ColdSilverMoon
Puritan Board Senior
I've never started an "official" thread before, but considering I might be the only person who reads it I think it should be fine.
My favorite summer show is So You Think You Can Dance on Fox. For the uninitiated, this is basically American Idol, only with dancers instead of singers. Tonight (it comes on Wednesdays and Thursdays) is the second of 3 audition episodes, which are similar to AI in that 3-4 judges give critiques on individual performances and decide whether or not to send the contestant on to the next round. The biggest difference is that the dancers perform in front of their fellow competitors along with the judges. The judges send the best dancers to the next round in Las Vegas, similar to Hollywood week on AI. After a rigorous 3 days of dance auditions in a wide variety of styles, the Top 20 (10 men, 10 women) are selected as finalists by the judges.
From there 2 dancers (1 of each sex) are eliminated from the competition each week throughout the summer. For the first 5 weeks, the bottom 3 men and women vote-getters perform solos in front of the judges during the results show, and they decide who actually gets kicked off. When it gets to the Top 10, the lowest vote-getters are sent home. The final is comprised of the Top 4. The contestants have the same partner for the first 5 weeks, and draw their style of dance for that week from a hat. A tap-dancer might be dancing a Viennese Waltz one week, then hip-hop the next - versatility is crucial to doing well. Starting with the Top 10, the dancers change partners and styles every week, and typically perform twice during the show. During the results show there is usually a group performance of some type along with the solos for the lowest vote-getters.
I personally enjoy this show much more than AI. The atmosphere is a bit lighter and more fun, but the competition is more intense because there is much more parity - the difference between the #1 dancer and the #20 dancer isn't that great - and there are no truly bad contestants in the Top 20. The judges are also better, with more constructive and less cliche criticism. They also explain things for those of us ignorant of dance. And the host, Cat Deeley, is the best host of any show I've seen - she is the perfect mix of genuine warmth and smooth professionalism, with a slightly quirky, awkward side.
But the best part is the amazing display of talent and athleticism. These kids learn complex dance routines by top-notch choreographers in styles completely unfamiliar to them, and as the show goes on as many as 5 routines in a single week. The artistry required, the grace, and sheer physical ability is astounding. Last year an ex-football player won the competition. He was a huge muscular guy, yet he could glide effortlessly across the floor as if he were a slender ballerina.
All that to say, if you haven't watched the show and think it looks cheesy, you're right - it is cheesy. But it is also loads of fun and good light entertainment on a summer evening. The show is family-oriented, though be warned some of the dance costumes can be a bit skimpy - otherwise the content is basically the same as American Idol.
So for those few of us on here who do watch the show and those of you just checking it out, I look forward to your comments on Season 5...
My favorite summer show is So You Think You Can Dance on Fox. For the uninitiated, this is basically American Idol, only with dancers instead of singers. Tonight (it comes on Wednesdays and Thursdays) is the second of 3 audition episodes, which are similar to AI in that 3-4 judges give critiques on individual performances and decide whether or not to send the contestant on to the next round. The biggest difference is that the dancers perform in front of their fellow competitors along with the judges. The judges send the best dancers to the next round in Las Vegas, similar to Hollywood week on AI. After a rigorous 3 days of dance auditions in a wide variety of styles, the Top 20 (10 men, 10 women) are selected as finalists by the judges.
From there 2 dancers (1 of each sex) are eliminated from the competition each week throughout the summer. For the first 5 weeks, the bottom 3 men and women vote-getters perform solos in front of the judges during the results show, and they decide who actually gets kicked off. When it gets to the Top 10, the lowest vote-getters are sent home. The final is comprised of the Top 4. The contestants have the same partner for the first 5 weeks, and draw their style of dance for that week from a hat. A tap-dancer might be dancing a Viennese Waltz one week, then hip-hop the next - versatility is crucial to doing well. Starting with the Top 10, the dancers change partners and styles every week, and typically perform twice during the show. During the results show there is usually a group performance of some type along with the solos for the lowest vote-getters.
I personally enjoy this show much more than AI. The atmosphere is a bit lighter and more fun, but the competition is more intense because there is much more parity - the difference between the #1 dancer and the #20 dancer isn't that great - and there are no truly bad contestants in the Top 20. The judges are also better, with more constructive and less cliche criticism. They also explain things for those of us ignorant of dance. And the host, Cat Deeley, is the best host of any show I've seen - she is the perfect mix of genuine warmth and smooth professionalism, with a slightly quirky, awkward side.
But the best part is the amazing display of talent and athleticism. These kids learn complex dance routines by top-notch choreographers in styles completely unfamiliar to them, and as the show goes on as many as 5 routines in a single week. The artistry required, the grace, and sheer physical ability is astounding. Last year an ex-football player won the competition. He was a huge muscular guy, yet he could glide effortlessly across the floor as if he were a slender ballerina.
All that to say, if you haven't watched the show and think it looks cheesy, you're right - it is cheesy. But it is also loads of fun and good light entertainment on a summer evening. The show is family-oriented, though be warned some of the dance costumes can be a bit skimpy - otherwise the content is basically the same as American Idol.
So for those few of us on here who do watch the show and those of you just checking it out, I look forward to your comments on Season 5...
