Handpicked by Our Editors

True Jackson, VP
Age 8+
3

True Jackson, VP

Why We Recommend It

The aptly named heroine of this show demonstrates how to overcome obstacles by staying true to yourself.

Read our full review
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Industry TV ratings aren't much help when it comes to finding good family TV. It's hard to translate television ratings that look like a string of letters into good choices, and the TV ratings themselves aren't so reliable when you realize that the people who make the shows provide the ratings. So whatever your concern -- sex, violence, or all the ads -- our TV ratings help you find age-appropriate shows and manage the messages that our kids get from them.

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showing: game shows
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Head Games (Science Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this humor-laced game show -- which tests contestants’ grasp of scientific facts and concepts -- is filled with content that's both intriguing and educational. The series shows a variety of experiments in action and challenges ... read more

Age 10+
Head Games
4
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BrainSurge (Nickelodeon)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show makes it easy for kids to play along with the contestants, testing their listening comprehension and visual recollection skills in a series of puzzles and quizzes. Players are eliminated at the end of each of three ... read more

Age 6+
BrainSurge
3
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Crash Course (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show -- in which contestants compete in extreme driving obstacle courses for a chance to win a cash prize -- features very dangerous stunts that young drivers should be reminded never to try. There's a good bit of salty ... read more

Age 12+
Crash Course
3
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Face the Ace (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this game show -- which pits amateur poker players against top professionals in a series of one-on-one matchups for a potential $1 million prize -- doesn't have much in the way of swearing, drinking, or sex, its focus on ... read more

Age 14+
Face the Ace
1
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Most Popular (WE)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show is aimed squarely at adult women -- but that doesn't mean that parents can't watch with their teens. It might even ignite some revealing conversations about the concept of popularity and what types of qualities make ... read more

Age 14+
Most Popular
2
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BrainRush (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this show's kid-friendly content makes it a good introduction to game shows for young viewers. Kids will enjoy playing along with the contestants as they answer a series of questions and complete other challenges while riding roller ... read more

Age 6+
BrainRush
4
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Silent Library (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this quirky game show requires participants to endure a series of very strange challenges while suffering in near-total silence; even wincing in pain earns a stern rebuke from the unusually severe host. The tasks can be painful ... read more

Age 13+
Silent Library
2
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The Phone (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that the mood of this fast-paced game show is realistically tense -- and the dramatic special effects (including car explosions and gun battles) might seem a little too real to tweens and young children. That said, the language is ... read more

Age 14+
The Phone
4
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Game Show in My Head (CBS)
Parents Need to Know...

that, in most of this show's challenges, players have to lie to unsuspecting victims to win money -- up to $50,000 -- and they can't tell the people they're lying to that they're being duped. Interestingly, a few of the victims lie, too, ... read more

Age 9+
Game Show in My Head
3
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Estate of Panic (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that the contestants on this show endure some extremely uncomfortable situations for the chance to win money. To win, they must find hidden cash, but the money is protected by elaborate booby traps that generally involve physical ... read more

Age 12+
Estate of Panic
3
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Cha$e (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game/reality show makes people the prey; they earn money for every minute they manage to elude a band of Hunters. The Hunters -- actors who present themselves as single-minded, robotic assassins -- create a sense of intimidation ... read more

Age 12+
Cha$e
3
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Go for the Green (Planet Green)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show is full of facts about green living and other environmental issues. It's pretty mild, but there are occasional references to drinking and other humor that isn't really appropriate for young kids. Older tween and teen ... read more

Age 9+
Go for the Green
3
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Gladiators (BBC America)
Parents Need to Know...

that, like its American counterpart this game show -- in which people compete in very physical challenges for a $100,000 prize while being pitted against extremely athletic gladiators -- includes bouts in which participants push, shove, ... read more

Age 10+
Gladiators
3
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Opportunity Knocks (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show is one of the rare series that adults, teens, tweens, and younger kids can actually watch together -- and they'll probably have a good time doing it. In fact, the show's format was designed to bring families closer ... read more

Age 7+
Opportunity Knocks
4
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Gladiators 2000 (Syndicated)
Parents Need to Know...

that this kid-targeted version of American Gladiators -- which originally aired in the mid-'90s and is now getting a second life -- is well suited for families. The young competitors must use physical fitness and teamwork to succeed in ... read more

Age 6+
Gladiators 2000
3
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My Family's Got GUTS (Nickelodeon)
Parents Need to Know...

that the families who participate in this high-energy game show must use teamwork, strategy, and fitness to win. Throughout the contest, the focus is on doing your best and displaying good sportsmanship rather than winning at all costs, ... read more

Age 6+
My Family's Got GUTS
3
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Hole in the Wall (Fox)
Parents Need to Know...

that, as in the original Japanese series it's based on, this game show's entertainment "value" comes from watching contestants awkwardly contort their bodies to try to fit through holes cut out of a moving barrier -- only to get swept ... read more

Age 9+
Hole in the Wall
2
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Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show is a worry-free option for families with tweens and up. There’s nothing about its content that's likely to concern parents aside from a few well-placed plugs for show sponsors, and the quiz-style format makes for fun ... read more

Age 8+
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
4
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Wanna Bet? (ABC)
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 ... read more

Age 10+
Wanna Bet?
3
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The Gong Show with Dave Attell (Comedy Central)
Parents Need to Know...

that nothing is sacred in this late-night hybrid that's equal parts talent competition and three-ring circus. On any given episode you might see wrestling midgets who beat each other over the head with metal trays, magicians who pull ... read more

Age 15+
The Gong Show with Dave Attell
2
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Dance Machine (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that while there's some good-natured sparring between the contestants on this reality competition/game show -- in which amateur dancers show off their moves while competing for a large cash prize -- it's lighthearted, fun, and ... read more

Age 9+
Dance Machine
3

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