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Television programs and other programs available on video featuring contortionists or acrobatic dancers

Updated 20 Feb 00

New Additions:
Inhale {Steve Ross & Various performers}
(new series on new cable channel Oxygen) Inhale is two one-hour power yoga exercise classes set to contemporary music, run back-to-back weekday mornings on the new cable channel Oxygen. The program is hosted by noted Yoga instructor Steve Ross. (6A-8A M-F on Oxygen)
Yoga Zone {Alan Finger & Various performers}
(current series on cable channel The Health Network [formerly known as FitTV]) Yoga Zone is hosted by master yoga instructor Alan Finger, and features other top instructors from across the nation. The 30-minute show runs mornings on The Health Network, and is occasionally shown on the Fox Sports regional networks in the mornings.
The Method {Various performers}
(current series on cable channel The Health Network [formerly known as FitTV]) The Method includes exercises from a variety of disciplines: kickboxing, Afro/Brazilian dance, yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates. The 30-minute program runs at 8 AM ET/PT on The Health Network, and occasionally shows up mornings on the Fox Sports regional networks.
Stretching for Life {??}
(current series on some PBS stations) This 15-minute daily program provides yoga exercises in a concise format. (produced by South Carolina ETV)
Homestretch {??}
(current series on some PBS stations) This 30-minute daily program provides a full aerobic exercise program. (produced by WTVI/Charlotte)

The $1.98 Beauty Contest {Various performers}
(late 70's Chuck Barris-syndicated TV series - each episode 30 mins.) This old dog of a series was hosted by comedian Rip Taylor, and was just as silly as it's title. Four contestants competed each week for a grand prize of $1.98. Several contestants exhibited some extreme flexibility on this show that lasted two seasons.

Aerobicise: The Ultimate Workout
Aerobicise: The Beginning Workout
Aerobicise: The Beautiful Workout {Deborah Corday/Loryanna Catalano/Darcy De Moss}
A series of 3 video tapes from the old Ron Harris groundbreaking series of shorts (shown in the late 70's/early 80's on the old Tom Snyder "Tomorrow" show), which features a couple of very limber women exercising - most notably on the third tape in the series, "Aerobicise: The Ultimate Workout." Screen shots from this third tape can be found on MikeMyDay's site. These videos are still widely available. There was a followup series recently called "Aerobicse 2000", and from what I understand, they do not exhibit the level of flexibility in the original series.

American Bandstand {Various performers}
"Most years, AB ran a dance contest in the summer months. During these contests, there were a number of competitors who exhibited extreme flexibility.

Bandit: Bandit's Silver Angel {April Tatro}
1994 Made for TV movie featuring April Tatro as a contortionist in a carnival. (part of MCA's Action Pack series, based upon Hal Needham's 'Smokey & the Bandit' movies)

The Benny Hill Show {Corrine Russell}
Dancer who appeared as a regular among Hill's 'Stable of Girls' was a contortionist who appeared in a number of skits, and a number of other programs.

Bizarre! {?}
The cable TV comedy series Bizarre, the work of John Byner, often used crude humor, foul language and female nudity (all missing in free TV reruns). One episode begins with Byner as an idiot with a pregnant girlfriend, they go on a long, winding walk to a room, where they find a man in a human knot. She says to the idiot "I told you to find an abortionist, not a contortionist!"

Body, Soul & Voice {?}
(2 titles on single video tape, total running time 27mins.) First film on tape, 'Open Letter: Grasp the Bird's Tail', is the story of "A young Asian woman grapples with misogyny and anti-Asian hostility towards self-empowerment via an imaginative journey that includes a contortionist act, a "flasher" survey and a sword dance with her lover." I would gather that the video would be available at some of your more artsy video stores, otherwise, I am sure you can order it from someplace like Facets Multimedia in Chicago, who specializes in more artsy types of films.

Buck Rogers In The 25th Century {April Tatro}
(late 70's Glen Larsen/NBC-TV series; series is rerun occasionally on The Sci-Fi Channel both in the US and overseas) In an episode named "Olympiad", a number of performers are shown in the background as athletes stretching out prior to competition. "For the first time I caught a part of an episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th century on BBC TV Channel 2 tonight and what did I see within 30 seconds of starting to watch? Our old friend April Tatro doing the April Tatro things - both legs flipped up behind her head, extreme side and front splits whilst on her back etc. The sequences are quite brief but she appears very clearly. The episode is called 'Olympiad' - maybe I should watch more!"

