S07.E07: The Fresno Curse

[OnceSane]

Quote

Abby and the ALDC try to break a long standing losing streak in Fresno, Calif.; Holly's nerves are frayed when Abby announces the theme for a controversial group dance; Elliana and Maesi's duet brings out the worst in their mothers.

[TomGirl]

Yes, Jill, there is still such a thing as racism in the world today.  Did you really just figure that out??

Edited January 11, 2017 by TomGirl

[tessat]

My 2 cents - the dances - Kalani and Kendall - this just showed what a bad dancer Kendall is - Kalani was so smooth and flowing -  Kendall was jerky, not fluid and looked horrible - it didn't look like they were dancing with imaginary guys

Brynn and Cameron - I didn't care for the dance but those 2 are good dancers and can out dance Kendall any day of the week

Macy and Ellianna - I feel bad for both of them that they couldn't dance as I would have loved to see them perform together. Ylanda needs to go - she's the new Jill. Abby was her old self with the name calling.

Group dance: Wasn't a fan - thought Davianna, Cameron and Nia did portray their characters but Nia's spacing was off throughout.

Glad Brynn / Cameron beat Kendall / Kalani. Before the group dance was announced you could see the girls holding white ribbons - I'd like to know what they were for and where they placed. Of course the group dance won. Jill you're dissillusional - all dances tell a story and this one has been done many times before.

The show itself is dying. We've done the race thing before - like Jill - it's over rated and yes Holly I have been followed in a store, I have been stopped and searched by security when I was a 30 something white mother of 2 and this was in Hills Dept store. Of course nothing was found because I had taken nothing but slipped my son's pacifier in my purse as it had dropped on the floor and was dirty. I've been followed in ritzier shops because I didn't dress the way their other customers dressed who shopped there.

There is still racism - we are not going to stop people's prejudices and the push to do so is alienating those who are not racist, care about gender or nationality. There's more good people than bad.

[DaisyFields500]

I am watching this show right now.  I cannot post a lot right now.  I understand everybody will have different opinions on this highly sensitive topics.  For the poster above, yes there is classism.  Yes, what you have experienced was wrong, and I am glad you handled it with class and strength.  The history of black people in this country is very unique and not like any group in this country.  Blacks have been disenfranchised politically, loss generational wealth, excluded from job opportunities, socially excluded, and loss history of their people.  It is not just profiling people in a store. Racism has negatively affected black life in all aspects in America.  The comparison is just not right.  I understand the two mother's concerns because how Abby has treated others and lacks empathy for others.  

Edited January 11, 2017 by DaisyFields500

[spanana]

Without getting into the specifics, racism most certainly exists.  That doesn't mean white people can't be treated badly or even discriminated against over various things, and I certainly agree that classism exists, but the white experience and black experience are not comparable in that sense.  I am also deeply uncomfortable when people try to stop race discussions or sweep them under the rug.  Kind of the idea that if black folks shut their pie hole and stop complaining about it, racism will suddenly cease existing.  It doesn't work that way.  Jill is an idiot.  No, Jill, there is nothing comparable against the black kids getting typecast as maids and your kid getting typecast as a snobby socialite.   Your experience is not the same as Holly's.

I suspect Jill is the type that thinks because slavery is over and schools are no longer segregated, that everything is fine and dandy and she sticks her head in the sand.   Not understanding that the entire system is set up to keep some people down and that modern day racism often takes the form of microaggressions.

What is left to say about Kendall?  I suspect when this show ends we will likely never see her again outside of maybe on a youtube channel and her own social media outlets.  I much preferred the idea of the Kalani/Kendall duet to the Brynn/Cameron one, but Kendall lost them that first place win (ignoring the scripted part).  That duet exposed Kendall in the worst way since there was absolutely nothing to distract from her bad technique.  Kalani is fluid and graceful and gorgeous and Kendall struggles any time she needs to connect a move.  Technique aside, it's very paint by the numbers.  My foot goes here.  Now I turn, then I kick.  No fluidity or grace.

I didn't care for the choreography to the Brynn/Cameron one at all but they danced it well and technique wise both can out dance Kendall.

