Pussycat Dolls win Best (Worst) Dancing at VMAs
If you're a child of the 1990s like me, I'm sure you remember music videos like Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" and Paula Abdul's "Cold Hearted Snake." Or you'll remember stellar live performances like Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" and Madonna's "Vogue" at the MTV Video Music Awards. Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to grow up during a time of such innovation and risk-taking in dance. These artists broke rules and ignored social norms, yet all the while they maintained the highest level of technical execution. They didn't need to rely on crazy scenery with moving platforms or flashy lighting schemes and special effects. The quality of their dancing carried their performances, making their works enduring pieces of art. In my mind, these 4 artists, Michael, Janet, Paula, and Madonna, stand out as the best commercial dancers and performers America has seen to date.
Sadly, the American Idol generation (i.e. the one that doesn't know Paula Abdul had a career before her gig as a judge in a singing competition) has no idea how things used to be back in the day when commercial dance was actually an art.
Now, dance has been reduced to a commodity, stuck in a box by reality competitions like So You Think You Can Dance. And Sunday night's VMAs further solidified the notion that mainstream dance is seriously going down the tubes. When the Pussycat Dolls are the best thing America has to offer, you know that something just isn't right.
But at the same time it's not like any of the other choices in the "Best Dancing in a Video" category were any more standout.
Here's a list of the nominees:
Chris Brown, "Forever"
Danity Kane, "Damaged"
Madonna, "4 Minutes"
Ne-yo, "Closer"
Pussycat Dolls, "When I Grow Up"
In my opinion, the only performer who even comes close to being an innovator is Chris Brown, but much of his style is taken directly from those who came before him. Quite frankly, I don't see any of these music videos worthy of receiving the honor of Best Dancing.
The concept for "When I Grow Up" is hot - I like LA as the setting and the scaffolding is very reminiscent of "Cold Hearted Snake." But that's where the similarities end. There is a big difference between provocative and straight up trashy. "Cold Hearted Snake" sizzled with sex appeal, but it served a purpose - challenging social norms and pushing boundaries of what is considered socially acceptable. When the video came out many people were shocked, yet intrigued. Then there's "When I Grow Up," which doesn't challenge anything. The video, while eye catching and certainly entertaining enough, is nothing more than generic pop that relies on cheap tactics to hook viewers. The Pussycat Dolls can definitely dance, but this video doesn't showcase any of their abilities, aside from the girl who can sort of do a develope. (Wow! So can everyone reading this, and probably better too).
What did everybody else think of the VMAs? My favorite performance was Christina Aguilera followed by Pink, who put on a great show despite her wardrobe malfunctions. The design of the show was better than last year, although I would rather see awards given out in a traditional format instead of in the middle of the audience.
Overall, not a bad show, but hoping that 2009 brings some better contenders for the Best Dancing category.
Poll
| Votes: 72 | ||
| See the Results | Permalink to this Poll | More Polls |
In order to post a comment, you must be logged in. If you have a member account, please log in to comment.
If not, you can make an account by clicking right here. It's quick and free.
ADVERTISEMENT
Connect
Popular Topics
- Enthusiast (788)
- Teacher (668)
- Performance (640)
- Ballet (550)
- Studio (536)
- Parent (508)
- Modern (499)
- Hip Hop (491)
- Jazz (470)
- Tap (456)
- More Topics »
Photo Gallery
Recent Polls
- What performance are you taking part in this holiday season?
(3 votes) [Vote] - What makes a dance studio the best?
(12 votes) [Vote] - Do you think Dancers should go to College?
(41 votes) [Vote] - DWTS - Who Should Choose the Winner?
(16 votes) [Vote] - We all know who Kanye prefers, but which video had your fave choreo?
(47 votes) [Vote] - More Polls »
Recent Blogs
Did SYTYCD gets it..W. R. O. N. G.??? | 38 hits |
0
Performance Time! | 23 hits |
0
Urban Street Jam | 19 hits |
0
MERCURY | 182 hits |
0
IT'S BRITNEY B#@*H! Fans walk out on her world tour | 199 hits |
0
Fraulein Maria at Dance Theater Workshop | 92 hits |
1
Come to class! | 75 hits |
0
Young Choreographer's Festival! | 152 hits |
0
Bacon and Egg Salad | 26 hits |
0
Ethics of Professional Dancers | 190 hits |
1
Miss Dance of the United States on NBC! | 122 hits |
0
Dedication To A Fault | 236 hits |
0
PMT Fall 2009 Dance Series! | 49 hits |
0
Men in tutus and pointe shoes ? | 241 hits |
0
Alvin Ailey on So You Think You Can Dance TONIGHT! | 283 hits |
0
Most Read Blogs
Olympic Champion Shawn Johnson Joins "Dancing With The Stars" -- 42207 hits
What is "age appropriate" stage makeup? -- 37516 hits
Survival Guide for Starting Your Dance Career. -- 25802 hits
"RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS: AMERICA'S BEST DANCE CREW" - Press Release -- 18888 hits
So You Think You Can Dance - 2 Hour Premiere Tonight!! -- 18177 hits
Audition Notice: PARSONS DANCE SEEKS MALE DANCER -- 16196 hits
The Wonderful Wild World of Color-Design Tips from Satin Stitches! -- 12709 hits
Patrick Swayze Cancer Rumors -- 12550 hits
Should Award Shows Provide Inspiration for Dance Costume Designs? -- 11406 hits
Dance and Politics? How the 2008 Presidential Election May Affect YOU! -- 8819 hits
Most Discussed
- Show YouTube You Can Dance Contest --
x25 - A Rising Star --
x21 - Over Choreographed Dance Competition Routines? STOP! --
x19 - BreaTHe --
x19 - The Official "Everything I Need For Competition" List --
x11 - Composing Original Music for a Tap Dance Opera --
x10 - Britney's New Video "Womanizer" --
x10 - Against All Odds --
x10 - Contemporary? --
x10 - Check out tap choreographer Mark Yonally --
x9



add to facebook