Superstars of Dance on NBC

By Ally Matteodo

NBC’s Superstars of Dance was again the Best TV Show of the Week. Airing at 8:00 p.m. ET on Mondays, the program is hosted by Irish step-dancing master Michael Flatley and former Miss USA winner Susie Castillo.  Eight countries (China, Argentina, Australia, Russia, India, Ireland, South Africa, and the United States) compete in three categories of dance, group, solo, and duet, for the title of “Best Dancers in the World.”  The January 12^th episode featured the semi-finals of the competition, consisting of sixteen performances by the different countries.  At the end of the most recent program the United States was ranked first. 

Superstars of Dance is a feast for the eyes and a thrilling program for anyone who appreciates the arts of music and dance. The program’s production design, costumes and, of course, the dance numbers, are truly incredible.  Adding to the show’s allure is the fact that audiences are privy to different cultures.  Most of the dance competitions that have come out in the past, such as So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, focused on American dancers.  In this program viewers are treated to a smorgasbord of different cultures and styles.  From India comes the Bollywood style; from Argentina, the tango; and from China, a traditional ribbon dance.  The Australian Dance Theater group number which opened the show was spectacular, in addition to the final group number from the United States, which incorporated a lot of theatrical elements and told a story.  The South African duet was also a tour de force.  This program showcases the unifying power of dance, and its ability to break through language barriers.  Watching the dancers, their motions speak in a way that is universal.