The Next Step

THE NEXT STEP is a scripted drama series filmed like a reality show, with a constant back-and-forth between observational segments and tell-all confessionals with individual characters. Given that it centers on two highly charged subjects -- teen relations and competitive dance -- it's never lacking drama, which bodes well for drawing in young viewers. The show shirks most iffy content that some other teen-centered series sensationalize, so you won't have to worry about allusions to sex, teen drinking, or strong language of any kind. What's more, many of the characters emerge as decent role models either through their devotion to and passion for dance or through some pretty strong mettle in standing up to strong peer pressure.

And, speaking of peer pressure, The Next Step's most striking quality is the obtrusive presence of an unapologetic mean girl in Emily, who uses her social status to dominate her peers. She's scheming and cruel for purely selfish reasons, and she uses manipulation and feigned affection to control her friends, which wins over several of the characters at one point or another. But, although her actions play out like a how-to book on bullying, they do serve an important purpose in posing moral dilemmas that may look familiar to kids. Not all the characters manage to rise above the social pressure, but, when one does, it's an example that's worth holding up to your kids.