The National Dance-Off was the first major event of Rydell's 1958–1959 school year.
Hosted by Vince Fontaine, organised by Patty Simcox and the songs performed by Johnny Casino & The Gamblers (Sha-Na-Na), it was a nationally televised dance competition for the Rydell students, anthough a couple non-Rydell were allowed in if and only if they had Rydell dates, Cha-Cha was there as Kenickie's date, and Leo Balmudo as Rizzo's.
Kenickie ran up behind Simcox, who was being booed for her dancing, and lifted her dress above her head, exposing her blue knickers that matched her outfit, he forced her to dance around in a circle with her dress over her head before letting it go. She then ran off crying while everyone cheered and laughed. She was then seen again at the dance when Danny and ChaCha won the competition, she is again teased for her humiliation.
And now for the rules:........................(Rydell student: 'F' the rules!!). If you listen closely, you can hear that.
Game rule one. All couples must be boy-girl. (Putzie: Yeah, too bad, Eugene!!)
Game rule two. During the dance contest, if you're tapped on the shoulder, you must leave the floor immediately or else.
And rule three, anyone doing tasteless or vulgar movements will be disqualified. (Rizzo: That leaves us out! - laughs)
The songs performed by Johnny Casino & The Gamblers were:
- Rock n' Roll Party Queen
- Rock n' Roll is Here to Stay
- Those Magic Changes
- Tears on My Pillow
- Hound Dog
- Born to Hand Jive
- Blue Moon
Dance couples:
- Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsen / Danny and Cha-Cha
- Kenickie and Cha-Cha
- Rizzo and Leo
- Jan and Putzie
- Frenchy and Doody
- Sonny and Marty Maraschino
Kenickie ran up behind Simcox, who was being booed for her dancing, and lifted her dress above her head, exposing her blue knickers that matched her outfit, he forced her to dance around in a circle with her dress over her head before letting it go. She then ran off crying while everyone cheered and laughed. She was then seen again at the dance when Danny and ChaCha won the competition, she is again teased for her humiliation.
During the `Born To Hand Jive' act, Danny and Sandy appeared to be winning the competition, but an apparently drunk Sonny cut in, allowing Cha-Cha to horn in and dance with her ex, Danny. Upset, Sandy left, as Danny and Cha-Cha won the competition.
And to cap it all off, when Danny and Cha-Cha did a celebratory `spotlight dance', Sonny, Doody, and Putzie pulled off a masterful... `cheeky' ... prank: They `mooned' the television cameras during the song `Blue Moon'.