Lopez Blogs

One of the many joys of the internet is the "Jump the Shark" phenomenon, a chance to identify the moment when our previously-favourite TV shows went downhill and just aren't the same anymore. (check out www.jumptheshark.com for many, many examples - it's great fun)

That shark is circling around "Strictly Come Dancing". Reasons? Well...rehearsed comments/marking; Brucie's "am I doddery? doddery I'm not" chip-on-shoulder catchphrase; the contestants taking it all too seriously - it's only a bit of fun after all; Tess "foot in mouh" Daly's post-dance interviews with the "cooples"; the pros more miserable and silent than usual. I have always loved Strictly, but more than ever this series is just too self-conscious and lacking strong personalities. After five series, is it getting ready to jump?

(Oh and in case you wondered, I'm hoping that Austin and Tom blow away the overrated female dancers this season, but they are still a long way away from the wonderful Mark Ramprakash/Jill Halfpenny/Alesha Dixon - great winners one and all :) )