Discipline in the Genre of Choice and Another 80's Video

In an Andy Griffith episode "The Senior Play " Helen Crump allows the teens to plan their own production. Their play involves rock n' roll dancing. The principal of the school objects. He considers the dancing degenerate and cancels the senior play.

Helen Crump protests. She asks the principal to sit through another dress rehearsal. This time, the kids announce a dance from "your generation" (the principal's generation) or the "good old days." They then perform the Charleston complete with flappers and sheiks.

The point--an entirely valid point, by the way--is that the principal's parents saw his generation as degenerate (read Cheaper by the Dozen for the father's reactions to his daughters' bobbed hair, slimmer bathing suits, and panty-hose).

The episode then gets a little preachy as Helen Crump pleads that the teens--who planned the play in the first place--be allowed to express themselves. The speech falls into the "poor teens need to be pandered to during their troubled years!" category (the episode aired in 1966; the musical Grease--the ultimate celebration of teen self-indulgence--came out in 1971).

The speech barely works and only (sort of) because Aneta Corsaut, who plays Helen Crump, is a skilled actress and something of  a force of nature.

1920s dance--compare to the mish-mash in the first image.

Here's the problem (and I am speaking as a rock 'n roll fan): the rock 'n roll dance is far less disciplined and exhibits far less talent than the 1920s Charleston. The difference is huge. Although Andy and Howard apparently enjoy the rock 'n roll dance more, it is, frankly, boring while the 1920s production is not.

I'm a huge believer that one judges a thing by what it is--not by what it isn't. In this sense, I agree with Helen. Why shouldn't the teens do something contemporary (to them)?

I also believe that the thing being done should be done as well as its genre and style allow for. Rock 'n roll has produced amazing artists. I consider "You Can't Always Get What You Want" one of the finest artistic productions of the 20th century. And it was produced by people with talent, who worked hard (however stupidly they lived their lives).

Young people may wish to express themselves. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be held to standards of discipline and excellence in the genre/style of choice.

"Beat It" was respected--and still is--for a reason (as one commentator mentions, it's impressive when the lead singer is a better dancer than his "chorus line"--though all these guys are talented).