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Some Assembly Required

(Rated TV-G, Educational, Starring Brian Unger, Lou Bloomfield, Where to watch: Discovery Channel)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 4, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Science series is smart, but lacks extra spark.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The series features informative explanations about how various products are created and mass produced throughout the United States. The scientific explanations are simplified and intended to educate more than entertain. Most factory managers are male and Caucasian, but factory workers are both male and female and from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.

  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Features specific, branded products like Les Paul guitars and Burt's Bees lip balm. Includes some brief discussions about how popular these products are.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Some Assembly Required

Parents need to know that this educational series offers simple-but-educational scientific explanations about how everyday products are assembled and mass-produced in factories and workshops around the country. Many of these products are familiar/known brands, like Les Paul guitars and Burt's Bees lip balm. The series will probably be appealing to kids interested in the sciences or those who simply like to know about how things get made.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how television can promote science and learning. What did you learn from the show that you didn't know before? How can TV shows geared toward educating the public be informative while also being interesting and fun? Families can also discuss how the different products they use everyday are made. What things do you use that make you wonder how they were created? How could you find out more about them?
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