We — as in, my household of two adults and two kids — love watching American Idol during the winter months. It comes on in January, just about the time we’re going stir-crazy here in the North Woods, and carries us into the spring months. I know Idol has gotten a bad rap lately, but it keeps us from killing each other during those long, cold, cabin-fever nights.
And just about the time Idol ends, we have another talent show to keep us interested into the summer: So You Think You Can Dance. I wouldn’t say it’s the life-and-death situation of American Idol, but it’s definitely a fun diversion from the hectic rush of our lives. And it’s hard not to compare the two shows, which is what I’m going to do right now.
The Judges. The first thing that stands out is the judges. Both shows have a judges’ panel that includes a British guy and a loopy female. If you count Lil’ C among the cast of rotating third judges in SYTYCD, he could be the counterpart to Randy Jackson. Lil’ C doesn’t say “Dawg,” but he does say “That’s buck.” I’m not really sure what that means yet. Mary Murphy’s laugh is only slightly more annoying than Paula Abdul’s seal-clap, and Nigel Lythgoe seems a bit more human than Simon Cowell, although Nigel’s Beach Boys hairdo is a head-scratcher.
The Contestants. There’s a similar number of weepy contestants on both shows, but more gay guys come right out and say it on SYTYCD. There’s no mystery a la Adam Lambert (I mean, come on, he’s gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that!). There does seem to be more goofiness during the Idol auditions, though. Wow, most of those SYTYCD contestants are intense and in it to win it. Then again, more than one Idol hopeful has said, “If I don’t make it, this is all I’ve got,” which is sad.
The Pay-Off. Last year’s SYTYCD winner danced off with $250K and a featured role in Adam Shankman’s upcoming film, Step Up 3D. I’m not sure about the payoff this year — touring with Celine Dion maybe? At any rate, Idol‘s multi-album recording contract seems like a better deal to me.
The Hosts. Cat Deeley seems more laid back, more behind-the-scenes than Idol‘s Ryan Seacrest, who’s everywhere with everyone. They’re both fun to watch during the auditions and performances, though. They both seem to genuinely care about the contestants.
So which is your favorite? American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance? Or do you just wish they’d both go away?
Clacked by Jane Boursaw 
on Jun 05, 2009 @ 15:00 EST5EDT
I enjoy So You Think You Can Dance far more than AI.
What was with M. Michaels last night? Did anyone else think she was horribly rude and hateful towards that young man? I’m glad Mary put a stop to it. That young man (I forget his name) seems like such a likable and calm fellow.
And wasn’t Michael’s the one who disgraced a military jacket last season?
I should also mention that Cat Deeley is one of my favorite hosts ever. She has quite a pleasant and delightful personality.
Mia Michaels never has anything good to say about anyone! I’m so sick of hearing her say, “Oh, I’d like to put you through, but I can’t.” And she said that to some pretty good dancers (I thought, anyway). Argh.
She shouldn’t be a judge. Not that I have an opinion on it or anything.
but Mia and Lil C were up front and honest. They’d had the guy built up by the other judges as being absolutely fabulous, and they weren’t seeing it. If they had come into judging him blank, they might have seen him differently, but they didn’t. They had pre-conceived notions. But they admitted this.
that’s what I prefer on Dance over Idol. The judges are much more up front about why and how they come to their decisions. And Mia does tend to be much more blunt that we’re used to. But that’s the world of dance. There’s always more dancers auditioning than getting a job, and the job of the choreographer up front is to cut. if you simply go by the audition episodes, Tyce was much more rude and blunt to the dancers than Mia.
and that brings us to the real difference between the two shows. On Dance, the audience vote picks the bottom three, but then the judges make the final decision. They have real power. On Idol (and America’s Got Talent), the judges really perform little function once they choose the top X number of contestants. They get to say their little evaluations, but it doesn’t change the outcome in any significant way.
i just wanted to say i dont think the intensity from the sytycd contestants is so much about being “in it to win it”.” its more that singing another celine dion, or mariah carey, or the beatles song for the 1000th time on idol is different than spending an entire week with a choreographer face to face who has slaves with you to create a dance especially for you. they must feel some sort of responsibility to bring the choreographer’s vision to life. esp since these seem to be choreographer’s they have heard of and admire and are thrilled to be working with. and you dont just have to carry yourself like you do in american idol, in sytycd you also have a responsibility to your partner. your lack of intensity and focus could cost your partner their spot. from what i hear them say on and off the show even if they dont win they essentially get one on one exposure in different genres of dance from some of the best in each genre – for free!
and i agree with the poster above, there is a reality and a feeling that the show tries to stay true to the general aims of dance exposure and the growth of the contestants. there is an honesty in the judging and sometimes even honest to a fault. ive more than once heard nigel admit to making mistakes as a producer when it comes to a comment made or a style of dance chosen or ive heard judges own up to not understanding or appreciating the choreography…all of it is a bit more honest and behind the talent show “veil” than idol. you get the feeling that having an interesting top ten isnt the most important goal on sytycd; cultivating dance appreciation and encouraging and challenging a new generation of dancers is up there too.