The producers of So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) invited Blogcritics Magazine to go behind the scenes and attend a taping of tonight’s show.
For those not in the know, SYTYCD, now in its third season, was born in 2005 as an inferior American Idol knockoff, but slowly blossomed into a guilty pleasure, and has since evolved into the best reality series on television. Even if, like me, you have an irrational hatred of the pasa doble and too many left feet to master the macarena, this show will make like a mustache and grow on you.
Week after week, the show spotlights young dancers – from ballet dancers to b-boys – performing superbly choreographed routines in genres that span the chasm between krumping and quickstep. This season, the producers have also effectively highlighted the personalities of the dancers such that Thursday’s elimination show is a weekly exercise in heartbreak.
Unlike other reality shows that celebrate humiliation, showcase obnoxious personalities, or force contestants to compete in pointless battles, SYTYCD is the rare show that celebrates improvement, showcases talent, and forces contestants to compete in the realm in which they aspire to retire. The judges are brutally honest but, in contrast to Idol, rarely take delight in stabbing contestants in the heart.
The only thing this writer was unsure about is whether this reality show actually represents reality.
After all, each week, dancers are forced to perform partner routines in genres often outside their element. Imagine a breaker, with no formal training, doing lifts in a contemporary tale or syncopated steps in a foxtrot routine that she only had a few hours to learn. Surely, one would expect to see mangled flips, tangled arms, or strangled necks. Yet, this season, the bloopers and blunders were nonexistent.
Ever the skeptic, I imagined that FOX, which does not air the performance show live, allows retakes until each team delivers the best possible performance of the routine.
I was wrong. And now, I am in further awe of the contestants.
As I entered Stage 46 in CBS Television City, I immediately sensed the community and the cult status that this show has engendered. I passed celebrities like Vanessa Williams and Kids in the Hall comedian Scott Thompson, who were obviously big fans. I spotted two of last season’s finalists, Donyelle Jones and Heidi Groskreutz, making the rounds with old friends, while two of this season’s eliminated contestants, Jimmy Arguello and Jesús Solorio, warmly embraced one another. Even two of the contestants' swing-dancing father, Buddy Schwimmer, who has become known for always holding an electronic LED sign while sitting in the audience, is greeted like a national celebrity.
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Article comments
1 - Josh Lasser "TV and Film Guy"
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States.
2 - Phife
Great review! I wish you'd write a recap every week in case I ever miss an episode!
3 - Heloise
I was wondering about this. They were probably a tiny bit little jealous of all the attention that DWTS garnered from here and elsewhere. Heloise has watched this show. Dancing from past lives is just in my interest DNA. This show is DAMN good. Why? Because these are real people learning real routines in real time--like 5 hours.
I was never skeptical or thought they lied about it. The kids are pure gold. However, I was bit disappointed that more black dancers did not make the cut.
SYTYTCD nails it everytime.
Heloise
4 - Janna
I think that all the dancers are amazing this year, and I hope and pray that a girl wins this year. Not only because a guy has won every year so far, but because I think that the girls are better than the guys. Girls, ya'll deserve it!!!! Infact, no offense to Benji, because he is an amazing dancer, but I think that Allison Holker should have won. She was the best overall dancer, and I don't know why more people did not vote for her. All I have ever heard were negative things about her being voted off, and it isn't that I didn't love Natalie because I did, but Allison was the best last year. Allison, I'm sorry I couldn't do more to help you win. Again, good luck to everyone still on the show. Even those that have already been voted off and those that are still on the show, you all are inspirations and amazing at what you do. Love to all!!!!!!!!!!!