You've probably noticed that we've been a little reticent when it's come to our 'regular' coverage of So You Think You Can Dance Australia the last week or so. As much as it pains us to admit it, since we're not fans of cultural cringe, we've been feeling that the local version of our favourite talent quest ever is, well, a bit shit.

The set looks reasonably swish, and there have been a few good moments, but generally, it feels stilted, the camera-work remains perplexingly fearful of close-ups and the dancers themselves... well, they're just not good enough!

Fortunately for our bruised hearts, we're not alone in our assessment of the show - choreographer Meryl Tankard has spoken out about Ten's great hope for 2008, and it's probably safe to say she's not a massive fan.

"It's a hideous show, I think it's just terrible,'' Tankard said. "It's good I guess that it gets people thinking about dance, but it's not really dance."

Now a world renowned choreographer, Tankard began her career as a dancer with the Australian Ballet in 1975. Her latest production, Sydney Dance Company's Inuk 2, will premiere on March 29.

Tankard also questioned what the contestants would get out of the TV series, hosted by Natalie Bassingthwaighte, and if it would help their careers.

"It's a reality show, it's not a dance show,'' she said. "They have those poor kids up all night and they get tired and they cry.

"I don't even know where those sort of dancers dance.''

Tankard rejected offers to work on the show, which has been a ratings winner for a Ten, drawing in up to 1.8m viewers.

We're inclined to agree - and we're also interested to read that Tankard was offered the chance to get involved with the show, as we've been noting particular choreographers' conspicuous absence from the SYTYCDAus galaxy.

No Tankard, no Graeme Murphy, no Gideon Obarzanek, no Dein Perry, no Stephen Page... Hell, surely they could've even coughed up to fly Wade Robson back to his hometown? If they were desperate they could've even picked up Deanne "Call On Me" Berry for a ring-in.

At least they've got Jason Gilkinson, but so many of the other choreographers have been criticised for the routines they've created (a la Sunday's capoeira "dance"), with Jason prone to telling the dancers "It's not your fault", that you have to wonder why they're still working for the show.

As for the ridiculous genre mash-ups the show seems to be fond of - "swap"? "Soul swing"?? - it's no wonder most choreographers are running a mile in the opposite direction.

More than anything, though, we think what needs to be really sorted out on the topic of SYTYCDAus is the hair and make-up:

No one needs to see that shit.

 

Tags: au | ill-advised local adaptations of successful overseas television franchises | meryl tankard | so you think you can dance australia | sour grapes