Tools for this page
Print

America's Toughest Jobs

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Josh Temple, Where to watch: NBC)

  • 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?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hardworking reality contest has real-life appeal.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Some stereotyping of contestants' abilities based on gender ("This is not a woman's world" from a crab boat pro, for instance), but overall, the female contestants are able to hold their own with their male counterparts. The professionals often mock the participants' efforts and seem to enjoy their own superiority. Some trash-talking and controversy between contestants.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Video footage of crashes, capsizes, and collisions for dramatic effect. Lots of looming danger -- a deckhand is nearly tossed over the ship's side, a logging accident sends a contestant tumbling, a truck races almost out of control, etc.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Frequent use of expletives like "ass" and "bitch." "S--t" and "f--k" are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Show sponsor Dodge Ram 1500 receives mention in each episode.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A few background scenes of smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About America's Toughest Jobs

Parents need to know that this reality competition puts novice participants into jobs that require a lot of skill (bridge work, mountain rescue, and logging, for example), so there's always a dramatized sense of possible disaster. In fact, actual injuries are rare, but the contestants are pushed to their physical and emotional limits and sometimes complain of woes like dehydration and exhaustion. There's a fair amount of strong language ("f--k" and "s--t" are bleeped, "ass" and "bitch" aren't) and plenty of heated verbal exchanges between contestants and the veteran crews. But mature viewers will enjoy the fact that the show challenges the players to learn real-life skills and spotlights laborious jobs that don't often get recognition.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media portrays certain occupations in relation to others. Does this show give a positive or negative impression of the professionals in the different fields? Do you think it offers an accurate representation of the real-life work these people do? Do the contestants seem respectful of the veterans' skills? Have you ever pre-judged a job or task as easier than it turned out to be? Does this show change how you look at the jobs people do? Why do you think so many TV series center on the medical, legal, and law enforcement fields? Are dramas like ER and Law & Order more or less entertaining than reality series like Lobster Wars? Why?
Tools and tips that can help

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about America's Toughest Jobs?

  •  I think this show is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 9+
    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • 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

    Age 10+
    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Download This

    Age 3+
    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

    "Acccchhhoooo!" A funny reminder to help kids fight the flu.

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
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
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

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
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
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
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
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.