Career Booster

( FOX )

"Dancing With the Stars": The revitalization that a "B" or "C"-level celebrity may get from a solid run on "DWTS" is undeniable. Former "Melrose Place" star Lisa Rinna became a household name for the first time after her successful stint on the series and was hired as a regular red carpet correspondent for the TV Guide Network's award show telecasts. Former "Seinfeld" star John O'Hurley landed a big time game show gig as the host of "Family Fued." "Sex and the City" film actor Gilles Marini got a recurring role on ABC's "Brothers & Sisters."

"So You Think You Can Dance": Though the contestants on "SYTYCD" don't become household names after competing on the show, they do go on to have successful dance careers, touring with big name stars such as Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey and appearing in music videos for recording artists like Rihanna, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce. Former contestants Dmitry Chaplin, Lacey Schwimmer and Chelsie Hightower have joined the regular casts of "Dancing with the Stars" as professional hoofers/choreographers. And stand outs like Stephen "tWitch" Boss and Kherington Payne have landed principal roles in major motion pictures like "Step Up 3-D" and "Fame." Others have gone on to sell their own dance clothing lines and instructional videos and many have returned to "SYTYCD" to choreograph for subsequent seasons.

Winner: Though both shows are capable of giving contestants a nice career boost, it is "So You Think You Can Dance" that deserves the prize in this category, because its competitors are plucked from complete obscurity. To go from your neighborhood street to a world tour stage is no joke. "So You Think You Can Dance" provides talented unknowns with countless open doors once they make it on the series. Point -- "So You Think You Can Dance."

-- Korbi Ghosh, Zap2it