Interesting concept and style. Acting isn't the greatest but most of the actors are pretty young and are most likely working on their first network show. With a little work it could be a pretty decent series. I'm from Canada and I know how much slack we get for our TV shows,but without the proper funds and expensive scenery that the other American Disney shows have this show does well with what it has. I'm guessing for most of them dancing came before acting which is why they may be a little underdeveloped in that area. Emily stands out the most to me I can see her getting mainstream attention someday. Overall it's an OK show most that is most suited for pre-teens.
55 Reviews
A 40yr Old Review
darius_sutherland5 August 2020
My 10yr daughter loves this and my son now also enjoys it and I love to take the mick out of it whilst they watch. Put yourself in a young persons shoes and you'll love it. Acting is bad, script is terrible but if you don't enjoy it's because it's not meant for you.
Show was good but went downhill unfortunately
jaydentaylors21 July 2017
The Next Step was pretty enjoyable with the engaging characters, the story lines, drama, experiencing a new concept of the show (mockumentary style)it was pretty good. But as every season goes by the show constantly changes, it has lost it's mockumentary style, it focuses on Jiley ALOTT, the story lines are getting repetitive (too much love triangles),a lot of new cast members are introduced but leave the following season, new characters aren't engaging nor is the drama and too much boring fillers. Season 5 is definitely an improvement but just not good enough. It's still worth watching but I probably have just outgrowned this show.
3 seasons was enough
Lain66626 February 2020
Fantastic Escapist Entertainment for the Pandemic!
pickles8815 February 2021
My 9 year old daughter and I have recently discovered The Next Step and are currently on Season 3, we love it and the style of filming with the characters sharing their secret thoughts. The dancing is 'insane' to use one of the adjectives in the programme and the topics covered all very relevant to young people. There is plenty of comedy too and almost pantomime-like villains. Would highly recommend as an antidote to the current world we are living in. Enjoy!
Great show
maraujoamorim3 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this show when I was younger and I loved it. Storylines were catchy and all the characters were special in their own way. Acting was just ok, but the dancing and the vibe of this show were amazing.
After 3 great seasons almost everyone at the cast was replaced and it changed a lot, so I kind gave up on the show. Season 4 and 5 were a disappointment...
Recently, I watched season 6 and I must say it was perfect. They brought some people from the old cast and combined them with incredible new characters. All the vibes and magic were back. Such a nostalgic feeling!
It's not the best show, but it brings me back so many childhood memories. There is definitely a special place in my heart for TNS 💙
Bad
tigermanraw3 May 2014
This is one of the worst shows I have ever seen it is just terrible. You should only watch this show if you really love dance and don't care about acting or drama. The acting is some of the worst I have ever ever seen and is so cheesy. They over react to small things and and you can tell it's all fake and terrible made. The music is too repetitive and gets really annoying every minuet they play the same song for at least 2 minuets, just because you have the rights to a song doesn't mean you should play it all the time. This show is punch in the face to acting and drama and the creators and actors should be ashamed of themselves and should stick to dancing.
Actually, I love this show.
bethers-9013213 February 2019
You know, if I'm going read some of these comments pertaining to the acting, I'd recommend realizing this is on a family-based station. You ever watch the Disney channel and see that acting? They're not dancers. And the acting is terrible. BUT, it's the fact that this isn't smutty foul-mouthed crap. It's talented dancers, dancing and motivating one another in competition. Scenarios are all things that can happen in young lives and I've been a dancer and gymnast my whole life. I love this show and can relate... and I sure as heck know I wouldn't be a really great actor before a dancer. Get over yourself if that's what made you watch. It was the dancing. And they're talent far surpasses any lack of acting credentials.
Not bad
scrappymommyof310 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
My daughter saw this come up on Hulu one day and since she is a dancer she of course wanted to watch it. Some things I have to say are a bit unrealistic like the fact that the studio owner seems to have NO control over her studio letting teenage girls basically run the show which doesn't happen. I could tell from the first show that Emily was going to act the part of a spoiled brat who should really be knocked down a few pegs, if she acted that way at our studio she would be gone. The dancing is pretty good but the fact that they never use technical terms for any of the moves takes away some of the credibility. The writers should spend a little time in a real studio to at least learn some of the terms that are used and see some real competitive dancers in action.
