Television: Thoughts on dance reality shows

[capeziostar]

I resisted for so long, but recently i found myself caving in and enjoying Dancing with the stars. WHat do you all think about these shows, and those who like them, can you recommend other good ones that are on the air now?

[lorrainegd]

We love to watch 'So You Think You Can Dance'. My dd is a ballet dancer through & through but my son has dabbled in tap and breakdancing also. All of us watch it when it's on...we wait all year. We love that they challenge the dancers to broaden their horizons by learning different dance styles. We feel that it is the best in reality TV (when there is SO much wrong with reality TV) - we are entertained I truly feel that the contestants learn a lot through out the season in addition to getting their 'public exposure'.

[Victoria Leigh]

I love Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance! I also liked Dance Wars.

[Clara 76]

I enjoy DWTS very much. I'm happy when dance of any kind is being recognized. Now, when I'll really be jumping for joy is when someone does a ballet show, and it's on primetime.....(Well, I can dream, can't I?)

[b4ll3r1n4]

I very much enjoy watching SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. It is one show that i hate to miss. Clara 76 you are so right! If there was a ballet reality show there would be no way of taking me away from the tv when its on.

[GretchenStar]

I watched the first season of Dancing with the stars then stopped watching until this season. I like watching non-dancers learning to dance.

 

I do watch So You Think You Can Dance most of the time, but for whatever reason, I'm just not as interested in that show. Even though the dancing ability is obviously better (since they are trained, or mostly trained).

 

I did watch a couple of episodes of Dance Wars but gave up on that. I guess part of the difference for me is that the "contestants" (is that what we call them on reality shows?) are a little bit older or more mature on DWTS, whereas the people on Dance Wars and SYTYCD are younger and/or more catty towards each other.

 

Now if it was a ballet reality show (where the dancers were trained dancers), then yeah, I would interested in that. But I'd rather not watch untrained dancers try ballet... but that's just me!

[dmdance]

I have never heard of Dance Wars. How have I missed it?

 

I do enjoy DWTS. I also appreciate watching non-dancers learn to dance. Although I have to admit, I don't catch it often, because I am usually teaching while it is on tv!

 

Deborah

[Hamorah]

The first season of our version of So You Think You Can Dance (called Born to Dance) was fun, because it was mainly dance students and amateurs and it was very enjoyable to see them widening their horizons and developing, but now it has turned into something completely different in an effort to raise the standard , I suppose.

 

What is happening now is that pro dancers are leaving their companies in order to participate in the show! We are seeing older and older competitors who are after their five cents worth of publicity and fame competing in it. One dancer who was in the pro ballet company here asked the Artistic Director for a three month leave of absence in order to participate in it!!!! Naturally the AD was furious and fired her. She had been given all her parts in the season's ballets and had a contract. Because she is not that versatile, she didn't get to the finals and now she's left without a job - I call it daft! The final three were all professional dancers from companies in their twenties - I ask you what do they need it for?

[lorrainegd]

I can't beleive that there are professional dancers competeing on So You Think You Can Dance. I was under the impression that they were all amateurs. Well that leaves a bit of a bad taste. I think that it makes the competition completely unfair. How can a fully-trained dancer employed with a company be competing with a breaker with no formal dance training? I am officially now more impressed with the street dancers...

 

Oh this will effect my enjoyment of the show.

[b1]

Yes, I agree, it is hard to watch untrained people dance ballet.

 

But, I watched Made, an MTV show where a young man wanted to try to become a ballet dancer. He was coached at The Rock. I have to say, even though he looked horrible when he started, he did progress nicely. He certainly wasn't close to where the other boys were, but for coming from nothing, he did progress nicely. One thing he kept stressing was how much WORK it was! Um, no kidding! Isn't anything you love and want to do well at called work???? Anyway, it was an interesting episode.

 

As for SYTYCD, I hate watching the first few weeks. I can't stand to watch the goofballs that come out. I know they show it for entertainment (??) value, but I find it too hard to watch. I do love watching how versatile the dancers have to be. I wish they would give them a true ballet pas de deux to do! Or, show them in a ballet class!

[AliceB]

lorrainegd,

I think Hamorah may be referring to SYTYCD from Israel. Is it a different version with different contestants than the US version Hamorah?

[lorrainegd]

What is happening now is that pro dancers are leaving their companies in order to participate in the show!

 

Well this has certainly sparked a debate in my house! Where would you draw the line? I stated that it didn't seem fair to me...but then wehre is the line that distinguishes? Is there a difference between dancing for a smaller company than say ABT or SanFran? Or dancers who have been paid to dance on say commercials or in a musical but is now out of work. This person would be considered a professional, right? Then we got into a comparison w/American Idol. Carly in the current season apparently had a contract that fell through (but at least they mention it on the show!) - how does this relate to the dancer side (what is comparable?).

 

Well at least on SYTYCD they should TELL you if these dancers were dancing with a professional company when they started on the show! And then have them explain why or what they are looking to achieve (are they looking to go a different direction in their career?)

 

I hope I am not taking this thread in a new direction - it has just really started a debate in my house!

 

lorrainegd,

I think Hamorah may be referring to SYTYCD from Israel. Is it a different version with different contestants than the US version Hamorah?

I didn't see this before my last post - I would really like to know! Please - before I embarras myself by ranting and raving any further ...so far it has just been to my DD & DH

[Blanche]

We enjoy SYTYCD and look forward to it.

 

My husband cracked us up the summer before last when he took an interest in "That show you watch--So You Can't Dance!" It's been a joke in our house ever since...but, after watching a few episodes, he did comment (and correctly, too!) on certain dancers' technique, or lack thereof.

[vagansmom]

I also love and look forward to SYTYCD, although I find myself often annoyed by most of the women's solos at the end (when the lowest vote-getters have to dance to save themselves from elimination). I was happy to see the ballet dancer a couple seasons ago, and wish that she had been more of a charismatic performer because, if so, I think she'd have had a good chance of going farther. Often, the other women are great performers, but I'm unimpressed with the style.

 

I have watched segments here and there of Dancing with the Stars, but I'm usually at work when it's on. I'm very interested in seeing Marlee Matlin, the deaf actress, dance this year. I searched out her performance yesterday on YouTube; she was very good!

[Victoria Leigh]

I hate the competition aspect of all of them, but enjoy a lot of the dancing. I think that it's going to be interesting, though, between Kristi Yamaguchi and Marlee Matlin, as Kristi is, so far, quite obviously the best dancer, but Marlee did a wonderful job too, and will be an emotional favorite with the public. I really wish we could just enjoy their progress and see the dancing and not have to deal with the voting part. I know, not realistic.