Tools for this page
Print

1000 Ways to Die

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Irena Murphy, Christine Mulhern, Where to watch: Spike, Online)
  • 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 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Campy unscripted series is morbid and exploitative.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series focuses on the unorthodox ways that people have died -- without expressing much sensitivity or compassion. Different cultural approaches to death and various ancient death rituals are discussed briefly.
  • Role models:

    Since the people featured in each story change (and the main ones are already dead), there aren't any consistent negative or positive role models, per se. Experts are interviewed, but they're just there to present scientific information objectively.
  • Violence:

    Endless violent reenactments of people's final moments, including images of airplanes crashing into mountains and people freezing to death, suddenly being electrocuted, etc. Some reenactments include close ups of the dead "bodies" (with their eyes open) and fake bloody wounds. There are also gruesome real-life images of injuries like black frostbitten toes. One home video captures a young woman falling to her death from 12,000 feet while someone screams in the background. References to sexual assault.
  • Sex:

    Some strong sexual innuendo, including references to masturbation and a play on the term "wet dreams." One story refers to a pregnant teenager, while another features the death of a "peeping Tom." On a few occasions, women in skimpy underwear are visible.
  • Language:

    Language includes words like "hell" and "damn." One story is titled "Butt F***ed."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional references to alcohol and drugs if/when they pertain to the strange way a person died.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About 1000 Ways to Die

Parents need to know that while this reality series about unconventional deaths includes some brief scientific explanations of the tragic events, overall the show focuses more on exploiting the victims' final moments than on teaching people how to prevent them. Expect lots of graphic reenactments and real-life images of people's final moments and gruesome injuries. There's also some strong sexual innuendo (including references to masturbation), iffy language, and references to drinking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the pros and cons of featuring accidents and/or deaths on a reality show. Is it ever OK to treat these events as a source of entertainment? Does it make a difference if the stories are presented within the context of educating viewers? Families can also talk discuss how death and dying are treated in mainstream American culture. Did you know that some cultures incorporate death as a major part of life? How does this show treat its subjects?

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about 1000 Ways to Die?
  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Teen show, no kids.

    This show dispicts ways to die, and in the beginning, it warns you to not attempt the ways people die in the show. There is excessive violence/blood, well it is a show about death, so there is going to be blood. There are some sexual ways people die, and they show it kind of graphically. There is also some language, the worst bleeped out and not used often. In other words, this show is for older teens like 15 years or older and not for kids because of the scary stuff displayed.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0

    endlessly fascinating

    death and ways it happens fascinate me to no end. this is for adults only(i'm 26)

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

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