Dance Party USA

DANCE PARTY USA was broadcast daily to over 35 million households in all 50 states, all US territories and parts of Canada on the USA Network from 1986 to 1992. Kids from as far away as Guam wrote letters to the show. Kids from Canada as well as from every state in the nation flew to Philadelphia to appear on the show, even if it was just once.

The show had over 50 different hosts, and the show's ratings never declined with the departure of any of the hosts nor with the departure of any of the "regulars." A little known fact: During it's 6 year run, DANCE PARTY USA's ratings continued to increase even though the young adult demographics dwindled.

Ratings research at the time showed 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.

DANCE PARTY USA was the 1st 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).

Had a great time and made a lot of friends on the show.

The show started out as Dancin on Air and then the USA network picked it up.

I would have to say by working on the show i met some of the most influential Singers and groups that are still around today.

Madonna was on the show when she was just starting out and Debbie Gibson. Also nine inch nails just to name a few. My friend Kelly Ripa has done well for herself. The show was a great place to have good clean fun while we were growing up. More fun happened off the set than on with the parties me and my friends would throw.

The thing that I liked about this dance show was that they used regular people off the street instead of professional dancers and models like Soul Train and Solid Gold was doing during the same period. It was a breath of fresh air. I wish some exec would create a Dance channel and do like Nick, showing back to back retro dance shows.

DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA did employ one regular Host. Auditions for the Host position required candidates to host or co-host a show for a few days. Then the Host was selected by the Producers based upon the fan mail. The Host remained with the show as long as s/he adhered to the shows' regulations and guidelines. The very first Host was Dave Raymond -- the Philly Fanatic -- was the 1st Host for DANCE PARTY USA. The best remembered DANCE PARTY USA Host was Andy Gury.

Few people know that celebs including Jermaine Jackson, Danny Bonaduci and JoJo Wrightwere among the thousands of aspiring candidates. Even Hulk Hogan asked Executive Producer, Michael Niseif he could Host just one show because his daughter was such a huge fan of DANCE PARTY USA.

"Regulars" and "Permanent Guests" are often referred to by themselves and others as "Kid Hosts," Hosts or co-hosts. This was not always the case. Not all "Regulars" were Hosts or co-hosts; and "Permanent Guests" never appeared as Hosts or co-hosts.

Dave Raymond - who later became the Philly Phanatic - was this show's first adult host. There were over 50 adult and "kid" hosts during the 6 years the show aired. The show's ratings never declined with the departure of any of the hosts nor with the departure of any of the "Regulars." The show never employed any cast members or correspondents, or any writers, actors or professional dancers. DANCE PARTY USA was the longest running national cable TV teen dance show in the history of television… anywhere in the world.

Ratings research at the time showed 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.

DANCE PARTY USA was the 1st 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).

DANCE PARTY USA was a combination reality, unscripted soap opera, variety, music, theme, comedy, dance and lifestyle show that featured famous people from TV, radio, music, politics, the news, cartoons, sports and film... against the backdrop of everyday kids dancing while having good, clean fun!!! It was a ratings bonanza and gold mine for USA Network's Sales Department and its sponsors for over 6 years.

DANCIN' ON AIR -- produced from 1981-1987 by Dance Party USA's executive producers Michael Nise and his father, Frank -- was the forerunner of DANCE PARTY USA.

DANCE PARTY USA – produced from 1986 to 1992 - was taped and broadcast to 50 United States, all US territories and parts of Canada on the USA Network. The creative work was done in the Nise's Camden, NJ offices while the show was taped at various studios located in Philadelphia, as well as at various locations including the Jersey shore, the Midwest and southern United States.

From 1981 - 1992, over 800,000 kids from all over the US and parts of Canada danced on DANCE PARTY USA and DANCIN' ON AIR. During 1986, 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, some of the kids that audiences saw dancing on DANCIN' ON AIR were seen dancing on DANCE PARTY USA. Some of the artists -- such as Fresh Prince, Will Smith -- appeared on both DANCE PARTY USA and DANCIN' ON AIR. "Dancin' On Air Presents The 80's Experience" DVD with some of DANCE PARTY USA's dancers is available at www.omni2000.com.

Michael Nise -- 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 11 years.

Both DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA were the only TV dance programs to incorporate music from all music genres. Both programs consistently played music and featured 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.

In 1985, KDOC, LA picked-up DANCIN' ON AIR and the show doubled KDOC's ratings the 1st week. The then fledgling USA Network heard about KDOC's success and decided to give DANCIN' ON AIR and its producers a shot. Overnight, USA Network's ratings doubled with Dancin' USA. Shortly thereafter, the show was renamed, DANCE PARTY USA.

Both DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA jumpstarted the careers of 600+ celebs, many who had their very 1st TV appearances on DANCIN' ON AIR or DANCE PARTY USA including Madonna, The Hooters, Will Smith, Duran Duran, Tommy Verica, Aly Larter, Rennie Harris and Kelly Ripa. For a list of the celebs, visit www.omni2000.com.

The real "stars" -- that kept the audience tuning-in each day – were the over 800,000 kids of all races, creeds, shapes, sizes and physical & mental disabilities who danced on both shows. Unlike other TV teen shows -- then and now -- the dancers were not chosen based on their beauty, maturity of their bodies, their clothes, or even on their ability to dance. Kids were not even selected for their "coolness," "hipness," or popularity among their peers.

Kid dancers never auditioned, and were selected by the Producers for their ability of the audience to relate to them. Once the kids appeared on the show, they were allowed to continue on the shows as either "Regulars" or "Permanent Guests." Both were chosen by the viewing audience -- based upon the number of fan letters received each week.

"Regulars" committed themselves to appear on every show during any one 13 week season. "Regulars" were the first, and sometimes the only, ones allowed to sit with, or dance near, the celebs. Only "Regulars" were featured in, or co-hosted, different program segments like Lipsyncs and Starline.

"Permanent Guests" were kids who committed to appearing consistently once a week during a 13 week season. "Permanent Guests" did not co-host, and were not featured in any segments.

DANCIN' ON AIR and DANCE PARTY USA did employ one regular adult host at any given time. The 1st Adult Host was Dave Raymond. The best remembered adult host was Andy Gury. Celebs including Jermaine Jackson, Danny Bonaduci and JoJo Wright were among the thousands of aspiring host candidates. Hulk Hogan asked Michael Nise if he could Host just one show.

For more info and access to the official chat room, feel free to visit the official Dance Party USA website. Thank You.