of complaints can't be used to then conclude that 'only' that number are offended.

@ julianne1811 - The figure has to be over a 1,000 to be statistically relevant. Or can be boosted by publicity such as the press coverage of the "outrage" over Robbie's MJ dance fuelling the complaints.

It would be like using the number of posts on a particular team blog as a measure of national popularity.

Hi guys - anyone who's a regular on these blogs will know how much I bang on about music choices so, for what it's worth, here's a few comments:

Alex and James - waltz music looks good, but Samba to a non latin-american track? I don't think so - again the celeb is being made to work against the music rather than with it.

Chelsee and Pasha - Time after Time is rumba music (see the movie Strictly Ballroom) so I'm not sure how they'll engineer an American Smooth to it, although Chelsee can probably cope with anything. Paso music sounds about right though. I think Dave Arch will have to beef up his string section though.

Harry and Aliona - Viennese Waltz to This Year's Love - oops don't know the track, but the Charleston looks spot on.

Holly and Artem - Argentine Tango music sounds spot on - is Mr Perlman, John Williams and the Pittsburgh Symphony going to be making a guest appearance? Poor Dave Arch will have his work cut out here, but hey the band is always brilliant. Don't know the track We no speak Americano - so I'll reserve judgement.

Jason and Kristina - Assassin's Tango in original arrangement for A Tango - sounds perfect to me, but samba to Blame it on the Boogie? Like the samba choice for Alex, a wasted opportunity.

Some great choices here but why on earth has the producer got such an aversion to genuine latin american music? Why knobble both sambas with such inappropriate choices?

Let's be clear - the music serves the dances. It is NOT there to entertain the public. Choices should NOT be made simply because the track is popular. As far as I'm concerned they could use music I've never heard of as long as it is entirely in keeping with an appropriate to the dance being performed.

I'd be so interested to have the process of solecting the dance music explained to us - Is it the professional who has the ultimate decision? How much choice is available to them. Please could we have somebody from the production team to explain this all to us viewers?

Sobelloftheball I so agree with your comments about all the noise that has been introduced into Saturday nights - it's just the same as takes place in the X-factor but like to think Strictly has always been a little more classy than that particular programme. It's going to be hard now to go back to how things were before but hopefully someone can set a few ground rules with the audience in future so that the Strictly viewers experience isn't completely ruined and we all have to start switching off! I have just filled out a complaints form and I'd ask others to do the same, it didn't take long and I think it's the only thing the Ö÷²¥´óÐã listens to!

Really love holly and artem, would love for them to be in the final with harry and also like alex as well! These three for the final next week! Good luck to them all tonight. Holly and artem to win!