tessa

Not impressed with either of the girls' videos. Mac's was all tricks and very little dance - but Maddie's - I couldn't even concentrate on the moves - that costume was awful - looks like she's in a war torn country or a zombie apocalypse.

Do you have the dates for the NY awards? I'm really surprised Mac is going because as adorable as she is ( and I noticed in a couple of episodes - that cuteness is going away as she grows ) she is no where near the caliber of what Maddie was at that age.

Thanks for the ibtimes link - my gosh the comments after the article are hilarious. Gianna's a sweet girl, get rid of all the moms but Melissa, Nia has big feet get rid of her. I think a good majority, ( those with no dance experience ) think Abby is a normal dance teacher as far as how she trains them and believes this is real reality TV. In this technology advanced world - it seems a majority of people have no common sense and are gullible beyond belief.

Thanks for the links - some of those kids were fantastic and I have to say that watching the juniors - many of whom seemed to be Maddie age when Dance Moms first started - they are just as good as Maddie. The girls were all just lucky that their studio was picked to make the show because there are many talented kids out there.

I think the part was written especially for Maddie. The whole sequence of grabbing her face, her contortions and abstract dance were all parts she's done before in the Sia videos. I don't watch PLL so I don't know if it's ever before contained dance or musical portions. I always thought it was a drama like most shows out there these days. If it is the usual drama - then that sequence was really out of sync with the vibe of the show. I've had pot brownies in my younger days - and I never experienced something so abstract - it looked more like the girl was on a hallucinogen. I know that it was supposed to be a suppressed memory but all pot ever did for me was make me mellow, sleepy and hungry. But Maddie portrayed it well and has another notch on her belt. I would have her continue with her dance classes because I believe this type of work will be brief. The girls supposedly take singing lessons and yet we've never heard of Maddie singing so I'm guessing that isn't her forte and we know she isn't a natural at acting - so she should continue to take classes and concentrate on dance.

I don't think any of these families were hurting before the show and I do know they make a lot at the meet and greats. Jeez, some of the prices charged for a 30 minute class with the girls and Abby was more than a front row seat at the hottest show on Broadway. The only one I see that needed the money was Melissa because her ex and her declared bankruptcy a couple of times and in the beginning she was dating Greg but had not moved in with him yet.

Oh I agree she did perform well but the part probably didn't require dancing. I've never watched the show myself. Her performance just so reminded me of the 3rd Sia video she was in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqjJkgMInZI Maddie's bit on Pretty Little Liars - can't say I'm a fan because she's already being typecast due to the Sia videos. She'll be following the path of Jaime Lee Curtis and doing horror films where she doesn't have to speak. As far as the dance ?, role whatever you want to call it - she did look creepy - she was supposed to represent a dream or suppressed memory that one of the girls had. I wouldn't call it acting tho.

I was just on Facebook and someone had a link to this article. For some reason - I thought the girls and moms would be making more per episode - 2: the article is a month old and look - no comments - maybe the show is phasing out! http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2015/06/02/how-much-do-the-kids-on-dance-moms-make-abby-lee-miller-has-all-the-answers/

gim - made me remember a couple of points! I laughed when Jill told Kira that they're part of the group - not so many weeks ago - she was complaining that Kalani got a solo when they were never on time and begged their way back into he studio after leaving. Jill is the type of person who would throw their own mom under the bus. People may not have liked Christie and Kelly - but when they said something they meant it - didn't apologize for it - and didn't back track. Jill has trashed Lira and Kalani plenty and we would have seen much more if Kalani did indeed aspire to be a triple threat. Abby calling out Kira for sleeping with a guy she's not married to - not only was Melissa messing with her boss before his divorce but she and the kids were also living with him before they were married. Now this is not a big deal to me - it's 2015 and the way things are these days but don't imply someone else is not a good mother because of it. Bringing us to Abby, who was dating a guy supposedly 14 yrs her junior and active in the gay community - and she wants to point fingers as what's moral!

