And Blondegrlz, I like seeing all those ass-kicking bodies, too. Some are very slim and attenuated, of course, but it’s great to see that “beautiful” and “athletic” isn’t limited to the genetically willowy. (Although Mia’s comment a couple eps ago to Randi about her dancing “heavy” sounded like not-so-secret code to me.)

Pinky
Ballroom Dance Teacher

Nigel has ALWAYS been a dirty old man, albeit a dirty old man who seems to know enough about correct technique and dance styles to add intelligent commentary when he’s not being sexist and homophobic.

I’ve actually found the judges to be much more accepting of different body types/disabilities during the audition process. Season 2 featured a couple of plus sized contestants, one of which just couldn’t keep up in Vegas due to his weight. And there have been at least two contestants with physical deformities (and one with a fake leg) who the judges have given very very high praise. Unfortunately they use the “impossible to partner” excuse to keep them off the show. Which is at least 50% true.

I also love how varied the dancers bodies are – the women are often very athletic (compared to the stick-thin celebrities on DWTS) and the guys range all over the place. I feel BETTER about the size of my thighs after watching instead of worse.

Sooooo….I pretty much love love love this show and choose to ignore the bad parts.

“Guys” and “Girls.”

I cringe every time. Why are the females infantilized but the males are not? If you’re going to use “guys”, why not use “gals”, then? Would you call them “boys”? So why is it okay to call the WOMEN “girls”?

Seriously pisses me off!

Nigel needs to GFTO, to be honest. His comment about the alien dance last week irked me (something to the tune of, “If you’re trying to impregnate the man, you’re wearing an awful lot of clothing. You look like a dancing condom.”) Like, really? Shut up, creepy old man.

As for heteronormativity… I feel like that territory kind of comes with dance. The stories have to be very simple (see the Bleeding Love dance… really simple story, executed beautifully), so a lot of times the choreographers have to stick with heteronormative stories to avoid confusing the audience (I can see Joe Six Pack scratching his head, wondering why them two girls are dancing so close). That said, I feel like the show WOULD be a great beginning point for mixing up some of the heteronormativity in the dance world. A gay/lesbian love story, perhaps?

Finally, because this comment has dragged on forever, I feel like the overwhelming amount of contemporary dancers this season kind of ties in with the sexist, homophobic, ableist, racist sentiment that PhDork brought up. There’s so much diversity and talent in the dance world, why does the show limit its pool by allowing mediocre contemporary dancers in over amazing non-contemporary dancers (Ryan Kasperczak, anyone? e.g. the man of my dreams?). At the end of the day, they want asses in the seats, and they’ll stick to the status quo to get there.

ppg, I wonder if there’s a connection between the judges’ disdain for hip-hop, krumping, etc., and the relatively less gendered roles (and often costumes) that come with it. Again, they might just not get a story about classmates, or robots, or whatever.

teacups, MM has toned down her assiness somewhat this season, I think. I do generally like her stuff (that bitches be krayzay! door routine though…) but you’re right, there typically seems to be some weird competitive angle to her comments to the women.

emilyanne, you tempt me with your Brooklyny teevee goodness. Once your new behbeh arrives, though, you mightn’t want the additional stress of company. Unless I promise to bring dinner and change nappies, anyway.