Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Memory-centric game show fun; some edgy comments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
AMNESIA puts people to the test by asking them questions about their own lives for cash prizes. Hosted by Emmy-award winning comedian and radio/TV talk show host Dennis Miller, the show features a series of quiz-like challenges that require contestants to recall specific details from their childhood years through their current lives. With the help of family and friends, funny anecdotes and photographs are shared with the audience as contestants attempt to answer each question correctly and bank some big bucks.
Is It Any Good?
Although winning money is what drives the show, the real fun is watching the contestants struggle to remember the particulars about their lives -- the first thing they said to their future spouses, details about favorite childhood books, etc. Although the players are sometimes slightly embarrassed, the questions (unlike on The Moment of Truth) aren't intended to humiliate them, and everything is meant in good fun. That said, while Amnesia offers laughs, it lacks some excitement. Moments that should be suspenseful are watered down by the seemingly endless banter between Miller, the contestants, and their friends and family members.
Expect lots of Miller's trademark tongue-and-cheek humor, as well as jokes and anecdotes with some sexual references. Though some of the innuendo may go over kids' head, it still makes the show a bit strong for younger viewers. But older quiz show fans may find watching people getting stumped by their own life history fairly entertaining, if not edge-of-your-seat exciting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why people compete on game shows -- especially when it means sharing personal details about their lives on national television. Is it just for the money? Or is there another motivation? Families can also talk about the kinds of things people remember about their personal lives. What kinds of details do you remember from your past? How well do you think you'd do on a show like this?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 22, 2008
- Cast : Dennis Miller
- Network : NBC
- Genre : Game Shows
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 19, 2019
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