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Gregg Smith, an actor and dancer whose three-decade collaboration with director and choreographer Kenny Ortega included casting dancers for such films and TV productions as Dirty Dancing, Newsies, Hocus Pocus, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Pretty in Pink, To Wong Fu, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar and various Oscar and Emmy specials, died Jan. 1. The San Fernando Valley resident was 73.

His death was confirmed today by Ortega. No cause of death was released.

After performing in the influential 1968 Off Broadway rock musical Your Own Thing, Smith appeared in the original national touring company of Hair and the L.A. production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He would later appear in Ortega’s Newsies and Stephen Spielberg’s Hook.

He met Ortega in the early 1970s when the two were cast in Hair, and he would subsequently cast dancers in nearly every stage,...

Abby Lee Miller has plenty of thoughts on her dramatic exit from Lifetime's Dance Moms.

Miller quit the show with an angry Instagram post on Monday, and in an exclusive sit-down with Et on Wednesday, she talked about her reasons for leaving the popular reality series, as well as the show's new choreographer -- Dancing With the Stars' Cheryl Burke.

"I think that's great," Miller tells Et's Nischelle Turner about Burke joining the show. "I only met her once at a housewarming party a couple weeks ago. I'm glad that someone who has worked on a network show for as long as she has on Dancing With the Stars is going to see what I've been working with for seven years."

Watch: Exclusive -- Cheryl Burke to Replace Abby Lee Miller on 'Dance Moms'

"I don't think she's replacing me, I think it's going to be a different vibe," she adds.

But...

It’s finale week! The final four couples danced their hearts out in hopes to win the mirror ball trophy for season 17 on the Nov. 25 episode! See who moved on to the season finale below!

After reigning champion Kellie Pickler kicked off the show with a live performance of her single “Little Bit Gypsy,” the competition really started to heat up! Which three couples will compete for the title of Dancing With The Stars champion? Keep reading to find out!

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Week 11 — The Final Four Compete

In the first round, the couples had to dance a “judges’ pick” — a dance from earlier in the season that the judges thought they needed to improve upon.

Bill Engvall danced the Viennese Waltz with Emma Slater. “For me that was an improvement, however, you started to rush a bit. I’m so happy that you’re here. Well done,” said head judge Len Goodman.

Los Angeles — A look at key moments this past week in the wrongful death trial in Los Angeles between Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and concert giant Aeg Live LLC, and what is expected at court in the week ahead:

The Case

Jackson's mother wants a jury to determine that the promoter of Jackson's planned comeback concerts didn't properly investigate Dr. Conrad Murray, who a criminal jury convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's June 2009 death. Aeg's attorney says the case is about personal choice, namely Jackson's decision to have Murray serve as his doctor and give him doses of a powerful anesthetic as a sleep aid. Millions, possibly billions, of dollars are at stake.

What Happened

_ Jurors heard from Aeg Live's first two witnesses, a pair of choreographers who worked on Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" shows. Stacy Walker told the panel she never saw any signs Jackson was impaired or ill during rehearsals.

Los Angeles, Calif. - Michael Jackson appeared "a little loopy" after visits with his longtime dermatologist and was considering using a teleprompter to help him perform some of his songs during his ill-fated comeback concerts, a choreographer who worked one-on-one with the pop superstar told a jury Tuesday.

Travis Payne said he expressed concerns to the director of the "This Is It" shows that Jackson might be misusing prescription medications and was exhibiting troubling signs of insomnia, weight loss and paranoia in his final days.

Some of the behaviour occurred after Jackson's visits with dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, who Payne believed was performing cosmetic treatments on the singer so he would be comfortable performing onstage again.

"Sometimes in rehearsal, Michael would appear just a little loopy," Payne said, adding that the singer appeared to be "assisted or under the influence of something."

Jackson's condition and missed rehearsals led to talk...

