Move Like Michael Jackson

Move Like Michael Jackson
Developed by BBC
Presented by Reggie Yates
Judges Jermaine Jackson
Jamelia
Mark Summers
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Camera setup Multi-Camera
Running time Various Lengths
Broadcast
Original channel BBC Three (2009)
Picture format 576i
Original run December 14, 2009 – December 21, 2009
External links
Website

Move Like Michael Jackson is a British talent show made by independent production company Fever Media and Gogglebox Entertainment and transmitted on BBC Three, which aims to find people who can dance like pop singer Michael Jackson. The show began airing several months after the entertainer's death in June 2009. Presented by television personality Reggie Yates, the programme broadcast s the auditions of hopefuls as they perform in front of the show's judges: Mark Summers, contemporary R&B singer Jamelia, and Jackson's elder brother and former Jackson 5 band member Jermaine.[1]

Background and production

Entertainer Michael Jackson died in June 2009, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, California.[2] He was regarded as one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, and popularized several dance moves, including the moonwalk and robot.[3][4] Jackson adapted choreography from figures such as Michael Peters and Jeffrey Daniel, and utilised them in the music videos for his songs.[3]

In creating the six-part series, the producers stated that they were aiming to find individuals "with the showmanship and technical ability of [Jackson]". Jermaine Jackson was drafted to judge the show, and said of his younger sibling at the time of production, "[He] inspired people across the world to master his moves and create their own unique routines." He added that he was "really excited and delighted" to be a part of the series and looked forward "to finding the UK's most talented and inspiring dancers".[5][6]

Auditions for the talent show were held in October and were open to any persons aged 16 and over.[5] The Move Like Michael Jackson participants had to learn Jackson's signature dance move, the moonwalk, as well as create new Jackson-inspired dance steps for the series.[7] Karl Warner, executive producer for BBC Entertainment Commissioning, said that the show's production staff wanted to "hear from anyone who's ever been inspired by the moonwalk, the Smooth Criminal lean or the crotch grab and find out if they can move like Michael Jackson."[8]

References

  1. Simon, Jane (14 December 2009). "Move Like Michael Jackson". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  2. "Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50-Legendary pop star had been preparing for London comeback tour". MSNBC. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Glentzer, Molly (1 July 2009). "The steps that made Michael Jackson great". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  4. "Michael Jackson: 100 facts about the king of pop". The Daily Telegraph. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Jermaine to judge Jackson search". BBC News. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  6. "Brother Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show". Reuters. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  7. "MJ's bro Jermaine to judge BBC's Move Like Jacko'". The Times of India. 1 October 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  8. "Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show". Calgary Herald. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.

External links