Dance Party USA

This article is about the television program. For the 2006 film see Dance Party USA (film).

Dance Party USA

DANCE PARTY USA is often pigeon-holed by people who never watched the show as "just another TV dance show” in the tradition of other shows in this genre such as American Bandstand, Soul Train, and Dance Fever. However, DANCER PARTY USA was much more.

Unlike other TV dance shows -- to which it is often compared, DANCE PARTY USA was an unscripted, reality, soap opera. Viewers tuned in daily to find out who was dating whom, who was cheating on whom, who would be dancing with whom that day, and who would end up together by the end of each show. Viewer fan mail poured in by the thousands each day with questions, opinions and advice about the romantic relationships of the “Regulars” and “Permanent Guests” who daily danced in front of the cameras.

As a music show, DANCE PARTY USA incorporated music from all genres, consistently playing music and featuring artists from the 50's, 60's, 70‘s 80's and 90's and included R&B, Soul, Funk, Pop, Country, Rock, Disco, TV, Movies, Rap, and Hip Hop. Yet, the show always held a consistent high rating among tweens, teens and young adults -- who today's TV execs often think would be alienated by such a wide variety of music that included “oldies.”

The program was also a variety and comedy show that cross-promoted all entertainment venues and other TV shows and movies. Famous people from TV, radio, music, politics, the news, cartoons, sports and film and all other walks of life -- including notables like Joe Clark, who was the subject of the movie, “Lean On Me” -- appeared, performed and were interviewed on the program.

DANCE PARTY USA regularly formatted its wholesome fun and entertainment around serious themes and topics including “stay in school, “it’s cool to say no to drugs,” “parents talking to teen,” “Special Olympics,” and “Coping With Disabilities.”

Many fans, who are now ages 22 to 45, still fondly remember watching “Maniac Mondays,” “Talented Tuesdays,” “Wild Wednesdays,” “Chance For Romance Thursdays,” “Friday Countdowns,” Movie Reviews, Hot In The Clubs, Hot Off The Presses (featuring current events), Time Tunnel, Bars & Tones, the Party Line, One Year Ago Today, Super Hit Recruitment, Superstar Segments, Regular’s Favorite Songs, Triple Play Non-Stop Music, Hot Track, Fresh Cut, Pick Hit, Golden Oldie, Dedication, Mega Mix, Smash Hit or Trash It, Screamer Of the Week, Then and Now, DJ Report, Judge A Joke, Fads & Fashion, Dr. Love, Cupid’s Corner, Horoscopes, Loveline, Teen Talk, Movie Review, Wheel of Torture, Roll Call, Truth or Dare, Hometown Hotline, Roll Call, Truth or Dare, Hometown Hotline, Play-By-Play Red Hot Rumor, Kid Focus, Ladies Choice, Chance to Dance & Romance, Riddles with Regulars, and the Madonna Marathons.

There were plenty of theme shows such as New Year’s Eve, Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, 4th of July, Easter, Mother's Day, the 50's theme show, the 60's theme show, school colors, Christmas In July, and more.

Among the most popular and highly rated DANCE PARTY USA shows were those themed around Michael Jackson, his looks music, and impersonators from among the “Regulars,” “Permanent Guest” and others who danced on the show.

Beauty Tips, Makeover, Teen Tips, and Fads & Fashion advice were also frequently a part of the program, making DANCE PARTY USA a lifestyle show. The tweens, teens and young adults who appeared on the show often set the fashion trends of the day, and viewer’s copied the fashion sense and style of their favorites “Regulars.”

Interactivity with the audience ranged from answering fan mail on the show, to live viewer-call-ins, to contests and competitions that routinely drew over 2,000,000 viewer responses.Even still, DANCE PARTY USA had a voyeuristic quality. Viewers could simply sit back, and just “people watch.”

Humor was further provided by the “Regulars” and “Permanent Guests” who often extemporaneously created skits, costumes, imitated the stars (like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and David Bowe) as they lipsynced music performances.

DANCE PARTY USA received kudos from educators, parents and politicians for being wholesome and family-friendly. It featured everyday tweens, teens and young adults of all shapes, sized, races, creeds, and abilities rather than using the sex appeal of youth to attract its million of devoted viewers, then ages 12 to 49.

The show was produced on a low, but reasonable, budget that would astonish most TV execs today, even those reality programs like American Idol and Dancing With The Stars. DANCE PARTY USA never employed any writers, actors, professional performers, dancers, or choreographers. Nor did it employ a cast, and it never supplied make-up, hair stylist or wardrobe. A TV pilot --which is a very costly project -- was never made of the show. All fan mail addressed to minors who appeared on the show was screened first for indecent or unsafe content by a staff of volunteers that included parents. All fan mail was ansered by the addressee,not by a hired staff.

