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Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Tracy Hutson, Where to watch: ABC, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Interesting and dramatic ... for a reality show.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The idea behind this show is to help people in need by rebuilding their homes. Most of the recipients of the home makeovers have special needs. All are unable to afford changes that take place.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    It's all about the materialistic stuff. Most improvements are helpful, while others are really over the top and unnecessary. Brand names like Sears are often featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Parents need to know that this is an emotionally intense reality show featuring families with special needs whose lives are completely changed when the crew's bus rolls into town. The series' messages about community and helping others are strong enough that its occasional detours into the land of materialism can be forgiven.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the makeover process and compare life before and after the crew leaves: Was the community coming together for the family in need before the cameras began rolling? What kinds of changes will these people's lives undergo when all is said and done?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Extreme Makeover: Home Edition?
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See all 30 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Love It!

    Love it! It sometimes makes me cry!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    An uplifting family-friendly reality show

    Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is awesome and a rarity in primetime! Some episodes are so sweet they make you want to cry. I love this show! I haven't seen an episode that contains inappropriate content and there probably won't be an episode like that. All of the families on this show are good role models who give back to their respective communities.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    Ignore my below review, I made a crutial error.

    It wasn't until after I read Dana Reinhardt's "How to Build a House: A Novel" that I started watching this show. I used to hate Extreme Makeover. Once I started watching it though, you get sucked in, and you get after an episode that you need to do SOMETHING. Might be boring/awkward for younger viewers, because of all the crying. Plus this show has Ty Pennington! Fantastic.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New Hampshire
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    Pretty Great

    It wasn't until after I read Dana Reinhardt's "How to Build a House: A Novel", I hated Extreme Makeover. Once I started watching it though, you get sucked in, and you get after an episode that you need to do SOMETHING. Might be boring/awkward for younger viewers, because of all the crying. Plus this show has Ty Pennington! Fantastic.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I cry

    I usually cry when I watch this show. I love to see what these people do to help families in need. While there is commercialism, (like Sears, whom they are sponsored by) this show really demonstrates that not all television is trash.

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