Airdate: Live to Dance

FOX8 will air the US series of Live to Dance, Paula Abdul’s new talent show next month.

The show includes a big break for Andrew Gunsberg as its host. The US version is based on a British format, Got to Dance.

The series will premiere in Australia on Wednesday, January 19, at 8.30pm which is 2 weeks after is US debut. FOX8 is also planning for an Aussie version of Got to Dance, to be produced by Shine Australia for mid 2011 (go with the US title guys, it will be better known?).

The biggest dance competition in the US is about to begin. Live to Dance, hosted by former Channel [V] and Australian Idol host Andrew Günsberg, on FOX8 in HD.

In the US, industry speculation suggests Live to Dance will be the breakthrough reality series of 2011 and rival all other talent based reality series when it premieres there on January 4: two weeks ahead of its biggest rival American Idol, which is now in its tenth season and will also premiere hot off the satellite and exclusively on FOX8HD, from Thursday, January 20 at 7.30pm.

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, the award-winning dancer/choreographer, multi-platinum recording artist and popular entertainment personality, is executive producer, creative partner and lead expert for Live to Dance. Abdul will also serve as coach, mentor and advocate for contestants during the performance and elimination process, providing critical input and guidance, while sharing her experience with hopeful contestants. Paula will be joined by host Andrew Günsberg and two dance industry icons – choreographer Travis Payne and former Pussycat Dolls singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt.

Series’ host Andrew Günsberg said: “Hosting Live to Dance is a dream come true for me. To be hand-picked by Paula Abdul to host her live, network, primetime comeback show is a once in a lifetime break. The series is massive a priority for CBS in America which is really exciting in terms of how many viewers will be watching and I’m thrilled that Australian audiences will also be able to see the show on FOX8HD in January 2011. Professionally, it doesn’t get much better than working alongside legends like Paula Abdul, Travis Payne and Kimberly Wyatt – we all cannot wait for it to start.”

Live to Dance, the US version of the original UK smash Got to Dance, started auditions across America in October this year and conducted one of the most inclusive talent searches ever staged. Dancers with raw ability, in any age group (either performing solo or in a group) could audition in any form of dancing – ballet to break dance, tap to tango, or provide something never seen before with their own unique fusion of styles – rock ballet, hip-hop clogging or contemporary mixed with capoeira. The most talented dancers who made it through the callback process will now have the chance to perform live on US television in the semi-finals and finals, where they will battle for the right to be crowned Live to Dance champion and be awarded a US$500,000 prize.