Dancin' on air
Encyclopedia
'Dancin' On Air was a 1980s television dance music reality show, forerunner of the TV show Dance Party USA
. Both shows were produced and created by Michael Nise and his father Frank. The show started with US$100,000 from a small group of investors that included Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen
. The program earned a 128% return on investment
(ROI) within the first six months. Dancin' On Air was produced from Nise's studios and offices located in Camden, New Jersey
.
studios in Philadelphia, the program was often broadcast on-location, including from Penn's Landing, Ocean City, Wildwood, Six Flags Great Adventure
, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
, and Hershey Park.
In 1986, Dancin' On Air was syndicated by KDOC in Los Angeles. The show doubled KDOC's ratings in its first week, and was then picked up by the fledgling USA Network
. Shortly thereafter, the show was renamed Dance Party USA
, though both shows were produced for a time.
During 1986 and 1987, the Dancin' On Air studio set was that same studio used for Dance Party USA. As a result during the 1986/87 season, audiences saw the same regulars, guest dancers, and celebrities on both shows on the same days. The programs shared a weekly talk-radio show, Talkin' On Air, hosted by Michael Nise.
Hosts of the show included Eddie Bruce, Bill O'Brien, Chris Trane, Andy Gury and Mike Rossi. Mike Rossi was a former dancer who transitioned to being a host and in 1986 became one of the youngest hosts of a live daily television program in American TV history.
The show also featured Kelly Ripa
, Madonna
, Will Smith
, Tom Verica
, Dave Raymond (the original Phillie Phanatic
). and Duran Duran
with their first American TV appearances. Ricky Martin, Stevie Wonder, The Jets, New Edition and many more top recording artists.
On July 23, 2011, WPHL re-aired Dancin' On Air as part of a special marathon celebrating the show's 30th anniversary. During the marathon, special vignettes were featured with former regular dancers, hosts of the show, and executive producer Michael Nise sharing their memories, experiences and thoughts from the show and also talked about how the show became a major influence and how it changed their lives.
On November 4, 2011, Mike Rossi, Princess, Jimmy Jam, Andy Gury and Eddie Bruce hosted a 30th reunion dance party celebration.
Dance Party USA
Dance Party USA is an American dance television show that aired on cable's USA Network from April 12, 1986, to June 27, 1992. It was originally a half-hour, but was expanded to an hour in 1987....
. Both shows were produced and created by Michael Nise and his father Frank. The show started with US$100,000 from a small group of investors that included Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
. The program earned a 128% return on investment
Return on investment
Return on investment is one way of considering profits in relation to capital invested. Return on assets , return on net assets , return on capital and return on invested capital are similar measures with variations on how “investment” is defined.Marketing not only influences net profits but also...
(ROI) within the first six months. Dancin' On Air was produced from Nise's studios and offices located in Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
.
History
Dancin' On Air broadcast live from October 12, 1981 to December 31, 1987. The program reached seven east coast states. Normally broadcast from the WPHL-TVWPHL-TV
WPHL-TV, channel 17, is a television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, owned by the Tribune Company and currently affiliated with the News Corporation-owned MyNetworkTV television network. This makes it the largest non-O&O station of the network...
studios in Philadelphia, the program was often broadcast on-location, including from Penn's Landing, Ocean City, Wildwood, Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is an American amusement and water park located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The park features nine roller coasters, other adult and children's rides, and a waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom....
, and Hershey Park.
In 1986, Dancin' On Air was syndicated by KDOC in Los Angeles. The show doubled KDOC's ratings in its first week, and was then picked up by the fledgling USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
. Shortly thereafter, the show was renamed Dance Party USA
Dance Party USA
Dance Party USA is an American dance television show that aired on cable's USA Network from April 12, 1986, to June 27, 1992. It was originally a half-hour, but was expanded to an hour in 1987....
, though both shows were produced for a time.
During 1986 and 1987, the Dancin' On Air studio set was that same studio used for Dance Party USA. As a result during the 1986/87 season, audiences saw the same regulars, guest dancers, and celebrities on both shows on the same days. The programs shared a weekly talk-radio show, Talkin' On Air, hosted by Michael Nise.
Hosts of the show included Eddie Bruce, Bill O'Brien, Chris Trane, Andy Gury and Mike Rossi. Mike Rossi was a former dancer who transitioned to being a host and in 1986 became one of the youngest hosts of a live daily television program in American TV history.
The show also featured Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa is an American actress and television host. Since February 2001, she has served as the co-host of talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, along with Regis Philbin and now solo host of Live! With Kelly...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
, Tom Verica
Tom Verica
Tom Verica is an American actor and director, known for his role of Jack Pryor on the NBC drama American Dreams. He played Astronaut Dick Gordon in the HBO miniseries From The Earth To The Moon...
, Dave Raymond (the original Phillie Phanatic
Phillie Phanatic
The Phillie Phanatic, is the official mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies Major League Baseball team. He is a large, furry, green creature that somewhat resembles a bird from the rear view with a cylindrical beak containing a extendable tongue.-Creation:...
). and Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
with their first American TV appearances. Ricky Martin, Stevie Wonder, The Jets, New Edition and many more top recording artists.
On July 23, 2011, WPHL re-aired Dancin' On Air as part of a special marathon celebrating the show's 30th anniversary. During the marathon, special vignettes were featured with former regular dancers, hosts of the show, and executive producer Michael Nise sharing their memories, experiences and thoughts from the show and also talked about how the show became a major influence and how it changed their lives.
On November 4, 2011, Mike Rossi, Princess, Jimmy Jam, Andy Gury and Eddie Bruce hosted a 30th reunion dance party celebration.