VH1 Dance Machine
Encyclopedia
VH1 Dance Machine was a half hour music video program on VH1
shown between 1997 and 1998. It was also known as Dance Machine and VH1 Dance.
. At the time, The RuPaul Show ran longer than a half hour, so Dance Machine filled out the hour, even though both shows were listed as a half hour on the VH1 website and in the TV listings. The program usually opened with a video by RuPaul, or had a video by him/her somewhere during the show's broadcast. Eventually, episodes of The RuPaul Show were either edited to a half hour or had its commercial breaks shortened so that the show could fit into its half hour slot, and Dance Machine was replaced with Pop-Up Video
in the schedule. The show resurfaced with a morning time slot for several months before being removed permanently.
Dance Machine was criticized by its viewers for not airing pure dance videos and instead airing rotation videos, turning into another non-show like Crossroads
and Sex Symbols. While some pure dance videos like Gina G
's "Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit
" and Amber
's "This Is Your Night
" aired, many of the videos shown on Dance Machine were either videos by dance-pop
artists like Janet Jackson
, Spice Girls
, and Ace of Base
, videos featuring a dance remix with footage from their original videos re-edited to fit the remix, or videos by non-dance artists that had dance-sounding titles (Hanson
's "MMMBop
"). Meanwhile, top dance acts like 2 Unlimited
never once had one of their videos aired on the program. Periodically, a classic dance video from the '70s or '80s would air.
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
shown between 1997 and 1998. It was also known as Dance Machine and VH1 Dance.
Overview
Originally, Dance Machine was shown in an hour block with The RuPaul ShowThe RuPaul Show
The RuPaul Show is an American talk/variety show that premiered on VH1 in 1996. Hosted by drag performer, RuPaul, the show had many famous musical guests and was notable as being one of the first national television programs in the United States hosted by an openly gay host...
. At the time, The RuPaul Show ran longer than a half hour, so Dance Machine filled out the hour, even though both shows were listed as a half hour on the VH1 website and in the TV listings. The program usually opened with a video by RuPaul, or had a video by him/her somewhere during the show's broadcast. Eventually, episodes of The RuPaul Show were either edited to a half hour or had its commercial breaks shortened so that the show could fit into its half hour slot, and Dance Machine was replaced with Pop-Up Video
Pop-up Video
Pop Up Video is a VH1 television show that "pops up" bubbles — officially called "info nuggets" — containing trivia, witticisms and borderline sexual innuendos throughout music videos. The show was created by Woody Thompson and Tad Low and premiered October 27, 1996. For a time, it was the...
in the schedule. The show resurfaced with a morning time slot for several months before being removed permanently.
Dance Machine was criticized by its viewers for not airing pure dance videos and instead airing rotation videos, turning into another non-show like Crossroads
Crossroads (VH1 TV series)
Crossroads was a half hour alternative music video show that aired on VH1 weekdays between the years 1994 and 1998. Originally called Darcy's Music, the show was hosted by VJ Moon Zappa and premiered on October 31, 1994. The show was named after VH1's then-director of music programming, Darcy...
and Sex Symbols. While some pure dance videos like Gina G
Gina G
-Albums:*1997 Fresh! — #12 UK #40 Norway.*1998 Gina G Remix Album *2005 Get Up & Dance -Singles:...
's "Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit
Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit
"Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit" is a song written by British songwriters Simon Tauber and Steve Rodway, and performed by Australian singer Gina G. Released as a single on 25 March 1996, it reached number one in the United Kingdom on 19 May 1996....
" and Amber
Amber (performer)
Marie-Claire "Amber" Cremers is a Dutch-German singer, songwriter, label owner and executive producer. She is best known for her hits "This Is Your Night," "If You Could Read My Mind," and "Sexual ."-Career:Amber's music career took off when one of her demos, "This Is Your Night" gained interest...
's "This Is Your Night
This Is Your Night
This Is Your Night is the debut album of dance-pop singer Amber. It was released on Tommy Boy Records on November 25, 1996.The album featured international hit title track "This Is Your Night", which peaked at #24 on the U.S...
" aired, many of the videos shown on Dance Machine were either videos by dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
artists like Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
, Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
, and Ace of Base
Ace of Base
Ace of Base is a pop band based in Gothenburg, Sweden. Its original lineup consisted of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg, and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren...
, videos featuring a dance remix with footage from their original videos re-edited to fit the remix, or videos by non-dance artists that had dance-sounding titles (Hanson
Hanson (band)
Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
's "MMMBop
MMMBop
"MMMBop" is a song written and performed by the American pop rock band Hanson from their 1997 album Middle of Nowhere. The song was nominated for two Grammys at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in February 1998, and is the band's most successful single to date.By any measure, "MMMBop" was phenomenally...
"). Meanwhile, top dance acts like 2 Unlimited
2 Unlimited
2 Unlimited is a Dutch Eurodance/Hi-NRG act formed in 1991. The project was the brainchild of Belgian producers Jean-Paul DeCoster and Phil Wilde, and was fronted by a Dutch duo, rapper Ray Slijngaard and singer Anita Doth. During five years of enormous worldwide popularity, the act scored 16 chart...
never once had one of their videos aired on the program. Periodically, a classic dance video from the '70s or '80s would air.
See also
- Club MTVClub MTVClub MTV was a half hour television show molded after American Bandstand that aired on MTV between the years 1985 and 1992. Club MTV was part of MTV's second generation of programming when they were phasing out the original 5 VJs and introducing new ones.-Background and format:Hosted by Downtown...
- The GrindThe Grind (TV series)The Grind was a Dance music show broadcast on the cable television station MTV between 1992 and 1997.It replaced Club MTV, and featured people dancing to music tracks in a studio, linked by various hosts, including Eric Nies and DJ Jackie Christie. While Club MTV was mostly Dance, House and...
- Electric CircusElectric CircusElectric Circus, aka EC, was a Canadian live dance music television program aired on MuchMusic and Citytv. It aired from September 16, 1988 until December 12, 2003....
- The Party Machine
- Dance Party USADance Party USADance Party USA is an American dance television show that aired 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....