Mario Lopez's turn on Dancing with the Stars didn't quite end in success – he was the runner-up to ultimate winner, Emmitt Smith – but his appearance was still a great move, both professionally and personally. He was able to get the career boost that a star can enjoy with an extended run on Dancing with the Stars, and he came away with a new flame, dancing partner Karina Smirnoff.

Since that show aired, he's kept busy with hosting duties for several different pageants, such as Miss Teen USA, Miss America and Miss Universe, and he even tried out to be the host of the new version of The Price is Right. Now, he's landed a hosting gig that will give him a chance to be part of the television dance world again.

Mario will be hosting America's Best Dance Crew presented by American Idol judge Randy Jackson. The show will be a So You Thing You Can Dance-style competition, only instead of individuals, it will be eight dance crews of anywhere from five to seven members competing.

Much like So You Think You Can Dance, the episodes will feature the contestants preparing and rehearsing, and then actually performing that week's dance. The viewers at home will then vote via text, phone and online, nominating two crews to go head-to-head against each other for the judges' final determination. Each week, another crew will be eliminated until only one is standing.

The Dancing with the Stars runner-up will be hosting, but not judging. Those duties will fall to rapper Lil Mama, N Sync's JC Chasez, and So You Think You Can Dance's Shane Sparks.

The show is airing a two-hour live audition special today, in which Randy Jackson will announce the eight crews selected. The series then starts the competition on Thursday, February 7, at 10pm Eastern.

- Leslie Seaton, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MTV, RealityTV World
(Image courtesy of ABC)