How did this get five seasons again?
rdavall22 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
If you're a member of a family containing girls from ages 8-13 (at some point), chances are you'll have heard of the Next Step, the well...reality (I guess?) show heavily littering the schedules of the Family Channel and CBBC. And I take pity on you. This show is a turd in so many fundamental areas and has little to redeem its unrelenting awfulness throughout (I only barely gave it 2/10 as you see above).
Diving into the show itself, its chief issue lies in the general tone of the show. It's a weird specimen. The Next Step considers itself to be a reality/mockumentary-style show on a surface level, but behind that shallow exterior, you can tell it is also experiencing an identity crisis. It rejects its own concept of being a mockumentary show because of its writing style (due to the cheesy dialogue noted below, particularly during dramatic moments such as the season 3 Internationals arc - is realism/common sense over random contrivance too much to ask for, considering that this is basically a reality mockumentary that treats all of its content as 'serious' and realistic?. I know reality shows are often cheesy and unrealistic due to their intent to purely entertain, but the clash between the unreal-ism of the universe and the sudden shift towards 'dark' character drama in subsequent scenes causes the 'realistic' drama to heavily lose its impact, rendering it ridiculous instead when we are clearly meant to take, say, the Amanda wallet sabotage from season 2 seriously) and a surprising number of conflicts (relationship dramas included) are unrealistic to a cartoonish degree, particularly Lucian's overly ridiculous and elaborate schemes to 'take down the Next Step' (creative team, please stop using that term and actually consult a thesaurus while writing) which once again exceed the point of believability and stick the show's mockumentary premise into invalidity) while also limiting itself based on its premise (therefore the only scenarios it can achieve on a recurring basis are bland relationship dramas, the same few conflicts repeatedly and the obligatory competitions in the final episodes of each season, rendering the show tedious, which is exactly what you NEED to avoid when pulling this kind of show off successfully) to create a lazy, dull, confusedly semi-unrealistic world filled with mean-spirited, unnecessary caricatures of real life personalities. Isn't this meant to be about dancing, and, you know, inspiring? Furthermore, the dancing that the show heavily emphasizes is more minor than a first-time viewer might think and is often redundant when it finally does appear. If you're going to have characters randomly drivel pretentiously about how important dancing is to them, this has to be justified, and here it isn't.
And the dialogue. Good God, the dialogue. This is some of the worst writing I have ever seen in any TV series. It's poorly written, redundant and even hilariously campy when delivered as poorly as it is by the show's actors (only a small percentage manage to deliver even adequate performances, which causes the show's drama to lose even more weight). I understand the show is meant for a young pre-teen audience and that teenagers can be dumb sometimes (most likely the effect the writers were aiming for) but every single character recites the same stale form of dialogue (indicating the objective here is actually to emotionally manipulate the audience) and it becomes tiring and ridiculous after only a short time, particularly with a show that has somehow run for five (going on six) seasons without any sign of stopping.
Ultimately though, the greatest crime the Next Step commits in its brainless reality is its lack of improvement. It never learns from its own mistakes, and new issues crop up every season to add to the old for the sake of cheap, brainless drama and lazy conflict. The first season had a dull, overused 'alpha b*tch' conflict and an insufferably conspicuous Mary Sue in Michelle, the second season added further unreal-ism on top of the first season and added a needlessly complex romantic conflict that was poorly written and ate up way more of the show's runtime that it deserved to), the third season gave virtually no defining traits to its new troupe members (can anyone name me some actual character traits for Cierra?) and reduced the writing quality even further, the fourth season added another insufferable Mary Sue in Alfie (who is halfway between 'intentionally' and 'accidentally' unlikeable) just to manipulate the audience's emotions over James and Riley's relationship (the only reason I gave this show two stars instead of one, because it seems to be the only area where the show writers actually invest the work to develop it), threw in numerous bland new characters for no justified reason (all rehashes of the old cast with even less personality and less acting ability) and the fifth season shamelessly retcons the first season to return Emily to a random narcissistic totalitarian and Michelle to a gullible moron for the sake of lazily manufacturing some form of conflict to fill the episode quota, while adding some the worst, most forced and most time-consuming 'romantic' subplots in the show's history. See how not a single mistake is actually improved upon? The show writers have become indulged enough by the show's success to not fix a single aspect of this wreckage, therefore operating on this law the show will continue to worsen with every passing season while most likely never being cancelled (because it is legitimately the only thing keeping the Family Channel afloat. It's SpongeBob Syndrome all over again. Networks never learn unless a huge uproar breaks out, do they?). The Next Step is ultimately for no one but the writers (who need to keep their jobs afloat) and the Family Channel. We all deserve better.
