So you think you can dance - SABC destroys pleasurable viewing.

On Saturday 25^th of September 2010, I found myself attempting to watch  the “theoretically” meant to be a talent show, So you think you can dance, which has turned into one of the most nepotistic, tactless and for me, tedious shows on South African television. Read the “So you think you can dance” article post to find out more.

This critique is not so much on the show but, on the show’s broadcaster, SABC. I am a huge devotee of dance, from classical, traditional to contemporary street dance.





Now, as I was watching, the show felt more and more like a soccer match between Alexandra F.C. and Soweto Football Club. The camera was ceaselessly on a bird’s eye view, which made the whole experience unpleasant and baffling.  The second performance by Lulu and Darren, an Afro –Fusion dance work, choreographed by Thabiso  Lebuka (last year’s second place winner and former African Footprint member) was aimed to be a splendid performance to be experienced by both the live audience and the viewers at home however, the SABC did not see it that way, by their awful lighting and constant aerial shots for only two dancers.

Lulu Mlangeni

The performers were wearing white costumes which should determine the kind of lighting to use for such a showcase. There were only two of them on stage, which should determine the type of camera angles for usage because,  dreadful television techniques equals to bad viewing, which damages any expected enjoyment from a television experience.  The viewers were refused an opportunity of watching the dancer’s body movements, technique and flair. The only thing they saw was the dancer’s heads moving up and downstage with no readable dance text. And, at the end of the show, they’re expected to spend on airtime costs by voting for their week’s favorite.

Not only was the mentioned above my concerns but, the music cueing was not on time, the microphone’s volume was high and low (if not early or late), as if a group of three year olds were in control. This was noticeable as Didi Moses, one of the judges was commenting on Ashley and Shelly’s Jazz act, and when the music (Maxwell – Pretty wings number) was wrongly cued just before Lulu and Darren’s piece.

Consequently my subject is, “Why employ people with no expertise or know how in television, especially who will be dealing with such a huge show? What impact does that have in our arts and television? Who is at fault and how can we improve?

Lulu Mlangeni and Dada Masilo

This is an embarrassment to the entire world.  So you think you can dance is a franchise show, which has a shared mannerism with other similar international franchises. Other countries have mastered impressive delivery and broadcasting of the show and we’re still rambling behind.

With this being mentioned, I think the SABC ruins good and enjoyable television viewing and watching any show of such aptitude, as I did on SABC, is a total dissatisfaction.