The Real Dirty Dancing

Dirty Dancing is by far my favorite Adult Movie. I used to stay the night with my sisters on the weekends, just so I could watch it. I was a sucker for a love story, even at 8 years old. And I still watch it frequently as an adult.

When I saw it recommended in Hulu, I pretty much rolled my eyes! But I gave it a chance and I really liked it. No joke, I got teary eyed.

It makes you feel nostalgic and a little envious that you aren't reliving it. If they have a season with just a regular person, I wan to be on it!

We have a summer home neare Lake Lure. DIrty Dancing was filmed at Lake Lure, NC, and the hotel burned down after the movie became a hit. This series has nothing relatively close to the NC site. True DD fans are shaking their heads in dismay...

Thirty-five years after the original release of "Dirty Dancing", some of us still watch the story of Johnny and Baby periodically. This new competition show is for such fans.

Eight contestants of varying celebrity compete in the re-creation of scenes from the iconic movie. The competition is held on the grounds where the movie was filmed---at "Kellerman's". If there is discussion in the first episode about what goes to the winner(s), I missed it. But that is not important. This series is about reliving and relishing the film. Fortunately, it is liberally sprinkled with clips from the film.

Patrick Swayze is no longer with us, and Jennifer Grey has moved on to a new visage, facially. But we can celebrate their original performances with this tribute show.

After the first competition, it is clear that there is no lack of passion by the contestants. And some of them have real skills. I look forward to watching them attempt to dance on the log or do the lift in the lake.

I was lucky enough to actually be on the set of DD when and where it was filmed in NC for a couple of weeks. My then 10 year old son was the "little boy" in the beginning and the end of the film as a featured extra. (He ended up being a professional dancer, then he & wife have had their own company in NYC for over 20 years).

Sadly, just to clear up the confusion. Most of the film was shot inside and outside a boys camp in Lake Lure, that was torn down after it was filmed. Some of the outdoor shots (the large hotel) was shot in VA. NOTHING was shot in the hotel in Lake Lure. I really wanted to enjoy this, since I had such fond memories of the experience and the film...but it feels so contrived. Sorry....

I am so proud of these guys. They went out there and done what Dirty Dancer fans have dreamt of doing. I was so overwhelmed with joy a few tears escaped.

Great job.