Product Details

• Actors: Abby Lee Miller
• Directors: Lifetime
• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 4
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E HOME VIDEO
• DVD Release Date: August 7, 2012
• Run Time: 546 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (139 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007HLFVM2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,690 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #12 in Movies & TV > DVD > Reality TV

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There's crying, tantrums, sassing back, and lots of pouting--and that's just the moms. Dance Moms, the Lifetime reality hit, is compulsively watchable because it features dance, as well as ambitious mothers living through their kids, but not in as creepy a way as, say, pageant moms. Most of all, Dance Moms has a great star and antihero in dance teacher Abby Lee Miller, whose Pittsburgh dance studio is apparently where aspiring young dancers go to learn how to make it on Broadway. Miller is a drill sergeant who may or may not have a heart of gold, but the moms of the young dancers believe in her strict teaching methods, even if they often roll their eyes when Miller's not around. The dance world is fascinating, and the world of young kids devoting themselves to an art so single-mindedly is also fascinating. Miller likes to say (several times an episode) that her feedback may seem harsh, but she would rather her students hear it from her, "in my class, in front of eight people, instead of 800 at an open audition." If she sometimes seems extra harsh with her tween girls, there's no denying that the dancers have learned not only captivating and competition-winning moves, but also poise and comportment. The moms are a whole other arc of interesting watching; many of them were Miller's students when they were their daughters' age. Dance Moms mostly stays on the side of sympathizing with the young dancers, letting the moms and Miller take the lumps for occasional off-putting behavior. But it sure looks like the moms and Miller can take pretty much anything anyone dishes out. Reality fans will eat it up. --A.T. Hurley

Product Description

Product Description

Set in Pittsburgh’s renowned Abby Lee Dance Company, owned and operated by notoriously demanding and passionate instructor Abby Lee Miller, Lifetime’s explosive new docu-series DANCE MOMS follows children’s early steps on the road to stardom and the doting mothers who are there for every rehearsal, performance and bow…all under the discerning eye of Miller. Presenting a powerful cast of characters sure to raise eyebrows, the series immerses itself in the highs and lows surrounding competition season to deliver an intriguing and dramatic look at the frantic pursuit of the ultimate National Dance title. Centered on the devoted Miller, who runs her school with an iron tap shoe as she instructs her young, talented students while dealing with over-the-top mothers who go to great lengths to help their children’s dreams come true, DANCE MOMS poses tough questions about what really goes on behind-the-scenes in the fast-growing and controversial sport of competitive dance.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Outrageous entertainment! June 17, 2012

By L. R. Dana-kirby

Format:DVD

This show is a guilty pleasure. This reality television show chronicles the competition dancers at Abby Lee Dance Company in Pittsburgh along with their stage, uh I mean dance moms. The dancers are genuinely talented, but the behavior of the studio owner/teacher, Abby, and the dance moms grows increasingly more outrageous. Their behaivor may be wild, but it sure is fun to watch!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars It was missing a episode April 17, 2013

By christine cowin

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was upset because it was missing a episode!!!!!!!!! Somebody should let the season maker know cause I'm sure I wont be the only one who's upset.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Another Sensationalistic Reality Program Highlighting People Behaving Poorly: Love It Or Hate It, But It's A Hit August 7, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Lifetime's "Dance Moms" fills a specialty niche in reality programming that you either love or you hate. Season One was a surprise hit for the network, Season Two has further exploded in the ratings, and the network even launched a totally unnecessary spinoff in Miami. (I mean really, how many stage mothers does one need to see highlighted on national television?) That's just it, I'm not a huge fan of putting children into stressful situations on TV and watching their parents straddle the line into exploiting them for profit. I know it's a fact of the world, but it doesn't always qualify as entertainment for me to see people behaving poorly. At least "Dance Moms" features talented young performers, a strong instructor in Abby Lee Miller, and a no-nonsense approach to some of the sillier mom-related shenanigans. There is an unpleasant underbelly to this world of competitive dance. "Dance Moms," in large part, capitalizes on an unsavory aspect of child rearing. But for the right reasons, it also showcases talent and drive. For those distinctions, it's not nearly the purposeful train wreck of the popular "Toddlers and Tiaras" which is even more distressing and over-the-top (even though it might be strangely alluring).

As a guilty pleasure, as I said, "Dance Moms" will either rock your boat or come across as patently distasteful. In a given episode, you can expect Abby Lee Miller to push the children (as young as six). Depending on your viewpoint and experience, you'll think she is motivating them or berating them. If they want to compete at a national level, this is a fact of competitive sport. For me, it's hard to be too squeamish about Miller's techniques so most of my disdain is with the parents. At least one parent will object to her methods and confront her in a staged battle with plenty of bleeped foul language. I don't particularly like the aspect of the dance world and the show that sexualizes children either (some of the moves are designed for provocation and sexiness). To have their kids participate in Miller's program is a huge physical, emotional, and financial stress to the families involved. The ultimate question in "Dance Moms" tends to ask if it is worth it.

Season One is comprised on 12 real episodes and a Most Outrageous Moments special. On four discs, this comes to just over 9 hours of programming. The Bonus Features also include additional footage, but I'm not sure that anything included will actually enhance your viewing experience. If you know what "Dance Moms" is and you love it, obviously you'll want to pick up the release of Season One. While my rating straddles the middle ground, my comments are made to give new viewers an idea of what the show is and how it plays out. If you're on the fence about whether it is right for you, I suggest you find a rerun on Lifetime or even check out an episode on on-demand (they have it here on instant video) to see if you like it. As a train wreck guilty pleasure, there are certainly worse shows on TV but I still don't like getting kids involved. KGHarris. 8/12.