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The 100-Mile Challenge

(Rated TV-G, Reality TV, Starring James MacKinnon, Alisa Smith, Where to watch: Planet Green)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Reality docu is a mix of information and product promotion.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series promotes cooking and consuming local, organic foods for health and environmental benefits and other "green" reasons.

  • Role models:

    Most of the people who volunteer for the challenge try their best to keep to the diet. But some residents refuse to share certain ingredients with family members or neighbors, while others justify “cheating” on the diet with a variety of schemes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Tempers occasionally flair as people find themselves feeling deprived, scrambling to put food on the table, or doing work they’d rather not be doing in exchange for locally produced goods.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Occasional audible words like “crap" and “pissed,” and a few bleeped swear words like “s--t”.

  • Consumerism:

    The show is based on (and prominently features) the diet book written by hosts James MacKinnon and Alisa Smith. Grocers and food producers are featured.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    People are shown drinking wine and beer.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The 100-Mile Challenge

Parents need to know that this green-themed docu-series -- which challenges Candian families to follow a diet limited to locally produced foods -- is full of interesting information, recipes, and tips. But it also heavily promotes the commercially successful book on which the show is based. Expect occasional strong language (words like “crap" and "pissed” are audible, while stronger choices are bleeped) and visible drinking (though not to excess). There are some tension-filled moments fueled by frustration, and some of the participants behave selfishly. Still, the series is pretty mild overall, but it may not really appeal to younger viewers.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about using TV shows to promote brands and/or commercial products and services. Do you think that's ethical? Parents: Check out ome of CSM's tips on selling to kids.
  • Do you think it would be possible for you to eat only foods produced within a 100-mile radius of your community? What would the challenges be? The advantages? What foods would you miss the most?
Tools and tips that can help

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