Ledger Pop Journal - Celebrity News & Sports

Michael Flatley's re-emergence on the entertainment scene started with his hosting of NBC's current "Superstars of Dance" competition show -- and there's more to come. The Irish-American dance great says he's training hard these days and feeling "close to 100 percent" back from the mysterious whole-body infection that landed him in the hospital and caused him to cancel a string of shows in 2006, a condition he now calls "a little bit of a health scare that set me back for awhile."

Superstars of Dance Host Michael Flatley Wants a New Yankee Doodle Dandy

At the top of Flatley's list of prospects: "I want to do an updated remake of 'Yankee Doodle Dandy.' It's a perfect time. We have a new president; it's a new day. I love that number and love James Cagney, and certainly always admired George M. Cohan," says the Chicago-born-and-bred dancer, who lives with his wife, dancer Niamh O'Brien, and their baby son in Castle Hyde in County Cork, Ireland -- when they're not in residence at their London, Chicago, France or Barbados homes. He adds, "America needs a real patriotic shot in the arm right now, and I think that would be priceless. I've got my eye on a composer and a costar."


And, tips Flatley, viewers who keep their eye on "Superstars of Dance" will get a taste of what he has in mind before the show is over. Flatley says he's already been in preliminary talks on the project, and expects to produce it himself. "I like to produce and direct my own things."

Right now, he's in Barbados, where "you get good vitamins from the sun, which always gives you a bit of a boost. It's good for the heart and soul. I feel good now, ready for new challenges." Flatley, whose Lord of the Dance troupes continue to perform across the United States and Europe, adds that he's also looking at other new ideas. "I'm Irish. We'll try anything once," he declares.