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Superstars of Dance
GenreReality
Created byNigel Lythgoe
Presented byMichael Flatley
Susie Castillo
JudgesMaria Pogee
Shirish Dayal
Kelley Abbey
Harold Van Buuren
Tony Selznick
Daire Nolan
Mikhail Smirnov
Master Haiyang Wang
Narrated byJoe Cipriano
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes5
Production
Executive producersNigel Lythgoe
Simon Fuller
Production locationsHollywood, California
Running time85–90 minutes
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseJanuary 4 (2009-01-04) –
January 26, 2009 (2009-01-26)

Superstars of Dance is an American reality television series that aired on NBC from January 4 to 26, 2009. The series features dance routines from eight countries from six continents. It was hosted by Michael Flatley, co-creator of Riverdance and creator of Lord of the Dance, and was co-hosted by former Miss USA title holder Susie Castillo. It was created by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, co-producers of So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol.

Background

[edit]

On November 17, 2008, NBC announced it had ordered a new reality program titled Superstar Dancers of the World, which would feature competitors from eight international teams and would be produced by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of American Idol fame. NBC billed the show as "equal parts sporting event, rock concert, and artistic exhibition" and Lythgoe called it "the most challenging and exhilarating project I've ever done."[1]

Superstars of Dance differed from similar TV dance competitions by featuring professionals instead of amateurs, including several world champions. The contestants were chosen by their respective countries, rather than by the show's producers. Flatley compared the show to a sporting competition such as the Olympic Games.[2]

The winners were decided by a panel of eight judges, as the producers felt it would be unfair to decide the winner by phone-in votes, assuming the American public would probably just vote for the American team.[3]

The teams

[edit]
Team/Country Soloists Duet Group Coach
 Argentina Carolina Cerisola,
Miriam Larici 		Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo Los Huincas Gauchos Sandar
 India Amrapali Ambegaokar,
Mythili Prakash 		Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sanyal Bollywood Dancers Nakul Dev Mahajan
 Australia Sean Robinson,
Reed Luplau 		Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Australian Dance Theatre Jason Gilkison, Garry Stewart[usurped]
 South Africa Sduduzo Ka-Mbili,
Mamela Nyanza 		Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Umojo Tandinkosi "Tandi" Bhengu
 USA Robert Muraine,
Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards 		Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Groovaloos Marguerite Derricks
 Ireland Damien O'Kane†,
Kelly Hendry 		Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Stepdancing Team (from Lord of the Dance) Marie Duffy Pask
 Russia Julia Bantner,
Maria Kochetkova 		Anya Garnis & Pasha Kovalev‡ The Cossacks Stanislav Issaev
 China Bei Zheng,
Yang Yanan 		Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Na Shaolin: Wheel of Life Matthew Ahmet

†Damien O'Kane was replaced by Bernadette Flynn for the semi-final round of the competition.
‡Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis was replaced by Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev for the semi-final round of the competition
Competitors in bold won their respective categories.

The judges

[edit]
Team/Country Judge
 Argentina Maria Pogee
 India Shirish Dayal
 Australia Kelley Abbey
 South Africa Harold Van Buuren
 USA Tony Selznick
 Ireland Daire Nolan
 Russia Mikhail Smirnov
 China Master Wang Haiyang

Episode 1

[edit]

The first episode was aired on Sunday, January 4, 2009.