Buffy the Vampire Slayer {?}
(current mystery/science fiction series airing on the WB network) "...Well, this weeks episode of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer (the third episode in the series so far) had a scene towards the beginning of cheerleader tryouts, with one girl warming up in a split between a pair of chairs..."

Carson's Comedy Classics {April Tatro}
(repackaging of clips from NBC's "Tonight Show with Johnny Carson"; shown as a 30 minute program ) "...Carson's Comedy Classics is a syndicated packaging of bits from old episodes of the Tonight Show With Johnny Carson. A few of the skits had April Tatro, including one where Carson is a magazine editor who says "Bring me the April foldout", them he opens a box and, sure enough, April folds out."

The Chris Elliot Show {?}
(early 90's Fox series) "...There was a TV show that was on the Fox network called the Chris Elliott Show. The show would start off with a little sketch. One show had Chris at a soda shop with his friend, who were looking through a world record book. One kid came across the description of a man who could wrap his feet around his neck and so on. Chris responds that he can do the same thing because he is "double jointed". He proceeds to do it. The camera shows the kids walking out. A shoy of the bench reveals a contortionist with both feet behind his head. The shot continues with the character following the kids while in this position, using his hands to swing along. Eventually he falls over on his back with the retort,"I'm getting too old for this crap!" As, he lies there with both feet behind his head. The contortionist bears a striking resemblance to Chris Elliott. Leaving one to wonder if Elliot practices contortion. It's about 2- 4 minuets long."

Circus of the Stars {Various Artists}
(Annual CBS Special Presentation) Heather Langenkamp, Gabrielle Carteris and other actresses have done splits and other limber stunts over the years -
[From Andrew Gibson - andrew.gibson@utoronto.ca]

Circus of Tomorrow {Various Performers}
With performances from circus festivals in Europe, this program has run on Bravo in Fall 1999 and early 2000.

Cirque du Soleil: We Reinvent The Circus {Angela Laurier}
Cirque du Soleil: Nouvelle Experience
Cirque du Soleil: Saltimbanco
"I'm going to lump all three of the Cirque videos together - they contain acts from the legendary Canadian circus. The programs originally appeared on HBO, and are now widely available on video."
*Pics on the net: [http://members.aol.com/kalaus/ <primarily from _We Reinvent the Circus_ & _Nouvelle Experience_>]

Cirque du Soleil: Quidam {Isabelle Chasse & Various Performers}
One of CDS' most recent shows; it ran on Pay Per View cable/satellite in Fall 1999, and is now available on VHS/DVD. It has also run on Bravo in the US in December 1999 and early 2000.

Cheers {Woody Harrelson(?)}
(late 80s/early 90s NBC comedy series) "I remember an episode of 'Cheers' where Woody was going to be in a talent contest. When they asked him what he was going to do, he showed them. He bent over forwards, passed his torso between his legs and walked out of the bar. Since he was behind the bar when he started out, I assumed he was replaced by a double for the stunt, but I guess that it is possible that it was actually him."
"...the talent show was actually an audition for "Hair", and the bar regulars took turns doing Shakespeare hamming, so Woody shows how he would get a part and walks in a frontbend. Later he's asked "How far did you get with that butt-walk?" and it turns out he got the lead role."

The Cosby Show {Raven-Symone}
"An episode of the Cosby Show had (then four year-old) Raven Symone (Olivia) show off by doing a straddle split (yah, well, if I were 4 I could do that too)"

The Crusades {?}
"(a multi-part documentary narrated by 'Monty Python' member Terry Jones for A&E and the History Channel) The last episode, at the end, has a segment shot in Venice, at a Carneval party. The party is invaded by circus perfomers and some brief but close shots of an Asian Woman Contortionist."

Dance Fever {Various performers}
(1980's-era syndicated dance contest program featuring four dance teams competing) "On many program segments, one or more of the dance teams contained an acrobatic or contortionist dancer. To my knowledge, this series is not available on video."

Destination Stardom {Otgo & Stephanie Abrams to date (3/00)}
Talent contest program by the producers of "Star Search" and running currently on PAX-TV stations (also on PAX cable/satellite in areas without a PAX affiliate) nationally.

