FIRST TAKE OF NACH BALIYE

Star One's 10 week odyssey into finding the best dancing couple among television celebs kicked off this week with two episodes detailing their initial reservations and practice sessions and the third, a whopper two hour marathon that had viewers begging for more.

All the ingredients for a hit TV series are in place.

Ten good looking pairs already well known through TV serials and shows, an almost palpable energy level in the dances, and a level of sincerity in the competing teams.

Aggressive judges like Saroj Khan add to the spice of the show.

While the first two episodes did tend to drag a bit, with the pairs giggling about their 'two left feet' and collapsing with exhaustion after bouts of practice, the third 'performance' episode left viewers tingling with delight. One can only presume 'practice and rehearsal' episodes next week will be a bit more original than just close shots of the couples at home, coaxing each other to give off their best.

On the other hand, co hosts Shabir and Sangita tended to give a feel of being a trifle out of place as they pontificated about the couples' chances from the studio while the competitors sweated it out elsewhere, but seemed to begin gelling when they hosted the performance rounds. Their enthusiasm does seem a bit exaggerated at times, and one can only hope the compering becomes more relaxed than frenetic as the pace picks up with the eliminations.

One of the obvious by products of a reality dance competition between celebs is the ringside view into their personal lives that it offers. It's endearing to watch Archana and Parmeet's sons talk about their

promised 'trip abroad' if mamma-papa win the contest and enjoyable to see Delnaz banter about praying for 'another husband who can dance better' just before she puts on her dancing shoes. Wathcing Mihir Misra wear a orthopaedic belt for his aching back and cringe in pain from the dance moves gives an obvious voyeuristic pleasure to viewers, and the show's directors admirably capitalise on these moments.

While the judges are a judicious combination of astuteness and glamour, the real heroes of the show are the choreographers who have made these obvious 'non-dancers' do more than just shake their limbs. Hats off to these men!