Back to catching up as I just finished watching it. The Kira and Abby fight was awesome and I'm glad that Kira called Melissa out as well as Abby. Kalani is a beautiful girl and dancer. She seems to have a good heart and shouldn't be subjected to this. Fifteen minutes of fame can act adversely if your true dream is dancing professionally and not to be the next Britney Spears. I loved that Maddie was taken down a peg. She's learning hopefully that even though you're America's sweetheart due to the Sia videos = when you compete - most judges throw that aside and judge you as an equal. Abby says she prepares these girls - I'd say not very well. No real dance teacher would walk out on their team in a competition. And if Abby thinks that mothers of prospective student will view this kindly = she's wrong. I had 2 boys so I have no idea what girls' moms would say when it comes to dance. But as a mom - I considered my son's coaches or teachers - not so much in whether they won or lost - but whether they instilled confidence, fair play and giving it your all. A win is never guaranteed, especially in dance as a teacher can tilt the scales with more experienced dancers and just a couple of younger ones to make them qualify for a certain age group and all judges are different. Some will give brownie points to boys - some judges will look more for technique - others for context of the dance and still others for a combination. Some like modern, some jazz, some lyrical. We've seen upsets through out the years for any art or sporting competition that is judged - rather than scored as in bases, touchdowns and strikes. The part with Abby in her bra - I am sure she was doing the quick change thing and didn't expect the cameras to be there - but given her obvious dislike for production and her swelled head - she should realize that the only one that can protect yourself is you and was stupid to set foot outside a door like that. Whether you're Abby Lee Miller or Britney Spears or Shia LaBouf - the media is there to make money - anyway they can - pick through your garbage, be waiting outside a club to watch you stumbling out or taping in a hallway. Again, Abby has created her own problems with letting this whole thing go to her head. She is not and will never be a Travis Paine or Michael Bennet. Who I felt really bad for again is Nia. She's trying to explain what the moms mean and feel and is given the brushoff. Of anyone - I hope Nia can ride this thing to the top. I may not have felt that it was in Holly's best interest to stay here and have questioned her loyalties this season - but her daughter has not only improved so much through the years but conducts herself with respect. I can't tell you how much I enjoy her. In the past I felt bad for her as she clearly was far behind many of the others and yes - I thought they threw her in as the token black - but her growth and maturity amazes me and I can't picture the group without her.

OK - I haven't finished watching this episode yet as one minute the context is available - the next minute it isn't - so Lifetime is having some glitches today. Right from the get go - it surprised me that Mac would be gone all week for her 30 second on screen appearance. When I first saw that she was going to be on the show - I thought it was a much bigger role. Now this had to have been staged and the girls had to have pretty much known most of this dance before, because there is no way Mac would be able to learn this in the evening - when Abby was making so many corrections to the better students during the couple of hours they practiced each day. Gianna is becoming such a b**** and as others have said is no better than Abby. I haven't gotten to the bra part yet or Kira's meltdown so that should be fun. I figure that Kalani will be leaving because the girls are getting to be too old to compete in the junior division without introducing a younger dancer to the group. Abby's attitude to the other choreographer - really rude. And it hasn't been 2 years yet since Tessandra was on AUDC - Abby said 5. And sorry Abs - most professional dance choreographer are in the background - not front and center promoting themselves.

brokefromdance - welcome to the boards! I loved your link and thank you for it! Those two are great and I have to say I think Tate is much more talented than any of Abby's girls just from watching that video. She may be small but her extensions are awesome. Toes are always pointed - shoulders are straight in the turns ( which many of Abby's girls aren't ) and she dosn't fall out of her turns. Loved it!

Gimi - loved this! I hadn't seen that one yet! - I still wish that Travis took over the ALDC and all the old girls would come back to join him/ I can just imagine the beautiful lyrical, funk and hip hop dances he could come up with! Also - can you imagine Travis trying to teach a bunch of prisoners that here in a US prison? Wouldn't happen - in other countries, prisons are run with an iron fist - here to many of the guys - it's just another day in the park. That was probably a real treat for those guys in the Phillipines.

