Dog the Bounty Hunter - TV-PG

Engrossing, gritty reality show has some bite.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: A&E
  • Cast: Duane Chapman, Beth Smith, Leland Chapman
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the star of this reality show is a former convict who now spends his time hunting down fugitives from the law. This means that his work takes him to some seedy spots (including drug-infested neighborhoods) and gives viewers a good look at some hardened, careless criminals. He sometimes threatens to use force, but actual conflicts are rare, and violence isn't a big issue.

Families can talk about the consequences of breaking the law. What happens when someone is arrested? How do the courts work? Is prison the best option for punishing criminals? Do you think going to prison can help some people turn their lives around?

Message

Social Behavior:

Enforces the importance of following laws, since the consequences of breaking them won't be pretty. The Chapmans have strong family relationships. Dog is a colorful character who says what he thinks and isn't always PC. The behavior exhibited by suspects is hardly role-model worthy.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Some of the areas Dog visits are clearly drug-infested -- and many of the people he apprehends are users -- but no use is shown.

Violence

Chapman sometimes threatens to use force on suspects, and he'll hold down a suspect while he handcuffs him.

Sex

Language

Fairly mild: "Goddamn," etc.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Lucy Maher

In DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER, Duane "Dog" Chapman and his family risk their lives to capture suspects who've gone on the lam. Chapman is an ex-con himself; after spending time in a Texas prison, he vowed to redeem himself by working with the law to catch fugitives. Joining him are his wife, Beth; son, Leland; "blood brother," Tim; and nephew, Justin. The gang travels to rough communities, dank hotels, and even drug-infested neighborhoods in search of their prey.

Is it any good?

4

Often, the Chapmans find that the person they've been searching for has already been apprehended by the police -- which means they don't get their $5000 bounty. Other times, Chapman, whose weathered exterior and all-black ensembles belie his sensitive side, takes pity on the fugitives he's seeking and agrees to let them go if they turn themselves in the next day.

What's great about Dog the Bounty Hunter is that it allows viewers to see a side of the law that's not often portrayed. When Chapman apprehends a suspect, he's a tough talker, but -- being a former criminal himself -- he's able to speak frankly to those on the lam and help them see the error of their ways. Though the subject matter is gritty, it isn't too violent, and parents don't have to worry about letting their tweens watch.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 11 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/12/07 by khysheeka Kid contributor, age 16

dog the bounty hunter is must to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The reason I like watching Dog The Bounty Hunter because someday I want to be a bounty hunter and work with The Chapmans and also Dog makes the streets safe by taking the criminals off the block that are drugs(ice,heroin,etc.).
1


Posted on 09/27/07 by Dman Kid contributor, age 13

Oh my gosh...

This is some of the worst TV I have ever seen...I can understand why younger kids would enjoy it...But wow... If your kids are shallow enough to enjoy an obviously scripted reality show, about some "big bad bounty hunter" (who is really just some lame, failed actor) Than let them watch it...
5


Posted on 09/04/07 by catcheeto Adult contributor

Good values but not for the younger kids

Great show. Tries to show that although there are bad people, there are good people who make mistakes. Tries not to be violent (considering it is real life and they don't want to be in fights etc). Does talk about drugs but doesn't show other then smoking. They often let the people they catch take a last smoke before going in to jail.
5


Posted on 06/24/07 by book_lover411 Kid contributor, age 11

i luv this show

i luv this show sometimes dogs wife can dress revealing but justice is served and they do pray they use some colorful language but other than that the show is fantastic
5


Posted on 04/20/07 by Kathleen2006 Adult contributor
5


Posted on 02/07/07 by train59@comcast.net Kid contributor, age 9

(This is the best show ever!!!!!!)

I always love when dog chases people and takes them down!!!!!!It is very good for children!
5


Posted on 12/12/06 by Wahm2boys Adult contributor

Don't cross the Dog

Shows Raw real life situations with Dog and the whole Chapman family being a very close knit and firm believer in justice which should be taught in all schools. The Chapman family do all of this and put their lifes in danger with respect and dignity still alive in their hunted. They show that even though you may have made a bad judgement at some point in your life that YOU CAN turn that around. It's great to see no scripts and teaching all that watch what REAL life is about, and we all tend to shelter our young with what life is really about. Turn on the DOG and Chapman Family and learn a thing or two.... A++++ Parents can make up their mind after veiwing a show of which is best in their beliefs and raising their children. I myself as a parent of two boys tend to want them to an extent learn about what the REAL world is about instead of throwing them out in the REAL world later in life and them being lost.
4