Country Dancers/Style Judges' Scores Totals Grand Total
Argentina India Australia South Africa United States Republic of Ireland Russia China Solo Duet Group
Argentina
  • Carolina Cerisola (Jazz Solo)
  • Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo (Tango Duet)
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 10
  • 9
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
 58 65 N/A 123
India
  • Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sanyal (Bollywood Duet)
  • Amarpali Ambegaokar (Kathak Solo)
  • 9
  • 9
 N/A
  • 7
  • 9
  • 6
  • 8
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
 62 51 N/A 113
Australia
  • Sean Robinson (Tap Solo)
  • Australian Dance Theater (Group)
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 57 N/A 57 114
South Africa
  • Umojo (Gumboot Dance Group)
  • Sduduzo Ka-Mbili (Zulu Dancer Solo)
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 55 N/A 57 112
USA
  • Robert Muraine (Popping Solo)
  • Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna (Cabaret Duet)
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 9
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
 N/A
  • 8
  • 10
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
 57 57 N/A 114
Ireland
  • Irish Stepdancing (Group)
  • Damien O'Kane (Irish Step Dance Solo)
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 10
  • 8
 N/A
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
 58 N/A 65 123
Russia
  • Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis (Latin Ballroom Duet)
  • Julia Bantner (Contemporary Solo)
  • 8
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 10
  • 7
  • 10
  • 8
 N/A
  • 9
  • 7
 50 64 N/A 114
China
  • Bei Zheng (Ribbon Solo)
  • Shaolin Monks (Group)
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 10
  • 7
  • 10
  • 8
  • 10
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
 N/A 51 N/A 66 117

Episode 2

[edit]

The second episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 5, 2009. The show marked the end of the quarterfinals and with it the first eliminations. At the end of the evening, eight soloists, two duos, and two groups were eliminated.

Country Dancers/Style Judges' Scores Totals Grand Total
Argentina India Australia South Africa United States Republic of Ireland Russia China Solo Duet Group
Argentina
  • Los Huincas Gauchos (Group)
  • Miriam Larici (Tango-style Solo)
 N/A
  • 7
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 6
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 6
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 8
 57 N/A 48 105
India
  • Mythili Prakash (Bharata-Natyam Solo)
  • Bollywood Dancers (Group)
  • 9
  • 7
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
 58 N/A 54 112
Australia
  • Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock (Ballroom duet)
  • Reed Luplau (Contemporary solo)
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 10
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 10
  • 8
  • 9
 65 56 N/A 121
South Africa
  • Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides (Ballroom duet)
  • Mamela Nyamza (Afro-fusion solo)
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
 N/A
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
 58 59 N/A 117
USA
  • 7
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 10
  • 7
  • 10
 N/A
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 10
  • 8
  • 10
 55 N/A 67 122
Ireland
  • Kelly Hendry (Irish step dance solo)
  • Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn (Irish step dance duet)
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
 56 58 N/A 114
Russia
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
 63 N/A 51 114
China
  • Yang Yanan (Weaponry solo)
  • Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Nan (Acrobatics duet)
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
 N/A 51 53 N/A 104

Standings after the quarter-finals

[edit]
Overall standings
Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Total Teams Remaining
1  Ireland 123 114 237 3 (solo, duet, group)
2  USA 114 122 236 3 (solo, duet, group)
3  Australia 114 121 235 3 (solo, duet, group)
4  South Africa 112 117 229 3 (solo, duet, group)
5 (tie)  Argentina 123 105 228 2 (solo, duet)
5 (tie)  Russia 114 114 228 2 (solo, duet)
7  India 113 112 225 3 (solo, solo, group)
8  China 117 104 221 1 (group)
Solo Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 Australia Reed Luplau Contemporary 65
2 Russia Maria Kochetkova Ballet 63
3 India Amarpali Ambegaokar Kathak 62
4 (tie) Argentina Carolina Cerisola Jazz 58
4 (tie) India Mythili Prakash Bharata Natyam 58
4 (tie) South Africa Mamela Nyanza Afro-Fusion 58
4 (tie) Republic of Ireland Damien O'Kane Irish Step 58
8 (tie) United States Robert Muraine Popping 57 1
8 (tie) Australia Sean Robinson Tap 57 Eliminated 1
8 (tie) Argentina Miriam Larici Tango 57 Eliminated 1
11 Republic of Ireland Kelly Hendry Irish Step 56 Eliminated
12 (tie) United States Dormesha Sumbry-Edwards Tap 55 Eliminated
12 (tie) South Africa Sduduzo Ka-Mbili Zulu Warrior Dance 55 Eliminated
14 (tie) China Bei Zheng Ribbon Dance 51 Eliminated
14 (tie) China Yang Yanan Shaolin Weapon 51 Eliminated
16 Russia Julia Bantner Contemporary 50 Eliminated

1Miriam Larici, Robert Muraine, and Sean Robinson were tied for 8th with 57 points going into the first elimination. Since only 8 could advance, a tie-breaking vote was called for from the five countries not involved. Muraine won four votes from South Africa, Ireland, Russia, and China, which put him through to the semifinal round. Robinson received one vote from India, while Larici received no votes.

