I don’t even like dance. Of all the major art forms, it’s always been the least interesting to me—probably because I’m so hopelessly bad at it. (Anyone who’s seen me at a wedding is silently nodding right now.) So it really speaks to the quality of So You Think You Can Dance that it’s even got me hooked. It’s Fox’s summer replacement for American Idol, but it’s easily the superior show; the passion and level of competition here make it one of the best reality shows on TV.
Dance comes to us from Idol creator/executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, and it closely follows the Idol format: Aspiring dancers endure a grueling audition process to compete live for viewers’ votes. And yes, it trots out terrible auditions that are just as cringe-inducing as Idol’s; the pale stringy-haired dork who calls himself “Sex” has flopped around onstage for three years running now. After the auditions are over, though, Idol loses steam; it gets bogged down by endless guest star appearances, promotional tie-ins, and filler. But this is just where Dance gets started. The competition heats up, and the performances rise to another level.
Of course, every good reality show needs a great host, and Dance producers certainly found one in British TV presenter Cat Deeley. Cat took over hosting duties in Dance’s second season, and hasn’t looked back; her chirpy personality and elegant demeanor tie the whole show together. And you get the sense she really cares about the dancers: After one failed audition this year, Cat took the crying dancer into her arms and quietly shushed him for what seemed like minutes. Can you imagine Ryan Seacrest doing that? (It might mess up his hair.)
Cat’s joined by regular judges Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, who fills the crazy-as-a-pill-happy-loon Paula slot; her cackling laugh and ear-piercing screams are the stuff of legend. The third judge’s seat rotates among a series of choreographers, each with their own entertaining brand of critique, including flighty Mia Michaels, straight-shooting Dan Karaty, and smooth hip-hop guru Shane Sparks. But no one coddles the dancers here, and no one tears them down Simon-style, either. All the judges strike a great balance between encouraging the dancers and showing them how they can improve.
And they’ll need to improve to stick around: Dance covers all genres of dance—ballroom to Broadway to hip-hop—and expects contestants to become proficient in all of them. Many of the dancers struggle to adjust to Viennese waltzing one minute and krumping the next, but the ones that persevere treat us to some amazing performances; the talent and athleticism on display here is truly remarkable. Plus, the show’s willingness to embrace modern dance styles like hip-hop puts it leagues above old-fashioned dance shows like ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. I mean, who waltzes anymore, anyway?
Dance isn’t without its faults: It allows too much odious product placement to seep into the proceedings, for one thing. (A couple weeks back, a completely distracting Snuggle Bear graphic popped up mid-show and refused to go away.) But it’s nowhere near as crass as Idol. There’s a real passion for the art form here: Whereas Idol treats music as a mere vehicle for selling Coca-Cola, Dance celebrates dance for dance’s sake.
Now to all you guys who wouldn’t be caught dead watching a dance show: I hear ya. I didn’t want to watch this at first either. But this isn’t the prim and proper ballet snoozefest you’re picturing. Just check out that photo at the top; I mean, those are some serious NBA-level skills right there. Some of the hip-hop routines they roll out on this show will blow your freaking mind. (And there are worse things to watch than fit young women in tiny outfits kicking their legs over their heads. Just saying.)
But really, Dance serves up all the best that competitive reality TV has to offer—the inherent drama, the intensity, the moments of triumph—and even invites non-dancers to join in. And the Top 20 is just getting started this week, so this is the perfect time to cha-cha your way onboard… or if you’re like me, just walking onboard is fine, too.
Dance airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on Fox; it gets an 8.5.
1 Comment
July 10, 2008 at 12:12 am
All I have to say is: best. show. ever.