Posted on 11/25/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Great show

What I love most about this show is that Duane Chapman talks to his bounties. He doesn't just handcuff them and throw them around in the back seat of his big black SUV. He sits in the back with them and tries to get at the heart of why they do drugs or commit crimes. Nine out ten times, the fugitive cries by the time Dog says what needs to be said. I also like the fact that it shows older children what life could be like if you did drugs and got into an illegal way of life. It shows the unglamorous reality of drug abuse. I think these guys are great role models and heroes for young men and women who have an interest in law enforcement.
3


Posted on 10/01/06 by greendayrocks13 Kid contributor, age 13

Dog the bounty follows the life of Duane Chapman and Da Kine Bailbonds. It shows us what happens to those who assault and use drugs Talk with your kids afterward sand tell them that that cou;d be you if you go in the wrong direction. Language is a problem, but it is mostly bleeped out.
5

Posted on 09/10/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

WOW

THIS SHOW IS GREAT!!

See all 11 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 09/04/07 by catcheeto Adult contributor

Good values but not for the younger kids

Great show. Tries to show that although there are bad people, there are good people who make mistakes. Tries not to be violent (considering it is real life and they don't want to be in fights etc). Does talk about drugs but doesn't show other then smoking. They often let the people they catch take a last smoke before going in to jail.
5


Posted on 04/20/07 by Kathleen2006 Adult contributor
5


Posted on 12/12/06 by Wahm2boys Adult contributor

Don't cross the Dog

Shows Raw real life situations with Dog and the whole Chapman family being a very close knit and firm believer in justice which should be taught in all schools. The Chapman family do all of this and put their lifes in danger with respect and dignity still alive in their hunted. They show that even though you may have made a bad judgement at some point in your life that YOU CAN turn that around. It's great to see no scripts and teaching all that watch what REAL life is about, and we all tend to shelter our young with what life is really about. Turn on the DOG and Chapman Family and learn a thing or two.... A++++ Parents can make up their mind after veiwing a show of which is best in their beliefs and raising their children. I myself as a parent of two boys tend to want them to an extent learn about what the REAL world is about instead of throwing them out in the REAL world later in life and them being lost.
4

Posted on 11/25/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Great show

What I love most about this show is that Duane Chapman talks to his bounties. He doesn't just handcuff them and throw them around in the back seat of his big black SUV. He sits in the back with them and tries to get at the heart of why they do drugs or commit crimes. Nine out ten times, the fugitive cries by the time Dog says what needs to be said. I also like the fact that it shows older children what life could be like if you did drugs and got into an illegal way of life. It shows the unglamorous reality of drug abuse. I think these guys are great role models and heroes for young men and women who have an interest in law enforcement.
1

Posted on 08/15/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Good show, but in very small doses

Week after week, hour after hour, can't A & E (and all the stations for that matter) rotate their shows. Would be nice to look forward to watching one instead of "oh no, not that show again!"

Kids Reviews

There are 6 reviews.

5


Posted on 10/12/07 by khysheeka Kid contributor, age 16

dog the bounty hunter is must to watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The reason I like watching Dog The Bounty Hunter because someday I want to be a bounty hunter and work with The Chapmans and also Dog makes the streets safe by taking the criminals off the block that are drugs(ice,heroin,etc.).
1


Posted on 09/27/07 by Dman Kid contributor, age 13

Oh my gosh...

This is some of the worst TV I have ever seen...I can understand why younger kids would enjoy it...But wow... If your kids are shallow enough to enjoy an obviously scripted reality show, about some "big bad bounty hunter" (who is really just some lame, failed actor) Than let them watch it...
5


Posted on 06/24/07 by book_lover411 Kid contributor, age 11

i luv this show

i luv this show sometimes dogs wife can dress revealing but justice is served and they do pray they use some colorful language but other than that the show is fantastic
5


Posted on 02/07/07 by train59@comcast.net Kid contributor, age 9

(This is the best show ever!!!!!!)

I always love when dog chases people and takes them down!!!!!!It is very good for children!
3


Posted on 10/01/06 by greendayrocks13 Kid contributor, age 13

Dog the bounty follows the life of Duane Chapman and Da Kine Bailbonds. It shows us what happens to those who assault and use drugs Talk with your kids afterward sand tell them that that cou;d be you if you go in the wrong direction. Language is a problem, but it is mostly bleeped out.
5

Posted on 09/10/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

WOW

THIS SHOW IS GREAT!!
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