Strictly scraps COVID protocols & welcomes back audiences

LadyLavenderLadyLavender Posts: 26,707
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The Mirror has a general update tonight which covers how the show will work this year. They expect to kick off in September with a full quota of celebrities, following pre-recording of some of the pro dances.
Strictly Come Dancing bosses are to ditch the Covid protocols of the past two years and allow a full studio audience to return when it films in the autumn.

They also intend to remove the screens between the judges, which was a specific plea from newly permanent panelist Anton du Beke when he was confirmed in the role last week.

After ousting long-term judge Bruno Tonioli from the panel for good, Anton said he was looking forward to the removal of the screens which have kept the judges from being able to gossip together since 2020.

He explained: “What I hope we are able to do this year, actually, is that we can get rid of the screens because we have had the screens up over the last couple of the years and the judges slightly separated.

"I am hoping we can get a bit closer so we can have a bit more chat amongst ourselves.”

But some of the changes introduced in the wake of the pandemic will be kept, after show chiefs found they actually worked better.

These include recording the weekly group numbers with the professional dancers in one big batch ahead of the main competition starting.

One BBC source said: “While final plans are still being nailed down and kept fluid, Strictly bosses are planning to pre-record some of the pro dancer routines again this summer. They are also hoping to have a full studio audience back watching the live show each week.”

The group dances tend to open the Sunday results shows and bosses have found that pre-recording them before the dancers start training their celebrities works better than trying to slot them in each week.

In the past two years, the group of pros has had to isolate together in a hotel prior to the intensive filming days for the dances. This year they will be able to move freely and return home if they live close enough to the studios in Elstree, Hertfordshire.

Bosses are also keen to get back to Blackpool in November after two years away.

The 2021 series saw the return of the themed weeks, which had to be abandoned in 2020 because of difficulties with hair and make-up.

The show, expected to kick off in September, is also aiming to have the full quota of celebrities.

The shock departures of Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec leave 16 pros in total for 2022 - eight women and eight men.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictly-come-dancing-ditch-covid-27046079
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Comments

  • d.r_zhangd.r_zhang Posts: 297
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    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.
  • snafu65snafu65 Posts: 18,187
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    Hope they're making plans for monkeypox. :D
  • DutchDancingFanDutchDancingFan Posts: 5,324
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    d.r_zhang wrote: »
    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.

    absolutely agree, stupid decision to scrap covid protocols

    can see this upcoming series being cancelled mid series due to too many covid cases
  • Samantha_IsaacsSamantha_Isaacs Posts: 190,937
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    d.r_zhang wrote: »
    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.

    absolutely agree, stupid decision to scrap covid protocols

    can see this upcoming series being cancelled mid series due to too many covid cases

    That's a bit pessmistic
  • jadebryjadebry Posts: 6,189
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    d.r_zhang wrote: »
    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.

    absolutely agree, stupid decision to scrap covid protocols

    can see this upcoming series being cancelled mid series due to too many covid cases

    That's a bit pessmistic

    That’s what I was thinking too, I’m sure if covid does come back strong they’ll reintroduce protocols.
  • Samantha_IsaacsSamantha_Isaacs Posts: 190,937
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    jadebry wrote: »
    d.r_zhang wrote: »
    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.

    absolutely agree, stupid decision to scrap covid protocols

    can see this upcoming series being cancelled mid series due to too many covid cases

    That's a bit pessmistic

    That’s what I was thinking too, I’m sure if covid does come back strong they’ll reintroduce protocols.

    Yeah exactly. Last year I thought they did ok in terms of covid
  • SeasideLadySeasideLady Posts: 20,766
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    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.
  • LadyLavenderLadyLavender Posts: 26,707
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    You'd imagine they will keep in place some level of testing pre-Elstree filming? The Mirror seemed to be briefed more on the aspects that show up for the viewer, like the studio audience coming back.

