So You Think You Can Dance - TV-PG
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Fox Cast: Cat Deeley, Lauren Sanchez, Nigel Lythgoe
Genre: Reality TV
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series is the brainchild of Simon Cowell and bears many similarities to his mega hit American Idol. In the early auditions, some aspiring dancers are clearly looking for their 15 minutes of fame, while others are earnest but lacking in skills. And a few are physically hurt in the process. The judges can be mean-spirited in their critiques of the dancers. When the dancers are good, it's awe-inspiring, but there's too much fluff to sort through to get to the real meat of the show. Once the final 20 are selected, wannabe hoofers young and old will enjoy the competition.
Families can talk about the amount of hard work, patience, and strength it takes to make it as a dancer. Just one example: A contestant who wasn't selected before took the judges' advice to enroll in classes and came back to make it past the first elimination rounds. Another discussion topic is the judges' critiques. Which ones are constructive? How can someone bounce back from such disappointment? Families can also talk about the competitors who weren't serious about the audition and how this affects the show's integrity.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Pam Gelman
It'll be hard to keep your feet still while watching SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE. After a series of auditions around the country, 20 dancer hopefuls tap, break, or sashay their way to Las Vegas for the formal competition, where they work with five of the nation's top choreographers. Live results determine who keeps dancing, who's going home, and who's crowned America's No. 1 dancer.
When the heat is on, it's great fun to watch a show that combines all types of dance, including ballet, salsa, hip hop, jive, ballroom, tap, and more. But the series needs work. It doesn't have American Idol's polish or fluidity; exchanges between judges are awkward and lacking in conviction, and they give unclear advice to competitors who are turned away.
Some critiques are harsh, although British judge/executive producer Nigel Lythgoe -- "Nasty Nigel," as he's referred to in his hometown -- is actually quite civil at times with the competitors who are earnest but have few skills. Like his friend Simon Cowell, Lythgoe has little patience for those who are there to be on camera and bring no talent.
Cat Deeley, another hot import from England, hosts the show; she clearly has a lot of experience interviewing celebrities and great rapport with the contestants. But she bears a strong likeness to Idol host Ryan Seacrest and needs to find her own niche to make this gig her own.
Kids who like to dance or like to watch dancing will enjoy the program. But some questionable material needs to be screened: One contestant talks about drinking problems interfering with his dancing, another calls himself "Sex" and describes himself as a male sex symbol, others get bleeped when responding to the judges, and so on. If kids (and their parents) can see past this and focus on the dancing, it's very inspiring to watch the dancers' hard work. It's contagious, too.
Kids who enjoy this series may also like American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and Mad Hot Ballroom.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome suggestive dance moves. Very skimpy outfits worn by some female dancers. |
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ViolenceSome dancers fall and get hurt (blood and bruises) during auditions. |
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LanguageSomeone wants to be called "Sex." |
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Social BehaviorThe contestants work very hard to polish their performances. But judges make harsh comments to some competitors: "You look like the Bride of Chucky," "That was a bad car accident." |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne competitor talks about past experiences with alcohol addiction. |
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