Talpa To Bring ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’ Reality Format To US After Successful Launch In Holland

In 2010, John de Mol’s Talpa entered the crowded singing reality series competition space with The Voice. Despite facing established incumbents such as American Idol (and its international incarnations), The X Factor and Star Academy, The Voice was able to break through and is now the top singing reality series in the US and the only to win an Emmy in the reality competition series category (twice). Now Talpa is trying to do the same in the dancing competition space with a new format Dance, Dance, Dance, in which celebrities recreate famous dance routines from movies, music videos and musicals.

Like with most of its new formats, including The Voice and Utopia, Talpa first launched Dance, Dance, Dance in the Netherlands where the production company’s headquarters and main development team is based. Like The Voice, Dance, Dance, Dance is carried by RTL4. Following a strong start earlier this month, (the Sept. 5 2-hour live premiere averaged 1.4 million viewers and a 27.9 share in the key 20-49 demo), I hear the show, which is still airing, already has been renewed for a second season.

Dance, Dance, Dance features teams of two — a celebrity and a partner they choose who could be a spouse, colleague, son or daughter. After a rigorous dance training, the teams begin competing for cash prizes that go to charity. Each week, they are asked to recreate a well known dance number, employing the original choreography as well as look. The latter is what sets Dance, Dance, Dance apart from other dance shows. The show employs computer effects to mimic the original setting of the dances, creating a 3D world around the actual performance. (Watch the sizzle reel above to see how the show looks and works).

Talpa, which was acquired by ITV earlier this year, is handling Dance, Dance Dance, with its US division, Talpa USA expected to pitch the concept to American networks this fall.