With the reincarnation of the Philly-filmed “Dancin’ on Air,” a quintessentially 1980s take on American Bandstand (think perms, spandex and a thick fog of Aqua Net), some, um, interesting clips are surfacing from the show’s original run, as well as its national spinoff, “Dance Party USA.”
An eyebrow-raising clip of industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails performing their debut single on the sugary-sweet bubblegum pop show was uploaded to YouTube over the weekend:
Lead singer Trent Reznor responded to the video via Twitter (and in the third person): “Many years ago, a young and naive Nine Inch Nails were asked what TV shows they’d be interested in appearing on. As a joke (and likely drunk), they thought of the most absurd choice they could come up with at the time. They were then informed their bluff had been called and were actually booked on said show.”
“They hopped in their Honda Civic touring vehicle (hatchback) and travelled many miles to (I think) NJ for the big show. They had a laugh making fun of the people, their fashion choices and hairstyles. Life was good. Years later, the internet is discovered. There’s a moral in there somewhere. Come to think of it, Skrillex may indeed owe me some publishing on that hairdo.”
“Dancin’ on Air,” which became “Dance Party U.S.A.” in 1986, has been rumored to be gearing up for a Philadelphia comeback for months. Those rumblings have proven true, according to the show’s website. The first retooled episode aired yesterday and the show is slated to run on PHL-17 every Saturday at 10 a.m.
Below is a clip of “Dancin’ on Air”‘s inaugural 21st century episode filmed in Warminster, Pa.
