by Courtney Carlson, staff writer

There’s nothing more endearing than young girls parading around as if they were runway models or women standing on street corners.

In fact, some pageant contestants, such as 3-year-old Paisely Dickey, did just that.

She dressed up as Julia Roberts from “Pretty Woman,” leaving America speechless.

Such lovely children are the stars of “Toddlers & Tiaras,” a TLC hit show that highlights all of the wonderful aspects of child beauty pageants.

Viewers are sent into the magical world of makeup, spray tans, fake teeth, high heels, and $1,000 outfits, for a mere half hour.

“Toddlers & Tiaras” definitely takes the crown for the trashiest show on cable.

It rewards the semi-psychotic mothers with publicity, and glorifies the tantrums that their kids throw.

The parents are probably what give the show its extremely trashy rating. It shouldn’t be legal to allow children to dress up, or down, to the scale that they do.

“Toddlers & Tiaras” takes television to a new low because unlike “Dance Moms,” it’s a show that represents the whole country and exploits even younger girls.

Plus, the skills learned in “Dance Moms” can actually benefit the girls portrayed in the future. Pageants don’t do much for girls besides promoting questionable ideals, such as the value of appearance.

“Dance Moms” promotes self-improvement, and hard work, and a system of rewards and punishments for appropriate behavior. “Toddlers & Tiaras,” however, rewards girls for throwing tantrums or having a cute costume.

From trainers to salons, to waxing and wigs, these dedicated pageant moms know it all, and help their daughters win crown titles such as Mini Supreme or Grand Supreme.

Almost as important is the moms’ ability to deal with the tantrums thrown by their wonderful children.

Tears, screaming, and general chaotic behavior would be enough to make any normal mom crazy, but these pageant moms are in a different league.

Negotiations with the girls such as monetary rewards usually work to get them on stage. Or, if they won’t sit still for their makeup, the promise of a new pet might do the trick.

The competitions are more than winning crowns.  They’re about recognizing how important looks are. By overemphasizing the makeup, hair and wallet-burning outfits, the girls learn early on that these are the things that truly matter.

The young girls are given an advantage when they’re forced to grow up so fast.

They’re ahead of other children who know nothing of the real world and play with dolls. These girls are dolls! They’re equipped to deal with the tough stuff in life, like broken nails and torn dresses, or forgotten choreography.

I know I can’t wait to become a mother, so that I can live out my dreams through my angelic little girl.

When I’m old and don’t have much to be proud of in a bikini, I know I can still be proud of my genetics that have passed on to my children, or as I like to call them, winners.

by Neelam Nandra, staff writer

Abby Lee Miller and her army of little dancers and their doting mothers from Pittsburgh are off on a quest to once again win the title of national champions.

Through blood, sweat, and tears (mostly from the moms) the girls prance around in hopes of making it to the top of Miller’s famous pyramid, which orders the girls from best to worst performance, upsetting the moms more than their daughters.

Lifetime has really outdone itself with its show “Dance Moms,” an extremley entertaining addition to those drab and depressing movies that the network usually airs.

This new show is about mothers who are still sad, but it’s because of their daughters’ dancing.  Reality TV has once again been pushed a little further with these young girls and their charming mothers, who are obviously living their dreams through their daughters.

Many of the moms are pushed to the limits by Miller, resulting in highly entertaining screaming matches in the dance studio.  The mothers and daughters are basically slaves to Miller, who rules with an iron fist and bosses them around.

Although the mothers’ attempt to stand up for themselves, Miller usually shuts them down and ultimately wins every battle thrown her way.

Unlike “Toddlers and Tiaras,” the girls in “Dance Moms” actually work hard.

Not only do they have to keep their wigs on while dancing, but they have to deal with Miller, and she’s a lot worse than any old pageant mother.

The girls also have to work together, which means their mothers have to get along.  It’s a lot more interesting to watch the group dynamics rather than one little girl who looks like a porcelain doll. With “Dance Moms,” you get eight!

As the season goes on, the girls and their charming mothers travel the country and compete in numerous competitions.

As the girls work hard to learn their new routines, their mothers bad mouth each other or go out and drink.

One mother, Christi, seemed to enjoy drinking her problems away while on a trip to Vegas for a dance competition.

She takes shots off a ski in a club and screams, once she’s a bit tipsy,  “IT’S A SHOT…SKI!!!” Very clever.

It seems like the world of competitive dance for these young girls is too much for them. Some of them even consider quitting throughout the season.

Christi is dead set on her daughter, Chloe, continuing with dance because of the annual $16,000 that she spends on lessons.  She then adds with a giggle, “Don’t tell my husband.” Maybe she forgot he’s the one  paying the bill.

Sticking these girls in tight, show girl outfits, with enough spandex and sparkles is something that makes even Lady Gaga look conservative.

Add in some provocative butt popping dances, and it’s entirely wrong, but viewers like me are  sadly captivated.  It’s like watching a train wreck. You want to look away but you just can’t.

“Dance Moms” has hit reality TV gold, proving to viewers everywhere that “Toddlers and Tiaras” has nothing on these little champions.