    There was a debate about whether Strictly would have a shorter series due to the football World Cup. Reading this story, which mentions a full cast of 15 and a normal September start date, that says 'no change' to me.
  • DutchDancingFanDutchDancingFan Posts: 5,324
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    d.r_zhang wrote: »
    Could be a recipe for disaster - both Germany and NZ series were ravaged by Covid this year.

    absolutely agree, stupid decision to scrap covid protocols

    can see this upcoming series being cancelled mid series due to too many covid cases

    That's a bit pessmistic

    you shouldn't entirely scrap covid protocols, then at least keep the face mask compulsory for audiences in Elstree (how RTL has been doing that for their lets dance despite government having no such compulsory regulations anymore, but RTL kept that rule nevertheless out of precaution, and as for positive tests well that was at the start of the series, early weeks and then it got more to normal again once everyone in the cast and crew basically obeyed the rules better)

    i'm not a pessimistic person normally, and i also want return to normal again as for full audiences and everyone back up at the clauditorium after each performance but we have to still remain very careful when we are just very recently getting more and more out of this covid pandemic
  • AragornetteAragornette Posts: 296
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    You'd imagine they will keep in place some level of testing pre-Elstree filming? The Mirror seemed to be briefed more on the aspects that show up for the viewer, like the studio audience coming back.

    There was a debate about whether Strictly would have a shorter series due to the football World Cup. Reading this story, which mentions a full cast of 15 and a normal September start date, that says 'no change' to me.

    I doubt they'll insist on testing and they certainly won't be asking the audience for negative tests or vaccination proof since all those requirements for public venues have been dropped, as have isolating rules. Unless, of course, there's some new vaccine-evading mutation that pops up, in which case the whole country will be back to square one and Strictly will be the least of our worries.
  • LadyLavenderLadyLavender Posts: 26,707
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    You'd imagine they will keep in place some level of testing pre-Elstree filming? The Mirror seemed to be briefed more on the aspects that show up for the viewer, like the studio audience coming back.

    There was a debate about whether Strictly would have a shorter series due to the football World Cup. Reading this story, which mentions a full cast of 15 and a normal September start date, that says 'no change' to me.

    I doubt they'll insist on testing and they certainly won't be asking the audience for negative tests or vaccination proof since all those requirements for public venues have been dropped, as have isolating rules. Unless, of course, there's some new vaccine-evading mutation that pops up, in which case the whole country will be back to square one and Strictly will be the least of our worries.

    Not for the audience, agree, but for cast and crew pre-Elstree, I was thinking.
  • AragornetteAragornette Posts: 296
    Forum Member
    You'd imagine they will keep in place some level of testing pre-Elstree filming? The Mirror seemed to be briefed more on the aspects that show up for the viewer, like the studio audience coming back.

    There was a debate about whether Strictly would have a shorter series due to the football World Cup. Reading this story, which mentions a full cast of 15 and a normal September start date, that says 'no change' to me.

    I doubt they'll insist on testing and they certainly won't be asking the audience for negative tests or vaccination proof since all those requirements for public venues have been dropped, as have isolating rules. Unless, of course, there's some new vaccine-evading mutation that pops up, in which case the whole country will be back to square one and Strictly will be the least of our worries.

    Not for the audience, agree, but for cast and crew pre-Elstree, I was thinking.

    I think there will be little point, to be honest. Sans a new vaccine-evading variant, the plan - for all TV, not just Strictly - will be business as usual, with covid being treated as endemic, like flu.
  • jeffiner1892jeffiner1892 Posts: 14,211
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    You'd imagine they will keep in place some level of testing pre-Elstree filming? The Mirror seemed to be briefed more on the aspects that show up for the viewer, like the studio audience coming back.

    There was a debate about whether Strictly would have a shorter series due to the football World Cup. Reading this story, which mentions a full cast of 15 and a normal September start date, that says 'no change' to me.

    Most of the debate was whether it would be moved earlier, which is still possible.
  • freaky_fridayfreaky_friday Posts: 439
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    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.

    Ahem. There are currently estimated 100,000 positive UK cases a day, 1000+ deaths a week, and thousands of cases of long covid (by no means all of them in clinically vulnerable people). What you and the government are saying is: if you are disabled or vulnerable, don't go out in public (as nobody will be masking), don't go on public transport, don't attend a dance show you love, all because people are too lazy or selfish to take any precautions, and we have a government that has given up.

