Tools for this page
Print

American Chopper

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Boisterous bike building; older tweens and up.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The stars often take part in some pretty loud arguments, but when the dust settles, it's clear they respect each other. The cast demonstrates teamwork in building the bikes.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    There's some casual rough-and-tumble among the guys, but it's all play, and no one gets hurt.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    "Ass" and "hell" are popular, but anything stronger ("bitch," "s--t," "f--k") is bleeped out.
  • Consumerism:

    OCC obviously gets a lot of publicity from the show. The crew often works on creations with themes like Spider-Man or Wendy's, and marketing logos are prominent during those episodes.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of American Chopper was written by Emily Ashby

Parents need to know that because this show documents the creation of custom motorcycles, it includes a lot of information and technical terms that most viewers probably won't understand. But there's still a lot of fascination to be had in watching such elaborate projects come together. Pauls Jr. and Sr. often irritate each other and share loud exchanges of some choice words, many of which have to be bleeped out. But it's obvious that each ultimately respects the other and that both think highly of their staff, with whom they share mostly good relationships.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the team effort that making these bikes demands. How does the team put their ideas on paper? What are the roles of each employee? How do they use teamwork to get to their goal? How do time constraints affect how they work? Parents can also use this show for artistic inspiration, sitting with kids to sketch their own custom motorcycles.
Did this review help you decide?

Will your kids tune in?

Have you seen it? Review It!

More on American Chopper

What’s the Story?

AMERICAN CHOPPER profiles the design shop of Orange County Choppers, which specializes in creating custom motorbike creations ranging from beautiful to bizarre. Each episode details the building of a bike created for a customer's individual specifications. Sometimes customers are celebrities (Jay Leno and Lance Armstrong both own OCC bikes), and other times the crew works with themes like Spiderman, Wendy's, or firemen who lost their lives on September 11. Staff members give overviews of the alterations and upgrades they make on each project.

Is It Any Good?

Paul Teutul Sr. is OCC's founder, and his massive tattooed arms, bushy moustache, and gravelly voice add to his already stern presence in the shop. While he leaves most of the work to his son, Paul Jr., he saunters in occasionally from his office to stir up some tempers (mostly his son's) or to join in the staff's excitement over a job well done. Paul Jr. takes charge of the hands-on work and is a constant presence during the entire design and construction process for each bike. While much of the jargon is a little too technical for non-gearheads, it's fun to watch their ideas take shape as the bike comes together.

American Chopper's entertainment value is high for young and old, making it an option for family viewing with tweens and up. The only iffy content in this show is the volatile temper Paul Sr. often unleashes on his hard-working crew. Parents may need to remind their kids that his anger is often bred from stress over problems with parts or an approaching deadline rather than a personal conflict with his staff.

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

What did you think about American Chopper?

or

to post a review

See all 4 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

    This show is for adults

    The show is about creating specialized motorcycles and focuses around the family that owns the business. There's a lot of profanity which is beeped out. It's a good show for adults or older teens, but not for young children.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    It's real life

    From what I can see, and I have watched each and every episode, American Chopper is really nothing more than a show that deals with a family run business. Pauls Sr is a perfectionist, and rightly so, while his son Paul Jr, while not the perfectionist his old man is, is still passionate about the bikes they build. Both go at it seperate ways but the end results are exactly what they both want. Custom choppers that each is proud to put their names on. The language can be a little raw at times, but thats reality at its finest. Anything less would just be acting in front of a camera.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    an ok show

    i like it ok but not crazy bout it an ok show 4 kids 2 watch

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Love it!

    I am 10 and this is one of my fovorite shows. It seems very manly and i am a big girly girl. I like the people and what they do. It is very entertaing. It has some language but other then that great!

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    foursquare

    foursquare

    Is this social network too risky for your child?

  • Advice for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Facebook for Parents

    Get info and facts to keep your kids safe and smart on Facebook.

  • Book of the Week

    Beautiful Creatures

    Beautiful Creatures

    Dreamy, lyrical supernatural Southern romance.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Simplz: Zoo

    Simplz: Zoo

    Family-friendly puzzler mixes in a bit of zoo simulation.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name