'Dance Moms: A New Era' Reviews: "it’s apparent that the new iteration, helmed by Hampton’s authentic tough love and direction, launches a solid ensemble cast exuding their own signature star power and sass."

         On August 7, 2024, Hulu released 'Dance Moms: A New Era', which has received predominantly positive reviews from critics. For anyone unfamiliar with the premise of the series, it follows coach Glo Hampton and her studio, Studio Bleu, as the team of young dancers to national competitions. But what exactly did the critics say? 

        Alex Vena of Decider says, "These dancers all showcase their unique personalities, but Ashlan truly establishes herself as a sassy force, one who gives both her mother Lisa and Hampton a run for their money. Hampton also deserves a shoutout for her instruction, which while demanding, exemplifies genuine care for each of her students and their success." Concluding, "STREAM IT. While critics may think Dance Moms: A New Era is resting on the flagship series’ laurels, it’s apparent that the new iteration, helmed by Hampton’s authentic tough love and direction, launches a solid ensemble cast exuding their own signature star power and sass."

        John Anderson of Wall Street Journal writes, "Feel guilty, viewers, if you must, but few productions better showcase the dynamics of “unscripted” and ostensibly nonfiction television." Adding, "The original show, which never pretended to be “Great Performances,” was an obsession for a lot of kids who are now college age or older, an object of loathing for their parents, and ran on Lifetime for eight years (2011-19). Its sustenance was the basic reality-TV formula—pettiness, melodrama and, in this particular case, funneling 20 gallons of attitude into a two-liter tutu. Martinet-in-residence Abby Lee Miller, whose tenure as dance mistress involved a bout with cancer, a prison term and her admission of having made racially insensitive remarks to her dancers, departed for good in 2019. But the new version being toe-shoed into existence knows what works, and “Dance Moms: A New Era” works it, occasionally to a worrisome degree."

        Fangirlish notes, "Dance Moms: A New Era starts right off with some…interesting shade thrown at the original series’ legacy. And that’s entertaining enough. (No, really, we cracked up.) But this show actually brings with it a couple of pleasant surprises. First off, regardless of whatever nonsense happens behind the scenes, we actually see Gloria Hampton take full responsibility when the team doesn’t exactly have the best debut. Like, holy crap, jaw on the floor quotes coming up: “I’ll take the fall. It’s my fault” and “there’s nobody to blame but me.” Did Abby Lee Miller ever??? If she did, we honestly don’t remember it."

        Kathryn Porter of Paste Magazine was less impressed, stating, "Dance Moms: A New Era will not be the hit that its namesake was. As horrible as Abby Lee Miller was to the ALDC girls, she made for great television alongside the cast of mothers and daughters. Instead of looking at the original series as an example of something that should never be attempted again, Hulu’s A New Era will try to recreate the success of Lifetime’s legendary series with a season half as long, a teacher less as vicious, and an audience of adults that watched Dance Moms when they were close in age to its original protagonists and have grown up knowing how horrible a child reality star’s situation can be. The things that made Dance Moms successful are its worst parts, and there is no need to replicate a situation that will do nothing but hurt the children it puts in the spotlight."

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi on Unsplash