Welcome back, Dance Moms nation. Quick poll before we begin. Raise your hand if you swore you were done, that’s it, finis, and never coming back after the end of last week’s episode … and you did it anyway. Raise your hand if you are checking the recap first to see if you can handle watching this week’s episode before you actually do. Raise your hand if you think what Dance Moms really needs is a whole lot less of Maddie and Mackenzie, Chloe and Kendall, Nia and Paige and Brooke and Asia.
You have been warned.
We start this week in Los Angeles where Abby informs us that she does not miss her students at all. Because that’s what you want in a dance teacher — someone who cannot wait to be away from her dancers. Abby and her buddy, Dance Moms co-creator John Corella, are on the hunt for a location for ALDC West. ALDC LA, if you will. And they’re starting at some place called Evo — fairy looking thing — ve dance studio. Where you can Get Fit & Sexy Now!
Oh. Hold the phone. It’s not a plain old dance studio. It’s a “Pole Dancing and Exotic Arts Studio.” Because that’s what you want to have on a show ostensibly about children’s competitive dance. But they do offer Groupon and Living Social deals and also pole parties, so that’s good to know.
Sure enough, the professional-cheerleader-looking receptionist agrees to give them a walk-about in the place, beginning with the Pole Room. Abby protests that she’s looking for a pole-free establishment, but she gives one a whirl anyway.
Abby decides that Kelly would make a better pole dancer because Kelly failed at regular dance (which I am sure would warm the cockles of the pole dancers’ hearts if they overheard her saying that), plus she’s always taking her clothes off. Then she heads for what I guess is the Silks Room and reveals a little secret: She’s checked with a structural engineer to see about getting some silks installed back in Pittsburgh. She wants to be among the first studios in the area to offer that type of dance. She’s got a little Cirque obsession going on.
Abby says she likes the space, but she’s not so sure it’s good for teaching children (clutch my head, clutch my head). Still, she might come back to take a class or two her own self, which I hope we get on film. Also, she’s pretty sure she’s coming to Cali one way or another, and that Maddie and Mack will follow her lead. As for the others, who cares? They can stay in Pittsburgh with the newly installed silks.
From Hollywood to Candyland, where the boys, Cathy and Anthony all got the ”wear red” memo and the latest three imports did not. Mick and Gino are gone. Hadley and Yvette Walts are here. Frankly, they both look a little dubious about the situation, but Yvette says that she was thrilled when Cathy called to invite her to join up with the Apples, because she and Cathy have the same goal: to tear Abby down the way Abby tore Hadley down on AUDC with her roadkill remark.
Then Yvette gets teary-eyed and says Hadley can’t wait to perform again for Abby and show her how much she has improved. Well that’s lovely, but you do know that she will be performing for Cathy, right, Yvette? And that as long as you’re doing that, Abby won’t give a herd of flying monkeys about how much Hadley has improved? Just so we’re clear.
Next newbie is Campbell, daughter of Alli.
Alli is big fan of lipstick and says that people fall in love with Campbell whether she’s onstage or off. Cathy says Campbell has amazing stage presence. I secretly hope Campbell also has a brother named Glen, just because I am like that.
Last of the newbies is a timid looking little muffin named Mari, who is the daughter of Gina. Not Zach’s mom Gina. The other Gina. We’ll call her Eyeliner Gina.
Eyeliner Gina is also a dance teacher, but she says she wants Mari to dance for Cathy because she is a leader in the industry and can make Mari famous, which apparently the home studio cannot. You sure you want this kind of famous, Eyeliner Gina? Because it doesn’t really have all that much to do with dance. Just so we’re clear.
Cathy says that even though this is the dream team she hoped to establish, the children’s places on said team aren’t secure until she says so, and someone may still go home after all. This is because she prefers to choreograph dances with uneven numbers. Also, she wants to be certain that everyone there has her back.
Look at this! The Apple Parents have a lounge of their own now! Or at least a sectional sofa and some tissues and Purell. In what looks like the costume room. Also, they have to watch what’s going on in the studio via a television. But you know. Baby steps.
