August 11th 2024.
Last night, BBC Four treated its viewers to a special replay of the very first episode of Strictly Come Dancing. This nostalgic throwback had everyone buzzing, especially when they heard the judges' comments.
For the past few weeks, BBC Four has been giving us the opportunity to relive some of our favorite past shows as an alternative to the ongoing coverage of the Olympics on BBC One. We've seen classics like Sir Bruce Forsyth's Generation Game and Blankety Blank, but last night was all about Strictly.
It's hard to believe that it has been seventeen years since the debut of Strictly Come Dancing on May 15, 2004. The first episode featured a star-studded lineup including Christopher Parker, Claire Sweeney, David Dickinson, the late Jason Wood, Lesley Garrett, Martin Offiah, Natasha Kaplinsky, and Verona Joseph. It was a chance for these celebrities to test out the format of the show that has now become a staple in our TV schedules. And who could forget the late Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, who were the original presenters before Claudia Winkleman took over.
As we watched the first episode, viewers couldn't help but notice how much has changed since then. The set was more modest, the VTs were simpler, and the judges' criticism was definitely not sugar-coated. It was a refreshing reminder of how different things used to be.
The original judging panel consisted of Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Bruno Tonioli, and Craig Revel Horwood. And let's just say, they didn't hold back when it came to giving their honest opinions to the contestants. It was clear that they were there to judge the dancing, and they weren't afraid to call out any mistakes or flaws.
One of the standout moments from the first episode was when Arlene told EastEnders actor Christopher, "Chris, you convince millions of people you're Spencer Moon, how about convincing them you can dance?" Christopher quickly responded, "I know you, you're supposed to be nice to me." But Arlene wasn't having it and replied, "I'm supposed to be nice to you? Did I get it wrong? Sorry." It was a reminder of just how brutal the judging used to be.
And let's not forget Bruno's famous catchphrase, "It's a cheat, cheat, cheat!" when he called out a contestant for an unpermitted splits move during the Cha-cha-cha. The judges didn't hold back when it came to their critiques, and viewers loved it.
But as the years went by, some viewers noticed that the judges became a little less harsh and more diplomatic with their comments. However, some fans long for the days of the original judging panel and their no-holds-barred approach. They even suggested that BBC Four continues to show the remaining episodes of the first series.
It's clear that the first season of Strictly was a different time, and viewers loved taking this trip down memory lane. It was a chance to see how things have changed over the years, from the judging to the catchphrase "Keep dancing" not appearing at the end of the episode. And let's not forget the fashion choices, like contestants rehearsing in jeans!
It was also a reminder of the late Sir Bruce Forsyth's iconic presence on the show and how much he meant to the Strictly family. With a new season on the way, fans are excited to see what the future holds for the show. And with a diverse lineup of celebrities, from Love Islander Tasha Ghouri to Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, it's sure to be an entertaining season.
But as always, there are some viewers who have criticized the lineup, claiming that the caliber of celebrities has lowered. Some have even questioned the dance experience of one of the contestants. However, one thing is for sure, Strictly Come Dancing continues to be a beloved show and a highlight of our TV schedules. And we can't wait to see what surprises and twists the new season has in store for us.
But for now, we can relive the magic of the first episode of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC iPlayer. Who knows, maybe we'll see more throwback episodes in the future. Keep dancing, Strictly fans!
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