Diddy Producing Untitled Dance Series For MTV

MTV announced an agreement today (May 24) to produce a pilot for an untitled dance competition series produced by Sean "Diddy" Combs, producer of the successful Making the Band series that airs on the music network. According to reports, Combs' untitled show will focus on street dancers from around the country. Combs announced a first-look production agreement with MTV in March of 2005. "It gives me a chance to create content but it also doesn't limit me to do things outside," Combs noted after signing the deal. The new series comes on the heels of Combs' reality show Celebrity Cooking Showdown, which aired on NBC. The show, hosted by Alan Thicke, featured various celebrities racing to complete a fancy meal before a studio audience. NBC was originally scheduled to run the series for five consecutive nights beginning April 17, but canceled it in April, with two episodes remaining. In related news, Combs will reprise his Broadway role in the stage classic A Raisin in the Sun. Combs will star in the TV version of the play, which will also feature cast members Phylicia Rashad, Audra McDonald and Sanaa Lathan. Combs starred in revival of the play, which was nominated for four Tony Awards in 2004. A Raisin in the Sun originally opened in 1959 and featured Sidney Poitier, Louis Gossett Jr. and Ruby Dee.