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Mabe in America

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Tom Mabe, Jim Clark, Ron Reimer, Where to watch: CMT)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hidden-camera show punishes irritating behavior.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show is all about playing pranks on unsuspecting victims who are in the process of doing things that annoy others. The pranks cause no real harm, but they're sometimes designed to embarrass people in order to make a point. Mabe makes references to men wearing "Taliban" and "terrorist" beards. Some of the animated shorts feature some bathroom-type humor. Mabe's "victims" are primarily Caucasian, both male and female, and of various ages.

  • Violence:

    Pranks occasionally lead to some heated discussions.

  • Sex:

    Occasional sexual innuendo. During one prank, two men are shown stripping down to their underwear, but no nudity is shown.

  • Language:

    Language includes words like "hell."

  • Consumerism:

    Local Louisville and Nashville establishments are occasionally shown.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol and occasional tobacco products are sometimes visible, both during the pranks and during the animated shorts between scenes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mabe in America

Parents need to know that this series features orchestrated pranks designed to generate laughs while offering some observations about various aspects of American society. Some of the pranks are intended to embarrass and/or humiliate unsuspecting "victims" who are engaged in irritating behavior (like talking too loud on a cell phone). While the language is generally mild (though words like "hell" are occasionally heard), some of the pranks feature crude humor and iffy behavior (like stealing cars and making people strip down to their underwear). Beer drinking and cigarette/cigar smoking are occasionally visible.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the difference between harmless pranks and playing jokes on people that can potentially have very serious consequences. When do pranks cross the line from being funny to being inappropriate or even harmful? Are hidden-camera TV shows ethical? What does it feel like to be the "victim" of a practical joke? Should a prank be used to embarrass someone, even if it's intended to make a point? Families can also discuss using comedy as a way of providing social commentary. Do you think humor is a good way of shedding light on serious issues, or should comedy shows only be created for entertainment?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    angel18
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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