by Sherrill Fulghum

Created on: July 14, 2008

"So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol" are produced by the same people. One is not necessarily better than the other, only different. In fact, one of the judges for "So you Think You Can Dance" Nigel Lithgoe is the executive producer for both of the programs. In a sense comparing the two programs is somewhat like the old adage of comparing apples and oranges.

"American Idol" is a singing contest searching for the television watching audience's opinion as to who is the best singer. In the beginning only the winner was to be awarded a recording contract. But as we have seen many of the contestants from the show have signed recording contracts or gone on to be successful in other venues. Voting on "American Idol" is left strictly up to the public, the judges only provide their thoughts on the contestant's performance. While some contestants on "American Idol" have difficulty performing a variety of genres, the overall performances end up sounding pretty fair.

"So You Think You Can Dance" is a program for dancers. There are no recording contracts for the winners only the title of being America's favourite dancer. The exposure the dancer's receive from the show give them the opportunity to land a gig somewhere or in the case of a dancer last season receive a scholarship for a dance academy. Former winners of "So You Think You Can Dance" have returned to the show as choreographers for current dancers. "American Idol" has a vocal coach to help the singers if they need it but other than a few suggestions from the band during rehearsals the singers are on their own as to song choice and performance; but on "So You Think You Can Dance" the dancer picks his dance style out of a hat and then must learn the dance from a professional who has choreographed the dance. A dancer works hard to perfect the skills of his or her chosen dance style. Unlike music which has some similarities among genres, different dance styles have drastically different steps and movements which can be extremely difficult for dancers who are not familiar with that style. For example, someone who is a ballroom dancer with smooth graceful moves will find it difficult to perform hip-hop or krumping with its sharp hard hitting moves. By the same token a break dancer may have trouble with the style and grace of a waltz. Dancers on "So You Think You Can Dance" must demonstrate the adaptability to perform proficiently all of the varying dance styles. The television watching audience votes on the couples that they like but the judges have the ultimate decision as to who stays and who gos on the show. Once the bottom three couples have been determined, the dancers must perform a solo routine in their chosen dance style. It is then that the judges decide which of the dancers will be eliminated. On "American Idol" only one contestant is eliminated each week, but on "So You Think You Can Dance" two contestants - one guy and one girl" is eliminated each week.

As someone who watches both of the programs and enjoys them equally, I honestly do not believe that one is any better than the other. Of course; for fans of "American Idol" that program will be better and for fans of "So You Think You Can Dance" that program will be better. But like any decision that involves an opinion it all boils down to what the speaker thinks is true.

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