TVs Hottest Dance Shows Of Yesteryear

In January of 1991, The Party Machine With Nia Peeples aired its first episode on UPN. Created by late-night host Arsenio Hall as a compliment to his popular talk show, the program featured several dance floors, conversation pits for live interviews, a non-alcoholic bar, and performances by some of the most popular acts in music.

Among those who took the stage were Vanilla Ice, M.C. Hammer, Maxi Priest, En Vogue, Sheena Easton and Taylor Dayne, to name a few. In honor of its premiere episode, DoYouRemember looks back at some of the Most Popular Dance Shows From the Past.

American Bandstand (1952 – 1989)

This show set the benchmark for what a dance show should be rock and roll, bitchin’ youth and a host who knew how to work the crowd: Dick Clark.

Where the Action Is (1965-1974)

Dick Clark created this program as a spinoff of American Bandstand, and it proved to have legs of its own during an unexpected nine-year run.

Soul Train (1971-2006)

Don Cornelius was the man behind the scenes (and for more than two decades on the mic) on this rhythm- and soul-based program where nearly every performer lip-synced and everyone at home sat glued to their TV sets during the Soul Train Line.

Dance Fever (1979-1987)

Deney Terrio choreographed many of the moves performed by the regular dancers on this show, which offered a weekly $1,000 cash prize to a winning couple. I still can’t hear his name without having an Eddie Murphy Raw flashback.

Solid Gold (1980-1988)

The outfits worn by the Solid Gold Dancers were seen as risqué by some, which makes me wonder what they would’ve thought of every Britney Spears VMA performance wardrobe since 2001.

Club MTV (1985-1992)

This show broadcast live from the legendary Palladium nightclub in New York City featured lots of dance music and the charmingly annoying British import Downtown Julie Brown as host. Wubba Wubba Wubba!

Dance Party USA (1986-1992)

With a lineup that includes Suits and White Collar, USA Network boasts some of the hottest shows on TV today. But as Bob Marley once sang, In this great future, you can’t forget your past. That goes double for you, Kelly Ripa.

The Grind (1992-1997)

Some consider this show a huge hit, but others (myself included) saw it as a 30-minute infomercial to promote host Eric Nies’s ab obsession. Nonetheless, the hip-hop music and performances were always worth tuning in for.