Diving into the show itself, its chief issue lies in the general tone of the show. It's a weird specimen. The Next Step considers itself to be a reality/mockumentary-style show on a surface level, but behind that shallow exterior, you can tell it is also experiencing an identity crisis. It rejects its own concept of being a mockumentary show because of its writing style (due to the cheesy dialogue noted below, particularly during dramatic moments such as the season 3 Internationals arc - is realism/common sense over random contrivance too much to ask for, considering that this is basically a reality mockumentary that treats all of its content as 'serious' and realistic?. I know reality shows are often cheesy and unrealistic due to their intent to purely entertain, but the clash between the unreal-ism of the universe and the sudden shift towards 'dark' character drama in subsequent scenes causes the 'realistic' drama to heavily lose its impact, rendering it ridiculous instead when we are clearly meant to take, say, the Amanda wallet sabotage from season 2 seriously) and a surprising number of conflicts (relationship dramas included) are unrealistic to a cartoonish degree, particularly Lucian's overly ridiculous and elaborate schemes to 'take down the Next Step' (creative team, please stop using that term and actually consult a thesaurus while writing) which once again exceed the point of believability and stick the show's mockumentary premise into invalidity) while also limiting itself based on its premise (therefore the only scenarios it can achieve on a recurring basis are bland relationship dramas, the same few conflicts repeatedly and the obligatory competitions in the final episodes of each season, rendering the show tedious, which is exactly what you NEED to avoid when pulling this kind of show off successfully) to create a lazy, dull, confusedly semi-unrealistic world filled with mean-spirited, unnecessary caricatures of real life personalities. Isn't this meant to be about dancing, and, you know, inspiring? Furthermore, the dancing that the show heavily emphasizes is more minor than a first-time viewer might think and is often redundant when it finally does appear. If you're going to have characters randomly drivel pretentiously about how important dancing is to them, this has to be justified, and here it isn't.
And the dialogue. Good God, the dialogue. This is some of the worst writing I have ever seen in any TV series. It's poorly written, redundant and even hilariously campy when delivered as poorly as it is by the show's actors (only a small percentage manage to deliver even adequate performances, which causes the show's drama to lose even more weight). I understand the show is meant for a young pre-teen audience and that teenagers can be dumb sometimes (most likely the effect the writers were aiming for) but every single character recites the same stale form of dialogue (indicating the objective here is actually to emotionally manipulate the audience) and it becomes tiring and ridiculous after only a short time, particularly with a show that has somehow run for five (going on six) seasons without any sign of stopping.
Ultimately though, the greatest crime the Next Step commits in its brainless reality is its lack of improvement. It never learns from its own mistakes, and new issues crop up every season to add to the old for the sake of cheap, brainless drama and lazy conflict. The first season had a dull, overused 'alpha b*tch' conflict and an insufferably conspicuous Mary Sue in Michelle, the second season added further unreal-ism on top of the first season and added a needlessly complex romantic conflict that was poorly written and ate up way more of the show's runtime that it deserved to), the third season gave virtually no defining traits to its new troupe members (can anyone name me some actual character traits for Cierra?) and reduced the writing quality even further, the fourth season added another insufferable Mary Sue in Alfie (who is halfway between 'intentionally' and 'accidentally' unlikeable) just to manipulate the audience's emotions over James and Riley's relationship (the only reason I gave this show two stars instead of one, because it seems to be the only area where the show writers actually invest the work to develop it), threw in numerous bland new characters for no justified reason (all rehashes of the old cast with even less personality and less acting ability) and the fifth season shamelessly retcons the first season to return Emily to a random narcissistic totalitarian and Michelle to a gullible moron for the sake of lazily manufacturing some form of conflict to fill the episode quota, while adding some the worst, most forced and most time-consuming 'romantic' subplots in the show's history. See how not a single mistake is actually improved upon? The show writers have become indulged enough by the show's success to not fix a single aspect of this wreckage, therefore operating on this law the show will continue to worsen with every passing season while most likely never being cancelled (because it is legitimately the only thing keeping the Family Channel afloat. It's SpongeBob Syndrome all over again. Networks never learn unless a huge uproar breaks out, do they?). The Next Step is ultimately for no one but the writers (who need to keep their jobs afloat) and the Family Channel. We all deserve better.
