SPOILER ALERT! The judges for season 10 are Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez. We'll see how things turn out! I'm gonna miss Simon!
American Idol
(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Where to watch: Fox, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
The one that started it all; OK for tweens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of American Idol was written by Pam Gelman
Parents need to know that this hugely popular reality competition show has spawned countless other similar series. The judges' rapport and comments are as big a part of the show as the singing. Their feedback, primarily Simon Cowell's, can be severe and hurtful ("you remind me of a wasp," "that was terrible," "that was the worst one yet"), but these comments have become the show's signature and are expected by competitors and anticipated by viewers. People of all backgrounds and body types try out for the show, if only to get a few minutes to meet the judges and/or get their 10 seconds of fame. Contestants have been mocked for cross-dressing, lack of talent, strange attire, dressing/acting sexy, and general physical appearance. The camera lingers on contestants who respond to the judges with joy or bleeped obscenities, hand gestures, and tears. Parents should also know that the show is a walking advertisement, with commercial products embedded throughout.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the audition process. Are the contestants who clearly have no singing ability auditioning for real or for fame? How can critiques be helpful to those who take the competition seriously? What's the difference between constructive and destructive criticism?
- What is talent, and what talents do your kids feel they have? Does this series inspire them? If so, in what way?
- What do kids think of the way the judges speak to the contestants?
- How is the show making money by having consumer products obvious at every turn?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on American Idol
What’s the Story?
Every season, the AMERICAN IDOL judges -- Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul (2002-2009), Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, and Ellen DeGeneres -- and host Ryan Seacrest visit cities across the United States, judging thousands of hopeful singers. The program showcases performers at both ends of the spectrum: The very
good is saved for the competition, while the very bad (packaged as
clips from the contestant search) airs in the weeks prior to the
"official" season. The top contestants (24 or 36 total, depending on the season) move on to the semifinals, which involve weekly singing competitions and call-in votes from viewers (this phase of the show is usually much less mean-spirited than the early episodes). As viewers find favorites among the contestants, the show inevitably gains ground, buzz, and headlines. It all culminates when the last contestant standing is named the next American Idol.
Is It Any Good?
The contestants' emotional, sometimes astounding performances grab those watching at home, who also feel involved in the process, since their votes determine the show's outcome. The judges' often over-the-top personalities have become infamous, as well as reality-show benchmarks. And while adults know that Simon's putting on a performance with his constant jabs, for kids, is this the standard of judging we want modeled? It's worth thinking about.
Many contestants are clearly looking for their moment in the spotlight. But plenty of the Idol wannabes are in it because they're truly talented singers who are dreaming of a big break. Many winners and runners-up have gone on to become true pop stars, proving that the show's formula -- as unforgiving as it can be -- really does work.
Our Members Say
See 167 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title off for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Awsome, but what will the show be like without Simon!
I love this show! It can be kind of rough and mean at times, but thats usually just Simon. Since Simon, Ellen, and Kara are leaving the show, we wont know what the new judges will be like. So, season ten will be kind of a suprise...
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Pretty Good
I like this show but it can be really boring.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
Pretty Good
I like this show but it can be really boring.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
This reality TV is okay for tweens
I've only watched a few episodes, but I know what it's like. It can be interesting. Some of the contestants can be rude if they don't win, but SImon is the most critical. He almost always critizes a performance. Language is often bleeped, but sometimes the judges (again, Simon) swear and it's unbleeped. It's an okay show, but if you're into that sort of thing you'll like it
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
love this show!! can't wait for season 10, yeahhhhhhh!!!!!
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Kids ages: 12, 17
I rate this title on for age 8 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
e.g. it's a lil iffy for kids 2-5, 6 is ok but 8 must be in the safe seat. not 1 or 0.
there is mild profanity, the word sometimes "f--king" is unbleeped. and you i don't recommend having your episodes or seasons if you are under 5 or 6.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Not completely appropriate
Some swearing. Lots of flirting all around. People have to pay to vote for there favorite contestant and lots of ads. Not okay for younger kids, great for middle aged kids,tweens,teens and adults
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
Good family show but can get iffy
To start I'd like to say that American Idol has been getting worse and worse lately. More commercials, less talent, and more scripted stuff. I think the ads are too much.
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Kids ages: 11, 14
I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Pornography bound-no longer good for Tween
American Idol after seeing it this past week should be rated R for sexual content due to Lady Ga Ga performance and lack of clothing. It was mild pornography in my oppinion. I had to send my 10 year old out the room quickly!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
Pretty much the best singing competition i've seen.
LOVE this show. Really awesome. They do swear a lot, and the sexual issues aren't too bad (but yes, everyone remembers Bikini Girl). It's true that the judges are sometimes hard on contestants, but if you get a thumbs up from Simon (the british judge overflowing with criticism) you KNOW you're awesome. Also, the truth is, 70% of the auditions are TERRIBLE. So they have a right to be critical. Advice: Start from the beginning! Otherwise you'll have no idea what the cheese tacos is going on. One last thing, Consumerism IS pretty big. There's always a little commercial saying, "This program is brought to you by COCA COLA." The judges even get special Coke cups to hold their drinks. But it definitely deserves FIVE stars. It's a good show.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
luv it but sometimes boring
it boring sometimes but other times its so funny to watch these dumb people do these stupid things for auditions
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Mixed Feelings
I personally LOVE American Idol, but this past couple of seasons have been rough. There has been more language being used. This year has been fun, and I love all of the contestants, and I think they are good role models with the songs they choose and what they say when interviewed.
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I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Adults only
The word "f---" is bleeped but all words are unbleeped
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
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Kids ages: 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
Dreams Can Come True
Really don't like that they have Victoria Secret commercials in between showings. Not cool at all. I like that everyday normal people can make their dreams come true, it still takes hard work. I feel like my own dreams are met in the performers as I watch them succeed. Great talent show.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
what really matters is language intolerance
some of the songs have language like a--,h--- and d--- in them. well the age isn't really what is important,it is how much you tolerate language like a--.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A long paragragh
Now I can't belaeve that the common sence people think American Idol is fine. It is the best! Now when I was younger I used to watch this but, then I started watching other things and then for a couple of years I did not watch American Idol. But then when I heard about the person that sang Pants on the ground and when I got home I went strate on youtube and looked up pants on the ground. Then I puted on my website. But then I started watching American Idol again. Now before I did my review I looked at some of the other comments. and they put down sex. And I think about bikini girl so I put down sex. Now American Idol can get a little boring. But you kinow what I mean. Another thing is what happend to Paulia Abdul? I mean she was my favorite judge. But then I changed it to Randy Jakson. Then I think when Kara came she was my favorite judge. THEN I finally made up my mind. That Ellen would be my favorite judge. Now I picked Ellen because she is always because she is on the postive side. And I think when it was Didi's turn to sing she was singing a song called " your no good." Then it was Simon's turn to say something. Simon said You are no good. Then I would always hear a booing after like every single word Simon would say. That's why I never mentioned his name. But he is still a good judge. It is just sad that Simon is leaving now I might stop watching American Idol. It is going to be plain boring with only Randy, Ellen, and Kara. So at the beginning of this long paragragh I really put five stars at first but now I changed them to three stars. So I might never watch American Idol again!
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I rate this title iffy for age 3 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
1 and under=NO 2-18=YES 18 and up=May find boring
This review...
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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