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‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Review: Netflix’s ‘Cheer’ Team Struggles To Dig Deep

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‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Review: Netflix’s ‘Cheer’ Team Struggles To Dig Deep


Dating back to 2016’s Last Chance U, Greg Whiteley and a team of many of the same collaborators have been honing one of television’s most successful formulas at Netflix.

The combination of intimate, character-driven portraits and best-in-class sports photography has followed Last Chance U, with its initial focus on JUCO football, to three different schools and then over to basketball, as well. Then, without the Last Chance U banner, Whiteley and company somehow achieved even greater success with two seasons of Cheer, as well as 2023’s Wrestlers, one of my 10 favorite shows of last year.

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The Bottom Line

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Falls short of the ‘Cheer,’ ‘Wrestlers’ pinnacle.

Airdate: Thursday, June 20 (Netflix)
Creator: Greg Whiteley

In an odd way, Whiteley and company’s new Netflix seven-parter, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, is the ultimate validation of the formula’s strength and the One Potato Productions craftspeople’s skills. It’s the worst of their Netflix series and, as it gets thoroughly and frustratingly caught up in the mythos surrounding its subjects, the first time of their shows that has ever felt more like a well-polished commercial than an eye-opening documentary.

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Yet for all the times you wish that the series were capable of digging deeper, that it feels like individual episodes and the entire season lack a cohesive storyline, it’s still almost impossible not to be entertained for the duration and to find a few characters and moments that make the journey generally worthwhile, if not fully satisfying.

America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders presents a unique pair of challenges for EP and frequent director Whiteley, director-producer Chelsea Yarnell (Cheer) and the rest of the gang.

For one, this is the first time they’ve chronicled an institution that needs them and their spotlight significantly less than they need it. I was constantly aware of how the DCC — as everybody calls the cheerleaders — and the Cowboys Empire were controlling and limiting access and of the myriad ways that the DCC’s entire infrastructure is built around curbing individual candor in the name of collective messaging.

Secondly, this is the first time that this group has found itself making a series that has, honestly, already been made. From 2006 to 2022, CMT aired a series called Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team which, as the title suggests, was all about the audition process for the DCC, built around Kelli Finglass, the DCC’s longtime director, and Judy Trammell, its veteran choreographer.

The gap in production quality between America’s Sweethearts and the CMT series is like the difference between Dizzy Gillespie and a child playing a kazoo, but for at least four of the seven episodes, America’s Sweethearts is a rerun of Making the Team.

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We follow Kelli, personality best defined as “Passionate about the DCC,” and Judy, personality best defined as “Passionate about the DCC,” as they weed through hundreds of online and in-person auditions with cheer contenders and then cut that field down to 45 training camp selections, and finally, the 36-woman squad.

Along the way, we learn the basics about what makes a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader — unlike Cheer, the conceit here isn’t proving that cheerleading is a sport, but rather positioning what the DCC does as occupying the intersection between high-octane dance and high-charm brand ambassadorship — and we meet maybe a dozen of the aspiring rookies and savvy veterans competing for those coveted slots.

The aspirants have personalities that can collectively be best defined as “Passionate about the DCC,” which doesn’t always give the storytellers clear pathways to make them distinctive.

There’s Kelcey, a rising team captain approaching her fifth and final season on the squad and definitely passionate about the DCC. There’s Reece, a former beauty queen hoping to make the team for the first time, whose passion for the DCC is second only to her passion for Jesus (she’s far from the only one). There’s Victoria, whose emotional elimination and subsequent success is a key Making the Team plot point and whose passion for the DCC was passed down from her mother.

We also spend time with Kelly, facing the geographic adversity of hailing from New Jersey; Anisha, an orthodontist by day, cheerleader by night; and Anna Kate, whose sister Caroline recently ended her DCC career and is now trying to figure out what comes next.

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Those early episodes stick closely to the conventions of the competition reality genre — choreography challenges, judging panels, catty commentary. Heck, there’s even a makeover episode in which the girls go to a salon and express terror that the judges might chop their hair off.

There are flaccid attempts to build stories within that structure, including trips home to meet the girls’ families and the revelation of various heartbreaking secrets. This absolutely allowed me to know a dozen of their names, though since nearly everybody’s name is “Kelly,” that’s hardly an achievement.

But once the squad is finally settled, there’s a bizarre “What do we do now?” confusion. The series races through the rest of the football season in its last two episodes with no objective at all. Is the drama supposed to come from whether or not the Cowboys make the Super Bowl? Because they don’t. Instead, there are brief spotlights on Dolly Parton performing at halftime in the Thanksgiving game and something bad that happens to one of the girls who hadn’t been featured for a single second previously, making her storyline both unfortunate and unfortunately arbitrary.