    THANK YOU! It is *not* over.
  • AlmostScorpioAlmostScorpio Posts: 3,895
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    I wonder what this means for the launch show. Back to the old format or the new one?
  • jadebryjadebry Posts: 6,189
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    I wonder what this means for the launch show. Back to the old format or the new one?

    Oh I hope they keep the new format! It feels so much more personal than the pros just being lined up like they’re being picked for the sports team in school.
  • jeffiner1892jeffiner1892 Posts: 14,211
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    jadebry wrote: »
    I wonder what this means for the launch show. Back to the old format or the new one?

    Oh I hope they keep the new format! It feels so much more personal than the pros just being lined up like they’re being picked for the sports team in school.

    Yeah I hope they keep it too.

    And think it makes sense to still pre record the pro numbers too.
  • fridgesoupfridgesoup Posts: 17,089
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    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.

    Ahem. There are currently estimated 100,000 positive UK cases a day, 1000+ deaths a week, and thousands of cases of long covid (by no means all of them in clinically vulnerable people). What you and the government are saying is: if you are disabled or vulnerable, don't go out in public (as nobody will be masking), don't go on public transport, don't attend a dance show you love, all because people are too lazy or selfish to take any precautions, and we have a government that has given up.

    Totally agree. Well said.

    Also the idea that “endemic” = “harmless” grinds my gears. Infectious diseases may be endemic (which really just means constant), but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and mitigate the spread if you are infected. Ebola is endemic in some countries, but I don’t think you’d appreciate an infected person coughing over you on a bus or across a desk at at work. In fact, I wish people who “just have the flu” (or a bad cold) would make an effort not to spread it around as they do in some Asian countries. Sharing isn’t always caring 😷
  • d.r_zhangd.r_zhang Posts: 297
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    I'm hoping they still keep the couples socially distanced, in addition to being safer it also means there's far less pratting around in the background.
  • aggsaggs Posts: 29,458
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    jadebry wrote: »
    I wonder what this means for the launch show. Back to the old format or the new one?

    Oh I hope they keep the new format! It feels so much more personal than the pros just being lined up like they’re being picked for the sports team in school.

    Yeah I hope they keep it too.

    And think it makes sense to still pre record the pro numbers too.

    I hope they keep the Clauditorium empty as well. Much better for the after dance interviews.
  • aggsaggs Posts: 29,458
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    fridgesoup wrote: »
    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.

    Ahem. There are currently estimated 100,000 positive UK cases a day, 1000+ deaths a week, and thousands of cases of long covid (by no means all of them in clinically vulnerable people). What you and the government are saying is: if you are disabled or vulnerable, don't go out in public (as nobody will be masking), don't go on public transport, don't attend a dance show you love, all because people are too lazy or selfish to take any precautions, and we have a government that has given up.

    Totally agree. Well said.

    Also the idea that “endemic” = “harmless” grinds my gears. Infectious diseases may be endemic (which really just means constant), but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and mitigate the spread if you are infected. Ebola is endemic in some countries, but I don’t think you’d appreciate an infected person coughing over you on a bus or across a desk at at work. In fact, I wish people who “just have the flu” (or a bad cold) would make an effort not to spread it around as they do in some Asian countries. Sharing isn’t always caring 😷

    Our office had a policy even pre-pandemic. You aren’t being a hero coming in coughing and sneezing over everyone …put your coat on, you’re going home.
  • monalisa62003monalisa62003 Posts: 56,844
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    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.

    Im not jabbed and vulnerable, still not got covid. People should be able do what they want as they see fit
  • VenetianVenetian Posts: 28,421
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    edited 25/05/22 - 11:33 #26
    Those that are unvaccinated, vulnerable or with health issues should take their own precautions as they think fit. For the rest of the population who are triple jabbed and have already had Covid once or even twice it's pretty much done and dusted with.

    Im not jabbed and vulnerable, still not got covid. People should be able do what they want as they see fit

    .. then you have been very lucky .. luck tends to run out, especially when ignoring what protects others.
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