The Apples group dance this week will be about the dawning of puppy love — which is what got poor Gino kicked out in the first place. While the kids begin to work on it, the parents talk amongst themselves. Eyeliner Gina — whom a) I’ve decided is my new favorite Dance Mom and b) whose name I am going to change to Gina Collins because she’s the very spit of Jackie Collins …
… worries that the dancer who does get eliminated is going to be totally humiliated. Plus she put her whole entire life and her businesses on hold to give Mari this big break. I predict Gina Collins will be gone by the end of this episode just because of that revelation. I hope not, though. I need you, Gina.
Gina Collins gets off on the wrong foot with Rick immediately by pointing out Jalen’s affinity for spinning on his head. “He can do a lot more than spin on his head,” Rick protests, while we watch footage of him spinning on his hands, break-dance style, for the purpose of example. Gina Collins is undaunted. She points out that you can pretty much take anyone off the street and teach him to spin on his head, while her daughter is a trained pirouette artiste. Rick says, well, you can also take anyone off the street and teach him how to spin like that, too. The conversation holds up for about another 40 seconds before Rick storms out of the room. Yvette says she’s glad for that, because yelling is not how she rolls. Nick’s mom, Donna, says Gina has to understand that Rick’s all hot-tempered like that because he comes from the street, yo. So I imagine we could probably teach him hip-hop pretty fast.
Back in L.A., Abby continues her dance studio tour, reminding us that she sure as heck does not intend to die in Pittsburgh, plus all the little wannabe stars in La La Land need her guidance desperately. She says that while she’s out here ramming around Cali-style, the kids better be back there in Pittsburgh working their left-behind arses off. And they are.
Their mothers, on the other hand, are at Mohan’s, shooting tequila. Mmmmm! Tequila! Right, Melissa?
Mmmmm!
Jill says the reason for the mom’s sudden conviviality is not having Abby around to terrorize everyone. Christi wonders how Abby is going to be accepted in skinny-obsessed L.A. Kristie says, believe it or not, they love her out there. And there’s a lot more tyrants just like her, so she’ll even blend. Kelly wonders what will become of them if Abby does go to L.A. and Jill says that the Pitt studio is all but doomed. Holly wants to know if Cathy will keep coming after them in the meantime. Christi says oh yes, even it means she has to enter herself in the competitions. Then we lift some Cosmos to an Abby-free world.
Back in Ohio, the cows are fighting, but Anthony is talking to the kids about love. More specifically, kissing. Ewwwww! Right, kids? Oh. I guess not. Campbell fesses up to having a boyfriend, until she realizes that her mother can hear her. Then she owns it anyway. People love her onstage and off after all. Jalen says he’s not sure if he’s ever been kissed on purpose, but one time someone’s lips accidentally slipped onto him, so does that count?
Oh no. Gina Collins and Mari are already missing. The hell!? I get Gina for 10 minutes of comic relief and that’s it? They fled already? From the look on Rick’s face, I’m also a tad worried she could be in the trunk of his car.
Donna volunteers to call Gina Collins to see what’s up and GC says that Mari is really sick and throwing up, but she should be back tomorrow, so no harm done. Plenty of time to perfect the dance. Cathy shows up to do a “mental head count” — insert your own joke here — and notices Mari’s absence. She isn’t pleased. The Apples are going to Dance USA in Youngstown, Ohio, and Cathy says if she can’t conquer her own backyard, how can she conquer the world? Full participation is mandatory. No room for barfing dancers. But we mustn’t be hasty, because Jalen and Campbell are in the weeds with Anthony’s choreography. Might be time to call in a backup.
Cathy doesn’t even bother with Kaya’s given name and just rolls with “Black Patsy.” She says Black Patsy is a lovely lady, far as she’s concerned. I start counting the seconds till Black Patsy and Rick get a load of each other and we potentially get our first-ever Dance Moms cage match, without the cage.
Well I guess this settles it: There’s an Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition makeup room. So we must be having a Season 2. Especially since Abby starts getting overhauled by a makeup lady. In the meantime, John Corella gossips with her about Cathy. John thinks someone from the Pitt Crew should go scout the Youngstown competition since the girls won’t be competing against them, just to see what they’re in for next time they do.
