Network orders series featuring non-famous hoofers

ABC, the dancin'-est network on television, is bringing yet another hoofing competition to its airwaves.

The network has given a five-episode order to "Dance Machine," a show in which regular folks, not midlevel celebrities or aspiring professionals, compete to see who can do the tastiest tango and jiviest jive. Production is slated to begin in January, the showbiz trade papers report.

For those of you keeping track at home, that's three dance-themed reality shows either on the air or in the works at ABC. The network's "Dancing with the Stars" is one of TV's top-rated shows, and in January ABC will unveil "Dance War," which is headlined by "DwtS" judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

"Dance Machine" comes from production company RDF USA ("Wife Swap," "Don't Forget the Lyrics"). The company's Greg Goldman created it and will executive produce with Brian Vekosky and RDF head Chris Coelen, who describes the show as "Ordinary people, extraordinary circumstances and a whole lot of money on the line."

Putting the show into production now will give ABC one more option to plug holes in the event of a prolonged writers' strike. The trades note, however, that the network and RDF have been discussing "Dance Machine" for some time.

There's no word yet on a host or other talent that might be involved.