An Open Letter to FOX about "So You Think You Can Dance"

Dear FOX (and any other TV station),

My name is Stefanie Sears. I am a professional freelance arts and entertainment writer from and residing in New Jersey. I am an avid fan of "So You Think You Can Dance" ("SYTYCD"), the American version, and it has been my favorite show since I began watching it back in 2007. Thank you for the show's very successful eleven seasons thus far. It has brought so much joy to my life and to the lives of others.

However, it has come to my attention that the show's fate weighs in the balance, so please allow me to express why it deserves to continue to have a spot in your summer prime time lineup.

Met Season 9 winner Chehon Wespi-Tschopp
at his Che Force Dance! The Convention Tour

1) "So You Think You Can Dance" helps some dancers' careers by focusing on them.

As an artist myself, a writer and a performing arts writer at that, I completely understand the struggle young artists endure to find good paying work for their abilities. It absolutely infuriates me to see no-talented folk constantly getting attention and big bucks for doing nothing worthwhile while young passionate artists who actually care and have talent are grabbing at peanuts.

For SYTYCD in particular, not only are dance and dancers showcased, they are SPOTLIGHTED. They are not background dancers like in most other shows; they are front and center. The first time we really saw this was when "A Chorus Line", known as the "dancers' musical," premiered on Broadway in 1975.

Let's continue to see this.

The dancers then go onto bigger things because the show has made them recognizable and I enjoy watching their careers progress. Contestants nowadays have been viewers who in the past have aspired to get on the show and end up achieving just that. Taking the show away takes away more career opportunity chances from more dancers.

In addition, the show gives the choreographers a chance to create and the acknowledgement they deserve.

2) "So You Think You Can Dance" introduces an art form that is rarely explored on TV (but the trend has been getting more popular).

In the television industry, singing competition game shows dominate, so it is great to see another art form, dance, highlighted in this way. Another show that comes to mind that does this and airs on general television is "Dancing with the Stars" ("DWTS"), a show that actually incorporates some SYTYCD alum. The difference between SYTYCD and DWTS is that DWTS focuses mainly on ballroom dancing whereas SYTYCD is more varied, though DWTS seems to have been expanding its horizons. Another difference is that although DWTS gives celebrities an opportunity to dance, SYTYCD is a way for young dancers to break out into the dance field.

A part of me wishes that "So You Think You Can Dance" wasn't a competition game show but rather just a dance variety show, but the show is what it is and does what it does.

Not only is it entertainment, it is educational, something that a lot of TV shows nowadays lack. Unlike what happens with "American Idol," SYTYCD's singing sister show that has been on the air even longer, the general consistency of the judges on SYTYCD is also a plus. I've often noticed that veteran judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy and host Cat Deeley always really seem to love their jobs.

3)  "So You Think You Can Dance" is often up for an Emmy.

This year it is up for SEVEN (and even won some!). Not only is this an honor for the show itself, it is an honor for your station as well.

Season 11's Top 18 performs a chess themed hip hop group number
(My current desktop wallpaper)

4) "So You Think You Can Dance" created "National Dance Day".

Technically, SYTYCD's executive producer Nigel Lythgoe and his Dizzy Feet Foundation created the dance holiday, but SYTYCD is how a lot of participants have heard about it and the Dizzy Feet Foundation, which was "founded to support, improve, and increase dance education in the United States." It is wonderful to share such a great day celebrating dance with a TV show that promotes it. We share this happiness together and it is one of my favorite days of the year.

5) The "So You Think You Can Dance" Tours are the best experiences.

The SYTYCD Tours have been some of the best nights of my life. I've attended the tours for seasons 4, 7, and 10. Seeing the dancers you have admired onscreen now live, up close, and personal is always such an amazing experience.

Getting to meet them and chat for a little while is even better.

Meeting Stephen "Twitch" Boss at my first SYTYCD tour with friends Lauren and Cara
SYTYCD Tour 2008

Season 7's Robert Roldan from SYTYCD Tour 2010
(I've treasured this picture for years)

Season 10 from SYTYCD Tour 2013

6) "So You Think You Can Dance" helps people make friends.

Everybody seems to have their own fandom. This one happens to be mine. We've all heard of fans who have bonded over "Doctor Who", "Breaking Bad", and "Game of Thrones", to name a few, but I ended up connecting with fellow fans across the states and the globe because of THIS show. It is great to bond with people in this way, and I ended up bonding with two groups. One is the #SOTTMP (the acronym for which is an inside joke) and the other is the #SYTYCDFanFamily. I am grateful to have met them all through this show and share memories with them.

