NBC hits dance floor with Olympic-style contest

Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:49pm EST by By James Hibberd - reprinted from Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC is putting some Olympic-style competition back in primetime with a new dance series from the producers of "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

The show, with the working title "Superstar Dancers of the World," will feature professional dancers from eight countries exhibiting different performance styles. "Lord of the Dance" Michael Flatley will host.

Simon Fuller, the creator of the "Idol" talent franchise, will executive produce alongside fellow Brit Nigel Lythgoe, a former "American Idol" producer who created and serves as a judge on "So You Think You Can Dance."

Given the success of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" and Fox's "Dance," Lythgoe said he was initially skeptical about launching another dance show. Once Fuller explained the Olympics hook, however, he was sold.

"It's the 'Olympic Games of dance' -- everybody gets it right away," Lythgoe said. "Dancing has taken off in this country, the Olympics took off in this country; here we're bringing them both together. It's not just celebrities and their partners trying to dance or young people attempting to be great dancers. These are the great dancers."

Each country's team will present two dance soloists, a duet and a group. Their performances will be graded by judges from each participating country.

The judges have a tricky job as each country will perform in a different style unique to their culture -- Shaolin monks from China vs. Bollywood dancers from India, for example. Troupes from Ireland, the U.S., Argentina, Russia and South Africa also are represented.

NBC is launching the series early next year. Nine hours are ordered, and the current plan is to air four two-hour episodes and a one-hour finale. Several titles have been considered, with "Dance Masters of the World" and "Superstar Dancers of the World" as two of the top contenders.

The series will be the first title produced by Lythgoe and Fuller's new company, which is called Big Red 2 Entertainment.

The name is inspired by the producers' favorite soccer teams, which both use red as their team color. NBC also is a producer on the series, whose international flair could result in an improved shot at overseas distribution.