Back in Ohio, Mari’s back and Cathy’s ready to hand out solos. Zack gets one. Hadley gets one. Donna is irritated that Nick is always an also-ran. Can someone get her Christi’s number real quick?
Anthony’s dance for Hadley is called The Golden Couch and it’s about being a woman. Er, what? Oh. It’s about being glamorous. Not the casting couch. I’d still call it something else if I were him. Zack’s solo is called “Puppet.” Anthony’s pulling a Reverse Pinocchio and turning Zack from a boy into a puppet.
And here come the Wileys. Cathy apparently neglected to tell the rest of the troops that she summoned them, because everyone on the Parent Couch looks mortified — particularly Yvette, who has gone a round or two with the franchise’s other bully mama Kristie and almost got her block knocked off.
Nicaya has grown up a ton since we first saw her. She and Hadley both look like bona fide teens. Anthony’s nonplussed at the late entry into the field and orders Nicaya to get in the back row and understudy the other dancers. Kaya — who’s had herself a serious Jill Vertes makeover since we saw her last — comes back to the Parent Sofa and stares down the other parents.
Anybody else worried we are on our way to a completely Pitt-Girls-free episode? Atta boy, JC, Superstar Executive Producer. We tell you we want more of the girls and you treat us to none! That’ll show us!
When we come back from commercial, it’s time to find out who has been voted off First Kiss Island. Cathy takes little Jalen’s hands in hers and he looks up at her balefully.
Psyche! Cathy cuts Campbell, instead. Regular Gina doubles over with surprise. Campbell begins to cry. Cathy tells her to sit and watch the other dancers and learn from them, for all is not lost yet. Alli gathers up her wailing girl.
Come competition day, Jill has brought along Holly and Kelly for spy-tech backup. They marvel at how they’ve never done Dance USA before (and until it merges with in10sity Dance, they never will). The ladies get themselves a program and are disappointed to see that no actual names are listed — only “CADC dancer.” No shortcuts to be had here.
Backstage, Zack calls out “I’m changed!” and appears looking for all the world like Steve Urkel in red boxer briefs. Zack says he would prefer not to appear in public dressed like that. Cathy agrees. Gina agrees. Lori agrees. Cathy and Anthony have it out about the necessity of the “Speedos” to the success of the dance. Anthony says Zack will not do as well if he doesn’t go out there wearing the tighty-reddies. Zack and Gina begin to cry. Misery. It’s not just for the Pitt Crew any more.
Zack says the goofy outfit has undermined his confidence. Then he disappears and reemerges in regular old black dance pants. I’ll give Anthony this much: He now just looks completely like Urkel and not very much like a puppet, save for the red circles and black mouth lines drawn on his face. But he also doesn’t look like a miserably uncomfortable little boy either, and that’s much better.
I suppose after last week, we should really have known that Jill doesn’t understand the subtleties of being a successful spy. This time she decides to do it by marching straight to the consulate of the enemy and knocking on the door to announce her arrival.
Pretty exciting stuff, huh, Viv?
Yvette says she’s thrilled at the intrusion — mostly because I’m sure she was mortified to learn that her plan to show Abby how much Hadley had grown was solidly derailed by Abby not actually, you know, being there. At least someone from ALDC is.
It takes a minute for the Pitt trio to recognize Kaya beneath her Jillification, but once she opens her mouth it’s a done deal. She and Jill promptly get into it about whether or not Kaya was kicked out of the competition after their last encounter, or whether the Wileys left of their own free will. Kelly says she thinks Kaya’s makeover looks more like Holly than Jill, but I still think Jill. It’s the bangs.
This time it’s the Pitt Crew’s turn to take the row behind the Apples instead of vice versa. Cathy says they smell. Hadley’s solo goes first. It’s the sort of solo Abby usually gives Kendall, and she does it well. She’s also been practicing her turns since we saw her last.
Yvette howls her approval.
Zack’s next. Aggggh! Scary!
