After Indian Idol, Sony's big ticket reality show `Dance Dance' was launched last week. The show which has been slotted at Friday 8 pm will showcase some of the best dancers from different parts of the nation, in a unique and exhilarating competition with 64 talented couples vying for the title of India's Ultimate Dancing Couple over 23 weeks. The show is an adaptation of Australian format `Strictly Dancing' produced by Southern Star Endemol, which aired on ABC Television. To execute and implement it, the channel has roped in Miditech.

For avid and loyal watchers of Boogie Woogie, Friday evenings will be a rewind to old 'swingin' times. There is a difference of course - BW's all grown up now. For a good long seven years, fans of BW hooked on to the robust performances of kids from every nook and corner of the country, in the company of Naved, Javed and Ravi. Viewers can now `pump up the volume' with Dance Dance, Sony's new talent search for India's Ultimate Dancing couple.

First things first, going by the inaugural episode, the show is refreshing, fast paced, and should appeal to the `Aati kya Khandala' generation. An opulent set, a perfect host in "dance master" Javed Jaaferi, and equally promising performances serve up some swin'tilating fare.

THE FORMAT

Viewers were introduced to the concept, the judges and to the overall selection process. The show has five theme rounds, folk, item, props, disco and solo. Apart from this, the judges would also be rating the contestants on the `X' factor. It's only in the later rounds that the show promises to get more interactive with viewers getting in to judge the winners.

Interestingly, the show does not feature amateurs but semi-professionals. The choice of the final contestants who performed for the first episode is an indicator that vigorous screening that has gone in at the backend before launching the show. The couples had their steps well choreographed to popular numbers.

THE HOST

There couldn't be a better choice for the host of the show other than Javed Jaaferi. Thankfully Javed hasn't lost any of his spunk and his gift of the gab though here don't expect him to get into a jig. There are no rib tickling jokes cracked, but he definitely lights up the screen with his inimitable style of humour and continues to be at his spontaneous best. But somehow there seems to be no chemistry between him and the other panel of judges; which include well-respected names of the likes of Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant and Terence Lewis. Full marks for the choice of judges but as they say, great ingredients do not necessarily a great cocktail make.

The commentary throughout the show done by Gita Kapoor and Areez, has been introduced for the first time and is a unique concept but somehow lacks punch at times. Though initially it might be little difficult for viewers to figure out what the commentary is all about; it basically draws on the overall performances, choice of music, steps and the chemistry between the contestants. All told in an irreverent and lighter vein.

Being a reality show one gets to see cut-to-cut sneak peek backstage. The behind the stage scenes are short, snappy and have been edited well over a black & white montage.

For Sony Entertainment, a channel which has always looked at innovative weekend programming. With a good marketing and promotional campaign, the channel has already given enough rope to the show. Now, it remains to be seen how the future episodes shape up.