IT has been week after week of surprises and fancy footwork on the dance floor – not forgetting the props, costumes and theatrics – that have made this season of SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing one of the most exciting. Of course, it wasn’t without the expected drama and controversial critiquing.
Praise must also be given to presenters Katlego Maboe and Roxy Burger. While Burger brought the glam, Maboe brought the laughs, pizzazz and everything else. And always being quick on their feet with their bantering often left the audience and viewers in stitches.
This week was interesting because everyone brought their A-game. In fact, Ashish Gangapersad gave one of his finest performances, not that it saved him!
Aside from Tamara Dey looking like a drag queen during her performance last Friday, it was a spectacular show. And those quirky socks, Maboe? Lol!
PRESENTING A DIFFERENT SIDE
Top Billing’s Jonathan Boynton-Lee has improved in leaps and bounds. While fans have gone gaga over those tattoos, chiselled body and smile, viewers got to know a little bit more about his adoption and how it changed his life.
So moved was his dance partner, Hayley Bennett-Freidin, that she said: “You could easily liken his life story to his Strictly journey. It’s not how you start, it’s how you end!”
This week, he failed to impress with his tango, but got the desired results with his paso doble.
On the former, Tebogo Kgobokoe noted: “ It was like sci-fi in motion on the dance floor. So that was really cool. Okay, the problem is you are wearing tight shiny pants… It wasn’t the same as before. And I am comparing you to you.”
Michael Wentink responded with (on his second performance): “Everything I felt was wrong in the tango, I felt was right in the paso doble. I loved the authentic feel. It was a real paso doble. And let me tell you that cape playing – absolutely brilliant. You don’t know how difficult that actually is. You did great. Well done. Hope to see you in the final.”
TURNING UP THE HEAT
Once again, Leandie Du Randt killed it on the dance floor. The actress has been consistent with her performances for weeks now.
This week she channelled her feisty character and it moved the judges to sing her praises.
Wentink was in raptures and offered: “Absolutely fantastic. Quick, slick and electric.”
And he even ate some humble pie by admitting: “In the beginning, I criticised you because I felt that the choreography was all about the choreography. This was pure dance. I think you look like you came off an international circuit dance floor.”
Wow, I think Brandon Eilers Le Riche was impressed by the hard-core judge’s magnanimity.
Meanwhile, LeAnne Dlamini was also heaped with praise for her performances. All I will say is that tomorrow night is going to be a difficult one for the judges and fans alike.
STEPPING OUT
Gangapersad is the celebrity who attracted the most controversy this season.
Funnily, the more Wentink pointed out his shortcomings on the dance floor, the more it spurred on the actor’s fans to keep him in the competition.
But all good things must come to an end for the former Isidingo actor.
The celebrity pointed out: “This past week was our best, even though we went out. I knew we were not going to be saved. In fact, I kind of knew we were in the bottom two before they announced it.
“We may have been the public favourite – we were leading from week two actually. Going into the finals now, we knew we weren’t the judges’ favourite. They love Jonathan, Leandie and LeAnne. I sure as hell wasn’t one of the favourites. I told Lindsay (Muckle): ‘Whatever happens, I never meant to disappoint you. I hope I did you proud.”
While he bowed out stylishly – as the Joker – he is chuffed to have come this far.
He offered: “It was phenomenal. I walk away with a skill I didn’t have before. I found an incredible friend in Lindsay. I got to know the other contestants. I learnt what it was like to face negativity and take it in my stride.”
Of the judges, he shared: “Michael was the harshest. He penalised us for faults that everyone had, I think. He highlighted the faults and judged us on them rather than the strengths. And with everyone else, he saw the positives. Samantha (Peo) looks for the theatrics and we started to win her over. Tebogo was the most technical.”
So who is his money on to take the title?
“I think Jonathan has a strong chance because he is the last guy remaining. He has also never been in the dance-off. But, technically speaking, I think Leandie deserves it. She has been the first person to get a 10 and a full score of 30. She has always been an amazing dancer. This is Brandon’s first final. I think they truly deserve to win it!”
• Strictly Come Dancing, Friday, 8pm, SABC3. Results show is on Saturday at 7pm.