Netflix's sports documentary formulas have yet again been tested, this time with the novel series "America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders". Led by Greg Whiteley, the seven-part sports docuseries dives into the lives of cheerleaders enlisted under the coveted brand: the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC).
While the series has at times been criticized as being more of a polished commercial than an eyewit human-interest documentary, it nevertheless offers entertainment and introduces a few notable characters from the DCC camp. However, it also faces significant challenges, notably that it covers an institution already in the limelight and one that controls and limits the content that the production can portray.
Moreover, the subject matter is not entirely unique. Between 2006 and 2022, CMT aired a series titled "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team" which chronicled the audition process for the DCC. This makes "America's Sweethearts" seem like a rerun on one hand, while on the other, revealing a significantly higher production quality.
As viewers, we follow the audition process led by Kelli Finglass, longtime DCC director, and Judy Trammell, veteran choreographer, paralleling the conventional patterns of reality competition shows. Yet, the show fails to introduce meaningful personal storylines of the aspiring cheerleaders, only focusing on their shared passion for the DCC.
The pitfalls extend to the post-audition narrative, where the series grapples with a lack of direction and coherent storyline. It rushes ahead, documenting the football season in its last two episodes with an aimless script.
Furthermore, despite being a reality documentary, "America's Sweethearts" conspicuously lacks conflict - a staple of such shows; no disagreements, rivalries or dramatic setbacks. The filmmakers' attempt to reveal economic exploitation and challenges facing cheerleaders seem disappointingly brief and intermittent.
Despite these issues, the series successfully prompts care and investment into the lives of some of these women. However, with regard to true transparency, it fails to delve beneath the surface of the DCC world or reveal the reality behind the impeccably polished facade.
Ending with a symbolic act of cheerleaders removing their heavy makeup, "America's Sweethearts" falls short in demystifying the DCC universe. As opposed to Whiteley's previous works, this series feels like a story Netflix wanted told, indicative of their future collaboration with the Cowboys franchise and the NFL.
