 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Ty Murray's Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge
- CMT
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Celeb competition series is surprisingly positive.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this reality competition is surprisingly positive, without the greed and trash talk typical of so many others. The host and quasi-famous competitors focus on safety, skill building, and encouraging their peers' efforts. That said, there's plenty of strong language ("ass," "damn," and "hell" are common, with stronger words -- including "f--k" and "p---y" bleeped out), and a fair number of bumps, bruises, and other injuries sustained in the ring.
What's the story?
TY MURRAY'S CELEBRITY BULL RIDING CHALLENGE is a fantasy boot camp of the most extreme kind. The all-male cast includes actors, athletes, and musicians -- from NFL great Raghib "Rocket" Ismail and freestyle motocross champ "Cowboy" Kenny Bartram (who, despite his nickname, has never so much as touched a bull) to actor Stephen Baldwin and rapper Vanilla Ice. They converge at the Texas home of seven-time All-Around World Bull Riding Champ Ty Murray where, over the course of 10 days, Murray and other pros teach them the basics of riding -- and protecting themselves from -- their menacing mounts. Those who cut the mustard during training will face the ultimate challenge: a trip to Nashville, where they'll participate in a professional bull riding competition.
Is it any good?
You might think this all smacks of the same stuff as so many other star-studded reality TV predecessors, but this show differs in a few key ways. First, it's not a competition in the elimination sense; no one goes home until the Nashville contest. Instead, the focus is on improving skills and gaining confidence in a new endeavor. This greatly reduces the amount of trash talking among the nine riding newbies and encourages them to support each other's efforts, which gives the show a more positive vibe.
Also central is the show's emphasis on safety; Murray and his cohorts are passionate about teaching their charges the basics that could very well save their lives once they enter the arena. The added bonus is that viewers learn a lot about this extreme sport, too. All in all, the show is a pleasant surprise among its reality peers. Just know that since red-letter language is prevalent (the strongest words are bleeped), it's best for older tweens and teens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what draws marginally famous celebrities to participate in shows like this. Are they hoping to parlay their TV appearances into something bigger? Do they crave attention? How is this series different from other "celebreality" shows? What do viewers like so much about reality shows in general? How "real" are they? Kids: Do you like reality TV? Why? If you created a reality show, what would it be?
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | CMT |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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