Cirque du Soleil's 'Michael Jackson - The Immortal World Tour', an acrobatic show featuring the songs of the late singer, opened in London last night (October 12). The production is the only major tribute to the star that has been approved by his estate and was choreographed by Travis Payne, who worked with the Grammy award-winning artist on his doomed 'This Is It' tour. Payne said that the show - which will enjoy a limited run at the O2 Arena, where Jackson was due to play 50 dates before his death in June 2009 - combined "the whimsy and fun and acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil with the sort of fire and funk of Michael Jackson". He told the press: "I think in the aftermath (more)...

Nicole Scherzinger is ''very qualified'' to be a talent show judge, legendary choreographer Travis Payne has claimed. Travis - who is best known for inventing some of Michael Jackson's signature moves - immediately saw star potential in the former Pussycat Dolls singer while judging Us programme 'Popstars' in 2001 and thinks she has all right qualities to mentor other pop hopefuls on British series 'The X Factor'. Travis told Bang Showbiz: ''I think Nicole's very qualified. I remember being a judge on a show called 'Popstars' years ago which is where I found her, and was very insistent in her continuing...

Nicole Scherzinger is 'very qualified' to be a talent show judge, legendary choreographer Travis Payne has claimed. Travis - who is best known for inventing some of Michael Jackson's signature moves - immediately saw star potential in the former Pussycat Dolls singer while judging Us programme 'Popstars' in 2001 and thinks she has all right qualities to mentor other pop hopefuls on British series 'The X Factor'. Travis told Bang Showbiz: 'I think Nicole's very qualified. I remember being a judge on a show called 'Popstars' years ago which is where I found her, and was very insistent in her continuing on in the process through the auditions. 'She always thanks me for that, but I saw in...

“Dancing with the Stars.”

It’s Rumba Week at “Dancing with the Stars.”

Officially, it’s Personal Story Week, when the stars interpret memorable years of their lives with their (ideally, extended) arms and legs and (elegant) faces. However, this overwhelmingly means rumbas, and tonight, we’ll see five of them. Last season’s installment featured the emotional high point of the fall, a rumba from J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff about the injuries he incurred while fighting in Iraq,...

By Jonathan Mussman

"Michael Jackson Immortal," the latest Cirque du Soleil collaboration, had its Us premiere Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Arena in Las Vegas. On hand to celebrate were a host of major celebs as well as Katherine, Tito and Jackie Jackson and Michael's kids, who got a full backstage tour prior to the performance. Katherine and the kids entered the arena to a standing ovation from the crowd. "Michael would definitely be proud," Jackie Jackson mentioned backstage following the performance. "He always loved Cirque performances, this show made the most sense for his fans," added Tito Jackson.

In questioning how much of the "This Is It" concert segments were included in "Immortal," Travis Payne, Michael's long time choreographer, added, "All of the iconic 'chunks' as we know them including 'Thriller,' 'Smooth Criminal' and some things from Dangerous were not changed and we took those moments...

By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

HollywoodNews.com: Yes, there are a lot of “Dancing With the Stars” fans missing popular pro Derek Hough this season. However, “He is off to Canada to film a movie, ‘Cobu 3D.’ He’s starring. He’s dancing and acting,” notes Julie McDonald of the dance romance in which Hough’s leading lady is Asian star BoA. “He wants to do other things, and this is a wonderful opportunity for him.”

Hough is among the elite group of dance talents represented by McDonald’s Msa agency — so she knows. The former dancer (whose own career was cut short by injury) has more than 20 years’ experience in working with dancers, stage director and choreographers, including “So You Think You Can Dance” choreography faves Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo. Tabitha and Napoleon happen to be choreographing “Cobu,” in addition to assignments like Fox’s “Mobbed” and “The Kids Choice Awards,...

Filed under: TV Replay

Though the 'Live to Dance' (Wed., 8Pm Et on CBS) "experts" praised all six finalists, they seemed particularly enthralled by the last act: D'Angelo and Amanda, who'd won a spot in the finals thanks to America's votes. The young duo danced a near-flawless Tango.

"You are the future of ballroom dance!" exclaimed choreographer Travis Payne, after he and the other two judges gave them the evening's second standing ovation. But it's up to America to vote for the winner of the show (and $500,000), to be revealed in next week's episode. Who gets your vote?

