Watch Live to Dance

Live to Dance was a dance competition reality show that aired on CBS in 2011. The show was created and produced by Paula Abdul, who was also a judge on the series. Live to Dance premiered on January 4, 2011, and aired for one season of seven episodes, concluding on February 8, 2011.

The show followed a similar format to other dance competition shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. Auditions were held across the United States, with dancers of all ages and backgrounds invited to try out. The contestants were judged by a panel of experts comprising Paula Abdul, choreographer Travis Payne, and dancer and director Kimberly Wyatt.

In the first episode, the judges selected 18 acts to compete in the final rounds of the competition. The contestants were divided into three categories: solo acts, duos, and groups. Each week, the acts performed in front of a live studio audience and were reviewed by the judges, who provided feedback and constructive criticism on their performances. The audience also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite acts, with the results being revealed in the following week's episode.

Live to Dance also included behind-the-scenes footage of the contestants as they prepared for their performances. Viewers got a glimpse of the contestants' personal lives, as well as the challenges they faced in rehearsing and perfecting their routines.

The prize for the winner of Live to Dance was $500,000, making it one of the most lucrative dance competition shows on television at the time. In addition to the cash prize, the winner was also given the opportunity to headline their own Las Vegas show.

One of the unique aspects of Live to Dance was that it allowed dancers of all ages to compete. While many other dance competition shows focused primarily on young, trained dancers, Live to Dance welcomed performers of all ages, including children and senior citizens. This gave the show a diverse range of talent, and allowed viewers to see a wider variety of dance styles and abilities.

Throughout its brief run, Live to Dance received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the show's focus on a wider range of dancers and its upbeat, family-friendly tone, others criticized its generic format and lack of originality. Despite this, the show remained popular with audiences, and during its short run, it was one of the highest-rated shows on CBS.

Despite the initial success of Live to Dance, the show was not renewed for a second season. While the exact reasons for its cancellation are unknown, it is speculated that the show's lukewarm critical reception and the high cost of producing a dance competition show may have contributed to its demise.

Today, Live to Dance is remembered as an entertaining and enjoyable dance competition show, but ultimately, one that failed to make a lasting impression on the television landscape. Nevertheless, it remains a testament to Paula Abdul's enduring popularity and influence in the dance world, and a showcase for the immense talent of the many dancers who competed on the show.