 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Adrenaline Rush Hour
- Discovery Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Real people in real danger; could be scary for real kids.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this show features "caught on film" footage of real people in dangerous situations -- from car accidents and violent robberies to sporting events gone terribly wrong and people attempting very dangerous stunts. Most of these incidents seem to offer the potential for grievous bodily harm, though the narrator always explains the full scope of the participants' injuries, which usually aren't as serious as they could be. Remind kids not to try anything they see here; this isn't the way for them to end up on TV!
What's the story?
Some of the people featured on ADRENALINE RUSH HOUR make really bad decisions, and others are just very unlucky -- but all of them should be grateful to be alive. The series collects real-life video footage of car accidents, boat crashes, plane crashes, fires, explosions, violent crimes, poorly planned stunts, and many other harrowing events. There are race car drivers who take a turn too fast, motorcycle tricks gone awry, speedboats that go too fast and disintegrate, and much more. Anything that looks like it could involve serious bodily harm -- and happens to be caught on film -- could appear on this show.
Is it any good?
Adrenaline Rush Hour serves up thrills, spills, and chills with detailed commentary -- but little analysis. The narrator explains what's happening moment-by-moment and sometimes can spot the instant when something goes terribly wrong. The show usually provides some medical follow-up as well, explaining the extent of the resulting injuries; given the dramatic nature of the footage, there are surprisingly few serious injuries. Some sequences even include interviews with the participants, providing more details about the traumatic incidents.
What's often missing is the why. The show might explain that a particular intersection is the site of frequent accidents, but it doesn't address whether authorities have tried to deal with the issue. And though the clips are exciting, it's not clear whether they're meant to function as pure entertainment for viewers craving action, primers on avoiding common stunt mistakes, or cautionary tales.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about dangerous choices. Though many of the clips feature people involved in total accidents, many more show folks who are willingly participating in risky activities or simply making bad decisions. Why do you think they make these choices? In a similar situation, would you act differently? Or, would you make different choices so you could avoid such a situation in the first place? What parts of your life require you to make careful decisions on a daily basis? Do you always think them through?
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | Discovery Channel |
| Cast: | Max Raphael |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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