John Watts performed the first televised example of the robot dance aired on the Johnny Carson show, guest hosted by Bill Cosby in 1978. Ounanian and Watts met randomly through a gang intervention organisation.
An abridged account of the collaboration:
SCENE: Ounanian and Watts are milling about after a 2nd Call meeting
OUNANIAN: Oh hi John. Nice T-shirt – you look good today. WATTS: Thanks Steve. OUNANIAN: (sheepish and sprawling) So John, I had this idea last night... I was wondering... Do you ever think about coming up with an updated robot dance? WATTS: You mean, in light of the advancements made in robotics and technology? OUNANIAN: Yeah, that's the thing. WATTS: Let me show you something Steve...
{Watts pulls out a folder of clippings regarding robotic technologies, which Watt has collected from Scientific American and other magazines}
WATTS: You know, a real robot dance, has to tell a story about the robot you are depicting. These are my stories Steve. OUNANIAN: Cool.
{A few days pass until Ounanian and Watt's next meeting}
SCENE: In Ounanian's studio, where a green-screen and a DJ are set up, Watts enters dressed all in black.
OUNANIAN: Hi John. So, I made this video about different robots I think are important. Perhaps you could choreograph your moves to this and then we could composite you over the top. What do you think?
WATTS: Let's do it Steve.