Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan met on the set of Step Up so it makes sense that they’d eventually end up producing a dancing show together. NBC has just ordered six-episodes of what’s billed as a “fresh spin” on the dance-competition genre, in which Dewan-Tatum will serve as a panel judge/mentor and Channing is expected to do guest appearances.
Both of them made the announcement via a tweet/retweet from Jenna’s account tonight:
The couple recently set hearts (and hormones) aflutter with a face off on Spike’s Lip Sync Battle*, reminding folks that, despite their acting resumes dancing was their first success. Jenna brought home a parody of her husband’s Magic Mike XXL dance to “Pony” by Ginuwine. Channing Tatum went for laughs with an in-character rendition of “Run The World” capped by a Beyonce cameo. His pre-Hollywood career as a stripper was widely discussed in the run-up to Magic Mike but many may be unaware of Dewan-Tatum’s start backing up Janet Jackson, which she credits for providing the experience to audition for Step Up.
Dewan-Tatum has appeared as a guest judge and performer on So You Think You Can Dance, and is currently in the role of Lucy Lane on Supergirl. She’s also been featured in American Horror Story, Witches of East End, and The Playboy Club.
After Step Up she appeared in 2011s 10 Years alongside her husband. He of course has gone on to major roles in the Jump Street series, Hail, Caesar!, and he’s preparing to headline Marvel’s Gambit movie in 2017.
Nobody has a clue what a fresh spin on the dance competition series might be. After 22 seasons Dancing with the Stars still draws over 14 million viewers, down from a 2008 high of 21 million but nothing to ignore. But that figure is readily accredited to its star-speckled cast. Amateur competition So You Think You Can Dance is reinventing itself this year with a format featuring young dancers between 8 and 13. The show’s ratings have fallen year-after- year in its summer slot against America’s Got Talent.
Dewan-Tatum will be executive producing through her company, Purple Cup Productions, along with her husband, her producing partner Megan Kiernan, and Endemol Shine North America.
* I spent an hour clicking on other Lip Sync Battle videos. Forewarned is fair-warned. (But be sure to check out Anne Hathaway, John Krasinski, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.)