America’s Sweethearts is a series with very little conflict. This is a gathering of dozens of women between the ages of 20 and 31, in which there’s no fighting — or even minor disagreements — in which sex and drugs and alcohol are completely nonexistent, in which constant critiquing of their bodies leads to exactly one, nonspecific eating disorder.

Despite intense competition, there are no rivalries and despite intense physicality and references to a lifetime of subsequent degenerative conditions, we witness no injury worse than one twisted ankle. And maybe it’s all accurate! Maybe DCC Land is the most magical of magical kingdoms, but what are the chances that any storytellers would actually want to tell this conflict-free story?

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What’s frustrating is that the filmmakers know the things they should be more curious about, but those avenues prove to be dead ends. The very first episode, for example, introduces the idea that NFL cheerleaders are economically exploited, with references to how little the Cowboys cheerleaders used to be paid per game. At no point do we learn what they’re making now and if this is an active concern for anybody, those concerns aren’t ever expressed again. Too much satisfaction!

If you pay attention, you can see the cracks in the “Happiest Place on Earth” veneer — Victoria is introduced literally sobbing through a huge smile, while Caroline’s wheel-spinning approach to her life post-DCC is oddly poignant, if thoroughly sanitized. But the series is too frequently caught up in the veneer — and, I suppose, in the smiley white veneers — in marveling at the shiny silver belt buckles and impeccably tailored boots and the superficial gloss that comes with the DCC iconography.

I still found myself caring about a number of the cheerleaders and even investing in things like the precarious “Thunderstruck” jump-splits. But when the seventh episode concluded with several participants symbolically removing their thick layers of makeup and eyelashes with the camera as a mirror, I was very aware that the series hadn’t, in fact, actually taken us beneath any surfaces at all.

Whiteley’s previous shows have all felt like they were stories that he and his crew needed to tell. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders feels like a story that Netflix, aggressively diving into bed with both the Cowboys — a 10-part series about the Jerry Jones glory years is coming soon — and the NFL, wanted told. It’s not the same thing.

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Cowboys have become latest victims of MetLife Stadium turf

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Cowboys have become latest victims of MetLife Stadium turf


The MetLife Stadium turf, a perennial thorn in the side of NFL players, has struck again. This time, the victim is Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who was carted off the field during the team’s Thursday night victory over the New York Giants.

Parsons’ injury, a high ankle sprain, is the latest in a long line of player injuries directly attributed to the MetLife Stadium field.

The playing surface has been criticized for its inconsistency and susceptibility to divots and tears, leading to numerous player complaints and concerns about the safety of the game.

MORE: How the Cowboys can weather the storm without their defensive stars

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The Cowboys’ injury troubles continued as Parsons was not the only player affected. Cornerback Trevon Diggs left the game due to an injury sustained while attempting a tackle and was taken to the locker room for dehydration.

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Additionally, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence suffered a foot injury that will keep him sidelined for the next few weeks.

In previous years, we have witnessed some well-known players’ seasons come to an end on that very field.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles last year, 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL in a 2020 game against the New York Jets, DT Solomon Thomas and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also got injured, and former Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2022 season while running down the field.

As the NFL continues to prioritize player safety, it is imperative that league officials address the recurring issues with the MetLife Stadium field.

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Radioactive material, crash prompts shutdown of I-35 north of Dallas-Fort Worth

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Radioactive material, crash prompts shutdown of I-35 north of Dallas-Fort Worth


A “hazmat problem” led to closures on Interstate 35 north of Dallas-Fort Worth, near Valley View, officials with the Texas Department of Transportation said Friday morning.

As of about 9 a.m., only one lane was open in either direction.

A three-vehicle crash involving a rock hauler and passenger vehicle carrying radioactive medical dye prompted the call for a hazardous materials team to inspect the area, according to emergency management officials in Cooke County.

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The outer container of one of the medical packages was opened though the interior packaging was intact, officials said.

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“Out of an abundance of caution, hazmat was called to assess the item,” according to a social media post from the county officials. “The item was assessed and removed to a safe location.”

The crash happened about 4 a.m. on the southbound side of I-35, near the Hockley Creek overpass, and involved three semi-truck trailers and a passenger vehicle. One of the trucks caught fire, and the driver died, officials said.

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Diesel fuel and vehicle oil were still awaiting cleanup late Friday morning. The interstate in that area was still congested.

Those planning to travel the highway in the area north of Denton, about 20 miles south of the Oklahoma border in Cooke County, should make a backup plan as the crews work to clear the road, TxDOT officials said.



