TV Review | 'Step It Up and Dance' offers less than previous Bravo reality shows
Two and a half out of Five Stars
Diana Landes
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Arts
Competitive talent shows have become television fixtures thanks to programs like Bravo's "Project Runway" and "Top Chef." Iterations of these shows have popped up on networks of all kinds with varying levels of success. FOX's competitive cooking series, "Hell's Kitchen," for example, fared better than Tommy Hilfiger's fashion design competition "The Cut" on CBS. Now it appears to be Bravo's turn to borrow ideas a bit.
With "Step It Up and Dance," Bravo delves into the world of, well, dance - a world already braved by shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars." "Step It Up and Dance" is a bit different in format than these shows, more closely resembling Bravo's other reality elimination programs.
Each week one aspiring dancer is eliminated from the competition by a panel of judges. Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie from "Saved By the Bell" or the girl from "Showgirls" (1995), depending on your pop culture perspective) hosts the show and acts as judge. Joining her in deciding the fates of these hopeful dancers are director and choreographer Vincent Paterson and dancer and choreographer Nancy O'Meara.
But Elizabeth, Vincent and Nancy do not pack the same punch as Heidi, Michael and Nina of "Project Runway" or even Padma, Tom and Gail of "Top Chef." While the "Step It Up" judges analyze each contestant's work in much the same way the "Runway" judges do, they lack their hilarious, outspoken attitudes that account for at least half of the "Project Runway" appeal.
Perhaps accounting for the other half of the "Runway" appeal is Tim Gunn, whose furrow-browed concern, catchphrases and general anxious affect are endearing to "Runway" viewers and contestants alike. Acting as a less lovable mentor to the dancers on "Step It Up" is Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. He may just need time to hone his den-mother behavior, but in early episodes of "Step It Up," Jerry's consoling comes off as empty and his role on the show a bit unnecessary.
With "Step It Up and Dance," Bravo delves into the world of, well, dance - a world already braved by shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Dancing with the Stars." "Step It Up and Dance" is a bit different in format than these shows, more closely resembling Bravo's other reality elimination programs.
Each week one aspiring dancer is eliminated from the competition by a panel of judges. Elizabeth Berkley (Jessie from "Saved By the Bell" or the girl from "Showgirls" (1995), depending on your pop culture perspective) hosts the show and acts as judge. Joining her in deciding the fates of these hopeful dancers are director and choreographer Vincent Paterson and dancer and choreographer Nancy O'Meara.
But Elizabeth, Vincent and Nancy do not pack the same punch as Heidi, Michael and Nina of "Project Runway" or even Padma, Tom and Gail of "Top Chef." While the "Step It Up" judges analyze each contestant's work in much the same way the "Runway" judges do, they lack their hilarious, outspoken attitudes that account for at least half of the "Project Runway" appeal.
Perhaps accounting for the other half of the "Runway" appeal is Tim Gunn, whose furrow-browed concern, catchphrases and general anxious affect are endearing to "Runway" viewers and contestants alike. Acting as a less lovable mentor to the dancers on "Step It Up" is Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell. He may just need time to hone his den-mother behavior, but in early episodes of "Step It Up," Jerry's consoling comes off as empty and his role on the show a bit unnecessary.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
CELLOFX
posted 5/08/08 @ 5:09 AM EST
Have you been watching...maybe dance and performing arts are not your first love but this show is fun and entertaining....
its the very first show to grapple with the "audition/get the job" process, that all dancers have to endure as part of their process for employment and paying the rent. (Continued…)
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