Pretty Good Dance Show
chloec-green27 September 2013
This show is great for teens and pr-teens. It has a good storyline with the right amount of romance and revenge. The show is on once a week for only a half hour The acting is OK but the fact that the dancing on the show is so good and unique it works. The 4 lead characters, Michelle, Emily, James and Reilly adds the spark in to this show like any other dance show would. The best part about the show is that people could relate it to real life thats better than your average drama TV show. It is easy to compare a person to a character because every personality on the show is different and unique. Without one lead or main actor, the show would fall apart.
Not the Worst Show
samba-9791319 December 2017
The only reason this is not the worst show is that TMZ is still on the air. The show does have a plot--a thoroughly predictable plot, but I can live with that in a show that's aimed at tweens. It's hard for me to assess the dancing talent because the choreography is so bad. You don't just put ballet, hip-hop, and gymnastics in a blender and hit "mix." Having all three elements in a dance is not a terrible idea, but they have to be brought together with finesse, not because the studio is a democracy (everybody gets a voice). And choreographing an ensemble dance routine and learning it in a day is completely unrealistic. It's unclear what the studio choreographer's role is, since the routines seem to be made up by the students themselves. In fact the studio owner doesn't contribute much, either.
There's nothing one can say about the music; it's simply unmemorable.
The gimmick of the behind-the-scenes interviews doesn't work. These kids can't act, and their drama is overblown. It's really a caricature of teenagers and depicts teens as universally self-absorbed. The other problem with it is that some of the interviews happen in the middle of the action. For example, a given actor is in the middle of a dance; then the scene cuts to an interview with that dancer commenting on the very dance that's ongoing! There's no logic to that.
Finally, the acting is just phenomenally bad. I want to just chalk it up to the actors' youth, but I can't, because there are some pretty terrific child actors around.
There's nothing one can say about the music; it's simply unmemorable.
The gimmick of the behind-the-scenes interviews doesn't work. These kids can't act, and their drama is overblown. It's really a caricature of teenagers and depicts teens as universally self-absorbed. The other problem with it is that some of the interviews happen in the middle of the action. For example, a given actor is in the middle of a dance; then the scene cuts to an interview with that dancer commenting on the very dance that's ongoing! There's no logic to that.
Finally, the acting is just phenomenally bad. I want to just chalk it up to the actors' youth, but I can't, because there are some pretty terrific child actors around.
Started off great, had a rough patch in Seasons 4-5, got better in Season 6, and went downhill again in Season 7
bevaneborges22 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I remember discovering this show when I was 14 years old and had randomly turned on the TV. I was immediately hooked to this show with its themes of family relationships and dance in Season 1 and I found the characters and their storylines generally relatable. Sure Tiffany barely got a plot and Chris could have had more development but everything else was great.
Season 2 was great but a slight step-down from Season 1. I liked the espionage plot of Amanda that played throughout the season and the wide variety of plots and locations that it had. However, I didn't really like that some storylines were closed and never brought up again (e.g. Hunter and Emily's relationship). In addition, Chris left and the character of Phoebe was brought in and felt almost entirely unnecessary with little to no character development.
