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Miss Seventeen

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 10, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Well-meaning show with the usual reality TV drama.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Girls are shown bickering and talking behind one another's backs. The cast however, is diverse and features intelligent, well-accomplished young women that are racially diverse and possess normal body types.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Some verbal sparring amongst contestants with bleeped-out profanities.
  • Consumerism:

    The show is basically an advertisement for Seventeen magazine. The second episode features an extended scene of the girls playing with Maybelline cosmetics provided by the show. The third episode revolves around MTV's popular afternoon program, TRL.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Miss Seventeen was written by Caroline Gates-Shannon

Parents need to know that commercialism is a major component of the show and is basically an advertisement for Seventeen magazine. Product sponsors and MTV programs are featured prominently. Although the purpose of the show is to find a young female role model to put on the cover of Seventeen, drama often overshadows the message. One character has a breakdown onscreen. Another tells a story about her father's arrest and conviction of drug dealing and manslaughter.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about what makes a good role model. On the show, the girls' academic success and awards were integral to their selection as contestants. Now they are being judged, not only on their performance in competitions, but also on their day-to-day conduct. Is this fair -- why or why not? Does the show reinforce stereotypes about women (i.e. whenever you have many girls in tight quarters, drama and cattiness always ensue)? Families may also want to talk about how "real" reality TV is. Is it fair to assume that the actions of the girls featured on the show are an accurate portrayal of who they really are?
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More on Miss Seventeen

What’s the Story?

In the same vein as The Apprentice and America's Next Top Model, MISS SEVENTEEN features seventeen young girls competing against one another to win the title of "Miss Seventeen." The purpose of the show is to find a girl who will be a good role model to Seventeen's readers. All of the girls are college students ranging in age from 18-21 and are highly accomplished in both academics and extra-curricular activities. The winner will receive an internship at the magazine, a modeling contract, and a spot on the cover.

Is It Any Good?

Every week the girls are broken into teams to compete against one another in tasks usually involving creating magazine layouts. In the first episode, the seventeen contestants are whittled down to ten, and in each episode that follows one more is eliminated. Unbeknownst to the girls, they are constantly being filmed, and Seventeen's editor-in-chief, Atoosa Rubenstein, can see how they behave at all times. This fact is only revealed to them once they are eliminated. The reasoning behind this is that a girl's personality and ability to get along with others are just as important as her accomplishments.

Although Miss Seventeen has a lot in common with America's Next Top Model, the criteria for winning this contest goes far deeper than physical appearance. That being said, like most reality shows, Miss Seventeen does reduce the contestants to "characters" and seems more interested in promoting its sponsors and playing up the drama, rather than celebrating the young women's accomplishments. Young girls and teens are sure to be drawn to this show. Parents might want to downplay the forced narrative aspect of the program and instead emphasize the contestants' ambition and accomplishments.

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Pretty Good

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    This is a solid show

    I like this show, because although it is a reality show, it gives a sense of true workmanship and I think that it an important issue for all ages.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on and give it 5.0

    Role Models

    I enjoy watching this show, I watch it every week with my mother and sister. At times the girls can be rude, or they make mistaks, but they are not approved of, and sometimes the mistakes they make or the way they behave causes them to leave. I enjoy this show because it show that there are mature and sweet girls out there.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy and give it 2.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy and give it 3.0

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