After premiering its pilot episode on September 20, 2021, Fox's new satirical dramedy The Big Leap appears to poke fun at the overwhelming odds of making it into the entertainment industry via reality TV competitions. Based on the 2014 British documentary miniseries Big Ballet, the show chronicles the lives of several hard-luck performers attempting to make it big by trying out for a new production of Swan Lake.
The Big Leap joins a long line of amusing TV shows that take place in and around the Hollywood entertainment industry and have a good time lampooning the various participants desperate to earn their 15 minutes of fame.
Glee (2009 - 2015) - Available On Netflix
Also produced by Fox, Glee is the closest televisual counterpart to The Big Leap. While the former centers on various talent show participants attempting to be cast in Swan Lake, Glee focuses on the trial and tribulations of several talented high school outcasts who find purpose by joining their class glee club.
With a postmodern take on musical theater bolstered by wild stage performances, the novelty of the show earned praise to go along with subversive, stereotype-defining characters, emotionally arresting storylines, and the trenchant cautionary insight into young adults working their way toward a profession in the entertainment industry.
Hollywood Heights (2012) - Available On On Apple TV
Based on the Mexican telenovela To Reach a Star, Hollywood Heights is an hour-long family dramedy series that aired on Nick at Night for 80 episodes in 2012. The inspiring story follows Lauren Tate (Brittany Underwood), an aspiring singer-songwriter whose life changes overnight when she secretly sends lyrics to her rockstar idol and crush, Eddie Duran (Cody Longo).
Aside from the obvious parallels to the aspirations of young talent breaking into the music biz by any means necessary, the show also underscores the youthful naivety and innocent gullibility that can be taken advantage of by cutthroat industry players.
Hit The Floor (2013 - 2018) - Available On Fubo
Since a large part of The Big Leap features the ballet dancing required in Swan Lake and the various dancers auditioning for roles in the production, Hit the Floor becomes a must-see TV dance dramedy to watch in tandem. The series follows Ahsha Hayes (Taylour Paige) as she competes in the high-flying world of sports team dance troupes.
Once Ahsha lands a coveted spot on the ultra-competitive Devil Girls dance team for the L.A. Devils pro basketball team, she is undermined at every turn by ruthless team members, her disapproving mother, and the escalating pressures of finding success. With tremendous dancing on display, the show has worthy artistic merit to go with its compelling character drama.
Fosse/Verdon (2019) - Available On Hulu
Earning 17 Primetime Emmy nods, Fosse/Verdon is one of the most critically acclaimed TV shows about the world of musical theater. For those who want to learn more about the monumental contributions choreographer Bob Fosse (Sam Rockwell) and his wife, Gwen Verdon (Michelle Williams), had on the stage, look no further.
With Oscar-caliber acting talent on display, the miniseries chronicles the exultant highs and lamenting lows of the Fosse and Verdon's personal and professional career, the unhealthy mixture of both, and the lasting impressions they made in professional singing and dancing.
Dance Academy (2010 - 2013) - Available On Peacock
Fans of The Big Leap would be wise to tune into Dance Academy, the highly entertaining Australian TV show that tracks the personal and professional pros and cons of Tara Weber, a talented 15-year-old ballet dancer sent to compete at the top dance school in the land.
Beyond a rootable and relatable main character, the show really highlights the specific techniques of ballet dancing that make the art form so beautifully graceful and hypnotic. With a younger cast and family-oriented tone and tenor, the show is enjoyable for every fan of The Big Leap.
Empire (2015 - 2020) - Available On Hulu
For a more fascinating look behind the scenes of the music industry, Fox's powerful drama Empire is the place to be. The mega-popular TV series poses profound moral questions about a successful patriarch naming his familial successor, colliding business and pleasure in the most explosive ways imaginable.
Empire not only provides a captivating insight into the unscrupulous, backstabbing business practices in the music business, but it also emphasizes the importance of family trust, loyalty, and support at the highest costs. Given the smashing success of the show, expect Fox to recreate its most successful qualities on The Big Leap.
Nashville (2012 - 2018) - Available On Hulu
While Nashville focuses expressly on country music stars, it boasts the same broad appeal and easy-going temperament as The Big Leap. Moreover, the fascinating juxtaposition between the two best characters, aging country-western star Rayna (Connie Britton) and her young bubble-gum pop competitor, Juliette (Hayden Panettiere), makes a resounding statement about the quality of contemporary music itself.
Beyond the clash of musical styles, what Nashville has to say about the discrimination of women past a certain age makes it more important than a run-of-the-mill song-and-dance show. Hopefully, The Big Leap takes as big a risk.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 - ) - Available On Amazon Prime Video
While The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel takes place outside of the song and dance stage, at its core, the show is about the pursuit of a young person's dream to parlay their talents into success and happiness as a stage performer. In Miriam Maisel's (Rachel Brosnahan) case, she defies the odds to become a celebrated stand-up comedienne in 1958.
Aside from the entertainment aspect of pursuing one's performative dreams at the highest level, the show's social commentary on discriminatory antisemitism and the societal obstacles a Jewish woman faces in a time of oppression.
Star (2016 - 2019) - Available On Hulu
Another Fox musical dramedy to check out for fans of The Big Leap includes Star, the captivating glimpse at a female musical trio called "Big Trouble" trying to make it big in Atlanta. With extremely relatable characters, terrific singing performances, and a salient social commentary about being professional Black entertainers in America.
With crossover episodes with Empire, Fox is creating musical dramas that depend on the success of one another in an inclusive way that lifts all boats. Here' hoping The Big Leap is tied into Fox's prior shows, including Glee.
Girls5Eva (2021 - ) - Available On Peacock
After watching Star, immediately tune into Peacock's original new series, Girls5Eva. The show chronicles a washed-up '90s girl group attempting to make a comeback when a new rapper samples their age-old one-hit-wonder.
Aside from the glaring parallels to a premise about show business, the craven desire for fame, and the hard work it takes to realize one's dreams in such a competitive field, Girls5Eva offers an interesting insight into the compromises and sacrifices required to pursue other endeavors when dreams don't come true. At its core, it's a touching show about second chances in life.