"Dance Moms" on Lifetime

[luvsJack]

We love to watch this show! But, I know this show is far from reality, its just fun to watch.

I have noticed something though, when Abby is alone with the girls she is much nicer to them. I mean she still says things to make them cry sometimes in class and at competitions but I have seen more hugs, more encouragement and more friendly interaction between her and the girls. (not saying a LOT just more than last season).


The lady at Candy Apples acts so ridiculous when it comes to Abby Lee, I couldn't see taking my child there. She really needs to grow up a little.

 

[jrmasm]

Unfortunately, for someone who has no idea what a dance studio is "about" they may perceive this as somewhat true.

It's tough to market to the mother of a 3 year old that might watch this show, evening knowing it's "just TV" but has this preconceived notion that part of it might be true.

I look at it this way.........say one of my DD's had wanted to become involved in an activity & chooses karate. I see a show like this, portraying the karate field in a negative light. I know that it's just TV but I also think to myself, "You know what, I don't want my child to have any experience remotely like that. Let's try something else." She's young enough that the activity really doesn't matter, she just wants to do something. I have now taken karate out of the mix.

These are just my thoughts, opinions and the way I feel about how the show portrays the dance world to those that know nothing about it.

I also have many teacher/owner friends who love the show & some who will never, ever watch it.

I don't think you give people enough credit.

 

[MELSMICE]

I don't think you give people enough credit.

It has nothing to do with giving people enough credit, especially having someone tell one of my strongest students that if she didn't move to another studio she would never be able to dance like Maddie on Dance Moms.

So, actually, I'm living with the reality of this show and the nonsense that it portrays.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

The lady at Candy Apples acts so ridiculous when it comes to Abby Lee, I couldn't see taking my child there. She really needs to grow up a little.

I have read on other internet sites, that Abby Lee and Cathy have actually been friends for years. It's all just for show. They probably get a good laugh about it!

 

[jrmasm]

It has nothing to do with giving people enough credit, especially having someone tell one of my strongest students that if she didn't move to another studio she would never be able to dance like Maddie on Dance Moms.

So, actually, I'm living with the reality of this show and the nonsense that it portrays.

That person is an idiot. You would be better off not dealing with them. No loss in my book.

 

[MELSMICE]

That person is an idiot. You would be better off not dealing with them. No loss in my book.

I know they're an idiot! Believe me, it was not fun dealing with that situation. Can you say DRAMA!

What I'm trying to say is that not everyone has the intelligence to realize that this is just TV............greatly fabricated TV.

 

[TxAnn]

I just started watching this season and I can't find where I can watch last season online. From watching a show earlier in the season, I got the impression that Cathy's dd danced for Abby Lee last year/seson. Do I have that right? What was the reasoning for Cathy's dd to dance for Abby when Cathy has her own studio? Maybe I heard wrong . . .

 

[jrmasm]

I know they're an idiot! Believe me, it was not fun dealing with that situation. Can you say DRAMA!

What I'm trying to say is that not everyone has the intelligence to realize that this is just TV............greatly fabricated TV.

Then the show provides you a public service. It makes the idiots easier to identify!

 

[MELSMICE]

Then the show provides you a public service. It makes the idiots easier to identify!

No, the show does not do that.

 

[jrmasm]

No, the show does not do that.

Fine. Whatever.

 

[lorimay]

Hi everyone-

I have never posted on this thread before, but I do watch Dance Moms.
My daughter danced for 10 years and we were NEVER in any of the situations that happen on this show. It was always a positive experience.

But after reading about the farce that this show is, I realized why Holly was in tears and left the show early.

It must have all been a set-up for Nia and Kendall to dance against each other and then have Kendall win. I am sure that was probably why Holly said her daughter was a "pawn". She even said something to the affect of "this is all very real to her".

So all I can say is shame on everyone affiliated with this show from Lifetime to Abby Miller, who would allow a child to be hurt like that for ratings.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Lori

 

[Magic Mom]

I would imagine that very few viewers believe that all or most studios are like the ones on the show.

