FOX: ‘Prison Break’ takes the show on the road

‘Dance’ fever on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

Critics were able to see first-hand the dancing talents of four of the “So You Think You Can Dance” contestants. Benji and Heidi performed a West Coast swing dance, while Travis and Allison danced a contemporary routine. (Since this came immediately after drinks were served at the “Happy Hour” panel, I wondered if the “America’s Most Wanted” panel would actually catch a criminal onstage, while the “Nip/Tuck” cast would perform plastic surgery.) After the fast-moving, acrobatic dances, eight contestants, the four judges, host Cat Deeley and producer Nigel Lythgoe participated in the panel discussion. (Judge Mary Murphy stole the fashion part of the show, with a leopard-print dress.)

All of the judges have worked with celebrities on dance routines, and they were asked to compare those stars to the dancers on the show. “These dancers are 10 times better [than the celebrities],” said judge Dan Karaty. He also allowed “Britney Spears picks up [dance moves] like that. And some others like Jessica Simpson take a really long time to learn these.”  Shane Sparks said “Lindsay Lohan is probably one of the hardest females I had to work with. … And if you watch the movie awards, she just rolled her hips and dropped to the floor and popped her head and threw her hair.”

Not all viewers are thrilled with the second season. Readers have emailed us to complain about new host Cat Deely, but don’t expect to see her replaced any time soon. Deely says she was hired because Nigel Lythgoe knew her from England, and that she loves her job so much. “They’re going to have problems getting rid of me.”

Other viewers don’t find it fair that dancers must perform in dance genres other than their own, but the cast and crew wouldn’t have it any other way. Lythgoe noted that that requirement has always been the life of a commercial dancer. And judge and choreographer Shane Sparks noted that many dancers lose jobs because they’re not versatile enough. “You can’t survive in this business with hip-hop [dance skills] alone, and that’s why so many hip-hop dancers don’t work,” he said.

There was a bit of a lively debate about the prize differences between “Dance” and Lythgoe’s “Idol.” “Dance” winners receive an SUV, $100,000, and a year contract, if they want it, with Celine Dion’s Vegas show. Joked Lythgoe of the Dion deal, “We’re not sure if that’s a prize or a punishment.” Winners of “Idol” receive an estimated 10 times that amount in contract money. Lythgoe defended the disparity by saying that “a singer has something to sell [CDs],” while dancers have only their live performances and possibly DVDs.

One critic pointed out that “The Amazing Race” gives away a million dollars and those winners can hardly go on to a professional career as a racer, suggesting that the prize for “Dance” should be raised to correspond to the income the show makes. “I don’t disagree with that,” said Lythgoe. ”And when the show starts to earn some money, I’m sure we’ll relook at the prizes.” And like the “American Idol” finalists who go out on a multi-city tour, Lythgoe allowed that “Dance” may consider such an event, taking the top 10 dancers and performing in 25 cities.”

Tales from the ‘Dance’ floor

• Readers of “Ask the Reality TV Experts” often ask: Why do so many reality shows forbid Canadian participants? Nigel Lythgoe, who produces both “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol,” said neither show will open up to Canadian participants any time soon. “Canada has got its own ‘Canadian Idol’ and hope to [create a version of] ‘Dance’ as well,” he said. And as far as Canadians being able to vote in “American Idol,” he said “no” to that as well, adding “It’s about ‘American Idol,’ he said, not ‘American Canadian Idol’.”
• Are you a wannabe “American Idol” auditioner looking for tips? Focus on your singing more than your dancing, of course, although knowing how to move certainly doesn’t hurt, said Lythgoe. And “Don’t sing the two ‘Idol’ final songs,” he advised.
• Contestant Natalie was asked about her relationships with some of the eliminated dancers. Of former partner Musa Cooper, she said “We had a really good connection as partners. Nothing more, just dance partners.” Of Dmitry Chaplin, she said “Dmitry and I have been very close. … We have a very special bond, very good friends.”
• Judge Brian Friedman noted that season-one winner Nick Lazzarini chose not to take the New York apartment he was entitled to use for a year. Instead he took the money,  joined an LA dance company and “really hasn’t gone and pursued the commercial-dance aspect.”
• Viewers also often wonder if dancers can do their own choreography, and if so, how long does it take. After his performance at the panel, Travis shared that he and Allison decided to perform at the panel only the night before, and that the dance took them “an hour or two” to put together.