Not only are the fans a family unit, those involved with the show are a family unit as well. Together we invest in these dancers and hope the best for them.

7) "So You Think You Can Dance" is a source of happiness.

For some people, SYTYCD may be their only source of happiness in an otherwise struggling world. I myself can attest to this to an extent.

In a world full of bad news constantly taking place and corroding our newsfeeds and airwaves, or just being a post-graduate looking for good paying work and feeling frustrated at times, watching the show and interviews with the dancers instantly makes me feel better and takes my mind off of things. The words of wisdom from the dancers inspire me and their quirky personalities make me laugh.

But although dance is something to enjoy in times of sorrow, it could also be used to raise awareness and release emotion about the negatives in the world. This is something we all need.

The show itself is something for us all to come together and look forward to every week and especially every summer. We look forward to meeting new dancers and routines. Once a season (and even its following tour) ends, we end up feeling withdrawal. No other show gets the same reaction or comes up to it, at least for me.

There could be other reasons that other people and myself could add to this, but I believe my point still stands that "So You Think You Can Dance" is one worthwhile television program.

https://twitter.com/dizzyfeet/status/491251876017352704

Of course, ratings are an issue, as well as money, and all good shows must come to an end at some point, but "So You Think You Can Dance" has not yet reached that point. The show is unique when compared to other shows that are currently airing (some of which that have overstayed their welcome) and I can assure you that people do indeed tune in and appreciate what it has to offer. The show has its fans. There are also those who watch the show online or on their DVRs, so this could account for the low ratings in real time.

Ever need further proof? Check out what people have to say on Facebook and Twitter. You say yourself in the snippet to the left that you love the show, so it shouldn't be an issue for you to keep it alive.

SYTYCD helps people through their struggles and brings them joy. It deserves to continue that legacy.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. It is much appreciated if you were to please take your audience's requests and pleas into consideration.

Sincerely,

Stefanie Sears

New Professional Website Launch!

So other than endorsing Teddy Coffey, Carly Blaney, Serge Onik, and eventually Emily James on "So You Think You Can Dance" (ALL of whom were eliminated last night! >:|), I have been busy with job searching and other moves to further my career. I haven't really been inspired to writing a "Taking it One 'Stef' at a Time" style blog post, though I am interested in and brainstorming one about Teddy.

So, like I said, I don't like any month going by without a blog post, so here is July's post! Yay!

For the longest time I have been using this blog as my website, but I decided to jump in and actually finally create a website for myself after dabbling in it in the past but never being satisfied. I have been working on my professional website since March. The plan was to take a month to work on it and launch it in April but I got cold feet and kept tweaking it until I finally did publish it in late June. It might still need some decorating, but it looks nice right now. I'm actually hoping to do a photo shoot with my friend Andy at some point to get some professional head shots.

I've also been wondering if I should use different social media accounts just for my professional side. They have been created, but for right now I am just using the social media I have always been using. They seem to be working out thus far. I will let you know if anything changes.

So, here is my website! :)

Also, don't worry, "Taking it One 'Stef' at a Time" will still be here for my personal musings. ;)

Let's see how this works out!

Moritz Stiefel's Hair: 'Mind-Blowing' Theories about the Bumbling "Spring Awakening" Supporting Character

Ever since I wrote about the Studio Players production of Spring Awakening for Baristanet, I've been on a Spring Awakening kick since its preview show. 

The more I thought about this musical, the more the character design of supporting character Moritz Stiefel came to mind.

Seriously, what is up with his hair?

I've always wondered this. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, here is the original design of Moritz Stiefel, as played by John Gallagher, Jr. in the Broadway version:

John Gallagher, Jr. as "Moritz Stiefel" performing at the 2007 Tony Awards

Okay, now that you've seen it, let's talk about it. His hair definitely stands out. It stands out so much that when I first saw the Studio Players production and all of the guys first came out during the "Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)", I immediately was able to pinpoint which cast member was playing Moritz based on his hair alone. He didn't have to do anything, he didn't have to say anything. All he had to do was walk out with his hair sticking up and flipped over and I was all like, "That's Moritz."