Season 3 was a little better than Season 2 and I really liked that the characters' plots that were built up over the previous seasons appeared to come to a grand conclusion. I also liked Eldon and Thalia's relationship and how we FINALLY had Eldon find someone he could stay with forever. However, the character of Max barely did much during this season. The show started to become slightly absurd in this season with the Margie disappearance scene that hinted she was not even human. Phoebe literally served no purpose again.
Season 4 was the low-point of the show for me. I remember watching this less than a year after being introduced to the show (aged 15) and, despite being in the show's teen demographic, I started skipping through scenes in certain episodes. While there was a lot of dancing in this season, it was completely held back by its deep dive into absurdity with Alfie being a Swiss prince and a supposedly 16-year-old Riley becoming studio head. Also, the show seemed to be running out of ideas already, with a rehashed love triangle plot line from Season 2. Also Season 4 was way too long. Despite telling the same story as Season 1, Season 4 had 40 episodes in comparison to Season 1's 30 episodes. Some of them felt like filler.
Season 5 was a slight improvement, but it felt too short. Also, this season rehashed one of the show's first storylines (the rivalry between Emily and Michelle). However, I grew to like Lola and Zara (but not Josh) in contrast to Cassie, LaTroy and Sloane from Season 4 who were underused and their plots in that season was boring. I also liked that Amy had more relevance and that we were introduced to Jacquie.
Season 6 was the best season since Season 3 in my opinion. It felt like its own uniquely good version of Season 1 and A-Troupe started to feel more like a family again. I really liked the new characters of Summer, Finn and Kenzie. Unfortunately, on the topic of characters, I didn't like Lola, Josh, Zara, Daniel and West were exited with no reason as to why. I understand that the actors probably moved on but no explanation has ever been given as to why these characters left. That being said, I still enjoyed the Regionals scenes and the rivalry The Next Step Dance Studio had with AcroNation.
Unfortunately, Season 7 made the show go downhill again. While this season was filmed in a short period of time and several of the cast members were busy doing other projects, the scenes and storylines they had on-screen were mostly either boring or pointless. Also, we barely saw any on-screen rehearsals and I have mixed feelings about the final scene. I did like the concept of DanceMania and the main characters leaving the show as professional dancers (although they did not leave the show as such)
Overall, I think the show is good but not without its flaws. I feel like there should definitely be an eighth season which should end it on a high note. I think this show should not continue indefinitely because if it does, it may result in more rehashes of plotlines from previous seasons and a seasonal rot.
Season 2 was great but a slight step-down from Season 1. I liked the espionage plot of Amanda that played throughout the season and the wide variety of plots and locations that it had. However, I didn't really like that some storylines were closed and never brought up again (e.g. Hunter and Emily's relationship). In addition, Chris left and the character of Phoebe was brought in and felt almost entirely unnecessary with little to no character development.
Season 3 was a little better than Season 2 and I really liked that the characters' plots that were built up over the previous seasons appeared to come to a grand conclusion. I also liked Eldon and Thalia's relationship and how we FINALLY had Eldon find someone he could stay with forever. However, the character of Max barely did much during this season. The show started to become slightly absurd in this season with the Margie disappearance scene that hinted she was not even human. Phoebe literally served no purpose again.
Season 4 was the low-point of the show for me. I remember watching this less than a year after being introduced to the show (aged 15) and, despite being in the show's teen demographic, I started skipping through scenes in certain episodes. While there was a lot of dancing in this season, it was completely held back by its deep dive into absurdity with Alfie being a Swiss prince and a supposedly 16-year-old Riley becoming studio head. Also, the show seemed to be running out of ideas already, with a rehashed love triangle plot line from Season 2. Also Season 4 was way too long. Despite telling the same story as Season 1, Season 4 had 40 episodes in comparison to Season 1's 30 episodes. Some of them felt like filler.
Season 5 was a slight improvement, but it felt too short. Also, this season rehashed one of the show's first storylines (the rivalry between Emily and Michelle). However, I grew to like Lola and Zara (but not Josh) in contrast to Cassie, LaTroy and Sloane from Season 4 who were underused and their plots in that season was boring. I also liked that Amy had more relevance and that we were introduced to Jacquie.