 

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By Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

HollywoodNews.com: Paula Abdul’s new CBS “Live to Dance” competition show took a ratings tumble when it ran up against her old show, “American Idol,” in head-to-head competition last week (26.2 million viewers compared to 5.3 million) — but “Live to Dance” judge and Paula pal Travis Payne refuses to go negative about that.

“The only way to look at it is that both shows are perpetuating the arts. Both are so specific. There’s room for both,” insists the renowned choreographer and dancer, known for his work with Michael Jackson as well as dozens of other top names including Beyonce, Shakira, Usher, Lady Gaga, Madonna and (small world!) Jennifer Lopez. As far as all the talk about competition between Abdul’s former and current shows? “Great!” he declares. “It gets people to be interested. As long as it’s not mean-spirited, wonderful.”

But people...

CBS recently unveiled their Paula Abdul reality competition series, Live to Dance. Some have been waiting to see what Abdul would do ever since she left the judging table at American Idol. Will this new TV series be a big success like Idol or cancelled after on season, like so many others?

On Live to Dance, dancers from across the country and of all ages audition and then compete for the crown and a $500,000 prize. On the show, Abdul serves as lead judge as well as coach and mentor to the performers. At the judging table, she's joined by choreographer Travis Payne and singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt. The series is hosted by Andrew Gunsberg.

The reality series debuted on Tuesday, January 4th, with an okay showing -- a 2.4 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic and 10.22 million viewers. The next night, viewership dropped...

The six acts who will compete on the second live semi-final of Live To Dance have been revealed. Jalen, Du-Shaunt, Dance In Flight, Dax & Sarah, Twitch and White Tree Fine Art will each take to the stage for a performance next Wednesday, according to CBS. The first live semi-final of the series saw judges Paula Abdul, Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne choosing to advance The Vibe to the final, while America could vote between Austin Acevedo, Jittin' (more)...

It's a new year and it's time for new TV! Across all the networks, mid-season television has begun! Don't let your DVR miss a single show -- check out "Extra's" list of what's new!

Mid-Season TV Guide 2011'Perfect Couples' on NBC

Premiere Date: Thursday, January 20 Time: 8:30 Pm Stars: Kyle Bornheimer, Olivia Munn, Christine Woods, Hayes MacArthur, David Walton, Mary Elizabeth Ellis "Perfect Couples" is a romantic comedy that follows three flawed pairs trying to get it right.

The semi-finalists on Paula Abdul's new CBS series Live To Dance have been revealed. The show kicked off on Tuesday night as she was joined by Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne in a bid to find America’s best amateur solo dancer or group. Auditions were held across the country earlier this year and the acts progressing to the live semi-finals were unveiled on Wednesday night's episode of the show. The dance acts who earned a place in the semi-finals were: Austin Acevedo, Jittin' Genius, D'Angelo & Amanda, Bev & Hap, Chi-Town Finest Breakers, The Vibe, Jalen, Du-Shaunt Stegall and Dax & Sarah. Dance In Flight, Twitch, Roosevelt Anderson, Jill & Jacob, Tap Sounds Underground, Dance Town Chaos, Shore Thing and Kendall Glover (more)...

Kids and seniors steal the show, as new CBS talent competition kicks off.

By Kara Warner

Jalen performs on "Live to Dance" on Tuesday

Photo: CBS

Nearly a year and a half since she left her post on the "American Idol" judges' panel, Paula Abdul returned to television on Tuesday night with her reality dance competition, "Live to Dance." The choreographer-turned-pop-star was joined by former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and longtime Michael Jackson choreographer Travis Payne on the new panel for the CBS show that takes from the playbook of other talent competitions like "Idol," "America's Got Talent" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

"Live to Dance" begins with a large pool of contestants competing for a $500,000 prize. They are to be narrowed down by the judges and then voted on by the American public. There is also a plucky Australian host, Andrew Gunsberg, who seems to be channeling...

We love Paula’s new show! (Nobody was more surprised than us!)

