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The Hills

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: MTV, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    The Hills are hardly alive, but are OK for teens.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This is the first MTV reality show to follow someone in school and with an internship, but the series makes both seem easy. Teen Vogue preaches about the kind of image they want to project. Cast members come from affluent families, and special attention is paid to Lauren at her internship because she has cameras on her. Partying at popular Hollywood night clubs is the standard. Heidi and Spencer started a rumor about Jason and Lauren that they filmed a sex tape. Whitney has parlayed her internship into a full time job at Teen Vogue and doesn't party as much as the rest of the cast does.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

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

    There's swearing, but it's bleeped out.
  • Consumerism:

    Hollywood hot spot Les Deux is regularly mentioned. Teen Vogue and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) are backdrops for school and internships.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Drinking is implied, but the cast is underage.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Hills

Parents need to know that this series follows Lauren Conrad (graduate of MTV's own 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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what has helped Lauren get to where she is. Do teens consider her a role model? How hard do they think it would be to get a job like Lauren's? Why do you think MTV was interested in continuing to follow Lauren over other Laguna Beach cast members? Are there any role models on the show?
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Hills?
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See all 17 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 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!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0

    "Lo" must go and never ever come back!

    The show is HORRIBLE!! I do not blame Audrina for wanting to move out. Her roomates have totally turned their backs on her. (including "LC") And then in the last episode Lauren cries, poor me. What an act! Lauren has sunk lower the Heidi. Audrina was LC's roommate first, treat her with a little more respect. Your adults not high schoolers.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Alabama
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Fun For Teenage Girls

    The show is relatively harmless, and is a nice "escape" for teenage girls. The girls are ditzy sometimes, but there are life lessons embedded in the show. I think the show is funny and fun for girls to watch. I don't think it's very realistic, but why not take a break from life for an hour every week? It's a harmless show that provides entertainment for many a teenage girl.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    good entertaining show!

    The hills is a very good show! It shows real-life situations and I think younger people can learn from them. It is about a very successful college gal, Lauren Conrad going through many obstacles to try and overcome relationships, hook-ups, friendships, and her job itself. She is just a small girl trying to live in this big world.

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