So You Think You Can Dance SA premiered on SABC1 on Saturday evening and was a rip from the first moment -.. until moments-from-the-end.
Just as things were reaching the end for us to see who'd made it through to the next round the tape went whack and the show disappeared with no replay to give us the finish. SO disappointing - I couldn't believe it when the news appeared and it didn't come back.
That said, all the rest was the bomb - tightly filmed, directed, edited and observed, true to the format in every way, filled with character, creativity and the feeling of punch that's so iconic of the orginal version.
I wasn't sure what to expect before it started with the
US show being so perfect in every way. There's never been a moment in any season where I've felt something doesn't work dramatically and I was concerned it wouldn't live up to my high expectations but it does - except it's even more of a trip 'cos of featuring South Africans dancing their hearts out.
The first episode took us through the Jozi auditions - Day 1 and Day 2. There was an excellent assortment of characters through both days ranging from the good, the fab, the terrible and the "Shut up!" ie so ludicous, it can't be true.
My best was how everyone had a story that was so well-told - within moments you felt you were right there with them, understanding them through their dancing, either laughing with them or at them or somewhere in between.
Overall a strong sense of joy came through everyone - from the contestants themselves through to the judges through to host
Sade Giliberti, who's perfect for it with her funky warmth.
The judges also have a good rapour - which I'm hoping they'll extend once they know each other better into more chattiness between themselves and open catfights etc.
There were a few too many shots of their faces watching auditionees without saying something to each other - I found myself wondering what the dancer was doing and hoping we weren't missing out, but other than that it felt as if we were in on everything else important.
All in all I'd say it's the best interpretation of an international reality format we've see yet. The Apprentice SA used to be my benchmark - up until the slapworthy point of two winners natch - but in everything else, when it came to the style, intention and all other elements it really was true to the genre.
If SYTYCD continues as it did in the premiere I reckon it's gonna dance The Apprentice out of top position.
If for any reason you didn't catch it - like it being on a Saturday at 18h30 and you were out pre-partying - I'd highly recommend making sure you don't miss it.
PS: It's made me want to dance. Itching to put together a routine to dance up my road.
PPS: I'll say this only once and never again - it won't be necessary when it all changes next week I'm sure but - *struggling 'cos you're gonna die when you hear* - is it just me or is there something quite sexy about Harold The Horrible?
I didn't say that, I'm outa here, bye.