The Academy

Review

Common Sense Media says

Real deputy recruits learn to protect and serve.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series revolves around the L.A. Sheriff's Department's intense training program, which is designed to prepare recruits for the stress and dangers associated with law enforcement. To that end, instructors often yell at and insult the recruits (sometimes using fairly mild swear words like "hell" and "damn"); although they offer explanations for their behavior, it might be too much for younger or more sensitive kids.

  • Positive messages0
    Emphasizes the values of the Sheriff's Department, including integrity, confidence, and self-discipline. The training methods may seem severe, but they prepare recruits for the real challenges of law enforcement. Recruits include both men and women.
  • Violence3
    Guns, hand-to-hand combat, and other activities are visible, but they're presented within the context of training to handle violent situations. Instructors regularly yell at and insult recruits (also part of the training process).
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

Reality series THE ACADEMY follows a class of more than 100 recruits as they complete 18 weeks of intense training at the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy -- the nation's largest Sheriff's Department. The men and women must survive the rigors of a program designed to make sure they're up to the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of the job. On a day-to-day basis, that means coping with nonstop pressure placed on them by the staff instructors, undergoing grueling physical conditioning, learning to make life-or-death decisions in a split second, and demonstrating integrity, leadership, and self-discipline at all times.

Is it any good?

 

Watching the recruits' struggle is intended to be more educational than entertaining -- staff instructors regularly offer viewers some of the underlying reasons for their extreme training tactics.

The series, which is narrated by Holt McCallany, also highlights some of the recruits' personal thoughts as they search within themselves for the strength and confidence to make it to graduation. As a result, The Academy provides an honest view of what it takes to work in law enforcement -- and it what it means to people who have chosen this career.

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about what it takes to complete the intense physical and mental training necessary to become a law enforcement officer. Do you think this show accurately portrays what it's like to prepare for that kind of career? Is this show more or less realistic than other "reality" shows? How so? Which type do you prefer, and why?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-14
Network:MyNetworkTV
Cast:Dwight Miley, Holt McCallany, Mark Wilkins
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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