3 Things 'American Idol' Can Learn From 'So You Think You Can Dance'

So You Think You Can Dance winner Lauren Froderman

This week Lauren Froderman won the 7th season of So You Think You Can Dance, marking the end of a divisive but enormously entertaining season. While the decision to pair new contestants with returning All-Stars left some fans cold (as it eliminated the usual ongoing partnerships, among other reasons) I was excited to see some of my favorite dancers from past seasons get a chance to shine in their specialties. (I mean, who can argue with more Pasha Kovalev? Honestly, people.) While the ratings were lower than desired, the series hit new creative highs.

As I am also a fan of Dance's reality TV big sibling American Idol, I considered how it was that Dance had had such an enjoyable season while Idol's was so dismal (I was so bored I gave up watching halfway through). Ratings for Idol continued to slide last season—although it's still a juggernaut—and I think many people would be hard-pressed to remember winner Lee DeWyze's name, or any song he performed.

It's no secret that Idol is looking to make some changes. Dance producer (and judge) Nigel Lythgoe is returning to a producer position on Idol, and he's spoken quite openly about working to turn things around. Luckily, he should be able to draw some inspiration from his Dance gig: here's three things Idol could stand to learn from Dance.

Choose Your Judges Wisely

Dance judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mia Michaels, and Adam Shankman

Lately Idol has not done a very good job of handling the judges' panel, and, if we know anything about the upcoming season, it's that more changes are coming. Whether they will be bad (the addition of Kara DioGuardi, the dismissal of Paula Abdul) or good (...) remains to be seen.

Dance's panel this year was composed of Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, and Mia Michaels, with the addition of guest judges only in the final weeks of the program. That's one thing Dance got right from the start this season: four judges the entire season adds up to way too much time spent with the judges on any given night. Idol needs to figure this out right away, as the number of episodes that have run past their allotted time slot in the last few seasons is unacceptable.

Dance's panel this season was slightly revamped, with Mary Murphy gone and choreographer and former guest judge Mia Michaels in her chair. The transition was smooth, and the judges enjoyed a fast camaraderie. This panel also had, in my opinion, a refreshing honesty in much of their judging. They often gave subtstantive critiques, citing specific moves during a dance, not afraid to break out technical vocabulary. (Granted, Mia also had a tendency to give critique consisting of made-up words and sound effects, but, by and large, the judges said much more of substance than Idol's—minus Simon—ever have). They were also willing to admit what they didn't know, as when they judged Lauren and Mark's Polynesian dance (a specialty of none of the judges) earlier this season.

In the past, Idol has been willing to settle for one (or two) judge(s) reliant on soundbites and, very occasionally, able to offer actual criticism (Randy and Kara); one judge to say nice things (Paula and later Ellen); and one judge to actually offer meaningful remarks (Simon). Guess what? Dance teaches us that you can have three judges who are willing to actually judge. Get three knowledgeable people with different areas of expertise who are not afraid of being booed and your work is half done. (Chemistry, the other part of the panel, is a bit harder to organize, I admit.)

Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks

All-Star Allison Holker and Season 7 Contestant Robert Roldan

Say what you will of the All-Star concept (I will continue to say, "Awesome!"), it certainly differentiates season 7 of Dance from all previous seasons. By taking a risk, Dance was able to offer its audience something different. More than one judge remarked on how dancing with All-Stars gave contestants something to strive toward and helped them become better more quickly than they would have if they'd just danced with their peers. Certainly there is a difference between two (relative) novices dancing a ballroom routine rather than one novice dancing with an expert like Anya Garnis. The Dance team tried something completely new and it kept the show feeling fresh.

Idol has made little changes in the past—tweaking the age limits, allowing instruments (a huge plus). The upcoming season would be a good opportunity to try some more. Thinking critically about theme nights would be a good start: I can't imagine how they thought any particularly exciting would come out of Shania Twain night, for example. Dance continues to incorporate new genres of dance (the finale's Malevos fight, for example) on the show; Idol would be wise to follow suit and cast a wider net in its themes. And borrowing from the All-Star concept, what if Idol invited back some past contestants for a night of duets with the current roster? I imagine the results would be interesting, if nothing else.

Encourage Artistry

All-Star Twitch Boss and Season 7 contestant Alex Wong

It might seem like a highbrow goal for a reality show, but artistry on Dance or Idol is possible and when it's there, the audience responds.

"Kent, you just became an artist!" Adam Shankman yelled after the former finished his contemporary routine in the performance finale. It's not uncommon for routines on Dance to reach that level (the hip-hop routine pictured above being a great example and a season highlight). Perhaps because the goal of Dance is not huge commercial success and celebrity (how many professional dancers can you name offhand?), contestants are cast based on their skill more than their looks (though they do tend to be pretty telegenic, I admit).

Idol's most interesting contestants of late have been those who have interpreted their songs, rather than simply performing them. When David Cook and Adam Lambert were on the show (seasons 7 and 8 respectively), I looked forward to seeing what songs they would pick, and how they would sing them. I knew with their performances I would be seeing something new, not just the dreaded karaoke performances. Season 9 did not have that type of interpreter—Crystal Bowersox came closest, but even she was not particularly captivating as an artist.

Really, there was no one in the top 12 who had that ability, which leads me to believe the Idol judges and producers need to think hard about what they're looking for during the audition process. If good performers were getting eliminated, I'd say Idol might try incorporating the Dance voting procedure (the viewers' votes determine the bottom 3, but the judges pick the contestant to be eliminated). Since the problem seems to crop up earlier than that, I think the judges need to take a more critical view in the early rounds: "cute and able to carry a tune fairly well" will not cut it. Aim higher.

I think American Idol is worth saving, but only if the next season shows some major improvement—otherwise I'll be happy to move on to the American version of X-Factor. Let's hope Dance can serve as an inspiration.

For more on So You Think You Can Dance, including an amazing video archive of this season's dances, visit www.fox.com/dance.

Photo credit: FOX Broadcasting Company