Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this docu-reality series includes occasional strong language ("bitch," "ass," etc.) and social drinking. It's also plagued by the excessive conflict and emotional exploitation typical of reality TV. People often make derogatory and/or critical comments about others, both to their faces and in confessional asides (for example, a young boy tells his mom she should jog to lose some weight), and there's virtually no positive material to offset the negative.
Families can talk about the popularity of reality TV. What do viewers find so appealing about reality shows? Do you think they give an accurate view of real life? Why or why not? How much of what viewers see in these shows do you think is exaggerated for entertainment or edited to present a particular point of view? Families can also discuss how shows like this one reflect certain groups in society. Does this series seem stereotypical in any way? If so, how? What impressions does it give the general public about the country culture?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Emily Ashby
BORN COUNTRY follows everyday people whose lives are immersed in "country" culture. Whether it's celebrating the life-changing effects of line dancing, seeking love among like-minded singles, or throwing the most extreme country wedding, the docu-reality series' subjects get in front of the cameras to share their stories of being rooted in country pride.
Each episode spotlights a handful of different people; the cameras observe as they tell their tales and follow along as they go about their business at home and at play. Onscreen confessionals record the featured folks' thoughts, and interpersonal exchanges bring strong emotions (both good and bad) to the surface.
Depending on the episode, viewers may see families forging relationships despite vast differences, young women desperately seeking cowboy boot-clad mates, would be country-crooning moms rehearsing for karaoke performances, die-hard fans of iconic country TV show The Dukes of Hazzard heading to Hazzard County to party at DukesFest, and more.
If country is your thing, you may find enough common ground with the show's subjects to be moderately entertained for an hour. But without any shared interest, it's likely that Born Country might bore you, since it's so rooted in a definitive culture that makes it hard to transcend those boundaries.
And if you've grown tired of TV's ubiquitous reality shows, don't waste your time looking for anything new here. It's chock full of the same melodrama and exploitation of interpersonal relations as its many peers.
Instead, why not try a talent-based competition show like So You Think You Can Dance? or America's Got Talent -- yes, they're fluff, but at least they don't aspire to be more.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentReferences to how "sexy" a person looks. |
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Violence |
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LanguageOccasional expletives like "damn," "bitch," and "ass." |
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Social BehaviorThe series plays up conflict and emotions between the people onscreen. People make critical/derogatory comments about others, both to their faces and in side interviews. A case could be made that the show stereotypes the kinds of people who enjoy pastimes like karaoke, line dancing, and monster truck rallies. |
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Commercialism |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoSome scenes show adults drinking at bars and parties. |
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