High School Musical: Get in the Picture - TV-PG

Reality series will leave kids craving more HSM.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: ABC
  • Cast: Nick Lachey
  • Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series competition is inspired by Disney's ultra-popular High School Musical franchise, so kids are bound to be interested. It has a direct connection to the third movie (due in theaters Oct. 2008): The show's eventual winner will star in a music video to air during High School Musical 3's credits. All of that, plus host Nick Lachey's plugs for the show's Web site, may leave parents feeling a little over-sold on the whole package. That aside, the series shines the spotlight on talented youths from diverse walks of life, and overall the talent scouts are supportive and offer constructive criticism to competitors without belittling their efforts.

Families can talk about product placement in the media. Does this series make you want to watch the High School Musical movies? Do you think it would have stood out from other talent contests if it weren't affiliated with the HSM movies? Why or why not? How much does what we see on TV affect our habits regarding food, clothing, and leisure activities? How does the media make certain products seem desirable? What products do you notice in other TV shows and movies? Also, why do you think the HSM franchise is so popular in the first place?

Message

Social Behavior:

Tensions run high during the auditions, and plenty of tears are shed when competitors are passed over by judges. But the tone is mostly positive, and the scouts' criticism includes constructive advice about how the performers can improve upon their talents. The series does stereotype competitors slightly by identifying them in terms of high school hierarchy: "prom king," "class clown," "honor student," "cheerleader," etc. The competitors are a diverse bunch.

Consumerism:

Host Nick Lachey plugs the show's Web site, encouraging viewers to log on and vote in weekly polls. The series heavily promotes High School Musical 3.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: GET IN THE PICTURE is a reality-based performance competition that offers its eventual winner the lead in a music video that will air during the credits of the much-anticipated High School Musical 3: Senior Year, due in theaters Oct. 2008. The series, which is hosted by Nick Lachey, is set up as a nationwide search -- through open casting calls and video submissions -- for a talented, charismatic teen to add his or her name to the HSM roster and score a Disney recording contract. Regional semi-finalists advance to group conservatory training under the direction of six talent scouts dubbed "the faculty," who help the contestants hone their skills and put their abilities to the test in weekly elimination rounds.

Is it any good?

3
This series essentially is a youthful version of American Idol, tricked out with all the brand-name trimmings of the HSM franchisee. Constant product references include clips from the first two films, snippets from the soundtracks, and cameos by the stars themselves, making the show feel more like a blatant promotional tool for the upcoming movie than a reality contest. If your kids are already flushed with HSM fever, they're not likely to complain about the build-up to the third movie, but you might be left wondering whether marketing execs ever take a holiday.

That said, the series does demonstrate the positive aspect of competitions like American Idol -- namely, giving average people from diverse backgrounds the chance to use their talent to change their lives. Some of the teens' stories are emotional and inspiring, and it's easy to get caught up in rooting for particular contestants. And as far as reality contests go, the fact that this one stars young performers means that the judges offer fewer nasty comments and more constructive criticism that the teens can build on for future success.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/26/08 by Hot_Jessy01 Kid contributor, age 14

It is unpredictable

The judges are kind of too hard on the contestants like they don't really say that they liked what they did they judge them extremely hard on them. So I love the show because of that.
Age 8+
4


Posted on 07/23/08 by hannahmommy Adult contributor

Life is not Fair

This is a great show. So often everyone always wants things to be equal and fair. Overall it is disabling to our children. This show demonstrates that sometimes things are not equal. In the East Coast semi-finals a girl that my family thought was truly talented was eliminated. This was a good lesson for my kids to see. The judges are constructive with their criticism and Nick Lachey is very supportive of the contestants. It is almost like American Idol for the tween set.
Age 8+
3


Posted on 07/22/08 by Singlemomof3 Adult contributor

Good lessons learned

I think that this show is one of the few "good" reality shows out there. Because it takes different children from different backgrounds and allows them to get some professional constructive criticism. I let my seven year old watch this reality show and we talk about what the judges said after it is over. She than ask how it applies to her.
Age 8+
3


Posted on 07/21/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Must-see TV for every HSM fan

"Get In The Picture" will air on ABC Sundays and Mondays at 8. It could be called "American Idol" for "HSM" fans since singing is what's focused on currently. "Picture" isn't completely G-rated since there was a suicide reference in one person's tryout and people are stereotyped by what they were/are in high school. In general, this show is appropriate for families and is part of ABC's obvious attempt to make primetime more family-friendly with new family-safe reality TV shows like this one.

Adult Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

Age 8+
4


Posted on 07/23/08 by hannahmommy Adult contributor

Life is not Fair

This is a great show. So often everyone always wants things to be equal and fair. Overall it is disabling to our children. This show demonstrates that sometimes things are not equal. In the East Coast semi-finals a girl that my family thought was truly talented was eliminated. This was a good lesson for my kids to see. The judges are constructive with their criticism and Nick Lachey is very supportive of the contestants. It is almost like American Idol for the tween set.
Age 8+
3


Posted on 07/22/08 by Singlemomof3 Adult contributor

Good lessons learned

I think that this show is one of the few "good" reality shows out there. Because it takes different children from different backgrounds and allows them to get some professional constructive criticism. I let my seven year old watch this reality show and we talk about what the judges said after it is over. She than ask how it applies to her.
Age 8+
3


Posted on 07/21/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Must-see TV for every HSM fan

"Get In The Picture" will air on ABC Sundays and Mondays at 8. It could be called "American Idol" for "HSM" fans since singing is what's focused on currently. "Picture" isn't completely G-rated since there was a suicide reference in one person's tryout and people are stereotyped by what they were/are in high school. In general, this show is appropriate for families and is part of ABC's obvious attempt to make primetime more family-friendly with new family-safe reality TV shows like this one.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/26/08 by Hot_Jessy01 Kid contributor, age 14

It is unpredictable

The judges are kind of too hard on the contestants like they don't really say that they liked what they did they judge them extremely hard on them. So I love the show because of that.
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