ELIZABETH BERKLEY HOSTS 'STEP IT UP & DANCE' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-06-2008, 11:34 AM

April 6, 2008 -- If you've been missing your Elizabeth Berkley fix since the long-gone days of "Saved by the Bell" and "Showgirls," relief is on its way.

The actress/dancer is back on TV in a big way this month. For starters, she's hosting "Step It Up & Dance." The Bravo reality competition pits 12 professional dancers against each other in almost every dance format that exists from ballet to ballroom, tap to hip hop - with the winner taking home $100,000.

Berkley also just finished a three-episode arc on CBS' durable crime drama "CSI: Miami." She played Horatio's (David Caruso) ex-lover and baby mama, Julia, who now is suspected of offing her billionaire husband.

On the eve of "Step," Berkley talked about her career as a dancer, which she's been pursuing since the tender age of 4, as an actress and now as a reality-show host.

Besides her entertainment pursuits, Berkley also has created a series of self-esteem workshops, called Ask Elizabeth, which she facilitates for girls around the country.

NYP: What differentiates "Step It Up" from "So You Think You Can Dance" or "Dancing with the Stars?"

Berkley: First of all, you get really involved with the dancers' personal lives because you see them living at their apartment together. And the stakes are so high on our show. You are seeing them learn choreography and the turnaround is so fast from that time to when they have to perform for the judges. Each week, we're taking the dancers and the viewers into such different worlds. One week it's Latin. One week they'll do burlesque. One week they'll do Broadway. So the journey the audience gets to go on with the dancers is really exciting.

Why do you think dancing shows continue to be so popular?

I think a show like "Dancing With the Stars" works so well because people can identify with being a fish out of water, like the celebrities who are on that show. But what our show has that's so different, and so great, is that these are professional dancers. So it's a different take on it at a different level. The show is its own great ride.

Will we get to see you dance on "Step It Up"?

So far, I'm not going to be dancing per se because my role is more as facilitator. But because I have a dance background myself, I'll share that with the contestants.

You've been on the receiving end of being judged, either in an audition or in a film review, so you know how vulnerable a performer can be in that situation. Is it hard to sit there at that table with the judges and critique someone else's performance?

Dancers, more than actors, are used to criticism. In a dance audition, you immediately are corrected and have to assimilate very quickly. You have to be tough enough to take it.

You are doing "CSI Miami" right now, too. How are you fitting both shows into your schedule?

It's been a blessing because the schedule with "Step It Up" is really condensed. It was only about three weeks of shooting. My "CSI" schedule started right before then.It's definitely a problem you want to have.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04062008...ass_105128.htm

miniZackMorris · 04-08-2008, 05:14 PM

wow awsome

SBTB Geek · 05-04-2008, 05:26 PM

I think the show is already on. I caught a minute of it, but changed the channel quickly. With the exception of "America's Best Dance Crew," I'm not a big fan of dance competition shows.

miniZackMorris · 05-04-2008, 05:57 PM

i guess u thats how u can tell that ELIZABETH BERKELEY is different from her caracter. thaat dosnt sound like jessie

SBTB Geek · 05-09-2008, 11:28 PM

Oh, ok. I always thought "Jessie" and Elizabeth were the same person. Oops... nevermind, I've watched Showgirls.

miniZackMorris · 05-10-2008, 04:15 PM

no it is im just saying when you compare them they are totally different.

but Elizabeth is jessie

SBTB Geek · 05-23-2008, 03:10 PM

I know that.

miniZackMorris · 05-26-2008, 04:30 PM

onesays sexiest pig everyday one would have probably never said it in her life if she haddnt played a person on tv

04-06-2008, 11:34 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	ELIZABETH BERKLEY HOSTS 'STEP IT UP & DANCE' April 6, 2008 -- If you've been missing your Elizabeth Berkley fix since the long-gone days of "Saved by the Bell" and "Showgirls," relief is on its way. The actress/dancer is back on TV in a big way this month. For starters, she's hosting "Step It Up & Dance." The Bravo reality competition pits 12 professional dancers against each other in almost every dance format that exists from ballet to ballroom, tap to hip hop - with the winner taking home $100,000. Berkley also just finished a three-episode arc on CBS' durable crime drama "CSI: Miami." She played Horatio's (David Caruso) ex-lover and baby mama, Julia, who now is suspected of offing her billionaire husband. On the eve of "Step," Berkley talked about her career as a dancer, which she's been pursuing since the tender age of 4, as an actress and now as a reality-show host. Besides her entertainment pursuits, Berkley also has created a series of self-esteem workshops, called Ask Elizabeth, which she facilitates for girls around the country. NYP: What differentiates "Step It Up" from "So You Think You Can Dance" or "Dancing with the Stars?" Berkley: First of all, you get really involved with the dancers' personal lives because you see them living at their apartment together. And the stakes are so high on our show. You are seeing them learn choreography and the turnaround is so fast from that time to when they have to perform for the judges. Each week, we're taking the dancers and the viewers into such different worlds. One week it's Latin. One week they'll do burlesque. One week they'll do Broadway. So the journey the audience gets to go on with the dancers is really exciting. Why do you think dancing shows continue to be so popular? I think a show like "Dancing With the Stars" works so well because people can identify with being a fish out of water, like the celebrities who are on that show. But what our show has that's so different, and so great, is that these are professional dancers. So it's a different take on it at a different level. The show is its own great ride. Will we get to see you dance on "Step It Up"? So far, I'm not going to be dancing per se because my role is more as facilitator. But because I have a dance background myself, I'll share that with the contestants. You've been on the receiving end of being judged, either in an audition or in a film review, so you know how vulnerable a performer can be in that situation. Is it hard to sit there at that table with the judges and critique someone else's performance? Dancers, more than actors, are used to criticism. In a dance audition, you immediately are corrected and have to assimilate very quickly. You have to be tough enough to take it. You are doing "CSI Miami" right now, too. How are you fitting both shows into your schedule? It's been a blessing because the schedule with "Step It Up" is really condensed. It was only about three weeks of shooting. My "CSI" schedule started right before then.It's definitely a problem you want to have. http://www.nypost.com/seven/04062008...ass_105128.htm
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04-08-2008, 05:14 PM	#2
miniZackMorris saved by the bell Rocks Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 322	wow awsome

05-04-2008, 05:26 PM	#3
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	I think the show is already on. I caught a minute of it, but changed the channel quickly. With the exception of "America's Best Dance Crew," I'm not a big fan of dance competition shows.

05-04-2008, 05:57 PM	#4
miniZackMorris saved by the bell Rocks Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 322	i guess u thats how u can tell that ELIZABETH BERKELEY is different from her caracter. thaat dosnt sound like jessie

05-09-2008, 11:28 PM	#5
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	Oh, ok. I always thought "Jessie" and Elizabeth were the same person. Oops... nevermind, I've watched Showgirls.

05-10-2008, 04:15 PM	#6
miniZackMorris saved by the bell Rocks Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 322	no it is im just saying when you compare them they are totally different. but Elizabeth is jessie

05-23-2008, 03:10 PM	#7
SBTB Geek Smooth Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 21, 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,004	I know that.

05-26-2008, 04:30 PM	#8
miniZackMorris saved by the bell Rocks Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 28, 2007 Posts: 322	onesays sexiest pig everyday one would have probably never said it in her life if she haddnt played a person on tv