Critics are mixed on Katie Holmes' Judy Garland-inspired performance on last night's So You Think You Can Dance.
"When all is said and done, it was a competent job," Robert Thompson, the director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, tells Usmagazine.com.
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"She has long legs, she had a couple of moves — although most of the real movement was done by the real dancers," he continues. "It was by no means Michael Jackson on Motown 25. It wasn't even a real triumphant senior performing in her high school talent show."
Adds Mediaweek's senior TV editor Marc Berman: "It was absolutely a ratings ploy." Her appearance spiked viewership by 17 percent.
VIDEO: WATCH HER PERFORMANCE
"Truth be told, this is not really her kind of thing — she's an actress, she's not known for her singing and dancing. It's sort of like saying Simon Cowell is going to make a guest appearance on CSI and be a dramatic actor," he went on.
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Even though her appearance was "a little bizarre," her "intentions were good," Berman says, pointing out that she brought attention to Dizzy Feet Foundation, which provides dance scholarships to underprivileged kids.
(But, he adds, "I'm surprised Tom Cruise wasn't in the audience clapping and jumping off a couch!")
Us Weekly TV editor John Griffiths wasn't too hard on Holmes.
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"She can sing, she can do a high kick, she's got great gams, she looked fantastic!" he enthuses. "But I was very disappointed it was canned. Why even bother with the headset — it was obvious it wasn't live!"
Thompson didn't slam Holmes for lip-syncing, although he did point out she wasn't "terribly good" at it.
"In a production like that, it's relatively standard," he added.
Holmes performance doesn't compare to another dance disaster. "I have not seen the kind of vibe after Britney Spears VMA performance," Thompson says. "There's some people griping about it, but a lot of people are giving it a general, 'alright, whatever.'"
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In the end, Berman says he doesn't think Holmes moves will "help or hurt" her career. "Does she want to be the next Judy Garland?" questions Griffiths. "Let's hope not!"
