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Rock the Cradle

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Ryan Devlin, Belinda Carlisle, Jamie King, Where to watch: MTV, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Music stars' kids compete in mostly tame series.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The celebrity parents seem supportive and caring. Some exhibit some mild "stage parenting" behavior, but it's more constructive than destructive. Some of the challenges the celebrities and their kids have faced over the years are discussed, including anorexia, addiction, bankruptcy, and jail time. There's lots of hissing and booing from the audience when they don't agree with a judge. The competitors are from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    References to being "panty dropper" performers and singing "lingerie music" vs. "sex music." A few women wear midriff-baring shirts, but nothing too revealing.

  • Language:

    Audible language includes "crap," "hell," and "damn" words like "f--k" and "s--t" are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Includes songs from various featured artists including Led Zeppelin and Avril Lavigne, as well as MTV video clips of past performances by M.C. Hammer, Twisted Sister, and others. The musicians whose kids are competing are themselves "brands" of a sort.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Discussions about alcoholism, drugs, addiction, and sobriety.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Rock the Cradle

Parents need to know that this reality series -- in which the children of well-known music performers compete for a recording contract -- incorporates discussions about some of the challenges the kids have faced as a result of their celebrity parent's career and lifestyle, touching on issues like anorexia, substance abuse, and jail time. There's also some sexual innuendo and strong language ("hell" and "crap" are audible; words like "s--t" and "f--k" are bleeped). It will probably appeal to music fans of all ages, but some of the content may be iffy for young tweens.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it's like to be the child of a celebrity. What kind of pressures do kids face when their parents are in the media spotlight? Do you think it's possible for them to have "normal" lives? Are they pressured to be as successful as their parents and/or to follow their career footsteps? Families can also discuss the appearance of celebs on reality and competition shows. Do you think being on shows like this helps boost their career?
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