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The Messengers

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Richard Greene, Bobby Schuller, Tim Bader, Where to watch: TLC)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    1.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hokey reality show fails to inspire; skip it.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 11–13

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    In each epidode, contestants put themselves in other people's shoes, including those who are homeless, blind, wheelchair-bound, and migrant farm workers.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Contestants spar verbally with homeless people and are physically threatened.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Dozens of bleeped swear words: "f--k," "s--t," "goddamn," and other mild profanities.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    While the contestants don't exhibit any drug or alcohol abuse, they find themselves in situations in which the people around them are using.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Messengers

Parents need to know that this deeply flawed reality series doles out carefully controlled, neatly packaged inspiration, which comes across as condescending and false. The show has positive messages about concepts like compassion and forgiveness, but they're only concepts: None of the participants actually acts to help the disadvantaged communities they're visiting. Instead of spending their time watching these wannabe speakers wax philosophic, kids should actually get out and do some real good by volunteering.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how varied people's life circumstances are and how their family might differ from the ones shown. Issue-based discussion topics abound, depending on the episode's theme. For example: What does it mean to be homeless? Do you have any services or resources that you could give to a local shelter? What could you do to make a disabled person's life a little easier? Also, families can discuss the show itself. Are the contestants helping any of the people they meet by giving their speeches? What's the point of this show?
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