Well if you were tuning in to Bring It last Friday, you may have seen the promo commercial for the new Reality Show on Lifetime, coming in September. The show is called "Step Up". The show is going to feature Traci from the YCDT in Miami.
I didn't see the commercial during the show,.probably getting a snack or something..lol..but I saw it earlier this week. I started to jump on here, (like I had said I would, when I posted that on the Fan pages) and whip out an article. But that really isn't my character....lol..I much rather give it some thought and not be a trash talking, keyboard hater...lol...
But after some serious thought and deliberation...I think the right response is a little insight into Reality TV and then my humble opinion.
The earliest, original Reality based TV show was Candid Camera. Debuting in 1948, Allen Funt's hidden camera Candid Camera show (based on his previous 1947 radio show, Candid Microphone) broadcast unsuspecting ordinary people reacting to pranks. In 1948, talent search shows
Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour. I know already, there are lots of you saying...What the heck are you talking about? For you youngsters, just sit back and take it in...Let Me continue....LOL..
Over the years, Reality TV has taken on many forms..We have seen Survivor, Dancing With The Stars, Housewives of places all over, The Kardashians and on and on and on and on. In our own realm of Reality Show choices, we have decided to watch, Bring It has become a Friday night staple. We all schedule our time or our Tivo/DVR to be there to see Dianna and the Dolls take on the next competitor.
This last Friday, we got the opportunity to see just how fickle Reality TV Networks can be. For whatever their reasoning, they decided to offer, yet another Dance Show on their schedule. We have to say Congratulations to Traci and the YCDT school. They are, no doubt amazing girls, that she has the privilege to teach. I have always thought they came out and gave it 100% for Traci. So, as I always do, I totally support young women getting a chance to go higher and do more with their lives. Having said that....
I watched the commercial clip on the upcoming show. When I did, I attempted to clear my mind of the potential stereotype in my head. Wondering what Traci was like as a Coach, up close and for more than two minutes and trying not to compare her to Dianna...as being fair dictates......HOWEVER, when I watched the thing, I was instantly concerned and upset....not because it was so good that I was worried it would present problems for Dianna, but because I was apalled at someone Coaching young girls.....looking like Grace Jones...carrying a damn baseball bat...I mean seriously?
So I watched a couple of times to be sure I wasn't exaggerating the scenario. BIG ASS SIGH HERE.....Okay...I want to call Lifetime TV and ask them...WTF?...First, IF that is the ONLY DANCE SCHOOL in Miami, then never mind........Traci. the Coach feels the need to walk around with a BASEBALL BAT in her hand to control the girls...then she lost damn control a longggggg ass time ago.......SECOND, IF MY child went to those classes, unbeknownst to me, she carries a bat...AND I find that out.....IT"S OVER...I am filing charges for her behavior against MY child...PERIOD...after I put my face against her and let her know what a HUGE mistake that is.
So, I am thankful that I am a fan and supporter of Bring It...because while the haters sit around and talk trash about Dianna did this or that.....somebody needs to stand up and ask Lifetime what the hell they were thinking? What a BAD...BAD example this show has set and it hasn't even come on yet...
Threatening CHILDREN WITH A BASEBALL BAT and CLOWNING around with it..like she may actually hit somebody...LOL...Heffer, I wish you would.....LOL...OMG! And I heard her say something about her influence with young people...I busted out laughing....Wow..Really?
Then I saw some of the parents...I am not sure if everybody there got bad makeup advice but this lady had blue lipstick on...I really fell out of my dang chair on that...WHET?
So what we know about Step Up is, the first show if full of intimidating and threatening teaching practices, as well as examples of other adults who look like the Secretary on the Drew Carey Show.
So as I sit and consider the value of this new and upcoming show, I would venture to say, it rates on the same level with greats such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians or the Housewives Series...not much content but lots of brain dead activity for folks with nothing else to do with their night. Not something that I would plan to sit down and watch...mostly because I can find much more to be angry about, if I so choose, rather than purposely watching something, so obviously antagonizing.
