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Season 1 – Bunheads

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Bunheads Jun 2012 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
"Bunheads" tells the fish-out-of-water story of Michelle Simms, a once-promising classically trained professional dancer who was drawn to the lights of Las Vegas, where she became a showgirl. After she impulsively marries her persistent suitor, she moves to his sleepy California coastal town, where he lives with his mother, Fanny, herself a former dancer. Fanny now runs a local dance studio. Michelle ends up bonding with some of Fanny's students after meeting them. Among the students are sweet Boo, who struggles with her body type; rebellious Sasha, who has the talent to be a ballet dancer but doesn't have her heart in it because of family issues; shapely Ginny, who's not comfortable in her own skin; and fun-loving Melanie, ready for whatever life throws at her. The students benefit from Michelle's knowledge, but she also benefits from them as they help her adapt to small-town life.
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Bunheads — Season 1

Bunheads — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Smart, sharp, and effortlessly charming, Bunheads is a captivating blend of drama and comedy that succeeds on the strength of a terrific ensemble cast.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Taylor Daily Telegraph (UK) Oct 23, 2018
The latest project from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino was, like its predecessor, about relationships that felt real, earnest and completely devoid of cynicism. Go to Full Review Carli Velocci TheWrap Jun 29, 2018
The show combined [show creator Amy] Sherman-Palladino's famous banter and the personal drama that makes you care about characters. Plus, some of the dance sequences are incredible. Go to Full Review Mike Hale New York Times Mar 13, 2013
Bunheads, beyond being a charming and funny show, has the great merit of being unlike anything else on television at the moment. Go to Full Review Chris Conatan PopMatters Jan 7, 2013
7/10
If these first two episodes are any indication, Bunheads is finding its strengths. Foster is hugely appealing and Bishop is great whenever she gets solid material. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Deirdre D @RT5689042217366 Aug 2, 2026 The pilot has me already loving the cozy charm and witty banter and dance setting. See more Darcie D @RT78093805 Nov 3, 2025 Something happened right before Season 1, episode 14, that destroyed the show. It happened so gradually it was almost not noticeable, but all of a sudden, Episode 14. Episodes 1-13 were good, sometimes so funny I had to stop, go back and start over. But the character Michelle got more and more manic and loud, not in a funny way, every single episode. And then the once comic students? They, too, turned into borderline girls WITH mania. The speech of ALL characters in episode 14 was manic and loud, and definitely not funny, not enjoyable to view, not anything approaching comedy: just irritation. Fast forwarded through it, it was so unwatchable. Meanwhile Michelle got worse and worse. Idiocy, immaturity at the 13 year old or evey 8-year old child level, stupidity, unable to control her mouth or emotions or behavior, bumbling and fumbling and acting younger than her students - who now were aping her with the screeching and manic screeds. What a disgusting end to what was an enjoyable, very funny series when it started. I couldn't make it through episode 15: I fast forwarded through the manic stupid scenes between Michelle and her why-is-he-even-in-this-series brother character, who never added anything to the series but did make it worse. UGH.. What a shame. See more Read all reviews
Bunheads — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Daniel Palladino

Director

Amy Sherman-Palladino

Director

Jackson Douglas

Director

David Paymer

Director

Elodie Keene

Director

Kenny Ortega

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jun 11, 2012 Pilot Tired with her career as a Las Vegas showgirl, a woman starts life anew by impulsively marrying a man and moving to his sleepy coastal town. Details Episode 2 Aired Jun 18, 2012 For Fanny An unexpected occurrence puts Michelle at odds with her new mother-in-law; Fanny's students prove to be an inspiration. Details Episode 3 Aired Jun 25, 2012 Inherit the Wind Fanny receives shocking news from her attorney; Hubbell's car breaks down, landing Michelle in the driveway of a local recluse; young dancers take part in an "ugliest feet" competition. Details Episode 4 Aired Jul 9, 2012 Better Luck Next Year! Michelle seeks a new living arrangement to distance herself from her mother-in-law; Fanny attempts to keep a ballet company from moving their summer program to another city. Details Episode 5 Aired Jul 16, 2012 Money for Nothing Michelle learns more about Fanny's financial difficulties; the girls become jealous over Boo's relationship with an attractive bartender. Details Episode 6 Aired Jul 23, 2012 Movie Truck Michelle's pal visits to help her celebrate her birthday, but their festive plans get sidelined when Fanny takes off and leaves Michelle in charge of her dance classes. Meanwhile, the girls sneak into an R-rated movie. Details Episode 7 Aired Jul 30, 2012 What's Your Damage, Heather? Michelle tries to keep the dance studio running smoothly in Fanny's absence, but flooded dressing rooms lead to a more serious problem when the girls begin changing for class in Michelle's home. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 6, 2012 Blank Up, It's Time Michelle learns that Fanny has a long-distance boyfriend; Fanny gives Boo a coveted role in an upcoming performance after Sasha acts up. Details Episode 9 Aired Aug 13, 2012 No One Takes Khaleesi's Dragons Michelle clashes with an award-winning barista; Melanie tries to learn the cause of Ginny's strange behavior; the ballet class suffers as Fanny and Sasha's standoff continues. Details Episode 10 Aired Aug 20, 2012 A Nutcracker in Paradise Michelle and Fanny grow closer as they prepare for the ballet's annual summer performance; Boo works up the nerve to go after a boy. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 7, 2013 You Wanna See Something? Michelle works as a magician's assistant; the dance studio is closed down; Ginny takes over her mother's business; Melanie cares for her grandfather; Boo helps to take care of her little brother; Sasha returns. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 14, 2013 Channing Tatum Is a Fine Actor Truly is evicted from her shop; Carl insists that Boo meet his parents; Talia sets Michelle up on a blind date; the girls are intrigued by two talented young newcomers. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 21, 2013 I'll Be Your Meyer Lansky Michelle and Fanny attempt to drum up some much-needed income; the girls continue to be enchanted by the new students. Details Episode 14 Aired Jan 28, 2013 The Astronaut and the Ballerina Michelle's brother, Scotty, visits following another failed marriage; Ginny feels abandoned after Melanie develops an interest in roller derby; child-care duties keep Boo and Carl busy. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 4, 2013 Take the Vicuna Milly offers unwelcome opinions on Fanny's dance recital; Michelle and her brother have an unexpected encounter during a road trip; Sasha holds a housewarming party. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 11, 2013 There's Nothing Worse Than a Pantsuit Michelle and Milly battle the town preservation society for the new amphitheater; Sasha and Roman go public with their relationship; Talia reveals big news. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 18, 2013 It's Not a Mint Michelle and Bash turn the dance studio into an evacuation center when a nearby fire threatens the town; Sasha and Roman grow closer. Details Episode 18 Aired Feb 25, 2013 Next Michelle travels to Hollywood to audition for a Broadway musical; Fanny and Scotty return; Sasha thinks the girls should take their relationships with their boyfriends to the next level. Details

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Bunheads — Season 1

Bunheads Bunheads Bunheads View more photos

Season Info

Director
Daniel Palladino, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Jackson Douglas, David Paymer, Elodie Keene, Kenny Ortega, Jamie Babbit, Chris Eigeman
Executive Producer
Amy Sherman-Palladino
Screenwriter
Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Sheila R. Lawrence, Grant Levy, Beth Schacter, Amy Welsh, Sarah Dunn, Dominik Rothbard, Lamar Damon
Network
Freeform
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jun 11, 2012
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