I know that Bollywood is not a new phenomenon in America.  There was a Bollywood-themed Broadway musical last year, and I think it was Ghost World that had a Bollywood film inside the film.  More than a few popular musicians have borrowed the Bollywood sound, and the Asian Underground movement (which borrows heavily from Bollywood) has had a big influence on the Thievery Corporation and other trip hop groups.  In many cities, there are cinemas that show first-run Bollywood movies that are popular not just with Indians living abroad.

But there’s a big difference between hovering on the edges of American pop culture and showing up on the number one show on prime time.

Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance is a cross between American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.  If the following is any indication, I have to give them major props.

Apparently this is not the first time they’ve gone Bollywood.  It started when one pair of contestants had to do a Bollywood-style dance number.  At that point neither they nor any of the other contestants had any clue what Bollywood was.

Well, now they do.  So do millions of viewers.  And that’s pretty cool.

Big hat tip:  Ultrabrown

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