Look out Glee — Tuesdays may now belong to a clap-happy Paula Abdul. Just when we thought she was done with television, Paula takes the best of America’s Got Talent, Sytycd and American Idol to find the greatest dancers in the world and give the eventual winner half a million dollars!

Most recently Paula’s been better recognized for her knack at being a kooky reality judge rather than her skills as an accomplished dancer and platinum selling recording artist. But now she joins fellow dancer Kimberly Wyatt and choreographer Travis Payne in their search for America’s top dancer and if the first episode is indicative of the season, we’ll be tuning in weekly!

Observations on tonight’s episode:

The “Dance Dome” performance area is eerily similar to the Epcot Center at Disney The show’s...

This is it, folks. Get ready to say “Hey, Paula!” tonight, when we’ll see former American Idol judge Paula Abdul return to television for her new dance competition series, Live to Dance, which premieres at 8 p.m. Et on CBS. I’m so excited right now, I could squish David Archuleta, squeeze his head off, and dangle him from my rear-view mirror. And that’s not just because, as EW’s resident So You Think You Can Dance recapper, I’m already a fan of the art. Nope, it’s because Abdul is heading back to exactly where she belongs: on reality television.

Of the many hyphens between Paula Abdul's career turns - Laker Girl-choreographer-singer-American Idol judge - she most loves the latest: producer of the new reality show competition Live To Dance, which premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. Et on CBS. "You have to be true to who you are," Abdul, 48, tells People. "I am my brand. I lead with my heart. I have tremendous expertise behind the scenes helping build, mold and shape other performers to help them take flight. I've learned from some of the best there is in the business on the technical side, so for me...

Live to Dance

8/7c CBS

While many will see this new dance contest program as a return for Paula Abdul as a judge in an entertainment competition, the series — hosted by Andrew Günsberg, and also featuring judges Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne — really marks her return to her beginnings in dance and choreography. Tonight, the contest, which promises a $500,000 prize, opens with auditions in New York and Los Angeles. Each week, six of 18 acts face each other and only two advance. One of the acts is chosen by judges, the other is picked by viewers and announced at the beginning of the next round. — Bill Ecklund

Read on for previews of No Ordinary Family, Biggest Loser, the Sugar Bowl, V, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work and Southland.

Read More >...

When CBS made reference to auditions for its new show "Live to Dance" taking place in "Dance Domes," we thought the network was just being cute. But no -- as you can see in the preview clip above, there are actual domes in play.

That goofy little touch, the return of Paula Abdul to our TV screens and some of the performances we see in the preview have us kind of excited to see what "Live to Dance" will offer up in its six-week run.

The show looks to be taking an "America's Got Talent" approach to finding its finalists (albeit in a much more condensed form). As long as you're dancing, the show is open to all comers, regardless of age, style or size of the group. We saw tap, ballet, hip-hop and several more styles in the clip.

As the lead judge (Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne are...

Like on "American Idol", Paula Abdul takes the center seat on "Live to Dance". Two set of promos have been released to reveal all kind of dance acts that would perform before Paula and the other two judges, choreographer Travis Payne and singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt. Taking the role of host is Andrew Gunsberg.

Various acts such as tap dancers, contemporary and ballet from any range of age are welcomed in the competition. It is based on the British series called "Got to Dance" and is set to compete with Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance". The winning dancer(s) will receive a $500,000 grand prize.

Marking Abdul's return to judging competition show, the new series by CBS is to debut January 4 at 8/7c, competing with Fox's repeat of "Glee". It will then move to Wednesdays at 8/7c starting January 19 to rival her former show "American Idol".

Nearly two years after leaving "American Idol", Paula Abdul is making a return to the judging table with a dance competition show. CBS has just released two promo videos for "Live to Dance", exposing a plethora of the 48-year-old TV personality as she expresses her wish to be amazed.

Both of the sneak peeks contain footage of individuals as well as groups putting their dance styles on display to impress Paula and other judges. One of which has the Grammy winner exclaiming what she wants to see. "I want different. I want new. I want amazing people that live in their unique ability," so she said.

