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The Alaska Experiment

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Survival show entertaining, intense for tweens+.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Subjects talk honestly about their worries about bear attacks and lack of food. When conflict arises, yelling and heated exchanges are frequent. Cameras capture moments of both high and low emotion. But overall the series highlights how inner strength and determination can help people persevere. Viewers will also pick up a few survival tips.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Participants talk a lot about the dangers they face in the brutal Alaskan elements, and there's often mention of people who have frozen to death or been killed by wildlife. Some scenes show bears catching and eating fish; others include close-up shots of decomposing animal carcasses. Blood is minimal during the subjects' weekly medical tests.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    "Ass" and "hell" are audible; anything stronger (including "f--k") is bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Alaska Experiment

Parents need to know that although there's little patently iffy content in this reality series filmed in the Alaskan wild, the participants' constant tension over food shortage, extreme weather, and wildlife dangers could upset or even frighten little kids. Conversations often include mention of how easily adventurers can be killed by native bears or the brutal elements, and the subjects' worry for their own safety sometimes drives them to tears. A few scenes show decomposing animal carcasses and/or wildlife eating prey, and the language gets a little salty (mostly "ass" and "hell") when tensions rise. That said, the series highlights the strength of the human spirit, showcases stunning Alaskan scenery, and includes some noteworthy survival tips.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about overcoming challenges. Why do you think these people decided to participate in this series? What personal struggles do they face? Do their survival strategies work? What would you do differently in their situation? Do you think it's always true that adversity makes you stronger? Why or why not? Also, why do you think survival-oriented shows have gotten so popular? What's their appeal? What messages do they send?
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