When Step Up Or Step Out (SUOSO) first came out last year, we did not know what to expect. There were many dance shows at the time, and before, including Masters of Rhythm, So You Think You Can Dance, SA’s Got Talent and so on. So when e.tv cooked up SUOSO we thought it was only a matter of time before we found out that it was a waste of time. But we were wrong.
Granted, the initial stages of the show looked as though the whole production was a joke. There were people who felt that it was rushed but we soon found out that e.tv was holding its aces for later. When the season’s contestants were selected we then saw the quality of the show sky-rocket.
The first thing they fixed after the audition stage was the feel of the set, which was appalling at first.
The second thing that improved was the calibre of dancers. There are dancers who can outdo Michael Jackson but if they do not have personality then they are not usually the favourites. At first we saw big personalities but no skill, but as time went on, along came those with talent.
The highly anticipated second season comes to us on April 29 at 6.05pm, while Step Up Or Step Out Flipside has been moved to a new timeslot on Saturdays at 1.30pm.
“The channel is thrilled by the return of this spectacular local format. The first season of Step Up Or Step Out was a great success, with over two million viewers tuning in every Sunday. Step Up Or Step Out was the first street dance reality TV show to give young Mzansi street dancers a chance to show off their talent. This year steps up by adding Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth to the audition venue list. And we have more twists and turns in store, so watch this space,” said Monde Twala, Group Head for e.tv’s channels division.
We’re not convinced it is, in fact, the first show to give street dancers a chance to display skills, but we get what he’s saying and we’ll play along.
Two million viewers are serious figures.
If you failed to join the fun last year yet you feel you have what it takes, audition dates have been announced and so all you need to do is grab your stepping shoes and get on with groove.
Endemol’s Marie Rosholt, executive producer, said: “Step Up Or Step Out 2 promises to be bigger and better than the first series, so we expect more talent and genre diversity.
There is an extra callback phase where the top 15 to 20 crews will pit their moves against each other to vie for a place in the final 10 crews.”
Auditions
JOHANNESBURG: Friday to Sunday, Beatrocker’s Academy (Rivonia Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Rivonia).
BLOEMFONTEIN: March 10 to 11, Bloemfontein Showgrounds, cnr Maitland and East Burger Street.
DURBAN: March 16 to 18 Natural Science Museum, 1st floor City Hall Anton Lembede Street.
CAPE TOWN: March 23 to 25 Dance for All, 10 Aden Avenue, Athlone.
PORT ELIZABETH: March 30 to 31, Italian Sports Club.
• Watch e.tv for more info. Go to the Step Up Or Step Out webpage at www.etv.co.za for the application form and list of music tracks for the auditions. You can also visit Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/ stepuporstepout and www.twitter.com/etvsa using the hashtag, #SUOSO.