Celebrities from all entertainment arenas appeared for promotional reasons. Record companies and musicians took advantage of the promotional opportunities to sell their wares, and as a result, the show and its producers were awarded gold and platinum records by nearly every major record label.

In show product placement was utilized. National sponsors like JC Penny and Esleep sold out their inventories in less than 6 months just because the dancers wore their PJ’s during a Pajama Party theme show. Other theme shows with in-show product placement and spotless commercials included Philadelphia Zoo – Minute Maid, Dr. Pepper-Wildwood, and Coke-A-Cola College.

Background

DANCIN' ON AIR, the forerunner of DANCE PARTY USA, was created and produced - from 1981 to 1987 by Michael Nise and his father, Frank who was then in his early 70’s. The program was broadcast LIVE to 7 states on the east coast. The Nise’s worked out of their 4,900 SF offices and studios located in Camden, NJ. The show's TV studio and broadcast facilities were always located in Philadelphia.

In 1985, Michael Nise began the process of syndicating DANCIN' ON AIR on the west coast. He met with little success -- at first. Many TV execs of the day rejected the opportunity saying that "no one on the west coast would be remotely interested in watching kids from Philadelphia dance." This was exactly the same objections TV execs gave to Dick Clark when he tried to bring American Bandstand to the west coast.

As with Dick Clark and American Bandstand, the TV execs were proven wrong. In '86, KDOC, LA picked-up DANCIN' ON AIR, and it doubled the station’s ratings the 1st week. DANCIN' ON AIR quickly became one of two shows on KDOC that pulled a ratings number.

The then fledgling USA Network heard about KDOC’s success with DANCIN' ON AIR. The Network decided to give DANCIN' ON AIR and its producers a shot. Overnight, USA Network's ratings doubled with Dancin' USA produced and created by Michael and Frank. Shortly thereafter, Dancin' USA was renamed DANCE PARTY USA.

DANCE PARTY USA was created and produced by Frank and Michael Nise. Taped live, and live-to-tape, it was then broadcast by USA Network to over 56 million household in all 50 United States, all US territories, parts of Canada, Mexico, Guam, and even Central America. It was on the air for over 1800 hours from it debut on April 12, 1986, to its final airing on June 27, 1992.

The creative and production work for DANCE PARTY USA was done in the offices and studios that were owned by Nise's company located in Camden, NJ. The actual taping of the shows was done primarily on Saturdays at various studios located in Philadelphia, PA including E.J.Stuart, WPHL-TV Channel 17, and WPSG-TV Channel 57.

The program was often taped live, on-location at Hershey Park, Great Adventure, NJ, Penn's Landing, Phila., Ocean City and Wildwood, NJ, Dorney Park, Allentown, PA, Covington, W.V., Mandam S.D., and several cities in the Midwest and southern United States. Thousands of fans showed up for each taping hoping for the chance to meet the “Regulars” and celebrities, and to dance on the show.

From 1986 to 1992, over 400,000 everyday kids danced on DANCE PARTY USA. Kids from Canada as well as from every state in the nation flew to Philadelphia to appear on DANCE PARTY USA, even if it was just once. Fan letters and contest entries were postmarked from unexpected places such as Guam and the Virgin Islands.

For nearly four seasons during the 80's, Club MTV was purposely produced and poised to compete head-to-head with DANCE PARTY USA -- which was then deemed "hokey and wholesome" in press releases published by the self-proclaimed "hip and cool" MTV generation of the 80's. Club MTV never came close to equaling DANCE PARTY USA's ratings. Club MTV eventually was cancelled due to a lack of viewer interest.

Both DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA jumpstarted the careers of hundreds of music artist onto the Billboard charts, many who had their very 1st TV appearances on DANCIN' ON AIR or DANCE PARTY USA including Madonna, Will Smith, Duran Duran, Tom Verica, Ali Larter, Rennie Harris and Kelly Ripa.

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Myths and Misconceptions

Myths and Misconceptions about Cast Members and Host

DANCE PARTY USA never had any cast members, and did not employ writers, actors or professional dancers. The shows' official classifications of the tweens, teens and young adults who appeared on the shows are "Regulars" and "Permanent Guests." "Guests" were those dancers who appeared only once or twice.

DANCE PARTY USA was ahead of its time, though it lacked today's internet and cell phone technologies. Just like American Idol and shows like Dancing With The Stars, viewers were the ones who got to pick who they wanted to see on the show, and the music. Unlike “American Idol” and other such interactive reality shows of today, the audience was never asked to cast a vote. It was by the number of fan letters received by that the show’s “talent” was selected.

