Superstars of Dance is an American reality television series that aired on NBC from January 4 to 26, 2009. The series features dance routines from eight countries from six continents. It was hosted by Michael Flatley, co-creator of Riverdance and creator of Lord of the Dance, and was co-hosted by former Miss USA title holder Susie Castillo. It was created by executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, co-producers of So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol.
Background On November 17, 2008, NBC announced it had ordered a new reality program titled Superstar Dancers of the World, which would feature competitors from eight international teams and would be produced by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe of American Idol fame. NBC billed the show as "equal parts sporting event, rock concert, and artistic exhibition" and Lythgoe called it "the most challenging and exhilarating project I've ever done."NBC orders Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe's 'Superstar Dancers'
Superstars of Dance differed from similar TV dance competitions by featuring professionals instead of amateurs, including several world champions. The contestants were chosen by their respective countries, rather than by the show's producers. Flatley compared the show to a sporting competition such as the Olympic Games.Michael Flatley and Nigel Lythgoe interview: Superstars of Dance on NBC
The winners were decided by a panel of eight judges, as the producers felt it would be unfair to decide the winner by phone-in votes, assuming the American public would probably just vote for the American team.Hold your votes! “Superstars of Dance” goes global
The teams
Team/Country Soloists Duet Group Coach Carolina Cerisola,Miriam Larici Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo Los Huincas Gauchos Sandar Amrapali Ambegaokar,Mythili Prakash Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sanyal Bollywood Dancers Nakul Dev Mahajan Sean Robinson,Reed Luplau Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Australian Dance Theatre Jason Gilkison, Sduduzo Ka-Mbili,Mamela Nyanza Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Umojo Tandinkosi "Tandi" Bhengu Robert Muraine,Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Groovaloos Marguerite Derricks Damien O'Kane†,Kelly Hendry Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Stepdancing Team (from Lord of the Dance) Julia Bantner,Maria Kochetkova Anya Garnis & Pasha Kovalev‡ The Cossacks Stanislav Issaev Bei Zheng,Yang Yanan Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Na Shaolin: Wheel of Life Matthew Ahmet
†Damien O'Kane was replaced by Bernadette Flynn for the semi-final round of the competition. ‡Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis was replaced by Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev for the semi-final round of the competition Competitors in bold won their respective categories.
The judges Team/Country Judge Maria Pogee Shirish Dayal Kelley Abbey Harold Van Buuren Tony Selznick Daire Nolan Mikhail Smirnov Master Wang Haiyang
Episode 1 The first episode was aired on Sunday, January 4, 2009.
CountryDancers/StyleJudges' ScoresTotalsGrand Total Solo Duet Group Argentina Carolina Cerisola (Jazz Solo) Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo (Tango Duet) N/A 8 9 8 97 10 9 10 9 99 98 95865 N/A 123 India Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sanyal (Bollywood Duet) Amarpali Ambegaokar (Kathak Solo) 9 9 N/A7 9 6 8 7 97 98 9 7 96251 N/A113 Australia Sean Robinson (Tap Solo) Australian Dance Theater (Group)9 98 8 N/A 8 9 8 8 8 78 88 857 N/A 57 114 South Africa Umojo (Gumboot Dance Group) Sduduzo Ka-Mbili (Zulu Dancer Solo)8 8 8 8 9 7 N/A 8 9 8 78 88 855 N/A57 112 USA Robert Muraine (Popping Solo) Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna (Cabaret Duet) 8 77 9 9 7 9 7 N/A8 108 9 8 8 57 57 N/A 114 Ireland Irish Stepdancing (Group) Damien O'Kane (Irish Step Dance Solo) 10 99 9 9 8 9 7 10 8 N/A 9 8 9 9 58 N/A 65 123 RussiaPasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis (Latin Ballroom Duet) Julia Bantner (Contemporary Solo) 8 7 9 7 9 7 9 7 10 710 8 N/A 9 75064 N/A114 China Bei Zheng (Ribbon Solo) Shaolin Monks (Group)8 9 7 9 7 10 7 10 8 107 97 9 N/A 51 N/A66117
Episode 2 The second episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 5, 2009. The show marked the end of the quarterfinals and with it the first eliminations. At the end of the evening, eight soloists, two duos, and two groups were eliminated.
