Common Sense Media Review
Feel-good dance-off will get tweens' toes tapping.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
In DIRTY DANCING, 18 women learn new moves from six male dance instructors and are whittled down until one is left to accept the grand prize -- a professional dancing contract. Cris Judd -- a longtime backup dancer and choreographer who's perhaps best known as one of Jennifer Lopez's exes -- hosts each episode, all of which are set in a lush California resort (rather than the Catskills locale of the guilty pleasure movie that inspired the show's name...). Most of the contestants enjoy dancing but have never pursued a career on stage. They spend their time giggling their way through dance lessons before being outfitted in sparkly dresses and getting professionally made up to perform for the three judges -- Jackie Rios, Eddie Garcia, and Keith Young -- who will narrow the pool to a single finalist. Each of the six male partners works with the same three women throughout the competition, letting them get to know each other.
Is It Any Good?
Since this is reality TV, it's not surprising that the women develop rivalries and jealous feelings when it seems like one of them is getting more attention from their partner than the others. And as in Dancing with the Stars, explosive onstage moves and pretty costumes turn each episode of Dirty Dancing into extreme eye candy for fans of the performing arts. It's all sorts of reality fun rolled in one: makeovers, competition, and some sexual tension. While the latter might turn some parents off, Dirty Dancing is ultimately fine fare for tweens and older, especially those who appreciate the performing arts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of dance-themed reality shows. Why do you think people -- both kids and adults -- like shows like this so much? Families can also talk about the amount of hard work, patience, and strength it takes to make it as a dancer. How much training do you need to be a performer? What are your odds of success in dancing (or other creative fields)?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 29, 1988
- Cast : Cris Judd , Eddie Garcia , Jackie Rios
- Network : WE
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 12, 2020
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