Here is the Studio Players version of Moritz Stiefel, as played by Montclair State University musical theater major Chris Newhouse:

Photo Credit: Claudia Budris
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=785384631493916&set=pb.103139329718453.-2207520000.1402362290.&type=3&theater

What's funny is it took me a little while to realize which actor was playing the lead character, resident radical Melchior Gabor. I didn't have this issue with Moritz by any means.

This tells me that the hairstyle for Moritz is so intentional that every actor who plays him has to make his hair look this way. I'm actually sensing that Newhouse grew and styled his hair out purposely for the role. If you look at the original costume sketches for the character from the book I have, you'll notice that his hair is the same there as well:

In fact, it is so iconic that it even HAS ITS OWN GOOGLE SEARCH RESULT.

So the question is: why?

An Update about my Life

I made a promise to myself to never let a month go by without a blog post. Obviously consider this May 2014's blog post.

I've had different ideas for May blog posts and even started writing some, but I've just been too busy to really focus on them.

Here's why:

1) I finally got a part time job!!! All year since graduation I've been searching for a job and finally found a nice one. I'm still learning the ropes and am a little rusty, for I just started May 9, so I hope to improve.

Oh wow. I'm almost working there a month already.

My shift is great and I wanted one like it so I can still focus on my freelance writing...

2) I recently saw a play at Studio Playhouse again, this time a musical, and am reviewing it for Baristanet. So keep a look out for that. :)

I like that I am juggling the two for extra income and am still looking for additional job opportunities. But I like where I am now in my life. I'm feeling a bit more confident in my professional self.

3) I will be taking an online course called "Writing Storybooks for Children". My aunt suggested it to me because she found a Groupon for it. At first hesitant, I decided to take it because it looks like a nice little course. I'm hoping that it can help me broaden my horizons with my writing and give me something extra productive to do, for I've never considered myself a children's book writer. We even get a certificate at the end for completing it!

It says that I can work the course into my own schedule, which is great. I think I'll update you with my progress on Twitter or something like that if I so choose.

4) I'm hoping to see both Maleficent and A Million Ways to Die in the West, both of which opened May 30, with friends. I'd like to make video reviews with them for both movies, but at the same time I just want to relax and just watch a movie for once, so we'll see what happens. I especially want to do one for Maleficent but I want to do it for the other movie too because it's Seth MacFarlane's second film and I kind of want to do a Paper Cup Reviews follow up to our Ted episode. I have been looking forward to both movies for the longest time and keep hearing about them and what critics are saying, but I want to see for myself. I even think the two are being compared, such as which do you prefer seeing, a drama (Maleficent) or a comedy (A Million Ways to Die in the West)?

Okay so there are the main things right now. I'm still looking into other activities in which to partake.

Why THIS IS THE END (2013) is a Strangely Appropriate Film for Lent (Written by a Christian Catholic)

It's not the best movie in the world, okay? You wouldn't necessarily consider it a religious experience considering its vulgar humor, but I found it a somewhat appropriate film for this time of the liturgical year: Lent.

To see if I am making a bold statement, I looked up some Christian and Catholic reviews of the film, which exist because of its nature, and they just knock it. So, I decided to share my positive point of view of it.

Real Influential Women Role Models (Real and Fictitious) - Fictional Woman of the Week: Carmen Cortez from the "Spy Kids" Franchise (2001, 2002, 2003, 2011)

The Spy Kids franchise is a group of movies that introduces the spy genre to kids. It's amazing how as a kid watching them, these were some of the most brilliant movies, but now watching them as an adult, they are so corny.

Anyway, that is a blog post for another time.

Carmen Cortez (Alexa Vega) is very mature for her age. When she and her little brother and eventual secret agent partner Juni (Daryl Sabara) discover their parents' secret career, they are thrown into the secret agent business themselves, family being a huge theme of the series. She and her brother embark on missions on their own, Carmen often the one wanting independence. She's well spoken, takes things seriously, and is an expert hacker. She and her brother work together and aren't afraid to acknowledge that they need each other.

The fate of the world often rests in her hands.

And yet, she's still just a kid.

She's sometimes embarrassed by her parents, fights with her brother, and develops a crush on a rival agent in the second movie. She has both a girly and tomboyish side, so therefore all different little girls can relate to her. Throughout the course of the franchise we watch her grow up. In the third movie she is somewhat irrelevant as Juni carries the story searching for her in a virtual reality game. His whole goal is to find her, so I guess she is important, but we don't really see her until the final quarter of the film. I think this is partially because at the time actress Vega was finding herself a little too old to be considered a "spy kid."

