Sunday night: two premieres

[Blaq]

Banzai!, Fox, ET/PT 8:30 pm.
Debut: This somewhat bizarre, but innovative and amusing show became a cult hit when it originally aired in Britain, and it has a chance of gaining a similar following here. Aired already in Canada on some CHUM stations, Fox has picked up the series, which spoofs game shows and features hilarious stunts, practical jokes and odd gags, upon which the audience is encouraged to place bets. In the first episode, for example, an interviewer introduces himself to a celebrity, in this case Kelsey Grammer (\"Frasier\"). The audience must then guess how long the interviewer can keep the actor grasped in a handshake. With its wacky commentary and off-the-wall antics, Banzai might not appeal to everyone, but it's a sure bet that some viewers will keep coming back for more.

And on Family (Canada), a \"competition\". (I wouldn't call this a game show -- and no, let's not restart those endless threads about what a game show is -- but I did have the above legitimate item, and people my age *cough* have indelible memories of the original late-disco era show, hosted by Merv Griffin boy toy Denny Terio.)

Dance Fever, Family, ET/PT 8 pm.
Debut: Carmen Electra (\"Baywatch\"), rapper MC Hammer and Britney Spears choreographer Jamie King are the celebrity judges for this new reality contest based on the '80s variety show. The young contestants flock to Las Vegas, hoping to boogie their way to the $100,000 grand prize.

[SRIV94]

[quote name=\'Blaq\' date=\'Jul 11 2003, 09:17 AM\']And on Family (Canada), a \"competition\". (I wouldn't call this a game show -- and no, let's not restart those endless threads about what a game show is -- but I did have the above legitimate item, and people my age *cough* have indelible memories of the original late-disco era show, hosted by Merv Griffin boy toy Denny Terio.)

Dance Fever, Family, ET/PT 8 pm.
Debut: Carmen Electra (\"Baywatch\"), rapper MC Hammer and Britney Spears choreographer Jamie King are the celebrity judges for this new reality contest based on the '80s variety show. The young contestants flock to Las Vegas, hoping to boogie their way to the $100,000 grand prize.[/quote]
OK, someone's gotta know this.  I've always fancied myself as somewhat of a musicologist, but for the life of me I can't place the title and artist of the tune that was played as Terrio's model/dancers (you know them better as \"Motion!\") escorted the celebrities onto the dance floor (this was in the earlier days of the show--when each celebrity got roughly 15-20 seconds to make a fool of themselves on the multicolored floor before heading over to the judging area).  Anyone got any ideas?  TIA.

Doug

[BrandonFG]

[quote name=\'SRIV94\' date=\'Jul 11 2003, 10:16 AM\']

OK, someone's gotta know this.  I've always fancied myself as somewhat of a musicologist, but for the life of me I can't place the title and artist of the tune that was played as Terrio's model/dancers (you know them better as "Motion!") escorted the celebrities onto the dance floor (this was in the earlier days of the show--when each celebrity got roughly 15-20 seconds to make a fool of themselves on the multicolored floor before heading over to the judging area).  Anyone got any ideas?  TIA.

[/quote]
 IIRC, from reading Jump The Shark, the song was called \"Boogie Motion.\"

http://jumptheshark.com/d/dancefever.htm

ObGameShow: Merv Griffin produced \"Dance Fever,\" and apparently, got into a little lawsuit with one of the hosts.

[ChrisLambert!]

I can't wait to see Banzai done right. The interstitial \"Banzai Movie Friday\" segments that aired on the USA network a couple of years back just didn't have the same magic; mostly because of the lack of Mr. Banzai and Mr. Cheeky Chappie's presence and the interminable wait of sitting through a whole segment of a movie to see how the stunt ended.

The show's meant to be a non-stop barrage of silliness, and I have a hunch it'll do well for FOX. It could be a summer staple in the making. (Yes or no? YES OR NO?...)