To premiere on January 4, "Live to Dance" is based on British series "Got to Dance" and will see dancers and dance troupes of all ages and backgrounds compete to win a $500,000 prize. Paula serves as head judge executive producer, creative partner, mentor and coach...

CBS has released a promo spot for Paula Abdul's return to reality competition TV, "Live to Dance," and we can't wait to see her do her thing. (Uh, the dancing should be pretty cool, too.)

As Abdul proved on "American Idol," she's a compelling judge - if the performances are boring, at least we can count on her to do something wacky from behind her desk.

We can be sure to count on plenty of Paulaisms - in another promo, she insists, "I want different, I want new, I want amazing people to live in their unique ability." O-kay. Dancers and dance troupes of any age or style were asked to audition for the chance at a winner-takes-all $500,000 grand prize.

Based on the British series "Got to Dance," "Live to Dance" premieres on January 4 on CBS. Abdul's new Seacrest will be host Andrew Günsberg, and her fellow judges are...

Paula Abdul is still searching for up-and-coming talent — this time on the Internet.

The former American Idol judge has launched AuditionBooth.com, a website that strives to connect wannabe stars with casting directors, producers and managers working on such projects as TV shows, online videos or brand campaigns.

Kimberly Wyatt, Travis Payne join Paula Abdul as Live to Dance judges

"I've spent so much time throughout my career nurturing great talent, some of whom have realized their dreams and some of whom haven't been as lucky," Abdul told The Hollywood Reporter. "The fact is though that in some cases the only ...

Read More >...

Paula Abdul has suggested that she would regret not participating in Live To Dance for the rest of her life. The 'Opposites Attract' singer, who appears alongside choreographer Travis Payne and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt on the show's judging panel, claimed to share the same passion for dance held by the hopefuls in the upcoming CBS competition. She told The AP: "We've had amazing 5, 6 and 7-year-old dancers all the way up to beautiful dancers in their 60s, 70s and even 80s that still live in that passionate, unique place where dance inspires them. If you get to do that life, your life is so much richer. "I felt strongly that when I left American Idol, I really needed to take time to rediscover where my passion lies. For me, if I didn't (more)...

Paula Abdul is getting back in the judge's seat in January for her new show, "Live to Dance." The new dance competition series on CBS will go head-to-head with the latest season of her former employer, "American Idol."

On "Live to Dance," Paula Abdul serves as executive producer, mentor, and lead panel expert which will judge the dance acts going head-to-head for a grand prize of 0,000. That's double the prize for winning "So You Think You Can Dance."

Paula will be joined on the panel by former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne, best known as choreographer to Michael Jackson. Andrew Günsberg will host.

"Live to Dance" will premiere with a special two-hour episode, where Dance Domes were specially constructed for the show in New York and Los Angeles and dancers of all backgrounds and ages and styles were invited to audition.

Paula Abdul is getting back in the judge's seat in January for her new show, "Live to Dance." The new dance competition series on CBS will go head-to-head with the latest season of her former employer, "American Idol."

On "Live to Dance," Paula Abdul serves as executive producer, mentor, and lead panel expert which will judge the dance acts going head-to-head for a grand prize of 0,000. That's double the prize for winning "So You Think You Can Dance."

Paula will be joined on the panel by former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Travis Payne, best known as choreographer to Michael Jackson. Andrew Günsberg will host.

"Live to Dance" will premiere with a special two-hour episode, where Dance Domes were specially constructed for the show in New York and Los Angeles and dancers of all backgrounds and ages and styles were invited to audition.

CBS' reality-competition series Live to Dance starring former American Idol judge Paul Abdul will premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 4 with a two-hour episode from 8-10 Pm and move to its regular Wednesday 8-9 Pm time period the following night, Jan. 5. It will fill in for Survivor, bridging the veteran reality series' two cycles. Starting on Jan. 12, the 18 dance act finalists on Live to Dance will compete live for 3 weeks leading to the grand finale that will determine the champion and recipient of a $500,000 prize. Fox is yet to announce a premiere date for American Idol, but the show traditionally returns mid-January. It usually starts off with double runs at 8 Pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, so if Idol keeps that schedule, Abdul may go head-to-head with her former show. Abdul serves as executive producer, mentor and lead expert of Live to Dance, joined on the panel of experts by Travis Payne and Kimberly Wyatt.

