Points of Interest #1

So, here are some things I've read recently that got me thinking.  Both coincidentally come from the same "news" site, Huffington Post....

I am a hard core, nerdlicious fan of So You Think You Can Dance (airing Wed. and Thurs. nights on the Fox network).  As a mom of three, i rarely have a must see show.  The kind you schedule your day around, shut the ringer off on the phone, live and die by show.  I was never able to keep up with such convoluted, intricately plotted shows such as 24, Lost, Heroes or those of similar character, where you miss one episode and your screwed  (Lucky for me, they are all over and done with so i dont have to feel like the odd man out in pop-culture TV society).  There are many great shows i wish i had time for, but that still require a commitment, Weeds, Fringe, In Treatment...but somehow, over 5 seasons now, come SYTYCD time, i find a way to make time in my week for the one show that continues to bring me adolescent joy (cuz lets face it, its geared toward youth) and wonderful abandon (cuz some of the routines are so full of physical and emotional abandon you cant help but be swept away in it...).  Long story short, (i know, i know - too late) I read this article yesterday and was kinda thrilled by what it was getting at...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/the-most-culturally-radic_b_645943.html
...in short, SYTYCD is "the most culturally radical show on TV.  Here the cultural wars of the last 30 years appear over."  And i LOVE THAT - because its probably, mostly TRUE!  A-Mazing!  People from every walk of life come together - no exclusions - have talent, accepted! And that is one of the things i have truly always loved about this show.  It IS based on talent (not mediocre crap you can kinda fake and wing by on with cute but ditsy personality) - these people are the real deal; making some thing your life, and working at it, training day in and day out.  And ok, cheese ball time, its really inspiring.  Plus, the choreography just kicks ass.  The only downer is the over the top comments by the judges, which i noticed Mr. Mogulescu alluded to in his article.  Its not so much for me the constant reminder to "get in character," and play a role, as much as it is the fits of tears, rants and hysterics that drags the serious nature of the performances down into the whole world of corny realty TV.  Those kids perform/dance their hearts out, and when the judges let out and ear splitting scream, or when a lower lip starts to quiver from sheer rapture, one cant help but gag and feel a bit nauseated from the overt and seemingly fake enthusiasm. 

So, am i pleased that the only show on TV that I religiously watch and swoon over is gaining notoriety and praise?  You bet!  Even more so that its being celebrated for something as exciting and encouraging as equal rights and equality!!!  Come on SYTYCD, change the world one dance at a time - who knows, maybe one day even the news will be brought to you in interpretive dance! :)