TV review: So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance
By Tameka Smith
Of the Frontpage Milwaukee staff
July 2009

Fox
Nigel Lythgoe & Simon Fuller
5 out of 5 stars

What’s hip today might not be what’s hip tomorrow. Dance is always evolving into something new. It has transformed from classical waltz into doing the stanky leg.

So You Think You Can Dance is currently in its fifth season and is a mind blowing must see television sensation. Nigel Lythgoe is the co-creator and executive producer of the show. He is one of the judges, along side Mary Murphy and other guest judges.

It is a show that gives young talent from all types of genres like contemporary, hip-hip, ballet, and more the opportunity to showcase their talents and learn the hottest moves from other genres.

The show spends its first week touring around the states, holding auditions at the largest cities. Once the judges put through their favorite picks, the chosen ones are sent to Las Vegas where they undergo a rapid and intricate choreography routine that pushes each dancer to the their limit.

Once the top 10 girls and top 10 guys are chosen, they are then paired in two and compete against each other to become America’s favorite dancer.

There are other shows similar to So You Think You Can Dance, but none that can even compare to the raw, original talent that is showcased on the show. Dancing With the Stars focuses on a professional choreographer who is paired with each celebrity. The show only features traditional dances like the waltz, foxtrot, and rumba.

Where So You Think You Can Dance couples perform a larger variety of dances both classical and modern. Although both shows allow the audience to play a role in the contestant’s faith, only So You Think You Can Dance allows each individual dancer to fight for their life by choreographing their own routine.

Their routine could save them from returning back home or winning the grand prize of $250,000. It displays the true raw talent of each contestant as both a choreographer and performer.

The show remains a must see and engages its audience with the dancers to make people want to pick up the phone and vote.   Judges on the show are always filled with knowledgeable insight on the technical and showmanship side of each performer that makes the show credible and interesting to watch.

Once the show reaches their top ten, the couples are placed with new partners to keep it exciting. This season, Phillip was the one to look after. He had amazing talent and could pop lock and drop his body into any twisted position.

Unfortunately, like many other contestants, he was voted off. It’s quite addicting! The viewer gets attached to seeing certain couples bond and perform together, and then you never know if they’ll be the ones dancing for their lives the following week.

The emotional connection the dancers have with each other each week is remarkable. Jeanine and Philip performed a memorable piece that was choreographed by Tabitha and Napoleon Dumo.

They performed while chained together and used the prop throughout their piece phenomenally. And then at the end of the dance, Phillip offered his partner the key to walk away from him, pulling the audience into the hearts of the two performers.

So You Think You Dance is a sure winner to watch with the kids each night. It comes on Fox twice a week and will leave the viewer amazed and speechless. The show displays great talent from upcoming choreographers, as well as the ability of each contestant to succeed in the dance world.

Remember, it’s up to the audience to keep their favorite dancer out the bottom three each week, so tune in and experience the performances of many music genres.