'Live to Dance' will kick off week before 'Idol' returns in January.

By Gil Kaufman

Paula Abdul

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

So much for "Forever Your Girl." A year after leaving "American Idol," former judge Paula Abdul is plotting her return to prime time in the dance competition "Live to Dance."

And wouldn't you know it? Abdul's new CBS show will air opposite "Idol"! According to Variety, Abdul's program will launch with a two-hour special on January 4 and then move to its regular one-hour Wednesday night slot on January 5 at 8 p.m.

Though Fox has not yet announced the launch date for season 10 of "Idol," if the show re-boots as it typically does in the second week of January, there could be a face-off between the two shows beginning on the night of January 12. Fox has tentatively scheduled the weekly results show for "Idol" on Wednesdays at 8:30, so if both schedules hold,...

Paula Abdul will be joined by Kimberly Wyatt on her new show "Live to Dance". The 48-year-old star will be joined on the judging panel for the dance competition series, Paula's first television project since she quit "American Idol" last year, by the former The Pussycat Dolls and Michael Jackson's choreographer Travis Payne, while Australian presenter Andrew Gunsberg is the host.

"Executive producer, lead expert and mentor Paula Abdul will be joined by host Andrew Gunsberg and fellow experts, choreographer Travis Payne and singer-and-dancer Kimberly Wyatt," a statement released by CBS said. " 'Live to Dance' represents one of the most inclusive talent searches on television, searching for dancers with raw ability from any age group across the nation performing either solo or in a group."

The show, which offers a $500,000 prize and will air in January, is based on the British series "Got to Dance", which featured Kimberly as one of the judges.

The first open casting call for Paula Abdul’s CBS reality-competition series Live to Dance takes place in New York City today (the second happens in L.A. on Oct. 28), and the network has released more information on the show, which will premiere in January. “Executive producer, lead expert and mentor” Abdul will be joined on the panel by Travis Payne, the choreographer and associate director to Kenny Ortega on This Is It, and Kimberly Wyatt, an original member of the Pussycat Dolls who served as a judge on the British series upon which Live to Dance is based. It...

Paula Abdul and Kimberly Wyatt have been confirmed as judges on new CBS dance series Live To Dance. The show, an adaptation of UK format Got To Dance, aims to find the best amateur solo dancer or dance group in the Us. Joining the pair on the panel is Travis Payne, choreographer on Michael Jackson's This Is It. Abdul also serves as the show's executive producer and "mentor", while Aussie presenter Andrew Günsberg has been confirmed as host. Wyatt, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, serves as a judge on the original British (more)...

Paula Abdul's reality TV comeback, a CBS dance competition, has changed its name and reveled its host and judges, who are not-exactly-household-names. While the series was called Got to Dance when Paula joined the show, it is now being called Live to Dance. It will be hosted by Australian Idol co-host Andrew Günsberg, and judged by choreographer Travis Payne, who recently worked on Michael Jackson's This is It, and former Pussycat Dolls singer Kimberly Wyatt,...

Paula Abdul will be joined by choreographer Travis Payne and singer Kimberly Wyatt at the Live to Dance judges table, while Andrew Günsberg is set to host, CBS announced Wednesday.

Günsberg previously hosted Australian Idol. Payne was an associate director and choreographer on This is It. And Wyatt — from the Pussycat Dolls — served as a judge on the U.K. series...

Read More >...

"Live to Dance," the dance show Paula Abdul is bringing to CBS next year, has found its host and filled out its judges' panel.

Andrew Gunsberg (pictured), a co-host of "Australian Idol," will take on emcee duties for the show, which is set to premiere sometime in 2011. Joining Abdul as judges are choreographer Travis Payne and singer and dancer Kimberly Wyatt, a former member of the Pussycat Dolls.