I love almost everything Zack does, but this dance isn’t my favorite. Let’s just call it an interesting experiment and go back to letting the boy do what he does best, which is beautiful, lyrical dances that show off his grace.
Jill says no matter how well they do, these dancers will always be imports, unlike the ALDC’s homegrown dancers.
Abby calls in from the AUDC set to see what Jill has learned thus far. Jill has learned this: Hadley (“You mean Roadkill?” exclaims Abby) and Yvette are here, and so are Kaya and Nicaya. And Cathy is still a pain in her ass. Abby is now updated.
Quick look at the ALDC dancers dancing with hats. Oh oh. Hats. Bad news for Chloe.
Backstage in Youngstown, Yvette and Anthony bond, which gets on Gina Collins’ and Kaya’s nerves something fierce. Yvette says her apple red dress proves she’s a team player. Right? Right, you guys? Then she drops the hooey and tells the other two to wise up: It’s the choreographer who picks the dancers, not Cathy. Kaya, forgetting to be Holly on the inside, too, says that’s why Yvette is up Anthony’s ass all day. Ouchie.
Then Kaya tells Yvette she’s just living vicariously through her daughter. This from the woman who gave herself a nickname culled from Patsy Ramsey, the horrifically doomed woman she considered the ultimate stage mom.
Whoa. What just happened here? All of sudden, Regular Gina throws her head back and hollers, “THE KIDS ARE COMING! DON’T YELL AT ME AGAIN!” No one was yelling at you, Regular Gina. Not that we saw, anyway. Also, you scared me! Stop! You’re the sane one, remember?
Cathy, wearing her girdle on the outside, or maybe her weightlifting belt, wants to know what all the bickering is about.
Everyone starts talking at once until Regular Gina’s voice rises above the din again to tell Yvette to sit down and be quiet because no one is going to let her win. Cathy says the only winning we need to concern ourselves with is the dancers. I want to know what’s gotten into Regular Gina.
Group dance time. Huh. I’m not sure what’s going on here. The girls are dressed straight out of a ’50s beach movie. The boys are in pink polos and cargo shorts. Now Zack is dragging Hadley. Now Nick is whirling Mari. The music is really loud for being about a first kiss. Tadaaaaa! Well OK. I guess you had to be there. I hope you had to be there, anyway. It would have been nice to see the dance as a whole. Kelly says they are still no threat.
Zack’s solo gets third in the junior division. Anthony stands by his Red Tighties For Victory assessment. Hadley’s solo gets second in the teen division. Cathy says that doesn’t upset her. I’m guessing because she never keeps dancers around for very long anyway.
The group takes the win. Even so, Cathy says she needs to pare down her team and before she does it, she needs to talk to her own personal dance Yoda about it. That would be Viv. And then — in the episode’s ultimate insult, if you ask me — we don’t even get to see her talk to Viv about it over some sort of dessert. Why must we be punished so!
Abby’s on the phone again, this time calling Gianna to see who’s been coming to class in her absence and who’s been skipping out. Then she doesn’t say word one about that. She tells Gia that she and John have found a potential spot in Beverly Hills for ALDC LA. She tells Gia she sent Jill to Youngstown to watch the Apples dance. She tells Gia she has to go catch some rays now. Then she hangs up.
Meeting up with the Apples in the hallway, Kelly asks Viv sociably why she didn’t dance today. Cathy takes offense. Forgetting that Holly would never say a swear, Kaya says they’re just a bunch of damn stalkers. Since she’s still upright and not bleeding, Kelly decides to push her luck a little further and tell Cathy she noticed that there were four girls dressed for dance on the stage, but only three actually danced. Cathy says they should mind their own business — and besides, where are their girls, anyway? This isn’t an in10sity Dance competition, Cathy. Duh. Jill says they are on vacation. Cathy says Jill’s mouth should be on vacation. I think every day is vacation for Jill’s mouth.
Jill and Kaya get into it all over again and — boop! — Kaya’s got Jill’s nose! Yes she does! Oh yes, she does!
