By: Jen Paulson
Chances are anyone in Minneapolis with basic cable has come across “Dancing with Johannah!” on local cable access network MTN. Since its debut in July 2006, I’d only seen moments of it in passing, my first impression being, “Oh my God, this is crazy and it rules.” Since that point I’d been trying to get more information this wonderfully offbeat show, even going as far as typing the following into Google: “cable access, girl dancing in front of fireplace.”
The show’s main asset is the wide-eyed enthusiasm of its host, Johannah Genett. Every episode has a theme of some kind, be it a holiday theme like the Halloween and Christmas episodes, or my personal favorite, the Emotions episode. The camera work has a low-resolution, surrealistic quality and adds to the quirkiness, along with the always-eclectic music choices. If I must impress upon you one thing, it’s this—yes, you have to dance along to get the full effects and rewards of the show.
HowWasTheShow.com recently had the chance to ask Ms. Genett a few questions about herself, her show and, of course, her dancing.
HowWasTheShow: Who are you outside of the Dancing With Johannah universe?
Johannah Genett: I’m a grad student at the College of Saint Catherine. I’m in the Library and Information Science program with the goal of becoming a children’s librarian. I’m an intern at the Minneapolis Public Library. I’m a server at the Bryant Lake Bowl.
HWTS: How did this show come to be and what was your inspiration for it?
Genett: I started this show because I enjoy dancing at home. I thought that if I started this show, others would be inspired to dance as well. I think that a lot of people are intimidated by dancing in public. I hope that watching an untalented, silly dancer on TV encourages people to let loose. Also, I enjoy the absurd aspect of the show. It’s certainly not the sort of jump-cut, in-your-face programming found on mainstream TV.
HWTS: Was it something you thought about doing for quite some time and finally got the opportunity or the guts to do so?
Genett: I had this idea for an interactive dance show for a long time – maybe five or so years. I knew that it was easy to get a cable access show. (In fact, anyone in Minneapolis can have a show on MTN and I encourage others to create their own shows.) It took me a long time to get the show running because of time constraints and finding others to help me with the show. I wouldn’t be making this show if it weren’t for Lisa McGrath, my very talented camerawoman.
HWTS: How do you come up with your themes and song selections? They're especially quirky and not of the norm.
Genett: Surprisingly, very little work goes into the planning of an episode. Sometimes we’ll decide on a theme beforehand, such as the “Twin” episode that was inspired by the fact that my friend Hilary and I owned the same flamingo dress. Other times, we just throw the show together on the spot. The night before we film, Mike Nicolosi (the executive producer and, also, my boyfriend) and I will make a mixed CD of song to dance to. All of the music comes from Mike’s huge record collection. He’s into exotica, girl groups, outsider musicians, moog stuff, 60’s garage rock. We like to pick songs that people may have never heard before while throwing in some off the wall mainstream picks, like ELO or the Bay City Rollers.
HWTS: How'd you learn how to dance?
Genett: I wouldn’t say I even know how to dance. I have received absolutely no formal training. One time I was at Paisley Park for one of Prince’s after-bar dance parties, and I saw him laugh at my dancing. True story. That guy knows how to dance.
HWTS: Where do you film your episodes?
Genett: We film the episodes in my apartment, although we are currently working on an upcoming episode called the “Submissions Episode” where we’re filming audition tapes at other people’s houses. The guest stars are “auditioning” to be a guest star on “Dancing with Johannah”!
HWTS: What has the viewer response been like? Do you get a lot of feedback from your viewers?
I receive very little feedback. I’ve only got about 100 friends on Myspace. I should do more advertising. It’s okay, though. I like that the show’s kind of small and people happen upon it.
Any weird show-related incidents happen to you?
I’ve had a few people recognize me at work. I had these young guys, maybe 21 or 22, who came into the bowling alley and I was their server. They told me they were big fans of the show. It was the same night that Josh Hartnett was hanging out at the BLB. I found out later we had friends in common when they were telling one of my friends how they met Josh Hartnett and me in the same night. They said that I was way cooler than Josh Hartnett.
What do you enjoy most about doing Dancing With Johannah?
I like the idea that this show is out there – on TV and the Internet -- and people find it and aren’t quite sure what to make of it, but still like it. Most people I hear from love it, but I bet a lot people find it pretty weird. I’m from a small town in Wisconsin, and I showed it to my brothers who still live there and they think it’s strange, but they still love it. It’s a really positive show that’s fun to watch for its own sake.
Dancing With Johannah! Can be seen on MTN Cable Access Channel 16 on Saturdays at 7 p.m. For more information visit myspace.com/dancingwithjohannah.
Artist Info: Johannah Genett
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