I agree. It's TV...entertainment. The majority of people know that's all it is. I love the show, and I have no misconceptions that most dance studios are like Abby's. I don't even think Abby's is usally that bad (off camera.) She's a smart cookie. She knows none of us non dance people would tune in for more than a couple of episodes without the drama. I'm sorry, but the life of a child dance student just isn't all that interesting in it's normal state.

 

[cabanafrau]

I don't think you give people enough credit.

Seems logical enough that most people understand TV is likely exaggerated. However, I sure wouldn't want my business & livelihood on the line in any way, shape or form because the public begins to get a bad impression of my industry simply because of the drama necessary to keep the public tuning in to a reality show.

As a mom with kids in dance for over a decade now, I can tell you that I've been on the receiving of plenty of good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" because of this show. I've joked around plenty myself in my own circle of friends who are dance moms with me -- we never miss the opportunity to bust each other down for any slight infraction we can stretch to fit the "Dance Moms" model. It's all in good fun.

I have also been on the receiving end of more than a few instances of not-such-good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" in several social situations which basically colored me surprised. Interestingly enough each situation involved either a soccer or hockey mom. (Psst, they can give pageant moms a run for their money in my book. ) All I can figure is the show has rendered dance worthy of being mocked. So I guess I really am glad earning my living doesn't involve owning a dance studio right now, no matter how much credit I give the public for having their eyes open about reality TV.

 

[jrmasm]

Seems logical enough that most people understand TV is likely exaggerated. However, I sure wouldn't want my business & livelihood on the line in any way, shape or form because the public begins to get a bad impression of my industry simply because of the drama necessary to keep the public tuning in to a reality show.

As a mom with kids in dance for over a decade now, I can tell you that I've been on the receiving of plenty of good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" because of this show. I've joked around plenty myself in my own circle of friends who are dance moms with me -- we never miss the opportunity to bust each other down for any slight infraction we can stretch to fit the "Dance Moms" model. It's all in good fun.

I have also been on the receiving end of more than a few instances of not-such-good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" in several social situations which basically colored me surprised. Interestingly enough each situation involved either a soccer or hockey mom. (Psst, they can give pageant moms a run for their money in my book. ) All I can figure is the show has rendered dance worthy of being mocked. So I guess I really am glad earning my living doesn't involve owning a dance studio right now, no matter how much credit I give the public for having their eyes open about reality TV.

Yes, I'm sure you are correct. However, let's not forget that many groups (soccer moms, Little League dads, state workers, people from NJ etc.) are ribbed for belonging to the group that they are associated with. It's nothing new. Heck, you did in your post.

As I stated in my first post on this thread, I would suspect that very few viewers of this show believe that the behavior at Abby Lee's studio on the show Dance Moms is normal for dance studios. And I don't believe that all people from NJ are like Snookie either.

 

[MELSMICE]

Seems logical enough that most people understand TV is likely exaggerated. However, I sure wouldn't want my business & livelihood on the line in any way, shape or form because the public begins to get a bad impression of my industry simply because of the drama necessary to keep the public tuning in to a reality show.

As a mom with kids in dance for over a decade now, I can tell you that I've been on the receiving of plenty of good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" because of this show. I've joked around plenty myself in my own circle of friends who are dance moms with me -- we never miss the opportunity to bust each other down for any slight infraction we can stretch to fit the "Dance Moms" model. It's all in good fun.

I have also been on the receiving end of more than a few instances of not-such-good-natured ribbing about being a "dance mom" in several social situations which basically colored me surprised. Interestingly enough each situation involved either a soccer or hockey mom. (Psst, they can give pageant moms a run for their money in my book. ) All I can figure is the show has rendered dance worthy of being mocked. So I guess I really am glad earning my living doesn't involve owning a dance studio right now, no matter how much credit I give the public for having their eyes open about reality TV.

Thank you! Reading your post brought a smile to my face.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

The lady at Candy Apples acts so ridiculous when it comes to Abby Lee, I couldn't see taking my child there. She really needs to grow up a little.

