MADE - TV-PG

Goal-oriented reality TV with a happy ending.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: MTV
  • Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that there's occasional minor profanity or some bleeped words. Crushes are discussed, but there's no sexual content. Kids are sometimes teased, but it's made clear that this sort of behavior isn't acceptable.

Families can talk about whether or not it's realistic for a teen to learn a new skill in a month's time. Would these kids be able to achieve their dreams without their life coaches? They could also talk about how the teens are initially treated, and then how they're treated after their goal is achieved. How does confidence and self-esteem play a role here?

Message

Social Behavior:

Kids work hard to reach a goal.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Crushes are discussed, but nothing sexual.

Language

Occasional instances of "ass," and some bleeped words.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Elisabeth Chaney

In MADE, MTV chooses an ordinary high school student who has a dream or goal such as "I want to be a pageant queen" or "I want to be a standup comedian." The teen gets a life coach to help him or her learn the new trade and a little over a month to achieve it. At the end of the allotted time period, a "coming out" is held where the young man or woman tests out his or her newfound skills in front of an audience of peers, almost always with great success.

Is it any good?

4

Whether or not you and your kids are fans of reality television, if you enjoy a good success story, you'll get something out of MADE. For middle school kids, it offers a realistic view of what life in high school could be like for all different types of students, both popular and not. And all kids will get the message that if you want to reach a goal, you must work hard for it -- the show doesn't gloss over the sacrifices one must make in order to achieve success.

A departure from most reality television programs, MADE is narrated by the goal-setter, and is presented as if you're watching his or her video journal. Despite this difference, the show is very formulaic like most reality shows: the goal is laid out, a life coach is introduced, and the goal-setter goes through up and downs, and finally there is a "MADE Moment" where the student performs to applause, compliments, and, ultimately, success. Knowing that every time you watch you'll get a happy ending makes MADE a feel-good show with just enough tension to keep you engaged the entire hour. Who knows -- maybe it will inspire your kids to set a goal and go after it.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/01/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

A good MTV reality show

This is a good show for teens to watch on MTV. All the people on this show want to be made into something they want to be and their wish comes true at the end. These people are regular teens, not these wealthy people that have their own reality show. It's great to see normal, regular people achieve something they wanted and deserved.
5


Posted on 06/28/08 by crazyinlove13 Kid contributor, age 12

Do you want it enough?

This show is great because it proves to kids that anything can happen as long as you want it enough and try as hard as you can. I have always wanted to be a journalist and never thought I would be able to pull it off, now after watching this show so muc I think I might actually be able to.
4

Posted on 09/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Encourages kids to not be afraid to achieve their dreams

I like watching this show because every teen mentioned in each episode acknowledges that there are struggles to making a dream come true.
5


Posted on 05/08/07 by Alexx Kid contributor, age 15

i love this show.... its great

yeah... theres not anything bad. and its on MTV... most all they have is about sex and drugs and parties... my parents and me are big christians so we don't go for that. my mom said i cant watch MTV, but i finally made her watch one of the episodes and she loved it... its great for the whole family..any age group... it teaches you alot too..
4


Posted on 09/03/06 by v-ball_luver Kid contributor, age 12

Positive message

This is actually one of the only MTV shows that isn't trashy or unrealistic. It preaches a positive attitude, and gives teenagers confidence while trying to reach a goal, weather it be Varsity cheerleader, or tom-boy gone party planner for her sister's pre-wedding party. An enjoyable show for tweens and teens.
5


Posted on 08/02/06 by lianabrown92 Kid contributor, age 14

Good Vibes

This program sends good vibes to low-self esteem teens, teaching them if they put their heart and mind to something that they want to do, they CAN accomplish it! i reccommend this to 12+.
5


Posted on 12/26/05 by Jodilbehrens Adult contributor

Anything is possible with a television production crew

You can be anything you want to be! Especially with a million dollar television production team, private trainers, private coaches, and makeup artists behind you. I do love this show although at times it is rediculous. Even with the "team" of experts it demonstrates how hard work can trasform wannabes into atheletes, actors, and socially savy humans.
5

Posted on 12/07/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

See all 8 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

4


Posted on 11/01/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

A good MTV reality show

This is a good show for teens to watch on MTV. All the people on this show want to be made into something they want to be and their wish comes true at the end. These people are regular teens, not these wealthy people that have their own reality show. It's great to see normal, regular people achieve something they wanted and deserved.
4

Posted on 09/06/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Encourages kids to not be afraid to achieve their dreams

I like watching this show because every teen mentioned in each episode acknowledges that there are struggles to making a dream come true.
5


Posted on 12/26/05 by Jodilbehrens Adult contributor

Anything is possible with a television production crew

You can be anything you want to be! Especially with a million dollar television production team, private trainers, private coaches, and makeup artists behind you. I do love this show although at times it is rediculous. Even with the "team" of experts it demonstrates how hard work can trasform wannabes into atheletes, actors, and socially savy humans.
5

Posted on 12/07/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

5


Posted on 06/28/08 by crazyinlove13 Kid contributor, age 12

Do you want it enough?

This show is great because it proves to kids that anything can happen as long as you want it enough and try as hard as you can. I have always wanted to be a journalist and never thought I would be able to pull it off, now after watching this show so muc I think I might actually be able to.
5


Posted on 05/08/07 by Alexx Kid contributor, age 15

i love this show.... its great

yeah... theres not anything bad. and its on MTV... most all they have is about sex and drugs and parties... my parents and me are big christians so we don't go for that. my mom said i cant watch MTV, but i finally made her watch one of the episodes and she loved it... its great for the whole family..any age group... it teaches you alot too..
4


Posted on 09/03/06 by v-ball_luver Kid contributor, age 12

Positive message

This is actually one of the only MTV shows that isn't trashy or unrealistic. It preaches a positive attitude, and gives teenagers confidence while trying to reach a goal, weather it be Varsity cheerleader, or tom-boy gone party planner for her sister's pre-wedding party. An enjoyable show for tweens and teens.
5


Posted on 08/02/06 by lianabrown92 Kid contributor, age 14

Good Vibes

This program sends good vibes to low-self esteem teens, teaching them if they put their heart and mind to something that they want to do, they CAN accomplish it! i reccommend this to 12+.
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