“Dance Fever” – the name itself evokes images of flashing lights, groovy moves, and the infectious energy of the disco era. But beyond the glitz and glamour, the story of this television show is a curious blend of cultural phenomenon, critical panning, and the enduring challenges of media rights.
Originally airing in the late 1970s and remarkably surviving well into the 1980s, even after the disco craze began to fade, “Dance Fever” presented a weekly dose of amateur dancers competing for prizes. While the show aimed to capture the zeitgeist of the dance-obsessed era, it wasn’t universally adored. TV critic Gary Deeb famously labeled it “fatuous,” and ratings weren’t always stellar. So how did this seemingly flimsy production manage to stay on air for six seasons?
One key factor appears to be the deep pockets of Merv Griffin, the entertainment mogul behind the show. As Deeb observed, Griffin’s financial resources allowed “Dance Fever” to persist even when viewership numbers weren’t overwhelmingly in its favor. This highlights an interesting aspect of television history, where financial backing can sometimes outweigh immediate popularity in ensuring a show’s longevity.
However, the legacy of “Dance Fever” isn’t just about its surprising survival. It also offers a case study in the complexities of media rights and distribution in the modern age. Fans hoping to revisit the show through DVD releases are likely to be disappointed. The primary obstacle? Music clearances. “Dance Fever,” like many shows of its era, featured a soundtrack of popular music. Securing the rights to these songs for home video release has proven prohibitively expensive.
This issue isn’t unique to “Dance Fever.” The challenges of music licensing have plagued other shows from the same period, as exemplified by the altered music in early DVD releases of “WKRP in Cincinnati.” In the case of “Dance Fever,” both 20th Century Fox Television (the original production company) and Sony Pictures Television (the current rights holder through their acquisition of Merv Griffin Enterprises’ properties) have seemingly deemed the cost of music clearance too high to justify a DVD release.
Ultimately, “Dance Fever” remains a product of its time, a snapshot of the “dance fever” that gripped popular culture. While it may not be remembered as a critical darling, its unusual endurance and the subsequent rights issues surrounding its music provide a fascinating, if somewhat cautionary, tale within the landscape of television history. For now, experiencing the full “Dance Fever” phenomenon, complete with its original soundtrack, remains largely confined to the memories of those who watched it air live.
