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London Ink

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Max Beesley, Louis Malloy, Dan Gold, Where to watch: TLC)

  • 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?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    British tattoo show edgier than U.S. counterparts.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series looks at how tattooing is both creative and entrepreneurial. The cast occasionally participates in childish pranks (like using fart sound effects and putting out fake dog poop). Some of the episodes deal with the artists' personal struggles and successes. Nicole is the only female artist on staff. The cast is Caucasian, but the clients are from various ethnic/racial backgrounds.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Dan has anger-management problems and is shown getting angry and kicking boxes. But he seeks counseling to handle it.

  • Sex:

    Strong sexual innuendo. Clients (and potential apprentices) are seen pulling up their skirts and pulling down their pants (their underwear stays on) to show off tattoos. One client wears a very skimpy thong as she's being inked on her buttocks.

  • Language:

    Language includes "damn" and "hell." Words like "bulls--t" and "f--k" are mostly bleeped out, but sometimes curse words are faintly audible under a tattoo artist's breath.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Visible cigarette smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About London Ink

Parents need to know that, like its U.S. counterparts, this British entry in the Ink TV franchise is pro-body art, minimizing the potential downside (no real blood is shown during the inking process, and tattoo-related risks aren't discussed). Some episodes deal with mature subject matter, including one tattoo artist's anger-management issues. Strong swear words ("f--k", "bulls--t") are bleeped out and the speaker's mouth blurred, but the cast members are sometimes heard cursing under their breath. There's also some fairly strong sexual innuendo, and both men and women receive and show off tattoos that are on their buttocks and inner thighs -- which results in them being pretty scantily clad at times. Overall, the tone is edgier here than in the show's American "cousins."

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the practice of tattooing. Are all tattooists really artists? What are parents' and kids' opinions on tattoos? If they differ, why? Why is getting a piece of body art a big decision? What are some of the health issues associated with getting them? What happens if you change your mind later?
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