MK on TV

Books are critiqued on their intellectual merits: their symbolism, their imagery, the extent to which they serve as a social commentary, etc. Films are even critiqued on these levels.

Television is an unrecognized art. Sit-coms are often funnier than comedic films, dramas often contain more complex and extended webs of relationships and tensions than dramatic films. Reality television offers a rare and exciting view into every day people and celebrities living life just like you and me. Game shows allow us to test our knowledge or luck, all the while we watch someone else be under the gun to win a prize.

Television has adapted so much in the last 20 or so years. If you look at older shows, their plot lines were so much simpler than now. Their casts were smaller. Many shows were episodic. Now, you see shows with 10 or 12 principle cast members with plots that span multiple seasons. Even in sit-coms it can be difficult to begin watching the show half-way through the season or series. Television allows the audience to watch characters develop each week. You know their past and their personalities as if you were their friend. It’s more personal than it’s ever been and critiquing television for its intellectual merits is becoming more and more feasible and appropriate.
I am a huge fan of television. I have at least one show per night that I watch on a weekly basis. I watch dramas, comedies, and reality shows. I don’t love the shows because ‘like, oh my gosh! the actor is sooooooooo cute! and like, he should totally get with her!’ I love the shows because the dramas are truly art. They invoke intense emotions and you feel like you’re standing with the people sharing in their pain, shock, joy, love, etc. Comedies are the same way. When you’ve watched the show for long enough, you feel like they are your friends and they jokes they make, you understand and you laugh harder because you know their whole story.

As the fall television season is about to begin, I thought it appropriate to start a blog about the various shows premiering seasons or series. I will summarize and critique shows from the night before. I also love music and television is using music in better and better ways. I’ll review songs that are used if I feel they are especially poignant. This blog is just a way to appreciate television for all the things its creators have intended it to be recognized for.

Premieres do not begin for another week or two, so for now I’ll go ahead and start the blog off with an evaluation of one of my favorite summer shows: So You Think You Can Dance.
It’s a reality show that is truly entertaining. Reality shows tend to be my least favorite category, but I’ve enjoyed this show for two and a half seasons so far.
This season was consistently great. My favorite dancer was Lacey–I thought her technique and personality were just perfect for the show. She was very lively and energetic and…I have to admit…I was curious as to whether or not she and Kameron were dating, so it kept me more interested. They danced too well together to not be dating.
The music they danced to throughout the season was top notch–featuring great tracks by Elisa, Timbaland, One Republic and many more. On the results show, they had numerous musicians perform that were really great to learn about and hear.
In the end, Sabra won. She wasn’t my favorite by far, but at least Danny came in second place. What a beautiful dancer. I will never forget the waltz he and Lacey did on the last performance show.
My favorite dance of the entire season, however, has to be the contemporary dance with Lacey and Kameron choreographed by, who else, Mia Michaels (Emmy nominated for her choreography on the previous season and there’s no doubt she will be nominated again for her work this season). I’ve placed the YouTube video below for your viewing pleasure. Notice how Lacey ends in the same position she began showing that the relationship they’re portraying is cyclical. There are ups and downs, but it always comes back to the same thing. The song is “Dancing” by Elisa and was my golden track of the summer. A truly moving song interpreted with a very moving dance. Enjoy!

So You Think You Can Dance
Lacey and Kameron dance to ‘Dancing’ by Elisa
choreographed by Mia Michaels

-mk-