The CW, not known for bringing culture to the culture, does just that tonight with “Breaking Pointe,” a reality show that is actually, well, real. That in itself may signal a seismic shift in TV consciousness.
Or it may just be a small blip on the screen that dies at dawn.
“Breaking Pointe” is a reality show about a ballet company, “Ballet West” in Salt Lake City, with dancers so beautiful and dances so gorgeous that it will take your breath away.
No idiotic judges barking out nonsense in accents that are supposed to be exotic, and no voting from audience members.
This is the real deal. Dancers practice day and night, sometimes heartbreakingly, to perfect their technique. The goal? To become, yes, perfect.
You’ll meet prima ballerina Christiana, 32, who must look over her shoulder for the next, younger version of herself. Katie, 23, is a gorgeous, worried dancer who is in danger of being cut from the company, which means leaving her boyfriend, Ronald, an up-and-coming dancer and brother of Rex, a main dancer.
Rex, 24, meantime, is madly in love with Allison, 28, who treats him like dirt under her ballet slipper. Allison is contemptuous of Beckanne, who at 19 has been promoted to demi-soloist, a huge accomplishment for someone this young.
Finally, there’s Ryan, 30, a hunk of a dancer who is a “gear head,” in his off hours of which there are very few. That means he builds hot rods and rides and repairs his motorcycles.
Tonight’s episode focuses on the renewal or cancelation of the yearly contracts.
Think “Glee” when the chosen chorus members’ names are posted — except this is real.
The injuries are extreme, the dancing gorgeous, the dancers young and beautiful, and the slogan the best on TV: “Blood, Sweat and Tutus.”