Double Trouble {?}
(Late 80's syndicated sitcom)

The Ed Sullivan Show {Various performers}
(1950s & 1960s CBS variety series) Who knows how many different performers appeared here.

[On the web at http://members.aol.com/eyetreats/addendum.htm ]

Electric Circus {Various Performers}
Friday night club-based dance program running on MuchMusic in Canada and on MuchUSA on cable in the United States. It is unknown if there are any bendy dancers there regularly, but if past dance shows are any indication, then you will occasionally find performers there.

Extreme Gong {Various Performers}
Current series (1/00) running on Game Show Network, and based on the original "Gong Show" from the late 70's.

Fame and Fame L.A. {?}
(Early 80's NBC & Syndicated drama and mid-90's syndicated drama)
"...Fame (1982-?) is full of dance performances, rehearsals and training, a good amount of it limber. The TV series especially has a few quick bends in every episode, and longer, more limber performances in many of the episodes. In addition, the series "Fame L.A." should have more of the same... For those of you not familiar with the concept, "Fame" was based on a movie of the same name that showcased the High School for the Performing Arts in New York City; the latter series is similar in focus, but the city shifts from New York to (you guessed it) Los Angeles.

Family Matters {April Tatro}
(1980's & 90's ABC & CBS situation comedy)
"...An episode of Family Matters had a visit to a rich man's mansion, with April Tatro in the role of "The Living Sculpture".

Feed Your Mind (mid 90's TBS Cable series)
"A recent (Saturday 3/8/96) segment featuring Elena Lev of Cirque du Soleil was shown, showcasing her extreme flexibility.

Fitness America Pageant {Various Performers}
Regular coverage in a 30 minute format (on ESPN2) of the intermediate rounds leading up to the finals. The finals are shown in a two hour format, on both ESPN and ESPN2.

The Gong Show {Various performers}
(late 80's Chuck Barris-syndicated TV series) "The most inane and zany talent acts were featured on this show, and if an act was TOO much of a dog, then one (or more) of the panel of four celebrity judges would ring a giant gong to send the act on it's way (mercifully). A number of dancers, acrobats and contortionists appeared here as well, and the show has shown up every now and then in reruns at some obscure time of the night on smaller stations in many markets."
*Pics on the net: [ http://members.aol.com/eyetreats/pagetwo.htm#televis ]

Hooperman {?} (early 90's Steven Bochco-produced, ABC-TV series)
"I wonder if anyone saw the TV show called Hooperman, where John Ritter went to an office, and had a meeting with a man, and there was a girl that held on to him and put her legs behind her head right in front of him. His expression was like, "WOW?". I don't recall the episode, or date, but it was probably 5 to 7 years ago."
[From Robert Banister XBAN.DSKPO27A@dskbgw1.itg.ti.com]
According to later posts, the performer was April Tatro.

In Living Color {Carrie Ann Inaba, Jennifer Lopez and others}
(early 90's Fox TV comedy/variety series) Featured the dance troupe "The Fly Girls" in between skits. Some of the dancers were rather limber, although the most one would see would be splits. The series is currently running on Fox's fX cable channel.

Life Goes On {Kellie Martin}
"An episode of `Life Goes On' features Kellie Martin in a front split"

Lord of the Dance
Riverdance{Michael Flatley and others}
(mid 90's special shown during "beg-a-thon" times on PBS stations around the US; also available on video) "...The PBS special Lord of the Dance, and a companion documentary, The Making of Lord of the Dance, are two excellent shows of modern choreography set to Irish and Scottish music and storytelling, rich in fine dancing, singing, costumes, and perfect male and female dancers' bodies. There is also some limberness, acrobatics, and balletic finesse throughout. The documentary shows much of the gym training and backstage rehearsals that show how physically demanding the production is, with interesting warmups and stretching. Another fine Celtic dance production is Riverdance: The Show."

Madonna: Blond Ambition {Carrie Ann Inaba and others}
Madonna: The Girlie Show
A couple of Madonna's dancers in both of these concert programs would definitely fall into the contortionist category, as showcased in "Vogue" and other selections. Both of these concerts were originally telecast on HBO and are now available on video.