I think you both misunderstood me - I'm not dissing home schooling - I know many people who were home schooled and will out perform any one who went to a reg school. The point I was trying to make is the idea of homeschooling was so the girls would be able to get in more hours at the dance studio aka Melissa. We know how Melissa feels about the girls dance, singing ect classes - I just feel Melissa does not value education as much as she does something she feels will gets her girls farther along in the entertainment community. We've heard Kristie, Kelly and Holly all make comments about the kids have school or another extra curricular activity besides dance - these kids to me are more well rounded instead of pigeon holed like the Zeigler girls.

Definitely not a Maddie fan but I think you hit it on the head tho Loves. We've seen little things from Maddie that suggested she thought she was better than everyone - and at the age of 8 - that comes from constant praise and adulation from certain adults. This has only gotten worst but in a way - I can't blame the kid. Melissa and Abby really created this. And what kid wouldn't get a bit cocky and brag - when you're the one chosen and put in the national / universal spotlight. Chloe and maybe Nia would be more thankful and gracious, I think, if in the same situation - both have been beaten down but have a very supportive family - and those two are intelligent and good students. Grade wise - we don't know where Maddie falls, we know she's home schooled but we know Melissa did that so they had more time to dance - hence - to Melissa - education is not as important as getting your kids ahead. I think Melissa was probably a very shallow person herself - or completely ostracized by her peers and thus wants success and notoriety for her kids.

I haven't watched the Bachelor or Bachelorette on a reg basis for a few years as it seemed most contestants had ulterior motives rather than the rel motive of finding love. I'm surprised at Sharlene's article as I didn't think she had much to do with the Bachelor alum. I found her to be more refined and mature than a lot of contestants on the show. We all know that the scenes are heavily edited in any reality show - but again - due to that these contestants need to consider what consequences they face with every action. I personally have had a couple of one night stands in my younger days - but if I was on national TV - I would never embarrass myself nor my family like she has. I can't believe that any of those guys would think this behavior was acceptable and stay, but they're probably thinking ahead to being the next Bachelor.

Mac's latest venture on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn - Although I think she did OK as the other stars acting is pretty weak - she did much better than Maddie in Drop Dead Diva https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZboA5Z_TCOY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fuxgnlCcpE

OH - the comment to Abby about her mom being proud of her - again - I call fake - there is no one appearing on that show that does not know that Abby's mom passed away.

Boy - this was an emotional one - I can't tell you how many times I started to tear up with Jojo. I loved her dance and felt she did so much better than Kendall and should have at least placed before her. Kailley from the MDP was beautiful and she should have won. I also enjoyed the DP group dance and was not surprised they took first. As I've said before - I watch the episodes the day after on Lifetime and by the end of the tape - everything is choppy so I have to go to youtube to watch the dances - but what I did notice on Lifetime, due to the choppy stills - Kenzie was off in placement throughout most of the dance. She was too far left. Kenzie has shown some beautiful faces in he past and I think this episode was a farce as to why she couldn't have the lead. The behavior of the MDP girls was I'm sure producer driven, with them not knowing what was going to come out of Abby's mouth. They did do a pretty good representation of Abby with the doll tho. I think Abby knew how good the MDP soloist was going to be and that is why she didn't let Maddie have a solo. And Abby having Maddie go out there to psych them out - come on Abby - don't lower yourself or teach these girls to be like you - so cruel. You need to teach kids to be the better person - not stoop to others levels. Now did Melissa really tell her good friend Jill to go to hell? I was watching past seasons the other day where Jill went to Candy Apples and how she and Melissa use to meet still as they were such good friends. I don't doubt they get along - just 2 peas in a pod. I do have to say that Abby was nicer this week - they must have gotten her meds straightened out.

gimi - you may be right - that was the one I may have been thinking if - but again - all those talk shows are producer driven. Bring out the worst in people and have them go after each other for the audience enjoyment.

