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America's Prom Queen

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Susie Castillo, Brooke Hogan, Jai Rodriguez, Where to watch: ABC Family)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Reality contest tame, but has some mixed messages.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The judges stress that the contest isn't based solely on looks, and the contestants demonstrate the importance of diversity. One is overweight; two are African-American; and most have "normal" teen bodies that don't reinforce impossibly skinny stereotypes. Still, the show promotes the idea that being crowned prom queen is a glamorous honor that all girls should aspire to. Some reality show back-biting/plotting as well.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Neutrogena and CosmoGIRL! magazine are prominent sponsors. The host and various contestants "act" in staged segments that are essentially commercials for Neutrogena products, and one of the judges is the CosmoGIRL! editor in chief.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About America's Prom Queen

Parents need to know that this show's content is tame enough to make it age-appropriate for older tweens and up. But the premise -- that becoming "America's Prom Queen" is the most amazing thing a girl could ever want -- doesn't give young female viewers a whole lot to reach for. In terms of role modeling, not every girl exhibits behavior that's worthy of a glittery crown (one openly admits that she's gaining other girls' confidences so she can eventually use their weaknesses against them), but the judges eventually weed out the contestants with iffy agendas.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why the honor of being "prom queen" is something people value. When you think of what a prom queen looks like, what sort of girl do you imagine? Could you see yourself being named your school's prom queen? Why or why not? Which of the contestants do you admire the most and why? Which do you think is the prettiest? What do your answers to those two questions tell you about the true definition of beauty?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    booklover12
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I LOVE THIS SHOW

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    beezyv303
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    A Guilty Pleasure

    I admit: this show is my guilty pleasure. It is one of the reality TV shows that doesn't make fun of or exploit the contestants. Unlike many reality shows, it is not heavy on profanity. However there is much commercialism as the show promotes CosmoGirl! and Neutrogina (sp?) a lot (one of the judges on the "Prom Court" is the CosmoGirl! editor-in-chief). The girls' social behavior on the show is iffy. Most girls are selfless and are trying to build friendships with the other contestants, while others plan on "acting like a friend to their face and then 'wham!' crushing them in the competition." I also do not like how the show says that all girls' highest ambition is to be America's Prom Queen (come on, seriously...we do have higher ambitions). All-in-all, the show is cute and interesting to watch, and I love to see all the prom dresses to scope out my own.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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