"Regulars" and "Permanent Guests" are often referred to by themselves and others as Kid Hosts, Hosts or Co-Hosts for the show. This was not always the case. Not all "Regulars" were Hosts or Co-Hosts; and "Permanent Guests" never appeared as Hosts or Co-Hosts. The two best remembered and most popular Kid Hosts are Bobby Catalano and Princess. Both of whom first appeared on DANCIN’ ON AIR.

DANCE PARTY USA did employ more than two regular Hosts. However, the program had over 50 different Hosts, Kid Hosts and Co-hosts during the 6 year run. Host auditions were occasionally held for a Host position that required candidates to host or co-host a show for a few days. Then the Host was selected by the audience based upon the amount of fan mail received. The Host remained with the show as long as s/he adhered to the show's regulations and guidelines. The best remembered DANCE PARTY USA Host was Andy Gury.

Unlike many other TV shows, the Host was not suppose to be the star of the show. His/her job was to put the focus on the real "stars" that kept the audience of millions tuning-in each day -the over 400,000 kids of all races, creeds, shapes, sizes and physical & mental disabilities who danced on the show.

Tweens, teens and young adults traveled from everywhere to dance on the DANCE PARTY USA. The Producers received over 5,000 to 2,000,000 responses daily from viewers hoping for just one "Chance To Dance."

Kids who longed to dance on the show never had to audition for the Producers. Unlike other TV teen shows -- then and now, dancers were not chosen based upon their beauty, how skinny they were, sex appeal, their fashion sense, or even on their ability to dance. Dancers were never selected for their "coolness," "hipness," or popularity among their peers. The only criteria for being selected was the ability of the audience to relate” to them. The producer’s concept was that not every young person is hip, or cool, has the perfect body, or is popular among his/her peers. People want to see themselves on TV, and they want to see themselves as winners. DANCE PARTY USA did just that.

All tweens, teens and young adults who appeared on the show were allowed to continue on the show based upon two simple criteria: The "Regulars" and "Permanent Guests" were chosen by the viewing audience based upon the number of fan letters received each week. "Regulars" and "Permanent Guests" remained with the show as long as s/he adhered to the show’s “Grand Rules for Dancers.”

The “Ground Rules for Dancers” had to be signed by the dancer, or by a parent or legal guardian for those under the age of 18. Terms and conditions of the “Ground Rules” included agreements to “never cut classes or school inorder to be on the show, not to allow the show to interfere with their eduction and school activities, always do his/her best in school, never use drugs or alcohol, or smoke cigarettes, not to look into the camera, or to play up to the camera, to adhere to all safety regulations, to wear bright and appropriate clothing for TV, and the like.

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Statistics

DANCE PARTY USA was USA Network's Sales Department dream for six years and was USA's most cost-efficient show; it holds the record for the number of first run programs by the USA Network. In prime time, it scored a "1.6" rating for the quarter and averaged a "1" cable rating.

1990 DANCE PARTY USA Demographic Breakdown was the following: Total teenage viewers of TV households in United States: Male 51%, Female 49%, DANCE PARTY USA teen viewers per viewing household: Male (12-17) .07 or 34,000 teen viewers, Female (12-17) .21 or 102,000 teen viewers

DANCE PARTY USA national reach and frequency for 12 week buy: Teens (12-17), Gross Rating Points - 49.7, Reach 11.8, Frequency 4.2, Total Teens 2,330,500.

DANCE PARTY USA's demographic breakdown (1989) continued to increase during a period of dwindling young adult demographics: Total Women 18+ 37.7%; Total Men 18+, 27.4%; Total Teens 19.5%; Kids 2-11, 15.4%; Women 18-49, 19.3%; Women 25-54, 21.4%; Total Men 18+, 4%; Total Tweens & Teens 34.9%. 66% of DANCE PARTY USA's viewers were young adults aged 9 to 19 and 75% of that audience were women.

In the 5:00 to 6:00 pm time frame, MTV's ratings remained constant while DANCE PARTY USA's grew within the hour by almost 25% against a similar show named Club MTV.

DANCE PARTY USA (Monday through Friday) received a "1" cable rating which at that time equated to 402,000 households, making it, at that time, the "highest delivering" of any teen dance show on the air.

DANCIN' ON AIR, and its sister show, DANCE PARTY USA, became the longest running daily dance shows in the nation, a close second only to American Bandstand. Due to the cancellation after 35 years of American Bandstand, DANCE PARTY USA became the "heir apparent" to the daily, dance music program.