Season 6 was the best season since Season 3 in my opinion. It felt like its own uniquely good version of Season 1 and A-Troupe started to feel more like a family again. I really liked the new characters of Summer, Finn and Kenzie. Unfortunately, on the topic of characters, I didn't like Lola, Josh, Zara, Daniel and West were exited with no reason as to why. I understand that the actors probably moved on but no explanation has ever been given as to why these characters left. That being said, I still enjoyed the Regionals scenes and the rivalry The Next Step Dance Studio had with AcroNation.
Unfortunately, Season 7 made the show go downhill again. While this season was filmed in a short period of time and several of the cast members were busy doing other projects, the scenes and storylines they had on-screen were mostly either boring or pointless. Also, we barely saw any on-screen rehearsals and I have mixed feelings about the final scene. I did like the concept of DanceMania and the main characters leaving the show as professional dancers (although they did not leave the show as such)
Overall, I think the show is good but not without its flaws. I feel like there should definitely be an eighth season which should end it on a high note. I think this show should not continue indefinitely because if it does, it may result in more rehashes of plotlines from previous seasons and a seasonal rot.
Ebola is deadly, this show's writing is deadlier
thenukeduke9 April 2015
Armpits stink. Pigs stink. Corpses stink. Sewers stink. Poop stinks. This show stinks even more. Normally, you'd expect a school play to have the worst acting possible but alas, this show exists. Watch Sharknado and then watch a few episodes of this, the Sharknado cast will seem a lot more talented in comparison. None of the cast show any range or believably portray their individual, one-dimensional characters who display the emotional maturity of a two year old with anger management issues.
This show is extremely boring and repetitive - each episode normally has the same routine (no pun intended); badly choreographed dancing, terrible dialog, underwritten and pointless relationship drama, badly choreographed dancing, end. Nothing ever happens on this show and that makes it boring.
The characters are well and beyond shallow and as such, you can't give a damn about any of their exploits, including their hopelessly dysfunctional relationships. The adults on the show are beyond irresponsible, never noticing the troupe threatening conflicts on the show and it doesn't help that they're generally just negligent.
You wanna know something else about this show's conflicts? They're more contrived than creationism. Random characters turn up, random characters conspire against each other. In the second season, there's endless talk about "nationals" and "the challenge". Neither of these things cause tension and they just become annoying after a while - Every other line of dialog is "Nationals, nationals, nationals". If you used CTRL+F to find every use of "nationals" and "the challenge" in the show's scripts, you end up with a show that's about fifteen minutes long and fifteen minutes TOO long.
In summary, this show lacks in character development and compelling story lines, replacing both of those with terrible dance choreography and terrible relationship drama which makes the relationship drama in Godzilla (2014) seem realistic in comparison. To Heck with this show.
This show is extremely boring and repetitive - each episode normally has the same routine (no pun intended); badly choreographed dancing, terrible dialog, underwritten and pointless relationship drama, badly choreographed dancing, end. Nothing ever happens on this show and that makes it boring.
The characters are well and beyond shallow and as such, you can't give a damn about any of their exploits, including their hopelessly dysfunctional relationships. The adults on the show are beyond irresponsible, never noticing the troupe threatening conflicts on the show and it doesn't help that they're generally just negligent.
You wanna know something else about this show's conflicts? They're more contrived than creationism. Random characters turn up, random characters conspire against each other. In the second season, there's endless talk about "nationals" and "the challenge". Neither of these things cause tension and they just become annoying after a while - Every other line of dialog is "Nationals, nationals, nationals". If you used CTRL+F to find every use of "nationals" and "the challenge" in the show's scripts, you end up with a show that's about fifteen minutes long and fifteen minutes TOO long.
In summary, this show lacks in character development and compelling story lines, replacing both of those with terrible dance choreography and terrible relationship drama which makes the relationship drama in Godzilla (2014) seem realistic in comparison. To Heck with this show.
