Tabloid Wars - TV-PG
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Bravo Cast: Michael Cooke, George Rush, Lloyd Grove
Genre: Reality TV
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that that this series provides some interesting insight into the world of tabloid journalism and on the life of a reporter in a major city. Parents also need to know that some of stories the reporters are working on are a bit strong for younger audiences. The discussions of violent acts (police shootings, hate crimes) and other criminal behavior can be a bit disturbing.
Families can discuss what it would be like to be a journalist. What is the life of a reporter really like? What challenges do reporters face every day as they try to do their jobs? What's the difference between a tabloid and a "regular" newspaper? Families can also discuss the difficult choices people make every day about their careers and their personal lives. Is it possible to have a challenging career and a family? What kinds of sacrifices do we make in order to have the career of our dreams?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho
Whether you read the tabloids or not, TABLOID WARS reminds us that news, even tabloid news, is a serious business. Tabloid Wars is a documentary-style reality show that gives viewers a first-hand look at the daily operations of a tabloid newspaper (the term "tabloid" refers to the paper's size and format as well as its sensational content).
The series follows the reporters, writers, and editors of The New York Daily News as they work in the newsroom and on the streets of New York pursuing leads and reconstructing events in order to write stories that will appeal to their working-class readership.
Fast-paced and unglamorous, Tabloid Wars shows viewers that reporters' lives can be both exciting and draining as they struggle to maintain a competitive edge in the cut-throat world of newspaper journalism.
Constantly being reminded by Michael Cooke, Daily News editor-in chief (pictured), that they're competing against their "enemy," The New York Post, the reporters pursue stories that range from the violent to the bizarre. Racially motivated crime and police shootings are intermixed with stories about Robert De Niro's nanny, Victoria Gotti's latest party, homeless body builders, and reptile collectors. They also make room for more poignant stories, such as the loss of a local police officer in Iraq.
The personal lives of the Daily News staff vary as much as the stories they write. Always committed to writing the most cutting-edge stories in time for the nightly 10:30 pm deadline, they often find themselves unsuccessfully trying to balance the needs of the paper and the needs of their loved ones. To this end, Tabloid Wars highlights the real costs of keeping the business of tabloid journalism running.
Teens with an interest in journalism or newspapers will probably find the series fascinating; because of the mature nature of many of the stories the reporters and editors cover, the show isn't the best fit for younger viewers.
Fans may also like the series City Confidential and the movies All the President's Men and Control Room.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentOccasional references to sexual behavior. |
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ViolenceOccasional discussions of violent criminal behavior that might disturb some viewers. |
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LanguageMostly mild: "Damn," etc. Strong curse words are bleeped out. |
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Social BehaviorThe show looks at reporters' professional commitment to their careers. But the series deals with a variety of news events that take place in New York City, most of which aren't positive. |
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CommercialismCopies of the New York Daily News and competing tabloids are sometimes visible. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOccasional references to alcohol. |
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