CW Now (CW)

common sense media says

TV trend-spotting translates into "stuff to buy."


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this magazine-type show -- which covers the latest trends in beauty, fashion, and entertainment -- is likely to leave teens anxious to get their hands on the featured clothes, games, gear, and more. The series heavily promotes some items (including video games like Halo 3). Aside from the commercialism, most of the content is on the mild side, though there is some sexual innuendo. Some will go over young viewers' heads, while other products and/or services are more suggestive (trendy chastity belts, for example).

Positive messages: The series focuses on the latest international trends in fashion, beauty, technology, and entertainment, glamorizing all of the above. People of various racial and ethnic backgrounds featured.
Violence: Some of the featured video games are violent, but no actual violence is shown.
Sex: Some segments cover suggestive products (fashionable chastity belts, for example) or issues/topics related to sex (virginity as a trend).
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Products (video games, clothes, and more) and services are discussed and promoted. Celebrities like Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, and Julia Roberts are visible in various segments. The series also actively promotes corporate sponsors that are connected to the creation, promotion, or distribution of a product or service, like Wal-Mart.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Alcohol consumption is visible in some segments.

More on CW Now

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about trends. Who decides what's "hot" and what's not? Why do some trends return, while others disappear forever? How does the media influence what's popular and desirable? Do you want any of the things that were featured on the show? Why or why not? Do you think advertisers have any influence over what products and services are featured on the show?

What's the story?

What's the story?

CW NOW is newsmagazine-style series that gets viewers up to speed on the latest trends from all over the world. Hosted by Tanika Ray, Chris Balish, J. Boogie, and Chi-Lan Lieu, each episode is a whirlwind of styles and crazes in beauty, fashion, music, technology, travel, and entertainment.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Stateside trends featured on the show have included fun fashions, 24-carat-gold facials, and massages with non-venomous snakes. Viewers also get to see cutting-edge products and styles from across the globe, including using cell phones to pay for purchases and creating security systems that scan people's veins. The series also introduces new vocabulary used to describe the hottest fads of the moment, defining words like "skurban" (urban fashion meets skater style) and "acuapparel" (clothing that stimulates acupressure points) to help the less-hip keep up with a hectic, trendy world.

Viewers are invited to visit the show's Web site to get more information on the featured products and services. They can also vote for the outfit they want Tanika to wear on the following week's show, giving them the chance to be trend-setters themselves. CW Now doesn't do much besides spotlight new products and marvel at some of the more lavish and outlandish luxury services available to celebrities and others who are willing and able to pay for them. But it will certainly be attractive to teens who like to be on the cutting edge.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: CW
Cast: Chris Balish, J. Boogie, Tanika Ray
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: CW

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

Review It

 

Review CW Now





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see CW Now?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors


About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age