Duet Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 Argentina Miriam Larci & Leonardo Barrionuevo Tango 65
2 Russia Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis Ballroom 64
3 South Africa Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Ballroom 59
4 Republic of Ireland Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 58
5 United States Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Cabaret 57
6 Australia Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Ballroom 56
7 China Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Nan Acrobatics 53 Eliminated
8 India Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sayal Bollywood 51 Eliminated
Group Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 United States The Groovaloos Street 67
2 China Shaolin Monks Kung-fu 66
3 Republic of Ireland The Irish Irish Step 65
4 (tie) Australia Australian Dance Theater Contemporary 57
4 (tie) South Africa Umoja Traditional Gumboot Dance 57
6 India Bollywood Dancers Bollywood 54
7 Russia The Cossacks Cossack Dance 51 Eliminated
8 Argentina Los Huincas Gauchos Argentine Weapon 48 Eliminated

Episode 3

[edit]

The third episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 12, 2009.

Country Dancers/Style Judges' Scores Totals Grand Total
Argentina India Australia South Africa United States Republic of Ireland Russia China Solo Duet Group
Argentina
  • Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo (Tango Duet)
 N/A
  • 9
  • 9
  • 7
  • 10
  • 9
  • 10
  • 9
 N/A 63 N/A 63
India
  • Amarpali Ambegaokar (Kathak Solo)
  • 9
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
 59 N/A N/A 59
Australia
  • Australian Dance Theater (Group)
  • Reed Luplau (Contemporary Solo)
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
 58 N/A 62 120
South Africa
  • Umoja (Gumboot Dance Group)
  • Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides (Ballroom duet)
  • 9
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 8
  • 9
 N/A 59 58 117
USA
  • Robert Muraine (Popping Solo)
  • The Groovaloos (Street dance group)
  • 8
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
 N/A
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
 61 N/A 66 127
Ireland
  • Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn (Irish step dance duet)
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 7
  • 8
 N/A
  • 9
  • 8
 N/A 56 N/A 56
Russia
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
 N/A
  • 9
 63 N/A N/A 63
China

No competitors participating

N/A N/A N/A N/A 0

Episode 4

[edit]

The fourth episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 19, 2009. The other three groups, the other three duets, and the other four soloists:

Country Dancers/Style Judges' Scores Totals Grand Total
Argentina India Australia South Africa United States Republic of Ireland Russia China Solo Duet Group
Argentina
  • Carolina Cerisola (Latin Solo)
 N/A
  • 7
  • 6
  • 4
  • 8
  • 10
  • 10
  • 8
 53 N/A N/A 53
India
  • Bollywood Dancers (Group)
  • Mythili Prakash (Bharata Natyam Solo)
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 54 N/A 53 107
Australia
  • Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock (Ballroom Duet)
  • 8
  • 9
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
 N/A 59 N/A 59
South Africa
  • Mamela Nyamza (Afro-Fusion Solo)
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
 55 N/A N/A 55
USA
  • Georgia Ambaria & Eric Luna (Cabaret Duet)
  • 8
  • 7
  • 7
  • 5
 N/A
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
 N/A 50 N/A 50
Ireland
  • Bernadette Flynn (Irish Step Dance Solo)
  • The Irish (Group)
  • 8
  • 9
  • 7
  • 9
  • 7
  • 8
  • 8
  • 8
  • 7
  • 9
 N/A
  • 9
  • 10
  • 8
  • 9
 54 N/A 62 116
Russia
  • Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev (Magical Dance Duet)
  • 7
  • 8
  • 6
  • 3
  • 8
  • 10
 N/A
  • 9
 N/A 51 N/A 51
China
  • Shaolin Monks (Group)
  • 10
  • 9
  • 9
  • 10
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
 N/A N/A N/A 65 65

