Tools for this page
Print

American Experience

(Rated TV-PG, Educational, Starring David Ogden Stiers, David McCullough, Where to watch: PBS, DVD, 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 9, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    History comes alive in excellent docu-series.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series' goal is to provide a positive educational experience about various aspects of American history. It doesn't aim to teach values, but rather to simply document the values of others. It also brings attention to people who are normally not given recognition for their pioneering efforts, including women and racial/ethnic minorities.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    While the subject matter may deal with violent events, such as wars, no real/active violence is shown.
  • Sex:

    Some episodes may discuss issues of a sexual nature. These discussions are in context and aren't salacious in nature.
  • Language:

    Occasional mild language: "damn," "bitch," etc. This language is often used when quoting someone.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products are sometimes visible (as part of the documentation of events) in some episodes. Addiction and drug/alcohol related deaths are sometimes discussed.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About American Experience

Parents need to know that this PBS documentary series is committed to educating the public about events in American history. To that end, episodes are commonly used as supplemental teaching tools in schools and other educational settings. Parents should also know that some installments deal with mature subject matter and include strong language and graphic descriptions of events and behavior, making the show better suited to older tweens and teens than young children.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about which historical figures they admire and why. What makes them admirable? What challenges did they face as pioneers in their field? Families can also talk about important innovators who might be "left out" of history. Who gets credit for inventing new technology and creating other significant historical events? Why? How can we find out more about them? What did you learn from the show that you didn't know before? Parents and kids interested in learning more about the topics covered by the show can plan a trip to the library or do some Internet research.

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 Experience?
  •  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. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    An excellent show for people into history

    However, this show can get rough. One episode I saw had moderately violent pictures of slaves who had been "punished" and had moderate profanity, like "bitch". One episode was about the Scottsboro boys of the early 1900's and contained racial slurs and intense sexual dialogue. (That specific episode should've been rated TV-14-D.) But if you can get past all the objectionable content that could be present in some episodes of "Experience", I highly recommend this show. It's highly educational and interesting. Just be sure kids under 12 are asleep due to the late time slot and possible objectionable content.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 4.0

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Dancing with the Stars

    Dancing with the Stars

    High-kicking series has cross-generational appeal.

  • Most Popular This Week

    Family Gaming

    Family Gaming

    The Fab Four generation is about to go gamer. Yeah, yeah, yeah!

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

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