Her Outcome: Carmen appears in the fourth and so far final movie of the franchise as an experienced agent fit to train others. She and Juni reopen and become co-directors of the O.S.S. Spy Kids program.

I don't want to jinx this, but I also want to commend Alexa Vega for not becoming a child star gone bad. I highly appreciate her for this.

Well, since today is the final day of March, this is the final installment of this series this year. I hope you enjoyed my weekly posts! Thank you so much for reading. I've already been planning for next year!

Once again, Happy Women's History Month! :D

Real Influential Women Role Models (Real and Fictitious) - Fictional Woman of the Week: The Warden from "Holes" (1998, 2003)

The Warden became another Disney villainess when the Disney film adaptation of Louis Sachar's novel of the same name came out in 2003. She was portrayed by Sigourney Weaver.

I wanted to write about a book character and asked for suggestions via social media. I expected to get Katniss from The Hunger Games series or Hermione from the Harry Potter series (later on I actually did), but instead I got Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind and Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights.

I don't know as much about Hermione or Katniss or have much of an attachment to them in order to write about them and the other two don't seem that very influential in a positive way, so I decided to choose one of the few female characters from my favorite childhood book and movie. It's still among my favorites.

She actually might be a strange choice for this series given that she is not necessarily positive herself, but you be the judge.

Holes is very testosterone heavy, so therefore The Warden stands out that much more. It isn't determined until much later that the Warden is indeed a chick. She even has this whole introduction scene.

The nameless Warden runs Camp Green Lake, which is where juvenile delinquent boys dig holes to "build character." However, there is a more sinister behind it.

Anyway, what makes her influential is how she carries herself running a company. Sure, some of her actions aren't quite honorable, but she is actually very soft-spoken and rarely needs to raise her voice for the men at the camp to do what they are told. The male camp counselors, Mr. Sir (Jon Voight) and Dr. Pendanski (Tim Blake Nelson), never seem to have a problem taking orders from a woman. In fact, they actually seem pretty scared of her and her low key scoldings. She's one of those people who is frightening because she is so calm.

Until she strikes you with rattlesnake venom nail polish.

Regardless of her intentions and that she is running a sketchy facility, she is actually a pretty brave and clever woman. She is someone with whom you do not want to mess.

Her Outcome: The Warden, along with her camp counselors, is arrested for misconduct. However, you do feel sorry for her.

I can't recall if they revealed this in the book, but in the movie it is revealed that she is Trout Walker's (Scott Plank) granddaughter and Walker forced her to dig holes in this very area as a child in pursuit of Kissin' Kate Barlow's (Patricia Arquette) treasure. It turns out that the treasure belongs to the Yelnats family, and before Stanley Yelnats (Shia LaBeouf), the main character serving time at Camp Green Lake, leaves, she asks to see what's inside the chest. He sarcastically replies with her own catch phrase, "Excuse me?", and refuses.

From the audience's perspective, he could've very well showed her to give her some closure. You sympathize with her because it wasn't her fault that her childhood was ruined by her grandfather, making her frantically search for the treasure herself in her adult years.

But then again, making a sneaky institution force teenage boys to dig for her is pretty cruel.

Real Influential Women Role Models (Real and Fictitious) - Fictional Woman of the Week: Ursula from "The Little Mermaid" (1989)

Villains can be influential too, right?

She's not conventionally pretty or thin, but dang it, she is CONFIDENT! She is proud of her "body language" and isn't afraid to admit when she thinks that a younger man is hot. She also loves makeup.

Like Jafar, Ursula (voiced by Pat Carroll) is one of the Disney villains that gets to share her side of the story in StarKid's Twisted. Wonderfully performed by StarKid Jaime Lyn Beatty, I had a feeling that Ursula's background would be what she said it was. Ever since I watched this, I've been inspired by this character to write about her more.

She was the last female Disney villain before Mother Gothel of Tangled. When compared to other female Disney villains, such as Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Lady Tremaine, etc., she seems the most joyous, doesn't she? While the rest of these women are your typically moody old hags out to destroy those younger and prettier than them, Ursula has her fun and is always laughing.

