So you think you can dance? Honey, join the club. Ever since the dawn of TV, dancing has been one of its favorite spectator sports, from the bobbing mobs of the '50s right up to the modern moves of MTV's many series. In the memorable words of Corny Collins ("Hairspray"), host of one of the coolest TV dance shows of this or any decade: "Now you can fight it -- or you can rock out to it!"

Dance Blobs
"American Bandstand" (1952-1989)
The granddaddy of 'em all spun off to a million local versions a la "The Corny Collins Show" in "Hairspray." The show's longtime host, Dick Clark -- "the world's oldest teenager" -- once said, "Music is the soundtrack of our life."
Contribution to pop culture: Every dancing teen on every small screen in America.

"Soul Train" (1970-2006)
Afros, elephant bells, and a great beat. It started as a local Chicago show and quickly became a hot national phenomenon, hosted by the flamboyant Don Cornelius. The likes of James Brown played while the hippest teens grooved with moves like "the cold duck." Though it has been off the air the past few years, a new owner bought rights to the show in May 2008 and announced plans to put new episodes on the air.
Contribution to pop culture: "We wish you peace, love & and SOUL!"

"Dance Party USA" (1986-1992)
Philly version of "American Bandstand" (funny, since "Bandstand" is about as Philly as you can get).
Contribution to pop culture: Breakout "regular" Kelly Ripa.

"Club MTV" (1985-1992)
Hosted by "Downtown" Julie Brown, this show had a hot moment in the spotlight, and for a few years spun off its own concert tour -- on which Milli Vanilli suffered its infamous and career-ending lip-synch malfunction.
Contribution to pop culture: Making the MTV experience "live," and then putting an end to the whole Vanilli silliness. Girl, you know it's true.

Dance Showcases
"Solid Gold" (1980-1988)
It took a lot of talent and connections to be a Solid Gold Dancer. This series showcased some of Hollywood's smoothest movers, and showed surprising longevity. And the hosts! The celebs anchoring or regularly appearing included Dionne Warwick, Andy Gibb, Rex Smith, Marilyn McCoo, ex-VJ Nina Blackwood & and Wayland Flowers and Madame.
Contribution to pop culture: See previous sentence."

"The New Mickey Mouse Club" (1989-1994)
While the original "Mickey Mouse Club" was a phenom in its day (Annette! Cubby! Darlene!), the spiffed-up version in the late '80s and early '90s showed wholesome kids busting some serious moves -- who would later go on to their own versions of top fame.
Contribution to pop culture: Britney! Justin! Xtina! And Keri Russell, who seriously should incorporate some dance moves into her next film.

Dance Video Shows
"Street Party" (1989-1992)
During the years of MTV's growing pains (see "Club MTV" above), this show aired only dance videos but got surprisingly strong ratings.
Contribution to pop culture: Began national interest in hip-hop moves.

"VH1 Dance Machine" (1997-1998)
Originally a segment of RuPaul's show and later hosted by him, this was VH1's late-to-the-party attempt to cash in on the hip-hop and rave dance scenes of the '90s. It wasn't bad, but there wasn't much to it.
Contribution to pop culture: Employed RuPaul for a whole year.

Dance With a Story
"Dance Life" (2007)
Former "In Living Color" Fly Girl Jennifer Lopez produced this watchable reality show following real dancers in their quest to break into stardom in Los Angeles. Unlike, say, "American Idol," viewers watched all the sweat and tears that go into creating art, making the show's stars that much more sympathetic.
Contribution to pop culture: Appreciation for the hard work involved in being a good dancer.

"Fame" (1982-87)
The original show spun out of the popular film showcasing fictional kids at New York's High School for the Performing Arts. NBC canceled the show after one season, but it rocked into the '80s in syndication with stars including Janet Jackson, Nia Peeples, Lori Singer, Jasmine Guy and Don Cheadle. In 2003, it tap-danced its way back onto the small screen as a competition, with Allen, Joey Fatone and Carnie Wilson as judges.
Contribution to pop culture: Hey, it may yet come back; clearly this concept has legs.

"Fame L.A." (1997-1998)
"Fame" collided with "90210" in this one-season wonder that featured lots of drama -- and actors suddenly breaking into song to express their feelings.
Contribution to pop culture: The discovery of former soap actress, and current "Without a Trace" star, Roselyn Sanchez.

"The Matadors" (due fall 2008)
This documentary series will follow the male cheerleaders of the Chicago Bulls and is directed and choreographed by someone who knows her stuff: Anne Fletcher, an ex-Laker Girl and director of "Step Up."
Contribution to pop culture: Another reason to root for the Chicago Bulls.

Dance Along at Home
"The Grind" (1992-97)
This popular series, hosted by Eric Nies, featured in-studio dancing with moves that viewers were encouraged to learn and try on their own.
Contribution to pop culture: "The Grind" workouts (you'll have to sweat for that six-pack) and the launch of hip-hop aerobics.

"Dances From tha Hood" (2008-present)
A new, slicker version of "The Grind," this show offers follow-along instruction in the latest hip-hop moves.
Contribution to pop culture: Kids can burn calories while watching TV!

Competition: Celebrities
"Dancing With the Stars" (2005-present)
One of ABC's most successful recent franchises. While the word "stars" seems to be used rather liberally (Heather Mills? Really?), the show gets crazy-high ratings and is one of today's hottest water-cooler successes.
Contribution to pop culture: Cheryl Burke, Julianne Hough and, of course, Len Goodman.

"Skating With Celebrities" (2006)
Because what is ice skating but dancing on ice -- with the very real specter of wipeouts to cause broken bones, etc.
Contribution to pop culture: The union, unholy or not, of Lloyd Eisler and Kristy Swanson.

A contestant on "Pants-Off Dance-Off" strips down for Britney

Competition: Regular Folks
"Dance Fever" (1978-87)
Spun out of the "Saturday Night Fever" disco competition.
Contribution to pop culture: Deney Terrio.

"Randy Jackson Presents America's Best Dance Crew" (2008-present)
This is one of my personal faves, with inspiring groups of young people mastering eye-popping choreography and stunts.
Contribution to pop culture: Supreme Soul!

"So You Think You Can Dance" (2005-present)
From the brilliant brain of Simon Fuller, "SYTYCD" has topped the ratings since '06, and in many ways it's superior to its higher profile sibling, "American Idol." The dancers all have so much talent that the bar is set incredibly high at the start. And viewers learn a thing or two about the complexities of dance.
Contribution to pop culture: Cat Deeley and a quarter of a million bucks for the fancy footwork.

"Dance Machine" (2008-present)
Hosted by Jason Kennedy of E! News, this recent entrant brings together folks from all walks of life -- a cemetery worker, a farmer, a chemistry professor, and a 70-year-old grandma. It practically writes itself.
Contribution to pop culture: Remains to be seen, but the populist appeal is huge.

"Pants-Off Dance-Off" (2006-present)
Yes, there should be a special category for this, but it's a classic in a Chuck Barris kind of way. Sort of salacious, but mostly it makes you appreciate when a stripper really knows what he/she is doing. (When it comes to taking off one's clothes, many are called, but few are chosen.)
Contribution to pop culture: You have to ask?

"Step It Up and Dance" (2008-present)
Under the tutelage of the original "Showgirl" herself, Elizabeth Berkley, dancers compete individually and on teams in a variety of dance types.
Contribution to pop culture: Winner and cute Canadian Cody Green.

"Dance 360" (2004-2005)
Dance in the round -- kind of like a nursery school game where contestants run into the center circle and do some moves, captured from above a la Jackie Gleason's June Taylor Dancers.
Contribution to pop culture: "Tag your man!"