There's been a lot of debate here in the last few days about MTV's handling of personal issues for one crew. This brings up a related question -- should MTV do more to allow its viewers to really get to know the crews personally? ABDC doesn't spend much time on the people behind the crews. Reader Snoop Doggystyle elaborates (and requested this photo as an example of how SYTYCD does a better job of it):
"ABDC is gradually becoming dry and losing steam. One of the less obvious reasons for this is that the show is lacking PERSONALITY. ABDC is a reality show, but it comes off a bit too strictly as just a competition. Therefore, the producers need to make the show more HUMAN by allowing more FUN and INTERACTION between the crews, host, and judges. So to make this show more fun and interactive, the producers should make these two changes:
(1) Allow the crews to more fully express themselves in the previews shown before they perform. So far, the previews basically have only TWO TOPICS - the weekly challenges, and the sob stories / personal challenges. What about broader topics and more positive things to illustrate the crew members' characters (e.g., interesting things about crew members, their first impressions, goals other than winning ABDC)
(2) Let the crews, host, and judges interact WITH each other. It would be much more interesting if the host asked the crew questions and if the judges, crew members, and host actually talk back and forth with each other, flirt, ask questions, have fun, etc.
If the producers made these changes, the viewers would be able to know the crews not just by their performances, but by their characters as well. It wouldn't make the show perfect, but it would certainly bring something new and make it more enjoyable to watch."