NBC plans international dance show

NEW YORK, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- "Lord of the Dance" star Michael Flatley has signed on as host of the new competition series, "Superstar Dancers of the World," NBC said Friday.

The show is from executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Simon Fuller, two of the masterminds behind "American Idol" and "So You Think You Can Dance."

Scheduled for broadcast in early 2009, the series "will pit the masters of various dance genres from eight countries against each other. Equal parts sporting event, rock concert and artistic exhibition, 'Superstar Dancers of the World' is poised to become one the greatest spectacles of dance performance ever seen on television," NBC said.

The announcement was made by Craig Plestis, executive vice president of alternative programming, development and specials at NBC Entertainment.

"This dance competition is very much like the Olympics," Plestis said in a statement. "The physical feats these athletes and artists pull is mind-blowing, and we're so excited to form what we hope will be the definitive dance competition to decide which nation has what it takes to be the best of the best in the world."

Ireland, India, the United States, Argentina, China, Russia, South Africa and Australia are scheduled to participate.