BEGINNING THURSDAY, JUNE 19 AT 10:00 P.M. ET/PT
Only 10 of 14 Advance to Weekly Competition during Live Casting Special on Saturday, June 7 from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. ET/PT
Best Dance Videos Posted to Dance.MTV.com to be Featured On-Air
"Walk It Out with the JabbaWockeeZ and Shane Sparks" Airs June 7 Giving Fans Their Own Private Dance Lesson
Santa Monica, CA (May 22, 2008) – Who will take the title this time as "Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew," the #1 cable show on Thursday nights (2/7/08 – 3/27/08) among P12-34, premieres Thursday, June 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on MTV. Host Mario Lopez, backstage correspondent Layla Kayleigh and the expert team of judges – JC Chasez (N*Sync), hip hop recording artist Lil Mama and choreographer Shane Sparks ("You Got Served") – return to MTV to critique each heart-stopping performance on television's only dance competition series for existing crews. Viewers will get a front row seat as the top 10 dance crews are selected during MTV's Live Casting Special on Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. ET/tape delayed PT. Fans can catch up with the first season winners, JabbaWockeeZ, immediately afterwards in "Walk It Out with the JabbaWockeeZ and Shane Sparks." The experience continues online where fans can submit their own dance videos for the chance to be seen weekly during each episode.
As the best dance crews battle it out on the series, viewers can post their own individual or group dance videos at http://dance.mtv.com for the opportunity to be featured on-air. More than 1500 videos have been submitted to-date and the hottest user videos were featured on-air during season one. Dancers, viewers and fans will be able to check out great dance videos by their peers and friends, choose their favorites and chat with one another about the site and the series. Plus, select commentary posted online about each episode and the performances will be featured in special encore airings.
MTV.com is the go-to site for all things "America's Best Dance Crew" at http://dancecrew.mtv.com from photos and bios of all the crews to backstage gossip and exclusive video. New to this season's coverage will be real-time daily reports from rehearsals, injury reports, backstage interviews and performance analysis. Detailed blogs will be posted daily with exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and photos, allowing viewers a unique perspective on each crew's experience on the show. Once the episode premieres on-air, the polls immediately open online for fans to cast their votes for their favorite crew. Plus, viewers can chat online about the episodes, read other comments and discuss which crews are hot – and which crews are not. Full episodes will be available to view on demand at http://dancecrew.mtv.com.
Busting their signature krumping, grinding, footwork and b-boy dance moves, crews from around the country auditioned in New York, Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago for the opportunity of a lifetime to be "America's Best Dance Crew." MTV and executive producer Randy Jackson have narrowed the search and bring 14 of the most exceptional dance crews to Los Angeles for the Live Casting Special on Saturday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. ET/tape delayed PT. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high as there is only one chance to prove their mettle – and only 10 spots to fill.
On Saturday, June 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET/PT, "America's Best Dance Crew" champions JabbaWockeeZ reunite with judge Shane Sparks in the special "Walk It Out with the JabbaWockeeZ and Shane Sparks." They will discuss the hottest dance moves on the streets and in the clubs, and Shane Sparks will give fans their own private dance lessons by breaking down some of the coolest moves from dance videos plus teach some of his newest steps.
"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" is one of the most visual and inspiring performance competition shows to ever hit television. The first season posted an average 2.5 rating among P12-34 and reached 86.8 million total viewers (P2+), in which 38.4 million are from the core P12-34. The season finale set a record for voting with more than 38 millions votes cast to determine which of the two crews would be crowned "America's Best Dance Crew." Total votes cast during the season were 50.3 million.
Shot on location in Los Angeles, the dance crews of five to seven members will battle it out on the stage floor for dance supremacy and a $100,000 cash prize. Every performance themed episode will give insight into the crews' emotion, spirit and inspiration as they step up to the challenge and showcase their innovative choreography and skills. Viewers from around the country will choose their favorite crews via text messaging, phone and online voting (http://dancecrew.mtv.com). The two weakest teams as determined by voting will show their best moves for the judges and the hope to advance to the next round. One crew will be eliminated each week, ultimately revealing the nation's best dance crew.
"Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew" is executive produced by "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson, Joel Gallen (Tenth Planet Productions), Hip Hop International's Howard Schwartz and Karen Schwartz (the creators of the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships), Rob Lee (Bayonne Entertainment), Harriet Sternberg and Abe Hoch (Dream Merchant 21). Craig Erwich and Brooke Karzen are the executives overseeing the project for Warner Horizon Television ("The Bachelor;" "Pussycat Doll Present"). Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley, Lauren Dolgen and Maitee Cueva are the executives overseeing the project for MTV.
About MTV
MTV is the dynamic, vibrant experiment at the intersection of music, creativity and youth culture. For over 26 years, MTV has evolved, challenged the norm, and detonated boundaries -- giving each new generation a creative outlet and voice that entertains, informs and unites on every platform and screen. On-air, MTV has been the number one rated 24 hour ad-supported cable network P12-24 for 16 straight years. Online, MTV.com scored double-digit growth in 2007 and MTV launched 15 dynamic online communities and eight new virtual worlds. On the go, MTV Mobile is the #1 music brand in the wireless space – delivering 90% more streams than in 2006. And MTV's successful sibling networks MTV2, mtvU and MTV Tr3s each deliver unprecedented customized content, super-serving music fans, college students and young American Latinos like no one else. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Wanna know more? Come on in… www.mtvpress.com.
Contacts:
Anastasia Lee Noelle Llewellyn
MTV MTV
310-752-8082 212-846-7166
anastasia.lee@mtvstaff.com Noelle.llewellyn@mtvstaff.com
