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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the producers of this music-laden reality series seemed to have kept their target audience in mind -- tween girls -- when they hand-picked their prospective band members and planned the show's content. In keeping with Menudo's squeaky-clean image, these boys are attractive without being overtly sexual and tend to sing about genuinely innocent themes like falling in love and having fun. There's none of the partying -- and relatively little of the conflict -- that tends to mark MTV reality shows.
Families can talk about the fantasy of being a world-famous pop star versus the reality of all the hard work that goes into it. What types of activities do young musicians miss out on while they're recording an album or rehearsing for a concert? How many members of other "boy bands" have gone on to have successful solo careers as adults? And why do you think the producers wanted to make this show in the first place? Was it simply to entertain audiences -- or to sell more records?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kari Croop
Despite the fact that so-called "boy bands" have largely gone into hibernation, the producers of MAKING MENUDO are desperately trying to revive the tired fad. And they're betting it all on the "Menudo" name, a 20-plus-year-old brand that might evoke nostalgic memories for some parents but may not resonate with the tweens and teens the show is targeted at.
Older viewers may remember Menudo as the Spanish-speaking pop act that launched the career of a young Ricky Martin, who later shook his bon-bon for screaming girls everywhere as a Grammy-winning adult entertainer. But most kids aren't likely to care about the group's past -- only what they sound and look like now.
Much like other reality shows cut from the same cloth, the wannabe singers in Making Menudo compete for a spot in the five-member act through a series of elimination-style challenges. Along the way, they're put through the wringer by band manager Johnny Wright (the same man who helped launch the careers of *NSync and the Backstreet Boys) and David Coury, the group's musical director and vocal coach.
Both Wright and Coury take their jobs so seriously that they practically scare the boys (and any young viewers watching) away from the musical business entirely. But, given the low percentage of child stars who actually emerge from the business unscathed, perhaps that's a good thing.
The show's creators did a fine job rounding up prospective young band members between the ages of 13 and 17 who will appeal to boy-crazy young girls. And they've also taken great pains to make sure that the show's content remains relatively tame for young viewers. After all, they wouldn't want to alienate their target audience.
If you enjoy watching the creation of a supergroup -- and you don't mind the blatant marketing ploys associated with said creation -- shows like Making the Band and The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, while slightly edgier, are bound to keep you entertained. Another fine music-reality choice for kids this age is Cheyenne.
Rate It!
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| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentProspective band members sometimes blow off stress by trying to meet and impress girls, but they're so busy working that they rarely have time for serious scouting. One 17-year-old admits that he's only in it for the women. |
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ViolenceMinor squabbles and disagreements occasionally break out among the guys, but it doesn't get physical. |
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LanguageMinor cursing like "piss," "ass," and "hell" pops up every now and then. |
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Social BehaviorThe wannabe pop stars are held to the highest professional standards, and most of them work hard to make their dreams happen, serving as positive role models in the process. Those unwilling to rise to the occasion are ousted. |
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CommercialismA show about the making of a pop supergroup = one big, long advertisement for said supergroup. |
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