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Celebrity Circus (NBC)

common sense media says

Stars strut their stuff under the big top.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that most of the featured acts are dangerous. Two of the celebrity participants fractured bones while in training, and while they do wear safety cables, serious injury remains a distinct possibility. There's not much mention of not trying the stunts at home, although the words "death-defying" are thrown around a lot. Also, since there's a lot of Cirque du Soleil-style storytelling, some of the acts can get somewhat sexually suggestive. Still, all of that said, overall this is an age-appropriate choice for tweens and up.

Positive messages: One of the celebrities successfully works on overcoming her fear of heights. On the other hand, one of the judges puts a lot of emphasis on how the celebrities look, as opposed to what they do.
Violence & scariness: Lots of talk about people going splat and some real injuries, but everyone seems to have some sort of safety harness or back up.
Sexy stuff: Some suggestive movements and skimpy costumes.
Language: Language includes words like "butt," "jackass," and "crotch." Several bleeps, but no lip-reading possible.
Consumerism: The participating celebs are brands in and of themselves.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on Celebrity Circus

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the role that hype plays in making the circus -- or the media, for that matter -- exciting. Would watching the show be as suspenseful if the host talked about safety gear and procedures? Which acts do you think are actually the hardest to perform? The most dangerous? Parents can also remind kids not to imitate what they seen on television at home.

What's the story?

What's the story?
At first glance, CELEBRITY CIRCUS looks like yet another competition show in which low-level celebrities risk their limbs -- and their reputations -- doing stuff they've never done before. In this case, they're performing circus acts (the kind that more closely resemble the storytelling and dance elements of Cirque du Soleil than an over-the-top Barnum and Bailey three-ring extravaganza) in front of a panel of three judges.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
While this is yet another competition show, the shock is that it's not as cheesy as you might expect, largely because of the Cirque du Soleil influence. Some of the acts are rather beautiful. And there's nothing easy about what the celebrities are doing. The acts -- from the high wire to the ominously named "wheel of death" -- take enormous physical strength, so this is no walk in the park by any stretch of the imagination.

Bottom line? In spite of the fact that we've all been here before in one way or another, there's an odd charm to the whole thing.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: NBC
Cast: Joey Fatone, Rachel Hunter, Stacey Dash
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: NBC
This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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