‘Taking the Stage’: The Best Soundtrack On TV?
MTV’s Taking the Stage has my favorite soundtrack on television right now – point blank, period. The latest episode’s mix of cuts from artists like John Legend, Jazmine Sullivan, Robin Thicke swept me up in the kind of R&B rapture that I hadn’t encountered on the tube since BET retired Midnight Love.
While spotting a complete music video on MTV is a rarity nowadays, the network has managed to keep music running through the veins of its programming by prominently infusing music into its reality show roster. And Taking the Stage is a prime example of how the spirit of music television can still thrive through forms of entertainment other than the traditional music video.
In addition to its bumpin’ soundtrack, I commend the show for consistently spotlighting the artistic skills of its talented cast. In just two episodes, we’ve already witnessed singer-songwriter Mia show off her vocal chops in two live sets and caught dancers Tyler, Jasmine, Malik, and Shaakira heat up both a talent show stage and a dance floor.
I dig how the show balances both the glossiness of The Hills and the swagger of America’s Best Dance Crew. Yes, there’s still petty drama thrown in for kicks, but the cast’s simple arguments have yet to overshadow their energetic performances.
Now, let’s hope that Harlem Heights takes a page from Taking the Stage and starts giving its cast more opportunities to flex their creativity on camera.
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I definitely noticed that MTV has crammed a lot of music into both episodes so far. I agree that it works for the most part.
What gets me about this show is how obviously scripted it is. The “impromptu” dance-off in the cafeteria, the “underdog” i.e. a broken-hearted Mia winning the competition and the top dog not even placing, the love triangle among 3 of the show’s five main cast members. -_-
I am still invested, though. I love the sweet awkwardness between Tyler and Jasmine as they forge a relationship and the highlighted ups and downs of Malik’s relationship with his bf. I’m looking forward to see what the rest of the season has to offer.
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Love that you’re enjoying the show and the music. We post all the music from the show here:
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/taking_the_stage/series.jhtml#rhap
And you can learn more about TTS and the kids at http://bit.ly/TakingTheStage
Thanks!
Kate with MTV
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Miaa ! get off of tyler he is with jasmine and you know that. you just interupting what they got. your honstly not even pretty. leave them alone. go out with your friend you are terrible. if i was jasmine i would fight you.
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I ******* hate u mia…u are really a selfiish *****…u messed up jasmine and tyler relationship cuz of ur break up **** with ur ex…what u did was wrong. I mean come get off tyler **** as u can tell he don’t want u his in love with jasmine so just move on with ur **** life have have fun with ur friends and **** give ur bestfriend guy a chance you will look so much together leave jazzy and tayler olone please..
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Same for me tyler and jazzy looks so good together mia you just think you can get whatever you want because your white don’t mean to sound racist but I’m part white anyway they could have worked put all their problems till you came and screwed it all up I was hoping they would have worked it all out and stay together and your singing aint all that either I can do better than that what you need to do is add something new to those songs sorry mia I’m just being real
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what’s the soundtrack of taking the stage (at the beginning)
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“Whatever It Takes” by Leona Lewis
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whats the song that they put in the taking the stage comercial for the new season?
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what is the name of the number at the cafetaria dance challenge
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Hi Kate!
MTV Germany is showing a trailer of “taking the stage” with a great background song. Do you know that song?
Cheers,
Bjoern
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Hi
Thanks for posting this, I enjoy the show. I love the sweetness of Tyler and jasmine.
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