MTV GREENLIGHTS "RANDY JACKSON PRESENTS AMERICA’S BEST DANCE CREW”
Santa Monica, CA (November 19, 2007) – MTV today announced the greenlight for a new series, “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” (working title). This live weekly reality competition show was announced by Tony Disanto, Executive Vice President, and is scheduled to air Q1, 2008.
“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” (working title) promises to be one of the most visual and current performance competition shows to ever hit television. The top hip-hop dance crews from around the country will audition for their “one shot” to come to Los Angeles to compete for dance supremacy, a cash prize and touring contract. Shot on location in Los Angeles, each dance crew will consist of five to seven members. Each week the crews will rehearse and demonstrate their most innovative choreography and skills as their intimate life stories and personal drama unfold within the show. Each live performance episode will tap into the crews’ emotions, spirit and inspiration. Viewers from around the country will vote for their favorites via text messaging, online and by phone. One crew will be eliminated each week—to ultimately reveal the nation’s best dance crew.
“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” (working title) is the first dance competition show for dance crews rather than individual dancers.
Open casting calls are underway. Live auditions in targeted markets throughout the US begin on Tuesday, December 4 (Atlanta); and the auditions travel to cities including: Chicago (December 6); New York (December 8); and Los Angeles (December 11). Times and locations will be available at MTV.com or email .
“Together with Randy Jackson, we are setting the stage for dance teams nationwide to finally show their stuff. Dynamic, energetic and physical, we are giving them the chance to push the envelope of choreography, challenge themselves and their competitors, and truly showcase to the world the power, skill and beauty of group dance,” said Tony DiSanto, Executive Vice President of Series Development & Programming for MTV. “It’s about teamwork, determination, and ultimately witnessing individuals from every possible background struggle and persevere for one single goal—to be the very best.”
“I have always wanted to do something with MTV,” said Randy Jackson. “MTV has the biggest voice especially as it relates to music, dance and entertainment. I’m happy to be joining with them on this show – it’s the hottest show, finding the best dance crews in America.”
“Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew” (working title) is executive produced by “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, Rob Lee (Bayonne Entertainment), Hip Hop International’s Howard Schwartz and Karen Schwartz (the creators of the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships), Harriet Sternberg (Dream Merchant 21) and Joel Gallen (Tenth Planet Productions). David Auerbach and Brooke Karzen are the executives overseeing the project for Warner Horizon Television (“The Bachelor;” “The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll,”). Drew Tappon and Lauren Dolgen are the executives overseeing the project for MTV.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services—MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKDS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
