I’ve never seen a flash mob happen live but watching them on YouTube is almost always a treat. The seemingly spontaneous dance performances take place in public places, surprising onlookers as music begins to play and seemingly random people start dancing a choreographed routine. Take that concept, add on a surprise at the end and that’s Mobbed.
I have a tendency to get choked up during big surprises and climactic dance scenes. As the Fox special Mobbed combines both of these things, I knew before I began to screen the special for this review that there was a chance I’d end up needing tissues. Turns out, I was right. I’m not proud, ok? I have very little control over it. Maybe it’s some sort of empathetic reaction to seeing a person bubble up with excitement and surprise, or a response to all of the built up momentum being released as everything comes together in a musical explosion of dance. Regardless, it doesn’t take much of either to trigger the water works for me. If you’re like me, you probably don’t need to read any further. Just watch Mobbed tomorrow night (Thursday, March 31 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on Fox) after American Idol. For those who don’t have uncontrollable outbursts of happy-tears during TV shows and movies, read on…
Hosted by a very enthusiastic and mischievous Howie Mandel, Mobbed features a man named Justin, who wants to propose to his girlfriend Nikki. After Justin’s request to be selected to participate in this event is accepted, the special takes us through the planning process, introducing us to Justin and his relationship with Nikki and following through the discussions, dance rehearsals and eventual marriage proposal. Choreographer’s Tabitha and Napoleon are on hand to work with the throngs of people with varying dance experience on board to make Justin and Nikki’s big moment an amazing one.
Howie Mandell is typically charismatic as host and offers numerous suggestions as to how to make the event bigger and (hopefully) better. Choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon (aka NappyTabs) have had a hand in performances on just about every current dance-themed TV show worth watching right now, including some of the best dances ever performed on So You Think You Can Dance. Needless to say, this event was in good hands dance-wise. As for the end result, without spoiling anything by mentioning specifics, I will say that not everything goes exactly according to plan but there is a very emotional pay-off and it’s definitely worth watching it all play out.
Fox has Mobbed listed as a special and as of right now, it’s only on the schedule for Thursday night, however there’s definitely potential for this to be expanded into a series or future specials with other kinds of big reveals. The format certainly works with plenty of built up momentum and anticipation followed by a finished result that may or may not go according to plan.
Mobbed takes the current trend of flash mobs and twists it nicely with a very personal moment played out on a grand scale. The special gives us an inside look into the planning of a proposal and the making of a flash mob. Mobbed is fun, exciting and delivers an emotional climax that is likely to, at the very least, bring a smile to your face.
Mobbed airs Thursday, March 31st at 9/8c on Fox.