Ursula's motives are a lot more than just hating Ariel for being pretty; she wants to rule over the whole ocean! She also straight up gives Ariel detailed instructions and informs her of consequences. No villain is that kind.

Her Outcome: Ursula is impaled by Prince Eric's ship's bowspirit.

Check out this cute video I discovered awhile ago of voice actress Carroll reading to kids. :)

Real Influential Women Role Models (Real and Fictitious) - Fictional Woman of the Week: Nikki Parker from "The Parkers" (1999-2004)

Another spinoff series, "The Parkers" was a sitcom introduced through "Moesha". Nikki Parker (Mo'Nique) is the mother of Kim (Countess Vaughn), Moesha's friend.

This basic premise of the show is that Nicole "Nikki" Parker gave birth to Kimberly Ann Parker when she was a teenager, thus missing out on college. So when her daughter attends Santa Monica College, Nikki joins her.

In addition to her studies, which she takes very seriously, this Alize-loving gal is a multi-businesswoman. She is first involved with Lady Egyptian cosmetics and then begins her own catering service.

Now, some people may not consider her a feminist character because throughout the series she chases the object of her affections, Professor Stanley Oglevee (Dorien Wilson), a man who clearly wants nothing to do with her, or even like her for that matter. In fact, he goes as far as to point out that he utterly despises her and has put a restraining order on her, but yet she always battles other women for his love, much to his aggravation. She's also extremely delusional, thinking that she is already in a relationship with him.

Then again, she might be admired by audiences for this as well because she is a woman who knows what she wants and is pursuing her man, thus switching gender roles. Whatever it may be, it makes for entertainment.

Nikki is sometimes prone to violence or threats if you cross her, her daughter, or, if you're a woman, get near the Professor, making people somewhat afraid of her at times, so in this way she may not necessarily be that positively influential. My favorite aspect of her though is that she is confident, both mentally and physically, and always stands up for herself when people push her too far. But even under her tough exterior, she also has a lot of tenderness towards others, especially for Kim. Nikki and Kim are one of my favorite TV mother/daughter relationships.

She is also often found laughing and looking at the positive sides of life.

Her Outcome: Nikki graduates college and is about to marry another man when the Professor crashes her wedding and states that he loves her and has been a fool all of these years. After apologizing to her betrothed, she then becomes Mrs. Stanley Oglevee.

I really didn't like this ending because I felt that it wasn't realistic at all and that she should've finally moved on, but I guess they wanted to end it with a happy, expected conclusion.

Since her "Parkers' years, Mo'Nique has had plenty of her own achievements. Among these are the awards, including a Golden Globe and Oscar, she won for her role in Precious back in 2009. I also give her credit for her hard earned weight loss.

Real Influential Women Role Models (Real and Fictitious) - Fictional Woman of the Week: Maude Findlay from "Maude" (1972-1978)

Happy Women's History Month, Everyone!

I decided to resurrect this series for Women's History Month, this time writing a weekly post about a fictional female character throughout the month. We begin with Mrs. Maude Findlay, played by the legendary Bea Arthur.

"Maude" is a spinoff series of another controversial seventies sitcom "All in the Family", Maude being Edith Bunker's cousin.

Maude Findlay is the embodiment of feminism. The show discusses many different modern controversial topics, such as women's liberation, abortion, politics, marriage, civil rights, gender norms, and the like. Whether it is dealing with her lackadaisical yet just as passionate fourth husband Walter (Bill Macy), her divorced live-in daughter Carol (Adrienne Barbeau), or her neighbors and friends Arthur (Conrad Bain) and Vivian (Rue McClanahan), Maude runs her house with an iron fist and class.

And plenty of fights.

One downside to Maude is that she has a tendency to be very combative, sarcastic, and stubborn, traits that can turn viewers off to her. But even though, there are times where if she goes too far with her arguments and Walter tells her what to do, she does it without a word. To me this is not her being submissive but rather showing the underlying respect she has for her husband even though a second ago she was just yelling at him.

This is all a result of how she genuinely cares about the issues and the people she loves. What's great about her is that she stands up for herself and her beliefs and challenges the status quo, all doing so with a sharp tongue and pizzazz. She is a strong character will strong feelings that she isn't afraid to express and has a regal presence whenever she walks into a room.

You can catch "Maude" on Antenna TV.

Her Outcome: At the end of the series, Maude and Walter move to Washington, D.C. where Maude begins her work as a Congresswoman. Very appropriate.