M*A*S*H {Katherine Bauman}
(mid 70's to early 80's CBS-TV series) In an episode of the long-running series "Lt.Col. Henry Blake brings a young blonde lady to the camp who is a former cheerleader. She performs a cheer to music which features backbends and some nice splits."
[From umma@twics.com]
"The girl in that episode of MASH was Katherine Bauman. She appeared in a couple of adult magazines around the time that episode was first broadcast but there were no pictures showing any of her flexibility moves. This is another one from the Miss America Pageant - she was a former Miss Ohio. Sorry, I don't know which year."
[From Bob Forward - rforward@YKnet.YK.CA]

Night Stand {March Maddering}
(Talk show parody series, both syndicated and on E! Cable)
"This talk-show parody's Staff Talent Show episode begins with Dick Dietrich's "secretary/contortionist" getting stuck with her leg over her head and hopping off the stage on one foot."

Oddville, MTV {Various performers}
(30 minute MTV variety series, airing weeknights) This series is a bizarre as it's title. A geekish host, a quiet and bland sidekick, a hyper girl announcer and a guest star preside over an assorted collection of unusual performers, which include on a regular basis, limber performers from the classic (more traditional contortion acts) to the truely odd (the guy who likes to stick all of his toes in his mouth).

One Day at a Time {Mackenzie Phillips}
(Late 70's/Early 80's CBS comedy series - reruns currently on E! cable) "The episode with Mark Hammill as Schneider's kleptomaniac nephew. Before the first commercial, Mackenzie goes into a shoulder stand and brings her legs into the lotus position without using her hands."

Playboy Video Playmate Calendar - 1992 {Jennifer LeRoi} (direct to video production)
"The segment featuring Jennifer LeRoi (she'd be on the box, so it's easy to find out which year I mean) is in two parts, and the second part has a circus theme. At one point, she hangs from a trapeze by her legs, and her abdomen looks pretty good. It's a lot of work for what lasts only a couple of seconds, but it certainly made an impression on me!"
[From Anonymous]

Raquel {Racquel Welch} (direct to video)
A yoga video produced in the mid-80s by Raquel Welch. "Raquel Welch's first workout tape. Yoga poses, including a seated forward bend, with legs straight, bringing toes to the top of the head (yes, Raquel CAN do this)."

Real Funny (April 96 one-shot special - ABC-TV) {Haley Woods}
"Just watched it, and yes it was a stupid show. The Human Bowling ball is Haley Woods from TN. She is 17 and has been a dancer since 18 months old. She appears from a softsided bag, does a bridge, and then a quick interview. Then she challenges and beats the guy that bowls with a Butterball turkey. She rolls while in a backbend. She appears to bend very well. There was also an appearace by Yogi Baird, who is a nasty looking redneck. He plays the fiddle while doing a straddle split between two chairs. I believe he did an appearance in The Running Man or Total Recall, where he does some more bending."
[From silverbk@escape.com (Phil on the Job)]
(**actually Baird was in _Robocop 2_, not the other two films mentioned...--Michael)

Real Sex {Various Performers}
This adult series runs on HBO (also on Digital Multiplex Channels HBO Signature, HBO Plus and HBO Zone), and includes footage of bendy dancers on various segments. This series is rated TV-MA, and includes coverage of items of an adult nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

Renegade {?} (mid 90's USA Network TV series)
"...Renegade, where Lorenzo Lamas had done something special and he is standing in the kitchen and in walks this teenage cheerleader girl, takes her left leg, raises it straight up behind her back and head, and says, "I'm a gymnast. We could have lots of fun.". Of course, then her mom walked in on the scene, and that was that..."

Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In {April Tatro}
(Legendary NBC late 60's/early 70's comedy series)"With special guest star Rita Hayworth. April is Dick Martin's latest infatuation. There are some quick shots of April with her feet behind her head, doing side splits, and backbends. All are accompanied with contortionist humor. ("You have to understand my position.""I'm trying!"..."When the man said 'bottoms up', that's not exactly what he meant."... and so on.)"... "April Tatro's several appearances on this series include being Dick martin's "girl in a box", and being in a dance party, on a table in a human knot while reading a book. She wore groovy psychedelic leotards too! Watch for reruns on cable TV..."

Sabrina, The Teenage Witch { Kerry Norton}
(Current ABC-TV Situation Comedy)
"...the Christmas episode, her cousin visits with a fiancee who's a circus contortionist named Lulu, played by Kerry Norton."

