Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Webcam dance contest rewards gimmicky, sexy moves.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Instead of bringing contestants into a studio and having a live audience cast votes for the best act, DANCE CAM SLAM solicts video submissions from viewers at home and then chooses 10 groups to perform live for the show's judges (dance expert Brandon Henschel and style expert Jordan Feldman) and host Marianella via webcam. After watching the acts perform, the judges cast their votes and pick the two finalists who will battle it out in a dance-off that's ultimately decided by viewers at home via text vote. The winning act gets $5,000 and the chance to return and defend its title.
Is It Any Good?
Although trying to make sense of the process can be confusing at first, once Dance Cam Slam gets started, you quickly realize that it's a lot simpler than it sounds. So simple, in fact, that it's stupid. There are a few truly talented dancers on the show, but in truth, they really don't stand a chance against the vote-grabbing joke acts...like a trio of overweight Chippendale dancers who call themselves the Chocolate Chip Dancers. So if all you're looking for is a few laughs and don't really mind whether the best act wins, then, by all means, tune in for cheap thrills.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about competition and how this show compares to other dance contests on TV. What's more important here: dancing well or coming up with a crazy gimmick? Do you agree with the decisions of viewers at home? Would you have picked a different winner?
Why did producers choose the webcam/text voting format instead of, say, bringing each contestant into a studio and having a live audience vote for them? What are the advantages -- and disadvantages -- to having contestants compete remotely?
Does the fact that the contestants are "real" people make it more or less entertaining than a show with celebrity contestants like Dancing with the Stars?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 26, 2010
- Cast : Brandon Henschel , Jordan Feldman , Marianela
- Network : VH1
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2022
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