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Perfect Housewives (BBC America)

common sense media says

Homemakers get a hand from "British Martha."

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series includes lots of useful tips for cleaning and organizing your house. The hostess often puts down her students' lack of housekeeping skills, but the tone is light overall, and she always seems to chuckle alongside her exasperation. The series' competition aspect is downplayed; the focus is on making life-changing strategies at home. While selling tweens and teens on a series like this one could be difficult, those who tune in might get tips for organizing their own belongings.

Positive messages: The series includes plenty of helpful tips for keeping a tidy, functional home, but the hostess often degrades (with humorous undertones) her students' housekeeping skills. An argument could be made that the show reinforces traditional gender roles.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Party scenes include champagne, mixed drinks, etc.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Perfect Housewives

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how reality shows can help people learn new things. What's the main goal of series like this one -- education or entertainment? How "real" is reality TV in general? Are any reality shows more believable or relatable than others? Which ones? Families can also talk about organizational strategies they can use in their own homes. Which of Turner's tips for cleaning and organizing did you find helpful? What factors get in the way of keeping a house clean? Do family members have cleaning responsibilities? Do they usually stay on task?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Each week on PERFECT HOUSEWIVES, so-called "British Martha Stewart" Anthea Turner opens her manicured home to two students in need of guidance and inspiration in their housekeeping endeavors. Turner puts them through a veritable home-based boot camp, showing them the finer points of making beds, doing laundry, organizing unruly rooms, and entertaining. She nitpicks wayward habits, downplays rationales for past failures (kids' schedules, hobbies, busy families -- nothing is excuse enough for her!), and offers tricks of the trade from successful housewives like herself. After their instructional weekend, the students head home with one week to undo their errant ways, re-organize their belongings, and plan for an in-home social function they must cater and host. A follow-up white-glove visit from Turner -- plus video footage of the party -- give her the information she needs to name one of the contestants that week's Perfect Housewife, who gets a fancy bag of cleaning goodies, bragging rights among their friends, and a newfound air of confidence at home.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The transformations that Turner's students make in their cluttered lives are amazing, and viewers will no doubt pick up some helpful hints they can use at home, too. You could argue that the show reinforces some dated gender roles, and you probably won't have much luck enticing kids to sit through a show about cleaning, but in the end, Perfect Housewives is a harmless show that offers some truly helpful tips.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: BBC America
Cast: Anthea Turner
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: BBC America
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 
 

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