Edited January 11, 2017 by spanana

[holly4755]

well the show is dying, but after all these years might as well go to the very end. 

I thought Jill was self centered hateful and ignorant but I Had no idea anyone could be that stupid and enveloped in white privilege, there is no segregation in the US today because it is illegal. She probably thinks that gays are all gay (as in happy) because it is in their name.  I still remember working in NYC in the 60's - yes the 1960's not 1860's, and going into the ladies room when a young girl was putting on her wig, at that point I had learned this person I lunched with  for months was passing as white because the company would only hire blacks as low level clerks and not in "white collar" job like she was in. she then informed me about how the company thought it was forward looking because it had invested in apartments and had black only housing as well as white only housing in manhattan. When I was younger I had black kids I was friendly with but no real black friends since I lived deep in the whites only neighborhood in the suburbs and in college I had not close black friends, But at my first job this was the first black friend that opened my eyes to all levels of racism including why she was passing rather than objecting to their bigotry.  

Edited January 11, 2017 by holly4755

[44taylor]

All I could think while watching is surely, surely, SURELY the producers "forced" Jill and Ashlee to seem ignorant. I can't believe any adult is that naive. Unfortunately, I'm probably wrong.

At least Abby found a character Kendall can play - spoiled, entitled rich girl!

[Absolom]

Ratings:  1.067M viewers and a .33 rating.

[MaryLennox84]

Racial issues aside, I had to laugh when Abby said "We're not going to Fresno for vacation." Clearly, as it's like the crystal meth capitol of the country. 

As someone raised in California, it cracks me up how they're always going to these holes to dance and acting like they're ~in LA~

[holly4755]

once they danced at the high school in my town, We are a small town physically (4 square miles) but it is a nice town, but we are close to manhattan and shows are filmed here.  They just rented out the high school auditorium for one of these dance competitions. David Letterman used to film outside shots in our parks as if it were in NYC. Of course that was when they had a bigger audience, in the second or third year. They may have had a higher budget then. 

[KaveDweller]

Jill is such an idiot. Usually I think she's just a bitch, but this week I think she's stupid. "What do you mean segregated? Segregation isn't legal." She does understand people don't always follow the law, right? That's why we have cops, courts, and prisons.

I feel bad for Elianna, her mom is not making things easy for her.

[Maccagirl]

On 1/11/2017 at 7:17 AM, DaisyFields500 said:

I am watching this show right now.  I cannot post a lot right now.  I understand everybody will have different opinions on this highly sensitive topics.  For the poster above, yes there is classism.  Yes, what you have experienced was wrong, and I am glad you handled it with class and strength.  The history of black people in this country is very unique and not like any group in this country.  Blacks have been disenfranchised politically, loss generational wealth, excluded from job opportunities, socially excluded, and loss history of their people.  It is not just profiling people in a store. Racism has negatively affected black life in all aspects in America.  The comparison is just not right.  I understand the two mother's concerns because how Abby has treated others and lacks empathy for others.  

DaisyfieldS500: So eloquently stated, thank you.  As an upper middle income white woman, I will truly never fully "get it", but I do try to understand racism's impact and brevity.  Thank you for explaining to help us all understand a bit better.

[Maccagirl]

Elianna was brave to go to Abby and apologize for her Mother's actions.  I can only imagine what would have happened if Chloe had done the same a few seasons back?  You never know with Abby.

[leighroda]

Thanks Jill for painting a clear picture of white privilege, you are the epitome of it (I am white for the record, but I do not agree with her statements at all) 

i honestly don't think Chloe apologizing for her mom would have made much difference, Abby seemed to have a deep dislike for Chloe just as much as her mom, she actually bullied Chloe herself, and saw Chloe as Maddies competition and treated her as such. Meanwhile Elianna posed no threat to her precious Maddie, in fact it could be argued she is setting her up to be a "maddie" (I hate typing that btw I really don't think a child should aspire to be a version of another child) Abby has said things that are not nice or flattering to Elianna, but she hasn't outright bullied her (that I have seen, I don't consistently watch anymore).

[RealityCowgirl]

There's acknowledging the obvious, e.g., as a white, middle-class woman I can't completely grasp someone else's very different life experiences even as I want to and I try.

