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The Hills

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    The Hills are hardly alive, but will appeal to teens.

Themes in this show include:   dating/crushes, friendship, materialism, peer pressure

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The series makes things like juggling school and an internship seem easy. Teen Vogue preaches about the kind of aspirational (and unrealistic) image they want to project. Partying at popular Hollywood night clubs is the standard -- and, in general, the show seems to celebrate the "ideal" of living an insular, privileged lifestyle.
  • Role models:

    Many of the featured cast members come across as self-centered and spoiled. Cast members come from affluent families and take lots of things for granted. Heidi and Spencer started a rumor about Jason and Lauren that they filmed a sex tape.
  • Violence:

    Just lots of catfighting.
  • Sex:

    Flirting, kissing, lovers' quarrels, talk of one-night stands and informal hook-ups.
  • Language:

    There's some swearing, but the worst of it is bleeped out.
  • Consumerism:

    Hollywood hot spots like Les Deux are regularly mentioned. Teen Vogue and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) are backdrops for school and internships. The ladies love their high-end fashion.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking is implied, but the cast is underage (at least, they are at the beginning of the show...).

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Hills was written by Jill Murphy

Parents need to know that this series follows Lauren Conrad (graduate of MTV's Laguna Beach) as she transitions from her high school days to college life, an internship, and Hollywood nightlife. Cast members come from affluent families, which means that the characters' living conditions, cars, and lifestyles are unrealistic for average twentysomethings. The series makes getting a high-profile internship seem effortless. Lauren is a fairly level-headed girl, but she lets her new friends take advantage of her. The show's success has elevated the status of each cast member, and they're often featured in celeb tabloids.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what's helped Lauren get to where she is. Teens: Do you consider her a role model? What about the other cast members?
  • Why do you think MTV was interested in continuing to follow Lauren over other Laguna Beach cast members?
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More on The Hills

What’s the Story?

Lauren "LC" Conrad has moved from Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County to THE HILLS of Los Angeles. She's settled into school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), landed a coveted internship with Teen Vogue, and moved into a gorgeous apartment -- what more could a young lady want? MTV cameras following her around for her own reality show? To land on the cover of Teen Vogue herself? Check and check. Typical trials ensue with LC's new friends Heidi, Audrina, Whitney, and Jordan, but the girls' dialogue plays second fiddle to extreme close-ups, exaggerated exhales, and glares.

Is It Any Good?

It's the effortless perfection of LC's life that makes The Hills such an unrealistic take on reality. No mention is made of the often-grueling college- or internship-application process. Rather, the head of FIDM congratulates LC for bringing her 3.6 GPA to the school, and her two-minute interview with the Teen Vogue editor -- though bumpy -- lands her a high-profile internship.

The Hills is like the pages of a magazine, with pouting teens looking distraught in between sexualized images. That said, MTV does deserve some credit for featuring someone with somewhat-relatable career goals -- unlike the subjects on The Real World. The Hills' best player, Whitney -- originally Lauren's fellow intern, now her boss -- gives hope to older generations watching the show. Whitney's goals and decisions make for some inspiring moments during the show, but, as per usual, the more insipid friends get the most air time.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 2.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    This show makes getting in cat fights, drinking and sleeping around seem fun. When in real life its not. These Characters make bad decisions and have no consequences. This show is not good for Preteens or young teenagers.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    Ok good enough to watch

    harmless getaway for all tweens and teens nothing inappropriate in it just idiotic characters

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    I love this show! It is so addicting!!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Drama! Moving! Fun! Laugh! Cry! The Hills has it all...

    Lauren Conrad 'LC' proves that if you want something bad enough you can't just wait around for you've got to get up and chase it down until its all yours... Sometimes she lets her gaurd down with people too quickly but she has her life long friends to keep her grounded... I've been following this show for quite some time now and I want you to know it's a very moving experiance, ther's drama(like in everyday life), friendships being formed and lost, and of course more drama, but after all this time Lauren has taught me some very important thing to look forward to in life!

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