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The Gong Show with Dave Attell

(Rated TV-14, Game shows, Starring Dave Navarro, Dave Attell, Andy Dick, Where to watch: Comedy Central)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Raunchy, lowbrow TV at its most mediocre.

Why We Rated This off for Ages 15 and Under

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    More often than not, the truly talented are rewarded with high scores. But at its core, the show is about exploiting (consenting) adults for the sake of entertainment.

  • Violence:

    When the act calls for it, contestants punch, kick, and beat each other over the heads with metal trays and chairs. (And the judges sometimes jump into the fight, too.) A contestant also uses a knife and fake blood in a gruesome magic trick.

  • Sex:

    Some men wear thongs, exposing rather personal body hair. A few women actually take their tops off, and a judge sticks his penis through a paper scorecard, but sensitive body parts are covered with a black censor bar. Some kissing (including French) and innuendoes.

  • Language:

    Words like "f--k" and "s--t" (which are bleeped) are used frequently, as are "ass" and "bitch" (which are audible). They're often incorporated into crude, distasteful phrases like "You cannot teach that kind of talent. A gay wizard has to f--k it into you."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Host Attell sometimes smokes cigarettes on stage.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Gong Show with Dave Attell

Parents need to know that nothing is sacred in this late-night hybrid that's equal parts talent competition and three-ring circus. On any given episode you might see wrestling midgets who beat each other over the head with metal trays, magicians who pull bloody rabbits out of their stomachs with a knife, or a man dressed as a monkey doing impressive acrobatics with a scantily clad jungle girl who removes her bra. Sexual content is pretty explicit for basic cable (one of the judges French kisses a model during the closing credits), and the language (including the frequent-but-bleeped use of "f--k") truly pushes the envelope.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the fine line between exploiting yourself and sharing your talents with the rest of the world. How does this show compare to other TV talent competitions? What criteria do you think the producers use to screen contestants? Who do you think the target audience is? And do you think this show truly takes itself seriously? Parents who remember watching the classic 1970s variety show that this remake is based on can also share their memories of the original, noting which elements have been updated for today's audience.
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