April 12, 1986 (1986-04-12) – June 27, 1992 (1992-06-27)
Dance Party USA is an American dance television show that aired daily on cable's USA Network from April 12, 1986, to June 27, 1992. It was originally a half-hour, but was expanded to an hour in 1987.
The program was always shot at, and aired live from, various TV studios including WPHL-TV/17 and WGBS in Philadelphia from 1986–1992. The production staff worked at the Nise's production offices and studios located in Camden, New Jersey. For the first few episodes, Dance Party USA's original name was Dancin' USA. Dance Party USA was formatted like its predecessor, the highly rated Dancin' On Air, a daily TV dance show broadcast from 1981 to 1986 on Philadelphia's WPHL-TV.
In 1986, Dancin' On Air was syndicated by KDOC-TV in Los Angeles. The show doubled KDOC's ratings in its first week and was then picked up by the fledgling USA Network. Shortly thereafter, USA Network hired the Nises to produce Dance Party USA for the Network. Two years later, Michael Nise learned from USA Network that his production company was chosen over Dick Clark to produce Dance Party USA for the USA Network.
During 1986 and 1987, the Dancin' On Air studio & set was the same one used for Dance Party USA. As a result, during the 1986–87 season, audiences saw the same regulars, guest dancers, and celebrities on both shows on the same days. The programs also shared a weekly talk radio show, Talkin' On Air, hosted by Michael Nise.
1990: Aubrey Ayala, Kelly Berridge, Chris Bustard, Pete Conicelli, Joanna Mistretta, Matt Robbins, Desiree Wynder
Noteworthy regulars
Kelly Ripa, actress and host of Live with Kelly and Ryan: Following a 3-year run as a dancer / segment host 1st on Dancin' On Air and then Dance Party USA, in 1990 she landed what would be her most recognized acting role, Hayley Vaughn on All My Children.
Heather Henderson known as Baby Heather on the show, is a professional burlesque, singer, model, filmmaker, producer and host for Ardent Atheists and Skeptically Yours podcasts. She currently is a member of Penn Jillette's No God Band and is a vocal activist for atheism and against psychics.
Theme Song
The show's theme song was written by Philadelphia writer/producer Dan McKeown and Michael Nise and published by Nise Productions Inc.
Controversy
On April 10, 2016, Philadelphia magazine published an article detailing a new feud between many of the people who were on Dance Party USA in their teens and the producer of the show.[1]
