Big dance moves and bigger hair thanks to Aqua Net.
80s nostalgia is alive and well when someone mentions “Dance Party USA,” or I happen across a clip from the show on TikTok. I hadn’t really thought about it in a while, but a video of the show landed on my “For You Page” on TikTok recently and the memories have been flowing ever since.
I often forget that for some people, it’s a fun time hearing stories from being a guest on the show and meeting Kelly Ripa when she was a teenager before fame hit her. But after seeing a clip from an old episode of the show that triggered my memory, it seemed like the perfect time to let me tell my story.
I Was A Guest Dancer On “Dance Party USA” In The Late 80’s!
Melanie VanDerveer – Contributed Photo
First of all, no, that number doesn’t work anymore.
Second, I don’t have any photo evidence of my time on the show. I know for today’s generation it’s a hard sell because with cell phones, we all have pictures of everything cool we’ve ever done. But remember, the late 80s didn’t have cell phones. We had disposable cameras where we had to ask other people to take our pictures, pre-selfie age, and we had to wait days to get our prints back to see if we got anything good. I know I have some photos I took from my time on set, but after searching all day, I could only find a few photos of other people.
Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’ll start over. As the only child of a single mother who never came home, MTV, game shows, talk shows and “Dance Party USA” took turns raising me. I’m totally obsessed with “Dance Party USA.” Looking back, I honestly can’t tell you why, but it grabbed and kept my attention. I watch it religiously every day, six days a week.
Melanie VanDerveer – Contributed Photo
Growing up in New Jersey, when the opportunity arose that I could be a guest on the show, (a show filmed near Philadelphia), I jumped at it. I brought one of my high school friends to experience all the fun.
The day starts early and ends late, but you never hear a complaint from me. One Saturday in 1988, we shot a week’s worth of episodes. If I remember correctly, I ended up with five or six episodes a few weeks into filming. (Stay with me here, my memory of the 80s is hazy, so if I’m missing things, I’m sorry.)
The guest pass that was sent to me in the mail had some instructions on the back. There is a number on the card to call for general information. There are also rules about what to wear and what not to wear listed on the back – dress to impress in bright colors, no solid black, white or grey, no tank tops, T-shirts or dirty shoes. There is also a reminder that you must be at least 15 years old to attend the recording.
Kelly Ripa Was There On My Day On Set
80s & 90s Memories – TikTok
Anytime anyone hears that I’m on the show, the first question they ask is about Kelly Ripa.
He was there the day I was, and I got a chance to meet him during one of the many breaks throughout the day. I happened to be sitting next to him during a break. He didn’t talk much from what I remember, and wasn’t very friendly. I remember that he offered me a piece of chocolate as he offered some to everyone around him.
And to be honest, that’s all my story. No more, no less. I know, not very exciting, but at the time, it was everything.
Melanie VanDerveer – Contributed Photo
I had my episodes on VHS tape, (yes, I’m so old that VHS is the only way to go), and the tape is long gone. I moved a lot from the age of 15 through my young adult life, so they were probably discarded during one of my many moves, unfortunately.
But am I really sad? Maybe not as much as you think. I’m a great dancer and only go to shows because I love them, so who needs that proof, right? My kids would have a field day with it if they had it, so I’m fine with not having the tape.
Melanie VanDerveer – Contributed Photo
One thing I did find while looking for photos was a “Dance Party USA” poster that I honestly can’t remember how I got.
It is old, wrinkled from being under the box, but the memories there are full of color. I also at one point in my teenage years had a “Dance Party USA” jacket. I remember it clearly – it was white and the whole back was the show’s logo. I wonder what happened to the jacket?
TikTok Has Lots of “Dance Party USA” Memories.
A quick search of the show’s name on TikTok brings up tons of videos. Some of the popular regulars from the show have TikTok pages now and share their memories and clips as well.
@rickbrindle Reply @Kali Bonoz I can’t help myself. I remember Kelly Ripa from WAY back. #dance #saltnpepa #kellyripa #fypシ #genx #dancpartyusa #danceparty ♬ Push It – Salt-N-Pepa
While today’s generation probably won’t watch shows where teenagers just dance and occasionally do lip sync routines, it was all the rage back then. A few popular musicians and bands ended up on the show here and there, the show hit the road to film on the beach in the summer, and the regulars became pen pals to many fans. They will send information sheets, short notes and pictures to anyone who mails them and an addressed and stamped envelope.
It was definitely an experience that anyone who watched or danced on the show will never forget, and I’m so happy that those memories live on thanks to TikTok and social media.
Where are you on the show as a regular or a guest? If so and you’d like to share your story, please contact me via Instagram or email.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