DANCE PARTY USA promotions have drawn over 4,400,000 written responses in just four separate promotions.

In the first year of DANCE PARTY USA, one contest drew 1,000,000 written votes. In the second year, the same contest drew 1.6 million votes.

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Sponsors

It was the sponsors who received maximum benefit from DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA.

Trivia

• Few people know that many celebs including Jermaine Jackson, Danny Bonaduci and DJ JoJo Wright were among the thousands of aspiring Host candidates. Even Hulk Hogan asked Michael Nise if he could Host just one show because his daughter, Brooke Hogan, was a huge fan of DANCE PARTY USA.

• Vanessa Williams, was a huge fan of DANCE PARTY USA. When she arrived for her first appearance on the show, she told Michael Nise, "Oh, I know this show. I watch it all the time." He replied, "Come on, that's nice of you to say that, but you don't have to impress me." She potined to and named all the "regulars" as only a true fan could.

• Kelly Ripa's first TV appearance was on DANCIN' ON AIR, not DANCE PARTY USA. The compilation tape of all her appearances on both shows, made with her mother’s help, was Kelly’s first audition tape. She used it to get her role on ALL MY CHILDREN.

• DANCE PARTY USA's ratings never declined with the departure of any of the hosts, even during a brief absence by Gury. Nor did the ratings suffer with the departure of any of the "Regulars." During it's 6 year run, DANCE PARTY USA's ratings continued to increase even though the young adult demographics dwindled.' This is because the real stars of the show were not the celebrities or the Host, but rather it was the spontaneous flexible format and the "Regulars" and dancers that held the audience's attention.

• DANCE PARTY USA is still is the longest running national cable TV teen / young adult dance show in the history of television… anywhere in the world.

• In 1987, USA Network told Michael Nise that USA Network chose DANCE PARTY USA over Dick Clark's American Bandstand to air on the Network. Ratings research at the time showed that USA Network made the right decision. Research proved that audiences consistently preferred DANCE PARTY USA 10 to 3 over American Bandstand, 10 to 2 over Soul Train and 10 to 2 over Dance Fever. Ratings also showed that once most viewers tuned-in, s/he stayed tuned-in until the show's end.

• DANCE PARTY USA had an official magazine entitled, FLIP Magazine. TALKIN' ON AIR was the weekly official Radio Talk show for both DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA.

• In 1991, Saturday Night Live! parodied DANCE PARTY USA with a comedy spoof entitled, “WAR IN THE GULF SPECIAL.” Jan Hooks and Kevin Bacon portrayed Kid Hosts, Bobby Catalano and Princess, who asked questions about the troops and the Gulf War of dancing “Regulars” portrayed by Dana Carvey, Mike Myers, David Spade, Julia Sweeney, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock and others. Victoria Jackson played the part of a fanatic Vanilla Ice fan who could talk of nothing else. Adam Sanders gyrated to his own musical salute to the Troops.

• There were over 1,500 DANCE PARTY USA Fan Club chapters across the USA.

• DANCE PARTY USA was the 1st teen TV dance show to allow interracial couples to dance on TV and it was the 1st to incorporate music videos in its format (Club MTV was all music videos).

• During 1986 and 1987, the same studio set was used for both DANCE PARTY USA and DANCIN' ON AIR, and both shows were taped / broadcasted live on the same days. As a result during 1986, audiences saw the same dancers and celebrities appear on both shows on the same day.

• Michael Nise as Executive Producer and Producer of DANCIN' ON AIR, DANCE PARTY USA, ONE HOUSE STREET, UNDER 18 NOT ADMITTED and AMERICA AFTER DARK -- holds the world's record for producing the most number of TV dance shows in the world, in any lifetime or career, and he did it in only 12 years. Nise accomplished this feat in 1/3 less time than any other producer or executive producer in this genre.

• Frank Nise was 70 years young when DANCIN' ON AIR first broadcast. He was 76 years yong when DANCE PARTY USA first aired on USA Network. This makes Frank Nise the "oldest living teenager" at the time, and "the oldest executive producer of a young adult music TV program."

• More TV dance shows have been produced and broadcast out of Philadelphia, PA than any other city in the world. This has earned Philadelphia, PA the right to claim the title of, "THE TV DANCE SHOW CAPITAL OF THE WORLD."

See also

• Club MTV
• The Grind
• Electric Circus
• VH1 Dance Machine

External links

• "Dance Party USA" at IMDb
• OMNI 2000, Inc - Copyright and trademark holder of Dance Party USA.x