The show starts off well but has suffered from Seasonal Rot
nichster29130 July 2020
The Next Step is a good show and was and still is a favourite of mine to watch even though I am not a dancer myself. The problems and scenarios that are played out in Studio A (and later Studio One) are very relatable to everyday life people. However, the show has declined in quality of late and I find myself complaining at the screen for the numerous problems I find with each episode. Repeated plot lines, weaker acting and story lines that seemingly go nowhere are just a few of the reasons why the show continues to decline in quality. The first three seasons are widely regarded as the best and some people see the 4th season as a step back. The fourth series actually grew on me as time passed and I enjoy it more looking back. Season 5 is by far the weakest season: The idea is good and a couple decent episodes (including one of my personal favourites, A Tale of Two Eldons) but it is fairly poorly executed as the end result leaves you a bit confused and baffled. The lack of a competition isn't the best way to end things. Season 6 is an improvement but it starts to feel like story lines are being repeated and confusing plots but overall I fairly liked Season 6 despite it not being the standard of some of the earlier seasons. Season 7 hasn't been terrible but nothing has really happened. It feels like almost every plot is resolved in about 2 or 3 episodes and certain characters are not given enough screen time (TNS fans will know who I am talking about). The introduction of a lesbian couple is a great idea and I am all for representation but it has to be done gradually and correctly. This relationship is rushed and not done so that we are kept on our seat waiting for a kiss. They have just two episodes together before they kiss. Why? Earlier seasons would see a gradual development in blossoming love: You only have to look at Jiley or Eldon with Michelle and Emily. Relationships form gradually, not all of a sudden. This most recent season has been the least dramatic season only starting to leave cliffhangers in the final few episodes which is good but cliffhangers need to be more consistent for me to tune in next week. It's a good show no doubt, and I have a soft spot for the earlier seasons but I can see it being cancelled if there aren't some drastic changes.
absolutely amazing show!!!
milroessler4 August 2017
this show is the best i have ever seen on TV in my entire life. Great for kids, tweens, teens, and even adults! this show get's to much hate so don't listen to the other reviews because I know you will love it. The dancing is amazing (especially from briar nolet who plays Richelle), I agree the acting isn't the best in the world but it is still good and the dancing and story lines makes up for it 100%. I truly recommend you watch this show, you will not regret it I promise.
Boring gymnastic routines posing as dance, boring music sand horrible outfits
acryan-730914 July 2022
OK this is a show for kids. American kids who have grown up with Dance Moms, and whose own moms have obviously grown up with So You Think You Can Dance. So, since when has the floor routine of competitive gymnastics invaded dance and dance become a competitive sport? Repetitive and horrible to watch, away from the mat and the glitz and glitter of another Eastern European Olympic team win. The music? Congrats to the runners up of The Voice. And those outfits the kids turn up in? Tommy Hilfiger for Nerds Gone Wild. But apart from that seasick-making scenario, obviously presented in America between ads for junk food, the kids are GREAT! Their acting is straight, fhey are natural and the show would not be able to move along without them. I feel sorry for them though, having to wear those terrible outfits and pose with all those tooth rotting sugary cordials in "the juice bar" every time they are allowed to sit down. Let's hope they chose their own outfits for a joke. Or is this what American kids like to wear these days? A poor preview of all those adults seen waddling in and out of news videos. It is just disappointing that what should be pure and beautiful art forms are being forced through a sausage machine and Americanised for the consumption of totally undiscerning audiences. People will grow up being unable to recognise wood from plastic, and the real art forms will lose what remains of their funding and disappear. Or be outsourced to you know where.
Sends a bad example for children!
katienatasha-176283 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This show is not good ... at all! The dancers as really bad, the dances make no sense, it is full of bitching and far too competitive. The show is about a dance studio that is trying to will regionals, then nationals so they come up with new dances every week, which they don't even use! There are also running commentaries every 5 minutes where the characters explain what is going through their heads at the time, this is very annoying because all they are doing is stating the obvious (like saying they are shocked because someone walked into a room). All the characters are bitching about each other behind each others backs, and putting each other down, this is not good for children to listen to. The dance studio also has no compassion for anyone! one of the girls fell once so they were kicked out, this shows children that if they don't do well then they are not good enough! Another girl had another priority which was important and they were told that they would get kicked out if they didn't put the dancing on top of the part time job that they had to pay for being a studio. I would not recommend this as it send such a bad message out to children!
