Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Energetic hip-hop contest is a hit for tweens and up.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this fun, energetic hip-hop dance competition promotes dance both as an art form and as a positive activity that builds leadership and team strength. The judges offer constructive criticism while commending every team for their efforts and commitment to their craft. Female dancers do sometimes wear skimpy outfits, and some of the dance moves are a bit suggestive, but it's all presented as part of the overall art form. Rare curse words are bleeped out.

  • The series presents hip-hop dance as a positive, artistic team exercise for young people.
  • The dancers clearly love what they're doing and are committed to doing it well. Judges encourage them to be true to their styles, professional, and respectful. Dancers are male and female and from various racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  • References to "battles" and dancers "throwing down" and "fighting it out" as metaphors for dance challenges.
  • Butt-shaking and pelvic thrusts are part of the choreography but are presented artistically. Lots of references to "booty" shaking. Some of the dance costumes are tight and reveal bare midriffs and underwear.
  • Rare curse words ("f--k") uttered during frustrating rehearsals are bleeped.
  • Features mixes of popular hip-hop tunes and other music genres. Hip-hop artists give guest performances during the final challenge.

What's the story?

RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS AMERICA'S BEST DANCE CREW is a hip-hop dance competition produced by American Idol judge Jackson and hosted by Mario Lopez. After auditioning hundreds of dance groups from all across America, nine crews were selected to compete. Every week, their hip-hop inspired routines must impress judges like 'N Sync founder JC Chasez and hip-hop superstar Lil' Mama, who choose the top teams. The bottom two finishers must dance it out in the "battle zone," where they each have one more chance to out-step the other. Meanwhile, viewers can cast votes for their favorite teams to help strengthen their position in the competition. The last crew standing wins $100,000 and the title of America's Best Dance Crew.


Is it any good?

 

This fun, lively series offers positive messages about dance, leadership, and teamwork. Unlike in many reality competitions, the judges offer both supportive and constructive criticism about the dancers' work; they also remind the dancers -- who range from self-taught street performers to studio-trained choreographers -- to stay true to their own style and not sell out for the sake of being famous. Also inspiring is some of the behind-the-scenes footage of teammates relying on each other for both inspiration and strength.

But it's during the on-stage action that the dancers really show their love for their craft as they demonstrate the different ways that hip hop can be interpreted while having a great time doing it. While some of the dancers sport some skimpy outfits (usually showing off bare midriffs -- and sometimes underwear) and perform suggestive dance moves, this show is still an excellent example of how young people can turn to positive creative outlets for expression, self-esteem, and fun.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about what dancing offers kids. How does dance help kids become strong leaders? Do you think televised dance competitions will get more kids interested in participating?

  • Do you consider dancers athletes? How much work goes into dancing competitively? Do you have to be formally trained in a dance studio to be considered a "real" dancer?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
 
GREAT
LOVE IT! I write tons of longly worded reviews on this site and the only thing I can say about this is: GREAT! That's it. Watch it!

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
the best moves seen!!!
this was the one of the seldom shows kids our age will ever be captivated by and entertained to the fullest keep it as long as there are dance groups just as great or even better then the ones seen on MTV.

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Kid, 13 years old
May 7, 2010
 
Great show, but there are better alternatives!
It`s great, but some of the dancers can be a little innapropriate. I think I would rather watch Dancing with the Stars or America`s Got Talent, personally. =)

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I wish I could dance like this!
If you love music and dance, you'll love this show. The dancing is so much fun to watch and the talent that is being showcased is just off the chain. I love the weekly challenges and the format of the show. The judges seem to have a good command of what is actually going on and I love their comments. While not every team can be the best every week, the judge's comments are not negative. These dancers work so hard every week. I can't imagine how they come up with such great routines so quickly. I hope Jabberwockeze (spelling) wins.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
S0 C00L..iF Y0U'RE 13 AND 0VER A GREAT READ!
i'VE BEEN WATCHiNG THiS SH0W F0R A WHiLE N0W..ME AND MY M0M B0TH L0VE iT! iT C0MES 0N EVERY THURSDAY AND iM RiGHT iN FR0NT 0F THE T.V. READY T0 SEE THE TEAMS C0MPETE..i JUST L0VE THE SH0W..i L0VE T0 DANCE AND iF i EVER HAD A CHANCE T0 DANCE LiKE THEY D0 0N STAGE iD REALLY L0VE iT..TAKE TiME 0N THURSDAYS T0 SEE iT F0R Y0URSELVES!

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Incredible Show!
This show is one of my favorites. I love all the crews but my favorite is JabbaWockeeZ, the masked men from San Diego. This show is a great way to talk about devotion and teamwork.

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Teen, 15 years old
January 25, 2010
 
One of my favorite MTv shows.
This show is so freak n awesome!!!!Favorite crew jabbawockeez!!!

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Parent of 11 year old
May 7, 2010
 
a family show!
the dancers dancing can be slightly horny, but everything else is out of this world!!!!!!!!!!!

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Teen, 16 years old
August 13, 2009
 
great for the family!
i love this show its awesome! i love watching the crews compete and make up their own amazing dances, and since i love watching hip hop, this show is awesome! probably the only thing on mtv that isn't completely pointless!

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:MTV
Cast:JC Chasez, Mario Lopez
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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