Aaaaand … that’s where we leave it. I’m guessing we will find out next week that Kaya got in trouble for the laying on of hands and that’s the last we’ve seen of the Wileys for this go-round. But not the last we’ve seen of the Apples. Because next week, it’s still all about them, with no sign of the Pitt Crew.
So what say you, Dance Moms nation? Were you happy to have an Apple-centric episode, or sorely disappointed? Did you even stay tuned for the entire hour? Are you worried that we’re setting things up for Dance Moms to move to Canton for good, with something new in the works for the Pitt Crew? Or worse, Abby alone? Are you planning to tune in for a new season of Abby’s Ultimate? What else is on your mind? Sound off in the comments section below.
New episodes of Dance Moms air Tuesday nights at 9/8CT on Lifetime.
Lori, I love your recaps. In this case, it was more interesting than the actual episode. But I have a question, because I was wondering if anyone else thought this. There was no mention about the Maddie-Chloe mix-up, and two weeks ago, the episode ended post-Apples competition with Abby talking about moving. Do you think that maybe the episodes have been broadcast out of order? Maybe this one took place before last weeks episode, because I have a feeling that next week will begin with discussing the girls’ solos. Just a thought.
Especially given the oddity that shows up if you click on the name of the competition in the recap, I wondered something along those lines, too, Katherine. What’s the scheduling conflict that cropped up in the middle of what was a pretty standard in10sity Dance march around the Eastern U.S.? It seems strange that we would have this big ol’ blowout of an ending last week and then — boom — all the moms are getting along and getting drunk, Abby’s off on a field trip and there’s no mention of the fallout. Or the girls. Jeff Collins is an experienced reality producer, so it’s pretty hard to chalk the nonsense up to not knowing what they are doing — so I guess we’re left with the notion that the powers that don’t especially care that they’re insulting even the most laid back DM viewers with the perpetual dose of WTF?!
I’ll take-over The ALDC PITTSBURGH, Abby! ;9P
Holy cow, when did all of you show up? 🙂 Let me see if I can catch up. Dancemomsfan, I DON’T MIND BEING YELLED AT IN ALL CAPS, because God knows, I get hysterical about this, too. The deal is, most of us TV press types get the same small episode synopses in advance, so we know a sentence or two about what’s upcoming and that’s about it. So Michelle is right — I have no idea when it’s going to go back to normal, but I suspect never to the degree of the first 1.5 seasons. Which bums me. Like most of you, my patience for the discomfort level of the show is running out. And Debra, dang! That was some video. More entertaining then the show itself. And a real “careful what you wish for” moment where finding fame on reality TV is concerned. Strange days, indeed.
I wonder if there are any ‘real’ reality shows out there! I haven’t seen one yet that has me convinced me that there is. I guess that’s why watching the girls dance is the most entertaining part of Dance Moms. I doubt that the dancing is faked (although I suppose a misstep could be), but that doesn’t take away the beauty of it. But I would feel duped if I actually believed that the adults are genuine and then realized they’re not who they seemed to be. Course, that You Tube video proved that Kelly is pretty much true to her character, not that it makes me feel more confident about the reality of reality these days!
You rock Lori, lately I’d much rather just read your recaps than watch the shows, especially if they’re going to be all about that wing-nut Cathy. As for the all-caps yelling, I personally don’t like it, I think it’s rude and there’s no need for it if we’re all adults. It just bothers me when I’m certain it’s a child or teenager doing it, to me that’s disrespectful. Again, thanks for all you do as far as the blogs, the person on Reality Nation was gawd-awful, I’d MUCH rather read your posts :).
I loved Abbey’s Competetion in LA. I will watch it.
I doubt Abbey would leave Maddie; she’s home grown.
I feel if the Pit Crew would stay quiet, Chloe will be
happy again. I also think there should be a window
separating the parents and kids. Kids should just be
concentrating on their dancing and NOT listening to
arguing between their mothers.
The only thing I would be concerned about if Abbey
does take a couple of kids with her, would she let them do their school work?
