who else is watching "Dance Moms"?

[Anonymous]

Nia can't dance, period. I don't understand why as smart as her mom, Dr Principal Holly, did not see this long time ago... maybe she's a DCUMer lost in Pittsburgh

[Anonymous]

She just doesn't dance as well as some of the other girls, and she's crazy flexible. But she will never be the teacher's pet. I keep thinking she would do better in gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

This show makes me so sad.

How do these girls actually learn to dance? That Abby Lee surely isn't demonstrating the moves.

[Anonymous]

My friend in a Midwestern state has a daughter in a very similar school with a similar program, purpose, etc.

She says the show is dead on, although the teacher is maybe 25% "more" than the typical competition dance teacher. But not too far off, actually.

The moms, she said, are accurately portrayed. As with the show, there's a true variety ranging from insane has-beens living through their girls to evidently intelligent women trying to give their girls what they ask for while not guaranteeing an anxiety disorder.

[Anonymous]

9:04 - I would guess the former is more prevelant, no matter where you live!

[Anonymous]

I grew up in this area and can tell you it is 90% accurate!!

And I went to several studios around the DC area.

Not saying it is right --- but Its true to life and I am addicted to this show! As PP said -- the moms run these studios which is sad and I feel bad for the girls. there are always the MOMS who are teachers pet and the other kids get blamed

[Anonymous]

Love the show!

I think Nia probably doesn't waste here whole life there at the dance studio and actually does *gasp* school work instead.

Maddie is talented but then again after watching dances week after week they all seem the same and at times a bit spastic.

I met someone recently who knows a family that actually attends the Abbey Lee dance studio and in fact much of the show is fabricated (big surprise!) for example the pyramid, the new dance every week, the conversations, etc...

I do wonder if Cathy is acting and Vivie so clearly wants nothing to do with dance.

[Anonymous]

Agree wth pps its about 90% accurate for most of these competition dancers.

I used to compete at all the ones featured on the show (Starpower, OnStage America, etc.) and the studio owners can be ruthless with their reputations. Moms even as good as mine is, can also get sucked into it and before they know it they are the typical "stage mom".

I love watching it because I did this for 15 years and watching it from the other side as an adult now is funny...and a reality check.

[Anonymous]

I started watching it yesterday during the marathon, and I was quickly sucked in. I have a DD who I thikk would love dance. She's only 3, but she loves music of all kinds, loves to move her body to music, and has always been ridiculously strong/toned/muscular/whatever the word is for a 2yo with a six pack. I would never want her in this kind of environment. Do you think there's a way to dance without the drama?

[Anonymous]

to 10:52 Yes there can be dance without the drama. But as with anything (soccer, LAX etc) once you get to a certain level... the competitive nature of the "sport" takes over.

Your 3 year old willl LOVE dance -- One class once a week is not the same as 15 hours a week like most of these older girls do.

[Anonymous]

I've been struck by how Nia seems to have a certain maturity that the others - moms and daughters - lack. She doesn't do drama - she's calm and just forges ahead. Maybe she's an "old soul," as they say.

[Anonymous]

Holy cow! I saw this for 10 minutes yesterday (kids were at the "Star Search Dance Competition" or something, dressed like HO-bags. I was actually encouraged to see two of the moms pull that fat-ass crazy Abby Lee aside and say, "we're upset because our daughters looked like hos". I would've totally watched more of this train wreck... but my kids walked in, and I didn't want them exposed to it!

[Anonymous]

I watched that show for the first time last week while lying in bed at the hospital - and all I could think was "Holy crap, how can a woman like Abbey Lee be a dance teacher??"

Seriously, I took classical ballet classes when I was a kid, and our teacher was a former professional ballerina, barely 100 pounds, and in great shape. Don't know what Abbey Lee's background is but just looking at her I can't help but wonder - could she ever dance herself??

[Anonymous]

PP, what do you mean about dance school reputations?

[Anonymous]

What are the dance schools in this area that are as competitive as the one on the show? Most schools I've seen are really relaxed (joy of motion, ballet petite)! Just curious...