the next so you think you can dance?

as the writers strike begins to hit home for me, i'm cheered by the fact that some major networks are making alternative plans to fill their lagging schedules.

news broke today that abc had ordered five episodes of a new dance competition called "dance machine." the hollywood reporter, which broke the story, was vague on details, but from what i can gather, "dance machine" is to "america's got talent" as "so you think you can dance?" is to "american idol." got it? (a little sat refresher course for you.)

how did i reach this conclusion based on, well, practically nothing? reuters describes "dance machine" as "a dance competition featuring real people competing for a cash prize." (just like so you think you can dance!)

however, reuters quotes the casting call notice, which says, "you don't have to be a trained dancer to take home the cash -- all you need is lots of energy and the willingness to leave it all out on the dance floor. we are looking for all types of people -- from the cool 21-year-old hip-hop dancer to the sassy salsa-dancing grandma!"

salsa-dancing grandma? that is so not sytycd. i'm sorry, but mary murphy would never put grandma on the hot tamale train! that means "dance machine" is destined to be a slightly lower brow version to my beloved dance competition.

but i will probably watch it just to make sure. besides, if the writers don't come back to work, what else will i have to watch?