Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition (originally titled My Kid Can Dance) is a dance reality competition series that aired on Lifetime. It is a Spin-Off of fellow Lifetime series Dance Moms, and includes that show's central figure, dance instructor Abby Lee Miller, as one of the three main judges.
The show revolves around 12 young and talented dancers who compete through various challenges for the honor of being Abby's Ultimate Dancer, which comes with $100,000 and a scholarship to the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York.
Dancer/choreographer Richy Jackson, dancer/choreographer Robin Antin (season 1 only), and choreographer Rachelle Rak (season 2 only) served as the show's other judges. Radio host Kevin Manno served as the show's host.
The first season of the show aired from October to December 2012. The series was then renewed for a second season, which aired from September to November 2013.
The entire series is available to watch for free on Lifetime's website
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The show provides examples of:
- The Baroness: Yvette. She's depicted as the Ice Queen among the moms, having no sympathy for making a child cry, and being willing to do anything to put her daughter Hadley ahead, even if it means sabotage.
- Call-Back: The third episode of season 2 features an improv dance-off very similar to one in the first season.
- Cry into Chest: This is what most contestants do with their moms after elimination.
- Cat Fight: There are many between Yvette and Kristie, usually requiring another mom to try to break them up.
- Elimination Catchphrase: "Today is not your day."
- Elimination Statement: The eliminated dancer and/or their mom will usually give a short statement about how the child's grown as a dancer and how they will continue to dance in the future.
- Evil Laugh: Yvette is shown snickering after Elisabeth is eliminated and Hadley is spared.
- Laser-Guided Karma: When Hadley wins a challenge that gives her the power to choose all assignments for the week, Yvette plans to sabotage everyone by putting them in their weakest spots. Hadley gives herself a solo, but her power backfires when her performance is not up to par.
- MacGuffin: The Call Back Card (refrain from confusion), incorporated in season two. They work similarly to The Voice's steals, but instead of three, the judges have just one, and they're used to save an eliminated dancer. Richy uses his on Chloe, Abby uses hers on Kalani, and Rachelle uses hers on Trinity.
- My Nayme Is: It's pronounced "Kylie Jay", but spelled "Kyleigh Jai".
- Shout-Out: The debut episode's dances were shout-outs to Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna, and Gene Kelly. Not only that, but the next episode was Lady Gaga-centric.
- The Smurfette Principle: Inverted; the roster of competitors will usually be all girls save for one or two boys (Zack in season 1, Tyler & Travis in season 2).
- Special Guest: Lady Gaga shows up in one episode via video, and Maddie and Mackenzie from Dance Moms show up in real life.
- Technician Versus Performer: Asia is known for staying in the competition longer than most of the dancers, all of them being older than her.
