So You Think You Can Dance
By Pam Gelman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dance version of Idol struts its stuff.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Maximum age limit is disgusting, it needs to be raised to 104
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Show takes a weird turn, becomes harsh and mean spirited.
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What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the amount of hard work, patience, and strength it takes to make it as a dancer. Do you think you could do it?
What do you think of the judges' critiques? Which ones are constructive? How can someone bounce back from such disappointment?
How do you feel about the competitors who weren't serious about the audition? Do you think that impacts the show's integrity?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 20, 2005
- Cast: Cat Deeley, Lauren Sanchez, Nigel Lythgoe
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: July 7, 2022
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