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Cowboys hold off NFC East rival Giants in defensive battle

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Cowboys hold off NFC East rival Giants in defensive battle


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Entering Thursday night’s game, the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys shared last place in the NFC East at 1-2, a game behind the 2-1 Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cowboys scored two first-half touchdowns and limited the Giants to three field goals to lead 14-9 at the half. It was a defensive battle the rest of the way, as neither team scored a touchdown in the second half.

Dallas picked up its second win of the season with a final score of 20-15, but star edge rusher Micah Parsons was carted off the field late in the game with a left ankle/foot injury. He said afterward that X-rays were negative and he will get an MRI on Friday.

Giants’ rookie receiver Malik Nabers also exited the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a concussion.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:


Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott did not speak to the media prior to Thursday’s game against the Giants. He said he would speak “post win.” The Cowboys got the win, but it wasn’t an artistic beauty. However, after Dallas was embarrassed in back-to-back home losses to the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens, the only thing that mattered was getting a win on a short week.

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Being 2-2 is so much better than 1-3. Had the Cowboys lost, it would have marked the first time they lost three September games since 2001, and they would have been in last place in the NFC East.

Prescott was sharp, especially in the first half with touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb (55 yards) and Rico Dowdle (15 yards). The defense finally stopped the run and stiffened in the red zone, holding the Giants to five field goals.

Prescott has now won 13 straight against the Giants. His last loss came in 2016 as a rookie. He tied the second-longest win streak by a quarterback against a single opponent since quarterback stats were first tracked in 1950. Tom Brady beat the Buffalo Bills 13 straight times from 2003 to 2010, and Steve Young beat the Rams 13 straight from 1987 to 1998. Prescott will get a chance at No. 14 on Thanksgiving.

Promising trend: When Lamb has some sideline issues, the best seems to come out of him. During last year’s loss at San Francisco, Lamb kept to himself on the sideline and then followed with six games with at least 11 catches and seven games with more than 100 yards. In last week’s loss to New Orleans, Lamb had a spat with Prescott and did not speak to the media after the game. On Tuesday, Lamb was apologetic and said he would be better. In the first half alone, he had six catches for 94 yards (both season highs) and a touchdown.

Eye-popping stat: Brandon Aubrey has played 21 games for the Cowboys. He has three field goals of 60 yards in his career, including a 60-yarder in the third quarter against the Giants. That’s one off the NFL record held by Brett Maher, who made four with the Cowboys over two different stints. Aubrey made a 60-yarder last week against the Ravens. He is 2-for-2 from 60 yards this season. The rest of the league is 0-for-2, according to ESPN Research.

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Silver lining: The Cowboys will have 10 days to get ready for the presently undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. The time will help because there is still a lot that needs to be corrected, even with the win. In the past three games, opposing quarterbacks have missed on only 19 passes. Against the Saints and Ravens, that was understandable because both teams were so dominant on the run. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had too much time to throw for much of the game after previously being tormented by the Cowboys, who sacked him 24 times in eight games prior to Thursday. Oh, and they were penalized nine times in the first half alone. —Todd Archer

Next game: at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6.)


New York Giants

The Giants kept it close against the Cowboys, but they still didn’t come away with a win. After last season, when the Giants were outscored 89-17 in their two meetings with the Cowboys, this has to be viewed as progress, right?

Sure, there are no moral victories in the NFL, but this was the third straight step in the right direction for the Giants (1-3) after an ugly opener.

The gap, at least to some degree, has narrowed between the division rivals. Dallas still owns the Giants. It has won 14 of the past 15 matchups, and Prescott has beaten them 13 straight times. New York still isn’t quite there yet, but this proved it’s at least improving.

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QB breakdown: Jones was efficient, completing 29 of 40 passes (73% completion) for 281 yards with an interception on a Hail Mary in the final seconds. But the Giants were kept out of the end zone, and Jones was short on most of his deep throws. It’s especially notable considering this was a problem early in training camp. There was a lot of good for Jones, but it was not quite enough. Jones is clearly playing better since the opener. Having rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (12 catches for 115 yards) certainly helps.

Eye-popping stat: Prior to leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion, Nabers kept adding to his records. He became the first player in NFL history with at least 25 receptions and three touchdowns in his first four career games when he caught a 3-yard pass early in the second quarter. He now has 35 receptions for 386 yards and three touchdowns in four games.

Troubling trend: Top Giants cornerback Deonte Banks has been the nearest defender on four touchdown passes already this season, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Banks was beat again on Thursday night, this time by Lamb for a 55-yard score in the second quarter. The Giants were hoping Banks would step into the CB1 role this season. Instead, it has been a struggle so far.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Giants weren’t able to get anything going in the running game against the league’s worst run defense. Dallas came into the contest allowing 185.7 yards on the ground per game. The Giants came into the game thinking they would have success but had only 29 yards rushing in the first half — and they finished with 26 yards on 24 carries. — Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 6)

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