As long as there have been artists, it’s pretty safe to say there have been critics. The relationship between the two is a complicated one, for it’s the artist who, in an act of vulnerability, steps into the arena (often literally) to present the creation, and with that, comes the (welcome or unwelcome, hopefully at least constructive) critique from the sideline.

In summary, the common threads between the three depictions are as follows:

• The critics arrive.

• Principal female character with a group of dancers.

• Principal character dressed in black, and wearing a black hat with brim.

• Stripped-down, industrial-looking rehearsal space featuring scaffolding structures.

• Principal character on top of the scaffolding structure.

• The controlled critics sitting on chairs as the audience, as opposed to the creative artists “in the arena.”

• There’s always a moment when the critics are enjoying what is presented to them.

• The rehearsal space goes from light to dark for a version of “Airotica.”

When it comes to Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” video, there’s no place like homage.

Photos 1, 8, 9, 10: Ariana Grande in the music video for “yes, and?,” directed by Christian Breslauer; Photos 2, 3, 4: All That Jazz, directed by Bob Fosse, cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno; Photos 5, 6, 7: Paula Abdul in the music video for “Cold Hearted,” directed by David Fincher.