[Tom4784]

Youtube video

I think the trailer isn't available in better quality atm but come thru Alyssa

[JoshBB]

saw this advertised on twitter, im down for it

[Twosugars]

Alyssa

[Headie]

I SHALL be watching

[ethanjames]

icon!

[Shaun]

Finished this a few days ago and I have some thoughts!

- It was very well-shot and compelling and one of the few TV shows in a long time where I've actually wanted to binge it and not get distracted by PS4 games, a growing Spotify playlist, or anal bleaching
- It really helped humanise Alyssa and show a whole range of facets to his/her personality.
- HOWEVER: there were quite a few of them that I did *not* like and - if I may I'd like to raise my inner Phi Phi - I am almost on the verge of saying I'm... not a fan?

OK so to break the list format and expand on that, I'll name the main reason: everyone knows dance moms and the kids are an unmatched breed of drama and shenanigans that no sane person would want to go near unless their child literally was the ghost of Fred Astaire, however... coupled with Alyssa's personality it was genuinely at times unpleasant to watch. Sure, a lot of the moms were one-note bitches and deserved to be called out but I just can't imagine ever being in an environment surrounded by kids and just calling their mothers names, swearing, sitting back and enjoying the fights, and actively setting up schemes for the competition amongst each other to heighten and turn ugly. Sure, some of it may have been producer-based (I notice this was another World of Wonder production, and we all know by now how shady they can be) but I'd be remiss to absolve Alyssa of any of it.
I just got strong pangs of "...wow ok I really don't like this Alyssa" throughout.

It also is a bit confused as a TV series: sometimes it wants to be a reality show following the Johnson family drama, sometimes it's just Dance Moms, sometimes it's a random video montage of Alyssa lipsyncing to Wrecking Ball / linedancing / performing Applause... I won't lie, they're all entertaining dynamics, but some episodes just went from one to another with a confusing segue.

I did enjoy the show though... just really not sold on the Alyssa personality because she's a bit tired sometimes and full of catchphrases that don't really mean that much (If I hear "teamwork makes the dream work" one more time I might tongue pop).

Laganja and Shangela make cameos, though RIP Vivienne Pinay and Gia I guess?

Oh and re: the kids/moms I was totally team Anjie, team Willow and team Athena that Ainsley girl and her mother were 100% not my cup of soup. I actively look forward to a second season with Marcella finally snapping and offing a group of them.

[Headie]

This was a mess but I've enjoyed it (got two eps left still)

The facetune/Season 1 filter they used on everyone's faces really irked me though