Saved By The Bell {Elizabeth Berkley}
"(TNBC Situation Comedy syndicated on TBS, WGN, and many local stations) "

Sensacionalisimo & Super Sabado Sensacional {Various performers} (both are Univision Spanish-language series)
This series is currently running on Saturday afternoons and Sunday nights on the Univision network, which is both a cable network and a broadcast network (in limited areas). All of it's programming is in Spanish. _Sensacionalisimo_ is pretty much a Spanish-language version of the old ABC series _That's Incredible_, featuring exotic and unique feats, along with singers and other more mundane performers. On occasion, contortionists will appear among their stable of performers.
*Pics on the net: [http://members.aol.com/eyetreats/pagetwo.htm#orient]

Showtime at the Apollo {Various performers} (long running syndicated variety series)
On the "Amateur Night" segment of this program, very limber dancers occasionally appear. This series, broadcast from the historic Apollo Theatre in Harlem, runs in most markets very late on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Soul Train {Various performers}
Long running dance program still in syndication in most markets around the US. Usually, you can find one or more contortionistic dancers on many program segments. This series is still in first run syndication and is running at 12 Noon eastern on cable superstation WGN. "...The music series Soul Train has a regular segment that starts with a shot of a disco glitterball. (The segment is a long-time staple of "Soul Train" and is called the "Soul Train Line" --Michael) Several dancers take a 30-second turn dancing solo under the glitterball. Some of the dancers are limber and good on their feet. A girl would occasionally do a couple of kicks or splits, but some of the guys would to bendier moves and tumbles. Keep watching every week, eventually you will see guys doing every conceivable bend, twist and turn--while upside-down and spinning, or while flipping in mid-air. Unfortunately, these guys do these moves very fast and they wear loose, bulky clothes, but their stuntwork is worth studying nevertheless. Tape it and watch it in slow motion."

Star Search {Various performers}
Late 80's/early 90's amateur contest featuring a dance segment many weeks, a number of limber performers appeared on this program hosted by pitchman Ed McMahon. This series is no longer in production.
*Pics on the net: [ http://members.aol.com/eyetreats/pagetwo.htm#televis ]

Star Trek: The Next Generation {Marina Sirtis & Gates McFadden}
(syndicated late 80's/early 90's science fiction program)
Season 3 Episode: 'The Price' - Short scene with Counselor Troi & Doctor Crusher on the holodeck stretching into splits. The scene was quite short and starts out with Crusher remarking about how flexible Troi was that particular day. Troi shrugs it off and attributes it to being in love."

Star Trek: Voyager {?}
(UPN network program - Wednesday 9P ET/PT)
This week's (4/29/96) episode featured acrobats from Cirque du Soleil as background characters in a virtual reality world. A number of them were in various limber positions, although none of them were focused upon for any great length of time.

The Susan Powter Show {April Tatro}
(short-lived attempt at a syndicated talk show in 1994 by the "Stop The Insanity" fitness guru which was laughable at best) One segment featured an explanation of exercise and stretching, and included April Tatro climbing out of a soft-sided piece of luggage and mimicing the exercises along with Powter and the guest fitness instructor.

Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour {Various performers} (1950s & 1960s amateur contest show)
Like the Sullivan show, goodness knows how many performers appeared on this legendary program.

That's Incredible {Yogi Guy Coudoux and others} (1970's ABC Program)
Among the memorable segments are the legendary episodes with Yogi Guy Coudoux contorting himself into a small clear plexi cube.

Two Guys and a Girl (formerly known as Two Guys, A Girl and A Pizza Place) {??}
Current series running on ABC, which included a limber dancer applying to be a roommate on the series' pilot episode.

200 Years of Circus in America {?} (A&E cable network special; length: 2 hours
A historical account of circuses in North America, including a look at Cirque du Soleil and (presumably) a look at some of their contortionists.

Viva Variety {Sun Tze}
( 30 minute Comedy Central variety series) This series is a more traditional variety series than _Oddville, MTV_ which it seems to be compared to. It includes contortion acts on an occasional basis.

Worlds of Wonder {?} (Discovery Channel program)
One segment of this program hosted by American astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison featured the two Mongolian girls performing with Cirque du Soleil on the "Alegria" tour, in a discussion of how contortionists' bodies are able to bend as easily as they do.
*Pics on the net: [http://members.aol.com/kalaus/second.htm]