LIFETIME, please keep Cathy and Abbey apart. They are
old bullies. This is not what I want to see on TV. We have a problem now with bullying, and it’s so sad especially Cathy hitting Abbey with a pocketbook. I would have fired her. Cathy belongs on Bravo!
There is a window between the loft where the mothers watch and the rehearsal room. I’m not sure how sound-proof it is though, obviously not enough.
Well I, for one, never got bored when it was Abby teaching the girls, the moms maintaining a low, constant rumble and the girls competing and dancing their hearts out! Cathy has irritated me since the first second I saw her as a new member of ALDC. That voice, that attitude, whoa Nellie!!
So you can imagine how happy I was to see Yvette & Black Patsy added to the already distractingly annoying apples! Yvette looks and acts like a crazy woman (there’s something very weird about her exceptionally high forehead that makes it hard for me to look at her). And Black Patsy is a screaming hyena! Add into that mix Jalen’s (?) dad (shaved head, angry guy)and we no longer have a nice program starring wonderful child dancers and beautiful music, we’ve got Saturday Night Wrestling Allstars!! Not my idea of a fun program!
One thing I have noticed since we’ve seen more of Cathy lately is that, even though she’s still awful, she does have more concern regarding the kids and their feelings than Abby has ever displayed.
So, if Abby goes to L.A. and Cathy swoops in and gathers up her little orphans and it becomes ‘The Candy Apples Dance Company’, I don’t think I’ll tune in (it depends on how bored I get)!
So lets raise our Cosmopolitans to the originals: Chloe, Nia, Maddie, Mackenzie, Brooke and Paige!!
Go to you tube and type this in the search box: ALDC Recital Practice Blowup (Recap)
Very interesting.
No edit, add the (recap) in the search box
wow…..I have to give Kelly a lot of credit for not feeding into the inevitable scenario that would have transpired. What I’ve always wondered though, is if Abby has any authority to “fire” anyone from the show, or if that falls on Lifetime?
OMG!!! What a disaster of a show. Cathy is a huge annoying pain in the a&$ to watch. Kaya is stupid and ridiculous. I’m from “the hood” (Detroit) myself, and I have never seen anyone act like that. Rick is an idiot, the new parents not sure, and old Gina needs to go back to her studio. She definitely does not fit in there. Maddie on AUDC.. Oh surprise surprise…I do think Abby in La La land is awesome. Break the kids contracts and let the families sue her for decimation of character, pain, suffering, and emotional abuse. It’s all on film…
Love the original Pitt. Hated AUDC and won’t be watching..
Ohhhhh, I never even thought about the contracts!! Just watch, as long as the contract is with ALDC, and not with Abby herself, she’ll use that as a loophole….Although I’d LOVE to see the parents try and hit her with that lol.
I LOVE DANCE MOMS SO MUCH! I was disappointed by last nights episode. I liked dance moms the way it was. To be honest, I liked it more without Asia! Just the original team. I wish we saw more of the girls yesterday. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHEN THE SHOW IS GOING BACK TO NORMAL?????????? BECAUSE IN 2 WEEKS TV GUIDE SAYS ITS A “CHATTER” EPISODE WHERE THE MOMS TALK AGAIN! What the heck!?!?!?! When is it going back to normal with the pyramid and competitions, etc. Please reply back to me. I’m freaking out! I don’t want to lose dance moms! I love it!!!!!!!!!!!
#teammaddie
ok sweetheart? Please don’t type in all caps, it’s rude and sounds like you’re yelling. Second, the person who writes this column does not have an inside source on what’s happening, all she does is watch the show, just like the rest of us, and write about what happened. I don’t mean to be rude, but you sound like a young girl and the rest of us (or at least I’m assuming, I could be wrong)are adults. Yelling at us only makes you look childish. Thanks.
Glad I didn’t watch. Your recap covered it nicely. This “3 Cathy episodes” is a setup for Cathy to have her own show. I got this from someone who was in Pittsburgh at the ALDC studio where it was announced. Just, no.
What Miller does, I do not care. Just so long as she does it somewhere else and leaves those kids alone.
A rumor, but I heard that she is moving to L.A. and taking Maddie to live with her. I HOPE that is just a rumor.
