So You Think You Can Torment?

I have to say, as much as I love the show 'So You Think You Can Dance' I'm a little put off by the judges (more than usual) this year.

I think this show ('Dance' for short) is a nice change from other reality TV shows. For instance, during the audition process, listening to people who can't sing is painful and embarrassing and it's easy to be misguided about your abilities if you sing in the shower and have never had any other experience and want to try your hand at a competition and get on TV at the same time. Reality shows like Big Brother may have been intriguing to begin with, but VERY quickly got old when it became clear that most people on the show were not worth the time we were giving them. Dance however, is a joy to watch for more demographics then you would first think. I know many people who have previously shown no interest in dance, or the arts in general for that matter, who now look forward to watching Dance each week and even talk of trying to be a part of the studio audience. When it comes to auditioning, most people honestly know whether or not they are of the standard for the show and so if they are coming in to muck around and get on TV then it's usually very obvious. And if they are terrible or silly, then it's amusing to watch rather than grating on the ears as singing is. On the same token, when they are good dancers, it is incredibly impressive to watch and the seemingly simple act of movement to music can have you gripped and glued to the TV.

Putting aside my personal dislike for the Australian judges (Jason's condescending talk of showing 'them' "our world"; Bonnie's Mothering of everyone and dithering metaphors; and Matt's [who I quite honestly forgot his name then and had to look it up] pretentious hat wearing) I think this year there is too much crying.

I completely understand that dancing is a strenuous and emotional career to pursue and that individuals have a lot of personal baggage caught up in their journey, but the way the judges force them to spill it all for Australia to hear is a bit over the top. I have had a few people say to me that the show should be renamed 'So you think you can cry' because it honestly seems like every second contestant has a great emotional story to tell. Which is quite likely.

But What I have an issue with, is when the judges (who I'm sure know enough of their story from their application form to know that something's there) goad them with questions and stare at them until they break down and cry, spilling their heart in front of the camera, standing by themselves in front of a panel of judges, an audience of their peers and effectively all of Australia.

'It's so the voting public can know their journey and connect with them' you might say. Rubbish! half the people who are almost forced to cry don't make the top 20 which is decided before the show gets edited and put to air. What's the point of their personal issues being splashed over the TV when people who do connect with them never get the chance to vote for them?

You want to play therapist is it? You want to look compassionate and caring and have all of Australia view you as deep and loving people? How much more compassionate would it be to turn the cameras off, take them into a room where the other people auditioning aren't watching and talk to them quietly, seeing if there is anything they need? No? You'd rather do it on full display and somehow feel like you're so kind for asking and convince yourself of some sort of validation through knowing that Australia has seen you care for these people...

Which brings me to my next point. I know you are TV Personalities, but you don't know these people! How do you know that running down to hug them right after you've made them cry by goading them about their deepest darkest problems isn't a gross invasion of personal space? Perhaps they didn't want a hug? In your humanitarian crusade did you stop to think that? So next time you fancy yourself a therapist, remember that therapists keep a professional distance and don't hug their clients. Next time you fancy yourself a friend, remember that you don't know these people and if they were to confide in you as a friend does, they would probably hope that you then don't go and share their secret with anyone, particularly the general public of Australia.

Then I move on to my final point for this rant of mine. "The Verdicts". I'll keep this short and sweet. They way the judges toy with people's emotions is nothing short of malicious. Being a member of the TV audience has me far enough removed to see what is coming. When they make it sound like they aren't going to make it to the next round then surprise them with the 'good news' (which by the way, in my view makes it unnecessary). But I'm sure that from the contestant's point of view, they are far too caught up in their own journey, their own hopes and passions to see it coming. Particularly when the judges point out all of their faults in the process. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that most of the contestants have developed Stockholm Syndrome. Because that's how I see it.

Now I love the show for the dance. So I will keep watching. Which probably means their ratings with continue and they'll think they are doing something right and continue to torment young dancers and abusing their power over them. But this was my call to say, 'When will enough be enough?' When will we be able to watch reality TV shows like dance and not have to hate the judges? When will we stop wondering if any part of a reality TV show is violating basic human rights? When can we simply celebrate dance as an art form without making the dancers an exhibition of raw emotion and personal issues that would probably be better dealt with by a close friend or a professional?

When will Channel 10 play the next season of American So You Think You Can Dance? Where the judges aren't nearly as condescending or pretentious.

It's just something to think about.