Live to Dance
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Cheesy dance contest is family-friendly but feeble.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Paula Abdul pulls judging-panel duties while simultaneously strapping on executive producer shoes in LIVE TO DANCE, a reality dance contest that whittles down scores of hopefuls (both groups and individuals, who represent a variety of ages and dance styles) to 18 semifinalists. Those deemed good enough to make the judges' short list will get the chance to dance for a $500,000 prize, but only one act can be crowned the Live to Dance champion. Along with Abdul, original Pussycat Dolls member Kimberly Wyatt and choreographer Travis Payne round out the judging panel.
Is It Any Good?
If America's Got Talent is your idea of a good time, you'll find more to like with Live to Dance, which is essentially the exact same show -- just with dance acts, different judges, and lower production values. But if you're a dance purist who prefers competitions like So You Think You Can Dance or Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew, this touchy-feely talent show might not hold as much appeal. At least in the early rounds, heart is sometimes valued too much over skill, which means that some of the acts that get through don't have what it takes to truly impress.
Oh, and that aw-shucks feedback Abdul was famous for on American Idol? Well, it's still intact here, and you'll get plenty of it -- along with Abdul's signature pipes on the show's theme song.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about televised talent shows and why they seem to be so popular. How does this show differ from other dance competitions on the air? What does it do differently to try to set itself apart?
Why would dancers want to appear on this show? Is money the only motivation, or are some just looking for fame?
Do you agree with the judges' decisions when it comes to who goes home and who gets to advance? What criteria do they seem to be using to make their choices?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 4, 2011
- Cast: Paula Abdul
- Network: CBS
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate