In the realm of reality shows with questionable audience interest, Dance Moms lives in a special place that makes its popularity especially difficult to understand. Generally, the arena of reality television I like to refer to as the “negative viewership” branch is split into two groups – the screaming, and the odd.
I say negative viewership, because by and large (one hopes) people aren’t coming to the show with a positive outlook. For example, in the one category, people are not watching other people scream at each other because they like them, but because it’s fun to watch crazy people yell at each other.
Screaming is simple enough, and any show that has as its main draw the fact that people lose it qualifies to be in that category. Everything else is in the odd category, and whether it’s Hoarders, Toddlers & Tiaras, or any number of spins on addiction and disorders, these are shows that find their market by way of some new spin on schadenfreude, which is not so much pleasure at another person’s misfortune, but a fascination with another person’s lack of sanity.
Dance Moms, kicking off its second season tonight at 9pm/8c, somehow manages to fall into both categories, featuring not only a group of people who are whacktastically interested in the “dance careers” of their daughters, ala Toddlers & Tiaras, but also a dance instructor of, frankly, questionable girth given her career choice and alleged ability to instruct in this particular field, who is most famous (by now) not as a dance instructor, but as perhaps America’s foremost screamer. Hardly a minute goes by in the show without some shouting at someone, whether it is dance mom vs. dance mom, or dance mom vs. dance instructor, or some varying combination of participants.
At any rate, the show is back, and you know you’ll be watching. Tune in tonight on Lifetime, and I have a prize pack available for you as well. Due to certain timing mechanics, this giveaway is going to be a Twitter follower giveaway. If you’re following Are You Screening? on Twitter, you’re already done. If not, jump on board.
The winner will be randomly selected from all Twitter followers on January 15th, and you will be notified via Twitter.
Dance Moms Work Out Prize Pack Includes:
- One Lifetime Gym Bag
- Dance Moms Gym Towel
- Lifetime Water Bottle
- Dance Moms Gym Shorts
- Dance Moms Leg Warmers
- Dance Moms Sweatshirt
Set in Pittsburgh’s renowned Abby Lee Dance Company, owned and operated by notoriously demanding and passionate instructor Abby Lee Miller, “Dance Moms” follows children’s early steps on the road to stardom, and their doting mothers who are there for every rehearsal, performance and bow … all under the discerning eye of Miller. Season 2 premieres Tuesday, January 10th at 9pm/8c!
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