CountryDancers/StyleJudges' ScoresTotalsGrand Total Solo Duet Group Argentina Los Huincas Gauchos (Group) Miriam Larici (Tango-style Solo) N/A 7 8 7 86 8 7 8 6 88 97 857 N/A48 105 India Mythili Prakash (Bharata-Natyam Solo) Bollywood Dancers (Group) 9 7 N/A8 8 8 7 9 98 88 7 8 858 N/A54112 Australia Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock (Ballroom duet) Reed Luplau (Contemporary solo)8 98 10 N/A 8 9 8 9 8 98 108 96556 N/A 121 South Africa Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides (Ballroom duet) Mamela Nyamza (Afro-fusion solo)8 9 8 8 8 9 N/A 9 8 8 89 89 858 59 N/A117 USA Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards (Tap Solo) The Groovaloos (Street dance group) 7 98 9 8 10 7 10 N/A9 98 10 8 1055 N/A67122 Ireland Kelly Hendry (Irish step dance solo) Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn (Irish step dance duet) 8 88 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 N/A 8 9 8 95658 N/A114 RussiaThe Cossacks (Group) Maria Kochetkova (Ballet solo) 7 9 7 9 7 9 7 9 8 97 9 N/A 8 963 N/A51114 China Yang Yanan (Weaponry solo) Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Nan (Acrobatics duet)8 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 7 87 78 9 N/A 5153 N/A104
Standings after the quarter-finals +Overall standings Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Total Teams Remaining 1 123 114 237 3 (solo, duet, group) 2 114 122 236 3 (solo, duet, group) 3 114 121 235 3 (solo, duet, group) 4 112 117 229 3 (solo, duet, group) 5 (tie) 123 105 228 2 (solo, duet) 5 (tie) 114 114 228 2 (solo, duet) 7 113 112 225 3 (solo, solo, group) 8 117 104 221 1 (group)
+Solo Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance ScoreNotes 1 Reed Luplau Contemporary 65 2 Maria Kochetkova Ballet 63 3 Amarpali Ambegaokar Kathak 62 4 (tie) Carolina Cerisola Jazz 58 4 (tie) Mythili Prakash Bharata Natyam 58 4 (tie) Mamela Nyanza Afro-Fusion 58 4 (tie) Damien O'Kane Irish Step 58 8 (tie) Robert Muraine Popping 571 8 (tie) Sean Robinson Tap 57Eliminated 1 8 (tie) Miriam Larici Tango 57Eliminated 1 11 Kelly Hendry Irish Step 56Eliminated 12 (tie) Dormesha Sumbry-Edwards Tap 55Eliminated 12 (tie) Sduduzo Ka-Mbili Zulu Warrior Dance 55Eliminated 14 (tie) Bei Zheng Ribbon Dance 51 Eliminated 14 (tie) Yang Yanan Shaolin Weapon 51Eliminated 16 Julia Bantner Contemporary 50 Eliminated
1Miriam Larici, Robert Muraine, and Sean Robinson were tied for 8th with 57 points going into the first elimination. Since only 8 could advance, a tie-breaking vote was called for from the five countries not involved. Muraine won four votes from South Africa, Ireland, Russia, and China, which put him through to the semifinal round. Robinson received one vote from India, while Larici received no votes.
+ Duet Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance ScoreNotes 1 Miriam Larci & Leonardo Barrionuevo Tango 65 2 Pasha Kovalev & Anya Garnis Ballroom 64 3 Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Ballroom 59 4 Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 58 5 Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Cabaret 57 6 Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Ballroom 56 7 Zhen Zhu Zheng & An Nan Acrobatics 53 Eliminated 8 Nishi Munshi & Sangita Sayal Bollywood 51 Eliminated
+ Group Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance ScoreNotes 1 The Groovaloos Street 67 2 Shaolin Monks Kung-fu 66 3 The Irish Irish Step 65 4 (tie) Australian Dance Theater Contemporary 57 4 (tie) Umoja Traditional Gumboot Dance 57 6 Bollywood Dancers Bollywood 54 7 The Cossacks Cossack Dance 51 Eliminated 8 Los Huincas Gauchos Argentine Weapon 48 Eliminated
Episode 3 The third episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 12, 2009.
