NBC Unveils New Dance Competition

UNIVERSAL
CITY, November 17: From executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, who are behind such
hits as American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance, comes Superstar Dancers of the World (working title), which
is slated for broadcast in early 2009 on NBC.

Hosted
by Michael Flatley, best known as the "Lord of the Dance," the series
will watch as professionals from various genres of dance from eight countries
compete against each other. Each team will be comprised of two soloists, one
duo and one larger group. The eight countries currently scheduled to participate
include Ireland, India, the U.S., Argentina, China, Russia, South Africa and
Australia. The dance styles that will be represented on the show will be
announced at a later date. Superstar
Dancers of the World is from 19 Entertainment.

Craig Plestis, the executive VP of
alternative programming, development and specials for NBC Entertainment,
commented, "This dance competition is very much like the Olympics. The
physical feats these athletes and artists pull is mind-blowing, and we're so
excited to form what we hope will be the definitive dance competition to decide
which nation has what it takes to be the best of the best in the world. With so
much at stake, this is sure to be a roller coaster, and you never know what
will happen next. Plus, with Nigel and Simon running the show, it will be done
first class all the way."

"This
is the most challenging and exhilarating project I've ever done," said
Lythgoe. "Nothing of this magnitude has ever been attempted before on
television. We will bring to America different cultural styles of
dancers—each performer the best in their genre—and the sheer mosaic
of styles and energy is going to be nothing short of awe-inspiring."

—By
Kristin Brzoznowski