Wyatt was also a judge on the British show "Got to Dance," which serves as the template for "Live to Dance." Payne was the choreographer for Michael Jackson's "This Is It"; he's a two-time Emmy nominee and has also worked with Madonna and Janet Jackson.

"Live to Dance" beings its casting process on Thursday (Oct. 14) with an open call in New York; Another casting call is scheduled for Oct. 28 in Los Angeles. Dancers -- solos, pairs or groups of any age...

CBS has chosen its host and experts who will surround Paula Abdul on new reality-competition series Live to Dance. Andrew Gunsberg will host while choreographer Travis Payne and singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt will join Abdul on the "experts" panel. Gunsberg served as co-host of Australian Idol as well as nationally syndicated radio countdown Take 40 Australia. He was also host of Australia's Network Ten quiz show series The ConTest. Payne was featured as choreographer/associate director to Kenny Ortega on This Is It, as well as serving as associate producer. Wyatt was an original member of the recording group The Pussycat Dolls and most recently served as one of the judges on the UK series Got to Dance.

Los Angeles, California (X17online) - Paula Abdul will premiere her new dance reality show Live To Dance on CBS ... with fellow judges Travis Payne and singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt. Serving as host of the show ... Austalian Idol co-host Andrew Gunsberg. Choreographer Travis Payne was featured on Michael Jackson's This Is It as associate director to Kenny Ortega. As for Wyatt, she was an original member of The Pussycat Dolls. The reality-competition series will premiere in January 2011.

Filed under: TV News

Former 'Lost' executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are teaming up for a new fairy tale series. Sound cool? It gets better.

According to Ausiello Files, Kitsis and Horowitz will be joined by Damon Lindelof as a consultant. The duo are prepping a pitch for ABC Studios. Details are scarce, but the report indicates the proposed series will have a female lead.

In other TV news ...

o. CBS has announced the judges for Paula Abdul's new dance competition. Abdul will be joined by host Andrew Günsberg of 'Australian Idol,' choreographer Travis Payne and singer/dancer Kimberly Wyatt. [Live Feed]

o. ABC is developing a series based on 'Romeo & Juliet.' The series is a retelling of the classic Shakespeare tale, but unlike past attempts, this show would be set in Renaissance times. Catherine Hardwicke is in talks to direct. [Deadline Hollywood]

o. Craig Ferguson...

Inspiration doesn’t always come from a likely source. In many cases, it comes when you least expect it, and in the most unexpected ways. This was the case for Choreographer, Chuck Maldonado, whose chance meeting with a superstar recording artist, led to an unbelievably successful career in dance.

During his break between filming and rehearsals, for the February 2010 box office sequel, Stomp The Yard 2: Homecoming, Chuck sat down with Iae and shared how he went from corporate America to becoming one of music and film’s most sought after choreographers.

Iae: Tell us about some of the film projects you’re working on now?

Cm: Well, currently I’m working on Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming, which is my 19th movie, by the way. This is the movie that I’m most proud of because I’m bringing a lot of me with the dance. Like the characters in the film,...

A few days ago Chud had the pleasure to sit down with John Landis, director of the most popular music video in television history, Thriller. We learned the Jackson estate was very interested in turning the Thriller video into a full 3D experience...

If you've seen "This Is It", the documentary of Jackson's last warm up performances before his death, you're aware they re-shot a large chunk of the "Thriller" video using brand new 3D technology with the intentions of turning the entire arena into a 3D screened 4D experience. According to associate producer Travis Payne "We had 3D and also frontal elements and overhead elements that actually created a 4D environment that the audience was sitting it." Jackson, Payne and the rest of the team scoured the country to find a technology company large enough to build the screen they wanted, and in the process, they started to build...

Stars and fans alike took to the red carpet at Sydney's City Recital Hall on Tuesday night for the Australian DVD and Blu-ray launch of This Is It, the film which captured the final rehearsals of Michael Jackson in the lead-up to his comeback concerts in London. In town to help pay tribute to the ‘King of Pop' was the film's choreographer Travis Payne who, along with some of Jackson's dancers, wowed the crowd with a couple of sharp dance routines. There was also a special performance of Jackson's ‘Earth Song' by local stars Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian.