Oh good Lord, can you imagine??? Crazy thing is, I bet Melissa would actually consider letting her!!!
OMG this episode was so BORING!! I should’ve turned it when I realized that it was an all Cathy episode, but I was too lazy to touch the remote lol. The dances were boring, I hated them all and I HOPE that I get to see more of the girls next week, but I doubt it by looking at the preview. I’ve never seen Abby’s Dance Ultimate, so it’ll be interesting. HOPE TO SEE SOME MAMA-DRAMA NEXT WEEK!!
This show would be even better with NO Cathy.. she’s annoying & obviously can’t coach herself so she hires Anthony (who is fabulous btw) so I lose even more respect for her as a dance teacher. This episode was painful to watch, & I hope they never do it again as a long time watcher. All the win credits for Cathy’s team goes ONLY to Anthony & the talent of the kids dancing on stage…. but I mean they won a small competition in Ohio… yay? Haha
Oh my goodness your recap had me giggling at my desk. I started watching and got interrupted when Kaya showed up. Will be watching it on demand tonight with my wine. Should be very entertaining, though maybe not as much as your recap.
I never comment on this stuff, but I had to this week! This episode was horrible!! I was so disappointed. I don’t watch this for the moms or for Abby, I watch it for the girls! The original girls!! Do I like the drama that the moms and Abby bring to the show? Of course, without some of that drama it would be boring. But they need to tone it down a little!! I also don’t like Cathy or her dance team at all, and I hated to watch an all Cathy episode. I also hate that Dance Moms has turned into this war with ALDC and Candy Apples. I as a viewer do want to see different things, but I want it to have to do with the original girls. Here’s an idea, I watched a YouTube video of one of Kelly and Christi’s meet and greets where they discussed wanting to leave ALDC, but they couldn’t because of their contracts with Lifetime. How about the creators have them break away from ALDC, and have them go to a competing studio that could also be featured in the show as well. I just feel the creators are losing directions with this show, and need some
new ideas. But this last episode was really awful…
Good point, MacKenzie. But the issue for me is that it wasn’t really all that different. It was the same shtick, just different faces. Parents behaving like children. Children being put in unnecessarily uncomfortable circumstances. Dance secondary to drama. Best I can tell from what you all tell me — and my own preferences — we’re rooting for the girls of the ALDC to dance well, be parented and instructed well, and for us to see good things from time to time. That’s the change I’d like to see.
I totally agree. This episode was no different than Dance Moms Miami, same parents bickering, questioning and arguing with the teacher, blah blah blah. I have to say though, I cannot STAND Yvette and would love to see her butt heads with Cathy. She was an absolute nightmare on AUDC, literally the dance mom from hell/13 year old mean girl. Next week should be interesting, correct me if I’m wrong, but was that scene with Maddie on stage one from AUDC2? While I like the idea of Abby’s girls being featured more and getting more opportunities to perform, that’s not the place for it. It screams favoritism and that will spell the end of any chance the other kids have who enter that competition. I mean Maddie is a great little dancer, but there were definitely some kids last year who would blow her out of the water, and can you imagine Abby having to eliminate her star pupil??? On HER show????
I find it funny how people always complain about how repetitive the show has gotten but the second they do something different they whine about it.
Even watching Chloe get the shaft was better than this.
Wow. Glad I didn’t attempt to watch this one. The producers have this all wrong. I don’t watch this show for Abby or Cathy – I watch for the Pitt girls. If they try to make a new show without them, I’m out. (I’m almost out as is just for the disgusting behavior by so many of these “adults,” Abby the biggest among them.)
Definitely not watching AUDC.
Worst episode ever. That’s all there is to say.
The 5 minutes of screen time Cathy usually gets is more than enough for me.
If Abby was unavailable to film for a few weeks, why wouldn’t Lifetime so the logical thing and extend the hiatus for more than 2 weeks to get more footage!?
Ugh. This episode was just bad. I missed the girls and it was weird not to see them dance. I even missed our normal momma drama. If the shows continue this way I don’t think I will be watching much longer. :/