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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

I KNOW MY KID'S A STAR challenges stage moms and dads to become supportive, fit parents to their aspiring showbiz children. The series follows 10 Hollywood-hungry child/parent teams who move to Los Angeles and, upon arrival, attempt to outshine each other while competing for their big break. While the kids strut their stuff at a variety of auditions, their parents must demonstrate that they have the necessary business savvy and emotional maturity to help these young, talented hopefuls navigate the industry and avoid the pitfalls of Tinseltown. Each week the team who fails to prove that they can handle Hollywood is eliminated; the eventual winner gets $50,000 and a year's worth of representation by notable casting director Marki Costello.

Is It Any Good?

3

The show's entertainment value comes from watching the parents' clueless, out-of-control behavior as they try to help their kids take Hollywood by storm. Driven by dreams of fame and fortune, many of them put tremendous pressure on their kids to shine, often insulting the other teams in front of their kids in the process. Others are oblivious to how the industry works and are incapable of making smart business decisions on their kids' behalf. And while all the parents claim that it's their kids who want this success, it's obvious that many of them are living vicariously through their offspring. Meanwhile, the kids have to cope with the stress of learning lines and performing in front of casting directors. Adding to some kids' anxiety is the knowledge that their mom or dad has given up their own career and spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on them with the hope of getting a return on their "investment."

Hosted by former child star Danny Bonaduce, the series drives home the idea that in the cutthroat world of showbiz, kids' greatest advocate should be their parents. But the way it sends this message is decidedly mature. Like most reality shows, it has its share of strong language and endless bickering -- usually between the parents. Some of the kids are disrespectful and/or act spoiled, and only a few are disciplined for their inappropriate behavior. There's also some frank discussion about how easy it is for child stars to become addicts, criminals, and/or a death statistic. But because the overall message is honest and pro-child, and because tweens might be interested in watching kids their own age work their way through Hollywood, parents might want to consider previewing it or watching it with them -- especially if their child has showbiz aspirations.

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