Strictly Come Dancing's Movie Week delivered its usual chaos, but the verdict on the new hosting trio is shifting, with many viewers pointing to a big improvement from Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.
The early episodes are always long - Saturday's ran for 2hrs 35mins without breaks. It is great fun, but it can feel relentless. There was the usual chaos that makes the show enduring: misbehaving cameras, a shock demotion for John Nellis, and West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen appearing on screen so often you would swear he was about to deliver a withering verdict on the American Smooth.
Movie Week pushed the weirdness to its maximum 'cheese dream' setting. TV dog trainer Graeme Hall inhabited his role as The Godfather so completely that Anton DuBeke could fear a horse's head on his pillow after delivering his lowest score. Shaun Wright Phillips strutted down a suburban London street past an estate agents to the strains of Saturday Night Fever while eating half a croissant. Celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton did Baywatch - his top fell open, revealing abs you could grate cheddar on.
Hosts Show Improvement
Amid the madness, the ongoing question about the hosts has drawn attention. Emma Willis, a veteran of live TV, was pitch-perfect. At one point she turned to Jowita Przystał, dressed as a giant rodent for her Ratatouille dance with Lawrence Robb, and said: "A beautiful rat. If they all looked like you the world would be a better place." It was a simple throwaway line but the easy fun the show needs.
Producers appeared to have worked harder on fun material for Josh Widdicombe. Some scripted lines remain laboured - one about Shaun doing the Salsa, the dance, and also holding some Salsa, the dip - but there was more of the quick-witted charm he shows on podcasts. The banter with the judges was better, and when he was hoisted into the air on a Mary Poppins umbrella, Emma was laughing before he had even left the ground.
Johannes Radebe, up in what was once known as a Clauditorium, had a better show too, according to many. He is good with the emotional stuff - if anyone gets teary, Johannes does too.
Viewers React
Social media has been awash with people saying the hosting is on the up. One viewer wrote: "Honestly I can't believe I am saying this but for me the 3 presenters worked tonight. Emma the queen of course smashed it. Johannes I felt calmed it down from last week and Josh was a lot more relaxed. It's early days but I feel the guys are growing into their roles."
Another said: "Much better tonight. Johannes was a natural upstairs - feels safe in his hands. Need to stop the constant comedy between Emma and Josh. Both are seasoned pros and Emma is a perfect host."
Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington currently top the leaderboard with 59 points after their A Star Is Born dance, but it is nice to think the hosting trio could be on the up too.