CountryDancers/StyleJudges' ScoresTotalsGrand Total Solo Duet Group Argentina Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo (Tango Duet) N/A 9 97 10 9109 N/A63 N/A63 India Amarpali Ambegaokar (Kathak Solo) 9 N/A8 8 889 959 N/A N/A59 Australia Australian Dance Theater (Group) Reed Luplau (Contemporary Solo)9 98 8 N/A 9 8 9 8 8 810 99 858 N/A 62120 South Africa Umoja (Gumboot Dance Group) Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides (Ballroom duet)9 8 8 8 8 8 N/A 8 8 8 99 98 9 N/A5958117 USA Robert Muraine (Popping Solo) The Groovaloos (Street dance group) 8 109 9 9 10 9 9 N/A8 99 10 9 9 61 N/A 66 127 Ireland Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn (Irish step dance duet) 89 7 7 8 N/A 9 8 N/A56 N/A56 Russia Maria Kochetkova (Ballet solo) 9 9 9 9 99 N/A 963 N/A N/A63 ChinaNo competitors participating N/A N/A N/A N/A0
Episode 4 The fourth episode of Superstars of Dance aired on January 19, 2009. The other three groups, the other three duets, and the other four soloists:
CountryDancers/StyleJudges' ScoresTotalsGrand Total Solo Duet Group Argentina Carolina Cerisola (Latin Solo) N/A76481010853 N/A N/A 53 India Bollywood Dancers (Group) Mythili Prakash (Bharata Natyam Solo)8 8 N/A7 77 78 87 88 88 854 N/A53 107 Australia Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock (Ballroom Duet)89 N/A88899 N/A59 N/A 59 South Africa Mamela Nyamza (Afro-Fusion Solo)788 N/A888855 N/A N/A 55 USA Georgia Ambaria & Eric Luna (Cabaret Duet)8775 N/A887 N/A50 N/A 50 Ireland Bernadette Flynn (Irish Step Dance Solo) The Irish (Group)8 97 97 88 87 9 N/A9 108 954 N/A62 116 Russia Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev (Magical Dance Duet)7863810 N/A9 N/A51 N/A 51 China Shaolin Monks (Group)1099108910 N/A N/A N/A65 65
Standings after the semi-finals
+Overall standings Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Total Teams remaining 1 114 121 120 59 414 2 (duet, group) 2 114 122 127 50 413 2 (solo, group) 3 123 114 56 116 409 0 4 112 117 117 55 401 1 (duet) 5 113 112 59 107 391 1 (solo) 6 123 105 63 53 344 1 (duet) 7 114 114 63 51 342 1 (solo) 8 117 104 0 65 286 1 (group)
+Solo Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes 1 Maria Kochetkova Ballet 63 2 Robert Muraine Popping 61 3 Amarpali Ambegaokar Kathak 59 4 Reed Luplau Contemporary 58 Eliminated 5 Mamela Nyamza Afro-Fusion 55 Eliminated 6 (tie) Mythili Prakash Bharata Natyam 54 Eliminated 6 (tie) Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 54 Eliminated 8 Carolina Cerisola Latin 53 Eliminated
+Duet Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes 1 Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo Tango 63 2 (tie) Henry Byalikov & Giselle Peacock Ballroom 59 2 (tie) Victor Da Silva & Claudia Savvides Ballroom 59 4 Damien O'Kane & Bernadette Flynn Irish Step 56 Eliminated 5 Pasha & Aliona Riazantsev Magical Dance 51 Eliminated 6 Georgia Ambarian & Eric Luna Cabaret 50 Eliminated
+Group Standings Place Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Notes 1 The Groovaloos Street 66 2 Shaolin Monks Kung-Fu 65 3 (tie) Australian Dance Theatre Contemporary 62 1 3 (tie) The Irish Irish Step 62 Eliminated 1 5 Umojo Traditional Gumboot Dance 58 Eliminated 6 Bollywood Dancers Bollywood 53 Eliminated
1The Australian Dance Theatre and The Irish team were tied in 3rd place with 62 points going into the first elimination. Since only 3 could advance, a tiebreaking vote was called for from the six countries not involved. The Australian Dance Theater won five votes from Argentina, India, South Africa, USA, and Russia. The Irish won one vote from China.
Standings after the finale Place Team Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3* Ep. 4* Ep. 5 Total 1 114 122 127 50 117 530 2 114 121 120 59 111 525 3 112 117 117 55 59 460 4 113 112 59 107 56 447 5 123 105 63 53 66 410 6 123 114 56 116 0 409 7 114 114 63 51 65 407 8 117 104 0 65 57 343
*The semi-finals were split over episodes 3 and 4, with an unbalanced number of contestants from each country participating in each episode. Bold font indicates the highest scoring team on a performance show. Italic font indicates the lowest scoring team on a performance show.
+Solo Medals Medal Contestant(s) Style of Dance Score Gold Maria Kochetkova Ballet 65 Silver Amrapali Ambegaokar Kathak 56 Bronze Robert Muraine Popping 51