Fox Aims to Put Winter Olympics in a Corner Next Month With ‘Real Dirty Dancing’

Fox will debut its new celebrity competition series “The Real Dirty Dancing” next month in the Tuesday time slot that was previously reserved for the now-pushed-to-fall, high-profile Susan Sarandon drama “Monarch.”

The Stephen “tWitch” Boss-hosted dancing show, which was ordered to series by the network last fall as part of its 2021-2022 programming lineup, follows eight celebrities — Brie Bella, Corbin Bleu, Tyler Cameron, Cat Cora, Howie Dorough, Antonio Gates, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and Loni Love — “as they fully immerse themselves” in the ultimate “Dirty Dancing” experience in the hope of becoming the next “Baby” and “Johnny” (the characters played by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in the classic ’80s film).

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The special event series will premiere Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, airing its remaining episodes air Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 in the same slot. That time period makes “Real Dirty Dancing” primetime competition for NBC’s Beijing Olympics, which will air for just over two weeks beginning with its opening ceremony Feb. 4. “The Real Dirty Dancing” is set to air in the time slot that Fox had originally scheduled “Monarch” to take over following its post-NFC championship launch, but the drama was moved to the fall lineup last week due to COVID-19-related complications to production.

Set at Virginia’s Mountain Lake Lodge, which was the real location for the film’s fictional Kellerman’s Lodge, “The Real Dirty Dancing” will partner up its stars, who will learn iconic dance routines from the Grey-and Swayze-led movie and recreate classic scenes — including the legendary lift that cemented the film’s spot in cinematic history, per Fox.

Throughout the event special, “Real Dirty Dancing’s” music and fashion will reflect the original film’s take on the summer of 1963. The competition will also feature special guest judges who will help decide which celebrity couples will make it through and which couple will be “put in a corner.” In the end, one man and one woman will be crowned the winning “Baby” and “Johnny,” becoming “The Real Dirty Dancing” champions.

The competition is executive produced by Chris Culvenor, Paul Franklin, Wes Dening and Dave Emery. Dan Martin is executive producer and showrunner. “The Real Dirty Dancing” comes from Eureka Productions and Lionsgate Television.

See below for the bios of “The Real Dirty Dancing” celebrity cast.

Stephen “tWitch” Boss: Stephen “tWitch” Boss continues to make a splash in the entertainment world with his multitude of talents. The memorable contestant, All-Star and judge of “So You Think You Can Dance” is a staple on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” as its resident dancer, DJ and Co-Executive Producer. He was most recently seen as the host of the television series “Clash of the Cover Bands.” Boss resides in Los Angeles, with his wife, fellow dance artist and host, Allison, and their three children – Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.

Brie Bella: Brie Bella is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, executive producer, New York Times best-selling author, motivational speaker and WWE Hall of Fame Inductee. Bella debuted on “SmackDown” in 2008, became Divas Champion in 2011 and was named Diva of the Year in 2013. Bella and her twin sister, Nikki, were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2020.

Corbin Bleu: Corbin Bleu is an accomplished actor, singer/songwriter, dancer, voiceover/recording artist, host/television personality and producer. Bleu is perhaps best known for his role as “Chad Danforth” in the Emmy Award-winning “High School Musical” franchise. Bleu recently starred in TV movies “Love, For Real” and “A Christmas Dance Reunion.” Broadway credits include the Tony Award-nominated revival of “Kiss Me Kate,” “Godspell,” “In the Heights” and the Tony Award-nominated production of Irving Berlin’s “Holiday Inn,” which garnered Bleu the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show.

Tyler Cameron: Tyler Cameron is a TV personality, actor, author, model and philanthropist. With a passion for building and home renovation, Cameron hosted the show “Barkitecture.” He was also the runner-up on Season 15 of “The Bachelorette.” Additionally, he is a co-founder and ambassador for the charity organization ABC Food Tours, which focuses on enriching the lives of kids in underserved communities.

Cat Cora: Cat Cora is a world-renowned chef, author, restaurateur, television host, philanthropist and proud mother of six. The Jackson, MS, native, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America and went on to cook at two 3-star Michelin restaurants in France, was crowned the first female Iron Chef, and also was the first female inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame.

Howie Dorough: Howie Dorough is a member of the Backstreet Boys, one of the most successful groups in music history, with countless #1s, record-setting tours and worldwide sales in excess of 130 million. A multiple-award-winning and Grammy-nominated performer, Dorough’s work with BSB has gone Gold and Platinum in 46 countries, making them one of pop’s most influential acts and the best-selling boy band in history.

Antonio Gates: Antonio Gates, Future NFL Hall of Fame Tight End, emerged as one of the NFL’s most extraordinary success stories in his 16-year NFL Career. After being signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted Free agent Antonio would go on to be named to eight Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro selection. Gates also holds the NFL record for most touchdowns as a tight end in NFL History. After retirement, Antonio continues to work with the Chargers organization.

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes is a comedian, singer, actor and social media sensation. Johnson-Reyes became an internet sensation and pioneer in viral YouTube videos when her notorious “Nail Salon” bit from a local comedy show was posted and received more than 100 million views! Shortly thereafter, she was added to the cast of the original “MADtv,” on which she trademarked her legendary character, “Bon Qui Qui.” Her first book, “Who Do I Think I Am?: Stories of Chola Wishes and Caviar Dreams,” will be published in March of 2022.

Loni Love: Loni Love is an NAACP Award-winning comedian and an Emmy Award-winning host of “The Real,” as well as a recurring guest deejay on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Additionally, Love has guest-hosted on “Daily Pop” and has been a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight” and “E!” Love also has appeared in movies, including “Mother’s Day”; “Paul Blart Mall Cop 2,” opposite Kevin James; “Soul Plane,” with Kevin Hart; and the “Bad Ass” franchise, with Danny Glover and Danny Trejo.

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