MTV Green-Lights Randy Jackson Dance Competition

Working Title: Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew

By Alex Weprin & Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/19/2007 2:55:00 PM

MTV ordered up a new weekly reality competition from American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

The American Idol-like show, with the working title Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew, will seek out the best hip-hop dance crews from around the country. The finalists will perform live, and the audience decides who stays and who goes and, ultimately, which team is best.

Casting calls are underway for the five- to seven-person dance crews. Viewers will vote each week for their favorites through text messages, Web sites and phone calls.

The show is executive-produced by Jackson; Rob Lee (Bayonne Entertainment); Howard Schwartz and Karen Schwartz of Hip Hop International; Harriet Sternberg (Dream Merchant 21); and Joel Gallen (Tenth Planet Productions). David Auerbach and Brooke Karzen are overseeing the show for Warner Horizon Television, and Drew Tappon and Lauren Dolgen are overseeing for MTV.

"Together with Randy Jackson, we are setting the stage for dance teams nationwide to finally show their stuff," said MTV executive vice president of series development and programming Tony DiSanto said in a statement. "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."

“I have always wanted to do something with MTV,” Jackson said in a statement. “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.”

The show is scheduled to debut in the first quarter of 2008.