From the FIRST time I watched Bring It, I was hooked...not because of confrontation or disagreement, but because I immediately saw the connection Dianna has with the kids...NOT one of FEAR or Submissiveness, but one of RESPECT and ADMIRATION for someone they loved. That is why I have continue to support Dianna and the Dolls.
We don't know how long any TV show will last. We don't know what will happen with any of this stuff. What we do know is Dianna's dream is bigger than a TV SHOW. Her influence and reach have grown to include people that envision the same thing she does...Making a REAL DIFFERENCE in the lives of young people.
This will be interesting to watch. I never wish bad on anyone or anything, cuzz that will come back to kick you in the behind. I always wish folks the best...What they do with that is up to them. I see people like our little disgruntled wanna be Vlogger, JustinJ talking all kinds of crazy about Dianna and Robert and Blah, Blah., Blah......I know he has made several videos talking about what bad people they were and how Traci was getting her own show..He has made comments like Dianna really mistreated her girls. He has latched on to Traci like she was his best friend and preaches her praises every time he records his trash videos.
I am curious to know his value system. If the type of behavior Traci showed on the commercial is a regular teaching style, then what is considered OKAY? Considering he doesn't have kids or anything, how is he qualified to judge? But anyhow.....I digress...
Final word: I am truly concerned as a parent about this new show. Dance Moms tends to get to the degrading stage but hasn't crossed the line yet, to MY limited knowledge. But this new show, to me, does that. It is scary and I hope Lifetime recognizes it soon. But if there is at least $2 dollars to be made on ANYTHING, they won't.
I am so proud to be a Supporter of something that is PROVING to be a POSITIVE INFLUENCE to the young people I know personally. They were the reason I got involved. I won't be watching Step Up. Not because I am so connected to the Dolls but because I refuse to accept, ANY PARENT on this EARTH would be willing to ALLOW ANY TEACHER to intimidate THEIR CHILD...on National TV! That is absolutely apalling.
Of, 2 Seasons of Bring It, there is not ONE Episode where Dianna belittles, threatens, intimidates or harasses, ANY of those girls. If she has to get mad, she comes back with positive re-enforcement. That isn't the teaching method I watched on the commercial, from Traci. All the brightly colored hair and bright face paint tells me she is totally insecure with who she is. That is the reason for the intimidation..The first sign of an insecure, low self esteem person. They go flamboyant to cover the real person. I don't want MY grandkids or their friends thinking that her methods are okay. If she has built her whole dance school with that mentality, that is truly a sad thing.
I totally think this was created on a whim and won't go far. I may be wrong and time will tell but that would be my prediction. I will continue to do what I do. I am not easily swayed by all that flash anyway. I have a theory that hard work, good examples, smart thinking and dedication, on top of always being in God's Will is the true key to Success.
That is what Dianna and the Dolls are doing, in my view. As we see her go from a Small Town Girl to a Sophisticated, Elegant Woman, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Steve Harvey and other well known folks. She is opening, not one but 2 Dance Schools in 2 Major Cities. She is the Spokesperson for a Major Cosmetic Brand, Creme of Nature. I saw some in Walmart the other day. I thought, freaking cool. She got ALL of that, not by being a Freak of Nature, but by being WHO SHE IS... Not all clowned up and all those around her all clown show. Elegance, Dignity, Pride in her talent. That is the way to create lasting, SUCCESS and lasting INFLUENCE on the students they teach. Not fly by night antics. I think that will be something many folks tire of quickly. Again, with the exception of the haters...LOL but then they tune in to JustinJ...LOL...WOW...
Do I think this show will have any effect on Dianna and the Dolls? Nah.....One reason is what I just said, the other is the fans. Doll fans are true blue and follow because of her example and love for the kids. And I don't think she is worried at all. Whatever she does, she will land on her feet...and she has built a firm foundation to go way beyond a Reality TV Show.
We are always free to do whatever we choose and that is just my choice. Everybody should make their decision when they see the show. God Bless The Girls in Miami and I pray for their Coach.
I AM AGAINST BULLYING AND TO ME THIS IS A SHOW ABOUT AN ADULT BULLYING CHILDREN!
#DD4LFANSAGAINSTBULLIES GROWN BULLIES OR CHILD BULLIES...ALL ARE BULLIES!
