Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew is all set to begin on Thursday, February 7, at 10pm on MTV.  Hosted by Saved by the Bell alum and former Dancing with the Stars contestant, Mario Lopez, the upcoming reality competition is the first of its kind as a search for a dance group instead of a pair or individual number.

Ahead of its premiere, the live casting showdown aired on Saturday, January 26 at 2pm.

After a nationwide search in key cities like Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, MTV along with executive producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson are finally ready to unveil the final 12 dance crews in Saturday's two-hour casting show.

Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew is shot on location in Los Angeles, and features each of the 12 selected dance groups as they rehearse and show off their wares and respective choreographies.  Each episode will have a particular theme dictating their performances.  Among the themes will be having to recreate recent dance music videos on MTV, using dance to interpret a favorite feature film and paying homage to classic dance trends from the past.

Each week, the crews, between five to seven members, must get the nod of judges JC Chasez of *N Sync, choreographer Shane Sparks from You Got Served, and rapper Lil Mama.  Viewers will help decide who gets booted out weekly, through online and text message voting.  The two groups with the fewest votes must then go head to head in front of the judges, to determine who gets to stay for another shot and whose bags are sent packing.

In the end, only one group will be left standing as America's Best Dance Crew, in the process winning cash as well as a coveted touring contract.

Randy Jackson Presents: America's Best Dance Crew kicks off with its two-hour, live casting event on Saturday, January 26 at 2pm, with the series itself commencing on February 7 at 10pm.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MTV
(Image Courtesy of MTV)