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The Next Great American Band

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Ian Dickson, Sheila E, John Rzeznik, Where to watch: Fox)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Musical groups duke it out in Idol copycat.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Participants' appearances are sometimes nitpicked by the judges, and there's plenty of infighting among the panelists and the band members alike. Some contestants take their rejections hard and mouth off about being dismissed.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Occasional references to participants' sex appeal and body parts like breasts. One tween boy band performs shirtless.
  • Language:

    Multiple variations on "f--k" are bleeped.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Next Great American Band

Parents need to know that this talent competition is similar to the producers' popular American Idol. The judges do their fair share of infighting and mocking contestants' appearance, style, and talent. On the upside, the judges don't put their musical preferences ahead of their impartiality and seem to reward bands based on talent rather than sheer marketability and personal taste. Expect plenty of the emotional content that's the bread and butter of reality TV, as well as some bleeped language.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the audition and judging process. Do all of the bands seem serious about the competition? Why or why not? Is the judges' criticism always helpful? How much of what they say to the contestants is for shock value and ratings? Teens: Have you ever been judged like these competitors? How did it feel? Would you ever want to compete on a reality show? Why or why not?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    They never show anything bad, but do talk/sing about it in the music.

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