The new documentary film Michael Jackson's This Is It is to be launched in London on Sunday with director Kenny Ortega, choreographer Travis Payne and dancers, it's been announced today.

The launch and signing session is at HMV's flagship store at 150 Oxford Street on February 21.

The event kicks off at 10pm with dancers performing the routines from the This Is It show.

Between 11pm and midnight, Kenny Ortega, Travis Payne and the This Is It dancers will meet fans and sign copies of the DVD and Blu-ray which are officially released on Monday, February 22.

This Is It was a planned series of 50 concerts by Michael Jackson to be held at The O2 arena in London. They were scheduled to begin in July 2009 and continue through March 2010.

Jackson officially announced the concerts at a press conference in The O2 arena. Concert promoters Aeg Live released a promotional video that took up an entire commercial break,...

I'm not sure how much footage from Iron Man 2 is new, but I think some of the booty-shaking backup dancing is fresh. The movie footage is spliced together with an AC/DC concert in Argentina to create the feel of a giant Stark Expo. No word on whether it's in the movie or just promotional but it got my blood pumping.

This is the second green band trailer for Kick Ass, which still looks like a comic book crossed with Superbad to me. It doesn't seem that different from the red band trailer from last month except for the little girl not dropping f-bombs all over the place.

IMDb says that From Paris with Love was directed by Pierre Morel, but it looks to me as if Michael Bay had his fingers in it, or perhaps Guy Ritchie. Guns, explosions, car wrecks abound but if you're looking for plot I'm afraid you're out of luck.

Filipino, Philippines “Dancing Inmates” from Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (Cpdrc), a maximum security prison, were treated to a visit by Michael Jacksons long-time choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid to learn performances from “This is It” by the late Michael Jackson. Film Synopsis: This Is It was produced with the full support of The Estate of Michael Jackson and will be drawn from hundreds of hours of rehearsal and behind-the-scenes footage, captured in high definition with state-of-the-art digital sound as the late singer was preparing for his concert series in London. The film, which will also offer select sequences in 3-D, will provide a unique [...]...

Remember those Filipino prisoners who became YouTube sensations for their staged version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller," complete with a cross-dressing inmate playing Mj's terrified girlfriend? After delighting the world with their forced renditions of numbers from Sister Act and "Ymca," the dancers are back...and they've apparently joined forces with Sony Pictures to help promote the 2010 DVD release of the Mj documentary This Is It.

On paper, the idea of merging the pop cultural firepower of Michael Jackson's posthumous hit documentary with that one prison in the Philippines where inmates are forced to learn cool dances sounds like an awesome idea, if a little bizarre. And for once, the army of orange-pantsed convicts have been filmed with panache - in crisp high def, with multiple cameras and swooping crane shots. But as you watch choreographer Travis Payne and dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid lead 1500 or so of...

With all the time in the world on their hands, the inmates of Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines have learned another Michael Jackson routine ... with some help.Jackson's long-time choreographer Travis Payne, with dancers Daniel Celebre and Dres Reid, taught the inmates routines from "This Is It."It's just how Michael would have wanted it. ...

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This Is It choreographer says Mj wanted Gaga as one of his guests at London concerts.

By Gil Kaufman

Lady Gaga

Photo: Kristian Dowling/ Getty Images

It could have been one of the most bizarre musical hookups in pop history. According to a new interview with Michael Jackson's choreographer, Travis Payne, the late King of Pop was a big fan of Lady Gaga and had tried to set up a meeting to discuss a possible joint project.

The revelation comes from a video posted on December 30 on YouTube by Amsterdam-based producer/actor Raffles van Exel, who asks Payne which artists Mj was interested in collaborating with before his death last June.

"I gave him a short wish list [of possible collaborators] ... and he was like, 'Sure, they can all come, as long as their schedules permit and it's not too much of a problem for them,' " Payne said of Jackson's humble...