Abby is the red cape and Cathy is the bull. Cathy seemed ok to me outside of her interactions with Abby and the parents at Abby's studio. I must admit to not watching much of the show. So this last episode gave me my first glimpse at Cathy and the Candy Apples Studio itself. She wasn't the total villain I thought she was. She did correct Kendall's lazy leg problem (Something Abby was having trouble with) and Kendall responded. Now how long it took in real time vs show time remains a mystery. I also didn't see the moms being confrontational at Candy Apples that I saw at Abby's studio. I suspect much, if not most of that is the show's doing.

 

[CookieGVB]

And I don't believe that all people from NJ are like Snookie either.

Those of us who live down the shore thank you for that.

 

[cabanafrau]

Yes, I'm sure you are correct. However, let's not forget that many groups (soccer moms, Little League dads, state workers, people from NJ etc.) are ribbed for belonging to the group that they are associated with. It's nothing new. Heck, you did in your post.

As I stated in my first post on this thread, I would suspect that very few viewers of this show believe that the behavior at Abby Lee's studio on the show Dance Moms is normal for dance studios. And I don't believe that all people from NJ are like Snookie either.

I have no problem understanding being ribbed because of being in a certain group. I mentioned soccer & hockey in particular because that's where some recent comments came from, completely out of left field, that were directed at me because they either knew my kids are dancers from past association or it came up at that time. I have seen soccer & hockey moms in rare form, but I know that doesn't apply to all. I have a dear friend who is a soccer mom. She's a wonderful friend. I love her. She's a complete nutter in all matters soccer. I cannot understand it or explain it. She's my friend. I love her dearly. I could never be a soccer mom with her. I am grateful I don't have to try and I get to keep my friend.

I'm not objecting because I'm overly sensitive about being teased or ribbed about something. I'm talking about a real shift in the perception of what it is to be involved with dance through a studio. An outsider hearing us busting each others' chops in our dance group might think we're being vicious with one another. It's all in good fun. Heck, the kids are in on it & we show them no mercy either.

Before the PC police swoop in, the youngest kids are now finishing middle school. We treat one another like family, love them all like they're family -- and take wisecracks right back from all of them like they're ours. If you were listening in you'd probably realize the kids have not been traumatized even a little bit by the smack talk -- because one of their favorite ways to pass the time is, oh, do you remember when we were at Jump and Mrs. Smith said X and then Mrs. Jones yelled for all of us to shut up or she was going to pee her pants if she laughed anymore?

 

[mhsjax]

Abby is the red cape and Cathy is the bull. Cathy seemed ok to me outside of her interactions with Abby and the parents at Abby's studio. I must admit to not watching much of the show. So this last episode gave me my first glimpse at Cathy and the Candy Apples Studio itself. She wasn't the total villain I thought she was. She did correct Kendall's lazy leg problem (Something Abby was having trouble with) and Kendall responded. Now how long it took in real time vs show time remains a mystery. I also didn't see the moms being confrontational at Candy Apples that I saw at Abby's studio. I suspect much, if not most of that is the show's doing.

I have said it before and I will say it again. Cathy and Abby are friends. Abby requested that Cathy be on the show. Most of the time Cathy is smiling when she is fighting with Abby. I bet that almost 98% of this show is fake. Just like when Maddy fell last week, in the real video, she got right up and finished the dance.

 

[luvsJack]

Abby is the red cape and Cathy is the bull. Cathy seemed ok to me outside of her interactions with Abby and the parents at Abby's studio. I must admit to not watching much of the show. So this last episode gave me my first glimpse at Cathy and the Candy Apples Studio itself. She wasn't the total villain I thought she was. She did correct Kendall's lazy leg problem (Something Abby was having trouble with) and Kendall responded. Now how long it took in real time vs show time remains a mystery. I also didn't see the moms being confrontational at Candy Apples that I saw at Abby's studio. I suspect much, if not most of that is the show's doing.

I do have to admit that the mom's at Candy Apples do seem more real and less dramatic. Actually Kendall's mom almost seemed out of place with them .

But, when I saw Cathy making fun of Abby's choreographer, I just thought "oh, yeah that is really mature". And the having her child and the little boy just running across the stage a time or two to keep her team in the younger division is just ridiculous. Maybe its just for the show, but I would be concerned if I was the mom of one of those older girls.