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.
It all feels a bit too formulaic. Berkley even has her own parting line to counter Heidi Klum's "You're out ... Auf Wiedersehen." When a disheartened dancer is voted off the show Berkley stonily says, "The show is over. It's time for your last dance." Okay, that's actually pretty good.
Other parts of "Step It Up" are pretty good too. Seeing the different ways in which each group of dancers interprets an assignment is interesting. Viewers of the show see the skill and strength that is required of a professional dancer as well as the ingenuity that goes into the choreography. The contestants are indeed talented, and watching them dance in different styles is entertaining and illuminating. Hearing them speak is an entirely different story.
In interviews, the contestants are given a forum to explain aspects of the competition and voice concerns about other contestants. Miguel is particularly annoying as he seems to do nothing but complain about the others and praise himself. In early episodes of the show one contestant does not readily jump out as a fan favorite, but as the weeks go on and the group is whittled down, more personalities will emerge.
Whereas "Project Runway" contestants produce physical work each week that they're judged on, "Step It Up" contestants can only offer themselves. Their elimination rests on just one performance, so it is difficult to judge which contestant deserves to leave the show.
What's at stake for the contestants is $100,000 and little else. There is no opportunity to start a clothing line or a restaurant; the winner of this show gets some cash and the chance to go to more auditions. If anything, perhaps what "Step It Up" offers viewers is a sense of how difficult it is to define success in a field like professional dance.