Correct - all these reality shows are heavily edited and producer driven. Producers suggest things or put ideas in the contestants or participants heads and then sit back and see what happens. On Survivor and Dance Moms - there's the talking heads moments where cast and crew converse, on Big Brother - you have the diary room. A while back one reality show cast member killed another one and it was brought out in court about these shows being producer driven and how producers sometimes manipulate things for situations to occur.

Well she's had plenty of experience from her acting in the Sia videos! But if that is all she brins to the table - as far as the industry is concerned as they have type casted her with this type of role - it's going to be hard to break out of that perception.

I forgot about that! Score 1 for Jesslyn! No wonder Melissa and Abby get along so well - whenever someone points out a negative against Maddie - they both come up with childish replies. I don't tweet or instagram - but I did post of my dislike of the video on Facebook and ah - sorry to tell you Melissa - most of us are 35 yrs + commenting on there. Melissa is a very spoiled woman. I did some background searches on Melissa and Greg. Melissa and Kurt had to declare bankruptcy a couple of times I think while they were married. Melissa reminds me of my mother ( who I adore ) but she's a compulsive spender and my dad worked until 70 so they could pay off the bills - which she has since worked back up there. I'm sure between the dancing, competitions and giving the girl every thing they wanted - Kurt and she neglected the other things. Now Greg, not at all what I expected him to look like - is older than Melissa and is a vice president at Westinghouse. Both Melissa and the girls moved in with him prior to his messy divorce. I guess Abby's studio was doing OK until the economy went sour. This was after she had already remortgaged the studio to do updates. Greg steps in to bail her out. The latest is that Melissa and Greg as of Jan 2015 have moved out of their old home in Pittsburgh and into a newly built home, also in Pittsburgh but in a more upscale neighborhood.

Just from the dance teachers and choreographers that I know - no one thinks much of Abby. They don't feel she's any better than the rest of them when it comes to choreography ( most not her own we know ) and that her teaching methods do not bring out the best in especially a young dancer - no matter what you're preparing them for. And with all the preparation she's given them, as at some point they will lose to someone else, whether it be a competition or job, I don't think these girls act any differently than any other child when it comes to losing. Chloe was a gracious loser - but I think that just was her nature. Travis appeared to be taking the whole incident between Abby and Jojo in and I think he really didn't expect it from his expression. He obviously knew the kid needed positive reinforcement and he was gracious enough to give it. Despite all the Michael Jackson stories, I honestly believe that Michael was a very good and kind hearted person. I believe if he was tough on anyone - it was himself. The fact that Travis worked with him for so many years says a lot about both of them. I'm wondering what kind of turnover, as far as teachers, Abby has in her studio. I've always questioned the insertion of Gianna into the tapings. We know that Gianna does at least some if not a lot of the choreography but a lot of the other staff are also talented and much more well known. Gianna is an Abby Alum - ( past Maddie in Abby's eyes probably ) We heard Gianna's name mentioned a few times season 1 but I don't think it was actually until the end of season 3 or 4 that she became a more reg cast member. In the first few years, she seemed nice and the girls like training with her but once she became more of a reg - she turned into a mini Abby. Matt Saffron does the tap and hip hop at ALDC and I'm assuming that he teaches Maddie her tap classes. He used to teach at TapDogs until sometime in 2014 and was previously one of the tappers in their US shows. He's suppose to be a great choreographer for tap. Link to 1 of the routines - these guys are good! Rachael Thoma has a Business Management minor and she's probably who takes care of the books. Here's her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/rachael.thoma James Washington - contemporary jazz and hip hop teacher - another great choreographer. http://abbyleedancecompany.com/faculty/#/636 1 of his pieces with Payton The other couple also seem to be fairly new to Abby's studio. I wonder if some of the teachers left once Abby's head got so big and maybe Gianna threatened to do the same unless she got more credit.