Then there's willful ignorance. Good heavens. How can one go through life - interacting with people, observing, reading the freaking news (or anything else) - and find any of this shocking?

Jill is despicable if she was represented accurately here and stupid if she's allowing herself to be portrayed that way for whatever spotlight she thinks she and her no-talent daughter are getting from participation in this mess.

Edited January 12, 2017 by RealityCowgirl
echo words bad

[Cherry Cola]

I keep getting distracted by the moms' makeup. It looks horrible on all of them! Do they do their own makeup for filming, cuz, geesh, it's bad!

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎1‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 1:59 PM, leighroda said:

Thanks Jill for painting a clear picture of white privilege, you are the epitome of it (I am white for the record, but I do not agree with her statements at all) 

i honestly don't think Chloe apologizing for her mom would have made much difference, Abby seemed to have a deep dislike for Chloe just as much as her mom, she actually bullied Chloe herself, and saw Chloe as Maddies competition and treated her as such. Meanwhile Elianna posed no threat to her precious Maddie, in fact it could be argued she is setting her up to be a "maddie" (I hate typing that btw I really don't think a child should aspire to be a version of another child) Abby has said things that are not nice or flattering to Elianna, but she hasn't outright bullied her (that I have seen, I don't consistently watch anymore).

I agree.  As she's done with many other children, Abby cruelly attacked Chloe's looks, which is unforgivable.  I'm actually surprised Abby hasn't made a crack about poor Elliana's teeth, but then perhaps they remind her of Maddie's pre-braces.  Abby seems very aware and appreciative of girls with conventional beauty.  She endlessly made comments about how pretty Paige was, and she's done the same with Brynn and Kendall.   At the same time, she seems jealous of their looks, and has made frequent comments about being pretty but dumb.  Strangely, I don't remember her commenting much on Kalani's beauty, but then they're careful to edit out Abby's preference for her.

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎1‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 9:37 AM, Sgt Pepper said:

I keep getting distracted by the moms' makeup. It looks horrible on all of them! Do they do their own makeup for filming, cuz, geesh, it's bad!

I think Ashley and Holly look good - clothes, hair, and makeup.  Kira too, even though I can't stand her.  Probably Camryn's mother, I just can't remember her at the moment.  The rest go off the deep end.  The newbies always look pretty bad, as they're still adapting to HD TV.   I prefer the days when the girls, especially the littles, only wore makeup for performances.  I think Nia and Kalani tend toward makeup free at pyramid.

[Maccagirl]

On 1/12/2017 at 1:59 PM, leighroda said:

Thanks Jill for painting a clear picture of white privilege, you are the epitome of it (I am white for the record, but I do not agree with her statements at all) 

i honestly don't think Chloe apologizing for her mom would have made much difference, Abby seemed to have a deep dislike for Chloe just as much as her mom, she actually bullied Chloe herself, and saw Chloe as Maddies competition and treated her as such. Meanwhile Elianna posed no threat to her precious Maddie, in fact it could be argued she is setting her up to be a "maddie" (I hate typing that btw I really don't think a child should aspire to be a version of another child) Abby has said things that are not nice or flattering to Elianna, but she hasn't outright bullied her (that I have seen, I don't consistently watch anymore).

Leighroda:  re: Chloe vs. Elianna:

Exactly my point, and I guess I did not state it so clearly.  Had Chloe offered the same apology, she would most likely been lambasted.  The way Abby treats one student so differently from another (or at least the way it is portrayed) is horrifying.  I can see having your favorites to a point, but to treat them so differently, sometimes to the point of bullying, is unjust.

[leighroda]

11 hours ago, Maccagirl said:

Leighroda:  re: Chloe vs. Elianna:

Exactly my point, and I guess I did not state it so clearly.  Had Chloe offered the same apology, she would most likely been lambasted.  The way Abby treats one student so differently from another (or at least the way it is portrayed) is horrifying.  I can see having your favorites to a point, but to treat them so differently, sometimes to the point of bullying, is unjust.

No worries, I was agreeing with you, just added my 2 cents :)