Found it on Netflix. Haven't stopped watching it.
geronimo467310 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
I was skimming through Netflix one day and found this random show called "The next step." I had literally never heard of it. Didn't know a thing about it. I just clicked it and that was 600 minutes of my life gone. Not that I'm complaining. I just got addicted. Come on! The concept is so clever. It's a real show, real actors but it's not. It's a reality show. It's just brilliant. You can really see into the character's heads. You hear the thoughts they want to say to other people but can't. It's just really interesting and whoever came up with that is a genius. I love every single character. Riley's my favourite though. But I love James and Giselle and Michelle and Eldon and West and by the end of the first season, Emily. I don't know, it's a rare series for the fact that I absolutely love EVERY character and am so determined to watch them succeed. The romanticism id the best part. James and Riley's first date is beautiful and wonderful. I literally cried at it. Just to put this in perspective, my favourite TV show is Doctor Who. This is not my type of series and I'm addicted to it. :-P just watch it. It's incredibly choreographed, amazingly acted, articulately written and just a really clever concept. It's different and wonderful.
The Show is SAD
susanpariseau-679-55342613 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
My chief complaint is what the subject matter is teaching children, or the age bracket this is supposed to attract. Blackmail, lying, cheating, arguments, sneaky underhanded actions are rewarded. Bullying and mean girls are cool and the adults are oblivious! Love is falling for one person, and 5 minutes later you are in love with another. What young man is going to have a dance off with the prize for the winner being the a fore boys girlfriend. Seriously, are girls tokens or a prize that can be won? That is demeaning and derogatory. Where are the adults when all of this bickering and back biting is going on, to include their parents? That being sneaky and underhanded gets you ahead. Who is choreographing the routines? The adults in this are portrayed as sitting in their office and once in a blue moon coming out to see what is going on. Now you have a girl who is the captain of Elite Studio pretending to be a member of Next Step studio. Sneaking to another studio to record the competitions routines. The kids having injuries but not consulting the adults. Kids in life circumstances making horrible decisions and not seeking advice from anyone who may have a clue. Thankfully my children and grand children have always felt comfortable enough to talk to me about anything and everything. I could go on with my complaints but I think you get what I am trying to say. Improve the acting, dialog, and the subject matter of the show. Kids are not stupid but impressionable. The advice you are giving in many situations is bad advice. Please, reconsider what you are showing our youngsters, you are doing a disservice to them.
ITS SO GOOOD
jcontreras-5100729 July 2019
can't go below 1 star
beachboy4424 June 2014
Honestly, It's the worst show ever, every time It is next up, I immediately switch channels. The dancing is terrible because most of it is ballet dancing. Also the acting is so bad, they over react to the most little things. This is a huge disgrace to Drama TV and TV shows worldwide. This is seriously a New Jersey Shore for Kids but it actually sucks so badly, and their music is terrible. They are making a big deal out of themselves. It has not been a year and they're doing "tours" in malls. Take your "dancing" and go somewhere else. I've seen better dancing with kids that have peed there pants. It also is one of the worst Disney shows I have ever seen
So cool and realistic
aprilsfriendorin1 February 2021
This is such a cool glimpse into the real life world of dance teams! It's so cool that these teenagers agreed to have their real lives filmed. Although I have to say, Alfie needs to move back to his palace in Switzerland and leave James and the cheater Riley alone! He's messing with real lives here! Also I wish Vivica A Fox was in it more.
Ps: I hate jacqie
Ps: I hate jacqie
I really don't like it
jwoolialinca11 June 2017
Well I mean, I can see how this will appeal to kids under the age of 6 who think life is a cliché happy ending storybook, however if you really look into it.. this show is complete cringe. The acting is awful, to the point where it's hard to watch and never anywhere remotely believable. The ranking based on skills is completely bs in the show. Many other complaints but too lazy to write them all, overall I do not like the show one bit.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SHOWS
kaybhogal13 November 2021
The dancing is amazing and every dancer has their own style the drama is so interesting and funny and some relationships and this show basically has it all I've watched the first 4 season about 17 times love them goes a bit downhill after but the first seasons are the best I'm growing up watching these started watching it when I was 7 love this show and the characters.
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