Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
A-list choreographer mixes hard work with romance, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
THE DANCE SCENE follows celebrity choreographer and creative director LaurieAnn Gibson as she trains and leads a team of dancers to work and perform with high profile stars at her L.A.-based Boom Kack Studio. Gibson, who is known for her work with artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and the Jonas Brothers, mentors talented and ambitious junior choreographers like Sarah Mitchell, Paula Van Oppen, and Kherington Payne, so that they can maintain a competitive edge in the Hollywood dance world. Also joining "Team Book Kack" is senior choreographer Richard Jackson and Gibson's assistant, Lacee Rose. In between meetings, rehearsals, and other dance-related events, each of the dancers tries to sort out their complicated personal lives.
Is It Any Good?
The reality docuseries offers an inside look into Hollywood's competitive dance world, and what it takes to succeed in it. But the show's drama also comes from the dancers' romantic entanglements, including Gibson's secret romance with business partner Joe Wilson, which lead to some awkwardly voyeuristic scenes.
There are attempts by Gibson to send some positive messages about working hard and having a strong sense of self, but they are sometimes offset by her sense of self-importance and her use of racially oriented remarks. Nonetheless, teens interested in dance and/or the Hollywood scene will probably find the show very entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about professional dancing. How much training does someone have to have to be a professional dancer? Do you have to be formally trained in a dance studio to be considered a "real" dancer? Is having technique and talent enough, or are there other qualities that a dancer has to have to make it big in Hollywood?
Why do reality cast members reveal their personal lives in front of the camera? Do they really expect it to remain private once the show goes on the air? How real do you think these conversations are?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 10, 2011
- Cast : Kherington Payne , Laurieann Gibson , Sarah Mitchell
- Network : E!
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 21, 2022
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