Wanna Bet? - TV-PG

Celebs wager on stupid human tricks for charity.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: ABC
  • Genre: Game Shows

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although overall this game show is age-appropriate for most tweens and up, there is a fair amount of double entendre. Both male and female performers/contestants are congratulated on their looks, and the betting celebrities occasionally wager on whether the contestants will succeed at their challenges based on their appearances. Since the contestants aren't competing directly with each other, there're are fewer snarky, judge-type comments than on other reality contests.

Families can talk about how the performers accomplish their various challenges. How do you think they learned to do such out of the ordinary things? Why do you think the contestants want to perform? Is it just to help win money for charity, or could they have other motivations? Why do people want to be on television?

Message

Social Behavior:

Some stereotypes are reinforced, albeit fairly lightly. For example, in a men-against-women competition, the men allow the women twice the time to complete the task ... but the women are amateurs, and the men are pros. A fair number of comments are made about how people look.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

A fair amount of double entendre -- for example, one contestant is described as having the most talented tongue in town (although viewers later find out that it's in regard to his talent for tasting things).

Language

Infrequent use of words like "damn."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Anne Louise Bannon

The premise of WANNA BET? is simple. Ordinary people who can perform some pretty odd stunts -- from hula-hooping a tractor tire to skiing over fresh eggs without breaking them -- get the opportunity to perform in front of the cameras, while minor celebrities like Corbin Bernsen bet on whether or not the contestants can pull it off. The celebs get $25,000 to work with; the winner gives their pot to charity.

Is it any good?

3
The scary thing about this show is the way it sucks you in. On paper, the premise sounds like it would be dreadful -- and yet, by the end of the first stunt, you can't help but cheer along with the performer.

British hosts Ant and Dec are charming -- and smart enough to keep the action moving. But ultimately, it's not the celebrities and the periodic, mildly off-color quips that offer the most entertainment. It's the stunts -- like the team of women who pit-stop a car against a team of professional men -- who get you cheering and laughing. Bottom line? It's silly, frothy, and an oddly fun way to spend an evening.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/23/08 by jill1234567890523 Kid contributor, age 12

Cool And For Charity

I just saw it. It's realy cool!
3


Posted on 07/23/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Fun game show for the whole family

ABC is trying to clean up primetime by airing more family-friendly shows like "Wanna Bet?". However, there is a fair amount of innuendo and double entendres which gave the series premiere episode its TV-PG D rating. "Wanna Bet?" has gotten poor reviews from critics calling it unoriginal and imitating YouTube, but this show is more family-safe than YouTube. There could be a G-rated video on YouTube, yet there could be links to PG-13 videos and potentially offensive comments. All in all, "Wanna Bet?" is safe for the whole family and a great alternative to YouTube. I hope it doesn't get canceled, though.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

3


Posted on 07/23/08 by gospurs57 Adult contributor

Fun game show for the whole family

ABC is trying to clean up primetime by airing more family-friendly shows like "Wanna Bet?". However, there is a fair amount of innuendo and double entendres which gave the series premiere episode its TV-PG D rating. "Wanna Bet?" has gotten poor reviews from critics calling it unoriginal and imitating YouTube, but this show is more family-safe than YouTube. There could be a G-rated video on YouTube, yet there could be links to PG-13 videos and potentially offensive comments. All in all, "Wanna Bet?" is safe for the whole family and a great alternative to YouTube. I hope it doesn't get canceled, though.

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 07/23/08 by jill1234567890523 Kid contributor, age 12

Cool And For Charity

I just saw it. It's realy cool!
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