Move Like Michael Jackson

Move Like Michael Jackson
Format	Talent Show
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-Present)
Picture format	576i
Original run	14 December 2009 – Present
External links
Website

Move Like Michael Jackson is a British talent show made by independent production company Fever Media 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 broadcasts 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 (December 14, 2009). "Move Like Michael Jackson". Daily Mirror. http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv-entertainment/tv/todays-tv/2009/12/14/move-like-michael-jackson-bbc3-8-30pm-115875-21895464/. Retrieved December 14, 2009. 
2. ^ "Singer Michael Jackson dead at 50-Legendary pop star had been preparing for London comeback tour". MSNBC. (June 25, 2009). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31552029?gt1=43001. Retrieved June 25, 2009. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Glentzer, Molly (July 1, 2009). "The steps that made Michael Jackson great". Houston Chronicle. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/main/6507076.html. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
4. ^ "Michael Jackson: 100 facts about the king of pop". The Daily Telegraph. (June 26, 2009). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5649814/Michael-Jackson-100-facts-about-the-king-of-pop.html. Retrieved December 20, 2009. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Jermaine to judge Jackson search". BBC News. October 2, 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8286383.stm. Retrieved December 14, 2009. 
6. ^ "Brother Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show". Reuters. October 1, 2009. http://in.reuters.com/article/hollywood/idINTRE5902J220091001. Retrieved December 14, 2009. 
7. ^ "MJ's bro Jermaine to judge BBC's Move Like Jacko'". The Times of India. October 1, 2009. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-interviews/MJs-bro-Jermaine-to-judge-BBCs-Move-Like-Jacko/articleshow/5075468.cms. Retrieved December 14, 2009. 
8. ^ "Jermaine to judge BBC Michael Jackson show". Calgary Herald. October 2, 2009. http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Jermaine+judge+Michael+Jackson+show/2060253/story.html. Retrieved December 14, 2009. 

External links

• Move Like Michael Jackson at bbc.co.uk