From September to the back end of December, you will find me every Saturday evening pursuing one of my favourite and possibly quite nefarious (hey, I’m trying to make it interesting, okay?) pastimes. I don’t talk about it often, preferring to keep it secret, concealed behind a veil — a parallel existence far removed from my everyday travails. But today, steeling myself for the inevitable judgement and condemnation, I have decided to speak out — to brave the scorn and ridicule, to risk the loss of friendship so that I may hold my head high, content in the knowledge that I am willing to confess my weaknesses!
It started a few years ago when my guard was down. I had an especially bad case of the flu at the time and instead of spending my Saturday evening annoying people in cyberspace, as was my usual habit, I was crashed out in front of the television with my parents — a little bit out of it, as I’d taken an anti-sickness pill that had had some really cool side-effects, and generally not really giving a damn what was on the television. I had my own entertainment, thank you very much.
Then the signature tune started and Bruce Forsyth and his co-host came dancing on. “Nice to see you, to see you…” good old Brucie said and, bang on cue, already beginning to buy into the show, I replied with the rest of the audience, “Nice!” I chuckled along with his inane humour (anti-sickness pills, don’t forget!), found the coloured lights especially fascinating and… and then the show kicked off in earnest and I found myself watching…
… dancing. Ballroom fucking dancing. There were sequins, tinfoil (well, it looked like it), girls with splits in their dresses all the way up to their navels (I would have appreciated this even without my flu-induced weakness and the anti-sickness pill!), lamentably untalented celebrity dancers and exhibition dances by the professionals.
I was instantly hooked. It was the televisual equivalent of crack cocaine. I followed every rise and fall, every heel-lead, every miss-timed step, argued with the judges and… and swore that no one would ever hear about this. We all have our secrets, I reasoned, and, well, you know, I’d always be able to stop watching whenever I wished. And if I’m truthful, there was probably a grain of truth in that at the time. I could have turned my back on Strictly Come Dancing at the well-choreographed drop of a hat…
… until I saw this…
The Argentine Tango. Possibly the most stunning dance ever invented.
Go on, admit it — you want to try it, too, don’t you?
That was awesome.
I have only ever caught snippets of this show when my gran has been watching it and I have been at hers however I might have to watch it this year.
Definitely worth giving it a go, Hayley! Joking aside, it’s really not as uncool as it used to be. 🙂 Easy to understand why, isn’t it? Steamy LOL.
The series starts proper next Saturday. Don’t forget! (Some of the celebrity dancers are, admittedly, entertaining for all the wrong reasons.)
Gary, Gary, Gary…the first step is, indeed, admitting you have a problem 😉
This is like the show we have here in the U.S. with celebrities dancing with professionals? I watch such little television, but I’ve seen the commercials for it. I sometimes enjoy watching dance for the same reason I enjoy gymnastics or cirque du soleil — athletic precision.
But it wasn’t until I was in a club a few years ago that I realized why I never watch these shows. I saw a pair of beautiful and talented dancers unlike any I had seen before, and now I know if they had two women doing the Tango on any of these dance shows, you can bet I’d be propped on my couch every Saturday morning watching.
I’m terribly shocked and disappointed, Gary. I’m sure you’ll understand why I must end our friendship at once. I simply cannot be associated with someone with such a deplorable habit.
::snort:: 😉
Seriously, I love to watch dancing of all kinds. Tangos are among my favorites and this one is particularly captivating. Those two were brilliant!
Thanks for posting that. I definitely needed the relaxation, even if was only for three minutes and forty seconds.
My real name sake will be on.
I met him on his book tour and he signed my copy “To John Sargeant from John Sergent.
Have you seen the film “Shall We Dance?”
Good thing I can’t get these shows. I’ve got quite enough to contend with already, being hooked on Dancing With The Stars (yank spin-off)LOL
I’ve never met you before but now i’m sure we can’t be friends. However, if you had have said Masterchef…
Teresa: yes, that’s the one — Dancing with the Stars. We are subjected to it that over here, too — I watched some of the last series but not because of the dancing; I was fascinated (and repulsed) by Priscilla Presley’s lips.
When it’s good, it really captivates, doesn’t it? I must admit, I do enjoy seeing celebrities make fools of themselves, but here in the UK we’ve had a handful who have turned out to be, with a little work, incredible dancers.
Lottie: *hangs head in shame* To be sure, it is deplorable. I was considering going to church and praying to be cured… what do you think? Too extreme? 😉
Good, wasn’t it? There are loads more on YouTube, if you need a more substantial fix!
John: I have a sneaking suspicion that your namesake might be the first out this year! I might be wrong, but I think I’d probably be a better dancer that he will be 😉
No, I haven’t actually seen Shall We Dance. Any good?
Evanne: we get the British show (Strictly Come Dancing) and Dancing with the Stars… we also get dozens of rip-off shows. The latest was Diet on the Dancefloor. It was a not so subtle blend of two quite popular television genre over here. Overweight people dieting and getting fit by dancing. Very low budget and far from impressive. Naturally, I watched every episode LOL.
David: not that I’m desperate for friends or anything — but what about Hell’s Kitchen? Will that do?
I have never seen it. If its judged by a fat bald man, and an Aussie with a giant mouth, then gladly…
Well, Gordon Ramsay certainly swears like an Aussie, but other than that, there’s absolutely no resemblance.
I know great that it’s back isn’t it:)) I love it all those sequins and sparkles!! O/h doesn’t:)) Ah well tough:p
And feathers — don’t forget the feathers…
What? And trade one vice for another? Why bother? 😉
I was secretly thinking I might meet a cute little Christian who I could corrupt with my horizontal version of the Argentine Tango 😉
Ah! A twofer on vices! Clever! 😉
I surprise myself sometimes 😉 Sheer bloody genius. *giggles*
Pingback: Rutting Deer and Red Squirrels. « Gary William Murning Online