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Bandits vs. Smokies

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Jon Reep, Where to watch: CMT)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Cops-style comedy sends iffy messages.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series sometimes casts an unfavorable light on law-enforcement officials. The host -- a comedian dressed as a police officer -- encourages viewers to laugh at criminals' misfortune and lack of intelligence, and the voice-over commentary puts similarly judgmental words in the mouths of some of the real cops. The host also uses language and mannerisms to broadly stereotype Southern police officers.
  • Violence:

    Vehicle crashes and scenes of people getting hit by cars are common. But injuries aren't shown up close; usually the scene cuts away quickly as victims lie motionless on the ground.
  • Sex:

    The rare instances of nudity are blurred out.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    None is shown, but some subjects are said to be drunk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bandits vs. Smokies

Parents need to know that this caught-on-camera series makes constant fun of "stupid" criminals. The host -- a comedian dressed as a police officer -- is a harshly stereotyped Southern "deputy" who encourages viewers to laugh at the criminals' poor decisions. Also mined for humor are vehicle crashes and collisions between cars and pedestrians (injuries aren't shown up close or in detail), and even the actions of real-life cops. Kids who watch could end up taking police work (and authority in general) much less seriously.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how law enforcement is portrayed in the media. Do reality series like this one and Cops cast police officers in a favorable or negative light? How? Do you think they give an accurate impression of how officers work and criminals behave? How does where a show takes place change its portrayal of police? (Think about The Andy Griffith Show, Dukes of Hazzard, and CHiPS, for example.) How do current crime-based TV shows like Law & Order and CSI give a different impression of police work? Are any of them more realistic than others? How? Also, is it OK to laugh at authority figures? Can comedy ever do more harm than good?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    I love this show

    i think this is one of the funniest shows i've seen. i really like how they put comedy in the cops vs. bandits kinda thing. it makes it interesting to watch. i would not suggest it to little kids though

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