So You Think You Can Dance

After many talent competitions, it has a virtue- it is different. Profound different. And it reminds the force of dance, genre by genre, to say, in profound sense, with deep intensity, the truth about skills and art and people on the scene. In same measure, it is a contest in which the viewer is part moment by moment. Because the fair judgments , the each move, the music are tools for discover yourself and for remind the intensity of dance as pure form of art. So, for many reasons, the show.

I have been a fan since season 1 and have adjusted to each new tweak in format as it came along, until 2022. This newest format doesn't have much going to recommend it. For starters it's too rushed. We went from auditions to live shows in a blink. This didn't leave any time for us as viewers to get invested in any of the dancers, or their fates. Next in the line of fire is the new voting. Going from mass audience voting to only using the studio audience, I've been in that studio and it's not a lot of people, is a joke. Millions of opinions down to dozens of audience members deciding on "America's Favourite Dancer" is laughable. Then the judges decide who goes home...and then there's the judges. Leah and tWitch are great. JoKo is loud and pretty obnoxious. I'll hang in there for the love of dance and loyalty, this time. I hope they reassess after this season, and go back to what made this a competition show in the first place because legacy loyalty only goes so far and I won't sit through this format again.

NOTE: The 6 rating is for the show itself, the way it's run, not the contestants, these incredible troupers, who deserve a 10.

The thing I like most about this show is how the dancers have to step up each week and perform in a genre that is usually much different than their own; this requires the performers to be unbelievably flexible - not just physically but mentally and emotionally, and most of them are genuinely inspiring to watch.

I don't think the judges are really fair, especially Nigel, who seems to not appreciate anyone whose style and personage is different than the mainstream ideas of gender-acceptability. He has more of a problem with some of the guys, whom he berates for not being 'masculine enough' to take the lead with a female partner. Very limited - and limiting - imagination, he has. I really like Mia Michaels, who's the complete opposite: very open-minded and fair, a true artist and an inspiring creative force.

I also don't think it's fair that the 3 lowest-voted boys and the 3 lowest-voted girls each week get THIRTY SECONDS ONLY to show what they can do individually before the judges make their decisions. This is ridiculous, it's clearly not enough time - they should be given at least 2 minutes or at the very least a minute and a half so they can allow their chosen routine to build a little; with the THIRTY-SECOND time, everyone usually winds up looking frantic. Give these people a break, I say. They have time for a complete performance from a guest star, like Neo, this week, for instance, but they don't have time for the actual contestants? This is absolutely pathetic.

The show is clearly a personality contest, and they admit it. They're not looking for 'America's BEST dancer' but rather 'America's FAVORITE dancer,' and this is okay, because let's face it, any public competition generally winds up being a popularity contest anyway. So at least they're up front about that. I especially appreciate how they show the performers practicing each week in the genre they've found themselves dancing in. Sometimes it looks like they'll never be able to pull it off, but 90% of the time, once they're in their costumes and the audience is present, they manage to shine.

8/16/07 : THRILLED that Sabra won tonight! I didn't think she had a chance; I was sure Neil or Danny would take it, and I have a feeling she felt that way too. I've been watching nearly ever week just to see her numbers - when she dances, you can't take your eyes off her, plain and simple. The judges did get it right about her - she has The Magic. Something you can't buy, steal or be taught. A thrilling performer.

8/8/08 : This time around, I was rooting for either Katee or Joshua to take it, and I couldn't have been any more pleased that Joshua won last night. Another great year, very inspired and inspiring.

I study voice and so when I watch a show like American Idol, I can tell when they're faking it. Worse - they always get away with it. I also dance, so I was not going to turn away an opportunity to watch a dancing American Idol. Way better than the original. You just can't fake it. The dancers are either good or they're bad - no getting around it. The result? An absolutely amazing hour of dances that remind you to love the arts. There's hip hop and ballroom the entire spectrum is covered. I personally can't wait for a second season and would recommend this show to anyone who has ever tapped their foot while listening to music. It's just that good.

So sad and disappointed. This has been my favorite program for many years. This year was simply a cheap version of a spectacular premise. The dancers they chose were not as good. I missed the presence of the past winners. Nigel and Mary were the best part of the show. And finally you cannot be America's favorite dancer if America cannot vote on the favorite dancer. Please please remove the show but bring back its former glory.