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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this interview-based talk show features celebrities discussing the craft of acting. The actors -- and sometimes the host -- use curse words, though the harsher words are bleeped. Mature subjects like drug use or sexual practices can come up, though these topics aren't the focus of the show.

Families can discuss acting. What's the different between an actor and a movie star? Which movie stars are good actors, and which aren't? Can you think of a movie you saw recently that featured good acting? Bad acting? What did you learn about the craft of acting from the interview subject? Do you think host James Lipton is objective in his interviews? Should he be? What is his role?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

On long-running talk show INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO, host James Lipton interviews film, TV, and theater actors in front of an audience of drama students. Guests are usually very famous and from all different areas of entertainment, running the gamut from Tom Hanks to Liza Minnelli to Dave Chappelle.

The interviews occur at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City and always follow the same general format. Lipton asks a series of straight-faced questions (one of his most infamous is "If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say to you when you reach the pearly gates?") with very few follow-up comments, creating less of a dialogue than an interrogation. The result can seem a little stiff, but it's also a refreshing change from usual celebrity interviews in which host and guest joke around like old friends when they're clearly not.

Lipton's interview style also allows his guest's personality to emerge. Celebs are less glittery and flirty and more serious and humble in this format. Lipton tends to compliment the actors excessively, which can sometimes seem like unabashed brown-nosing. (Because of this, he's been parodied often, most notably by Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live).

Each interview takes several hours, though they're edited for an hour-long broadcast time slot. This can make for some awkward transitions -- sometimes the actor's answer doesn't seem to follow Lipton's question.

The interview concludes with Lipton asking a series of set questions that are the same each time, such as "What is your favorite noise?" and "What is your favorite curse word?" Students from the audience usually have a chance to ask questions near the end as well.

Teens interested in drama will enjoy Actors Studio. Those more interested in celebrity will find the show less glitzy than what they've seen on Entertainment Tonight and its ilk. Subject matter depends on the guest. For instance, the Robert Downey Jr. interview included a good deal of discussion about drugs, some of it rather lighthearted. Downey also smoked cigarettes during the interview.

Fans might also enjoy Barbara Walters' interview specials and Charlie Rose. For quick-hit celebrity news and gossip, teens can tune into The Showbiz Show with David Spade.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Depends on the actor, but sometimes there's discussion of sexual activity in real life or while playing a role.
Violence Depends on the actor, but there's the possibility of discussion of violent incidents from the past.
Language Actors use foul language, including "ass," "bitch," "crap," etc. Stronger language is frequent, but bleeped. The host asks his guests for their favorite curse word in every interview.
Message
	Social Behavior The focus of the show is on the craft of acting, though discussion of the guest's celebrity reputation -- including bad behavior -- is introduced.
	Commercialism Movies, TV shows, and plays that the guest has been in are mentioned.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Sometimes actors smoke during interview. Some discussion of drugs and/or alcohol depending on actor. In Robert Downey Jr. interview he mentions "black tar heroin."

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