Standings after the semi-finals

[edit]
Overall standings
Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Total Teams remaining
1  Australia 114 121 120 59 414 2 (duet, group)
2  USA 114 122 127 50 413 2 (solo, group)
3  Ireland 123 114 56 116 409 0
4  South Africa 112 117 117 55 401 1 (duet)
5  India 113 112 59 107 391 1 (solo)
6  Argentina 123 105 63 53 344 1 (duet)
7  Russia 114 114 63 51 342 1 (solo)
8  China 117 104 0 65 286 1 (group)
Solo Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 Russia Maria Kochetkova Ballet 63
2 United States Robert Muraine Popping 61
3 India Amarpali Ambegaokar Kathak 59
4 Australia Reed Luplau Contemporary 58 Eliminated
5 South Africa Mamela Nyamza Afro-Fusion 55 Eliminated
6 (tie) India Mythili Prakash Bharata Natyam 54 Eliminated
6 (tie) Republic of Ireland Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 54 Eliminated
8 Argentina Carolina Cerisola Latin 53 Eliminated
Duet Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 Argentina Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo Tango 63
2 (tie) Australia Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Ballroom 59
2 (tie) South Africa Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Ballroom 59
4 Republic of Ireland Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 56 Eliminated
5 Russia Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev Magical Dance 51 Eliminated
6 United States Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Cabaret 50 Eliminated
Group Standings
Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes
1 United States The Groovaloos Street 66
2 China Shaolin Monks Kung-Fu 65
3 (tie) Australia Australian Dance Theatre Contemporary 62 1
3 (tie) Republic of Ireland The Irish Irish Step 62 Eliminated 1
5 South Africa Umojo Traditional Gumboot Dance 58 Eliminated
6 India Bollywood Dancers Bollywood 53 Eliminated

1The Australian Dance Theatre and The Irish team were tied in 3rd place with 62 points going into the first elimination. Since only 3 could advance, a tiebreaking vote was called for from the six countries not involved. The Australian Dance Theater won five votes from Argentina, India, South Africa, USA, and Russia. The Irish won one vote from China.

Standings after the finale

[edit]
Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3* Ep. 4* Ep. 5 Total
1  USA 114 122 127 50 117 530
2  Australia 114 121 120 59 111 525
3  South Africa 112 117 117 55 59 460
4  India 113 112 59 107 56 447
5  Argentina 123 105 63 53 66 410
6  Ireland 123 114 56 116 0 409
7  Russia 114 114 63 51 65 407
8  China 117 104 0 65 57 343

*The semi-finals were split over episodes 3 and 4, with an unbalanced number of contestants from each country participating in each episode.

  • Bold font indicates the highest scoring team on a performance show.
  • Italic font indicates the lowest scoring team on a performance show.
Solo Medals
Medal Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score
Gold Russia Maria Kochetkova Ballet 65
Silver India Amrapali Ambegaokar Kathak 56
Bronze United States Robert Muraine Popping 51
Duet Medals
Medal Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score
Gold Argentina Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo Tango 66
Silver South Africa Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Ballroom 59
Bronze Australia Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Ballroom 58
Group Medals
Medal Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score
Gold United States The Groovaloos Street 66
Silver China Shaolin Monks Kung-Fu 57
Bronze Australia Australian Dance Theatre Contemporary 53

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ NBC orders Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe's 'Superstar Dancers'
  2. ^ Michael Flatley and Nigel Lythgoe interview: Superstars of Dance on NBC
  3. ^ Hold your votes! “Superstars of Dance” goes global

References

[edit]
  • Episode recaps by Tamara Brooks at Zap2it.com: Episode 1 2 3
  • Episode recaps by Sammi-T at TVgrapevine.com: Episode 1 2 3
  • Episode recaps by Iguanachocolate at FansOfRealityTV.com: Episode 1 2
[edit]
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