 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Beauty and the Geek
- MTV, WB
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Lessons for teens buried beneath a silly premise.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the show plays on stereotypes -- the "beauties" are attractive young women who aren't very bright and the "geeks" are smart but unpolished guys with limited social skills. Contestants live in the same house, and share rooms, often with one bed. The beauties dress skimpily, and one episode featured a strip poker competition. Ultimately the beauties and geeks build friendships and respect for each other.
What's the story?
BEAUTY AND THE GEEK matches eight socially-challenged men with eight intellectually-challenged women. The pairs compete in challenges that test social, academic, and fashion skills. Geeks compete in karaoke or room-decorating challenges while beauties assemble a computer or engage in political debates.
Is it any good?
This "social experiment" is based on the stereotype that beautiful women lack smarts and intelligent men can't attract the opposite sex. But despite the silly premise, this reality show offers some surprising insights. The men and women genuinely learn lessons and skills from one another. They have conversations about social issues, what's acceptable in society, and why. Both the beauties and the geeks end up recognizing the value in their newfound-knowledge -- be it social or academic.
The conversations that ignite when contestants are sitting around the house are far more interesting than the challenges themselves, which involve contrived competitions that are meant to reinforce stereotypes -- is it supposed to be amusing that a beauty doesn't know who the vice president is? Still, it's refreshing to see these young people getting past their differences and sharing their strengths with each other. That said, Beauty and the Geek is still a reality show -- with tension and drama to keep the show edgy. Parents can watch with teens and talk about stereotypes and how they play into dating scenarios.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the stereotypes that serve as the show's premise. Are these stereotypes shattered or challenged? What values and lessons are learned? Would these contestants ever get to know each other if it wasn't for this show? Can people with such different interests find love?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
U LEARN A LOT!!
When u first hear about this show you think o it's all going to be about a lot of self centrered girls who make fun of the smart geeky guys. But it is a lot more than that. I watched last season and I was very suprised the first few episodes did what I thought thewy would. But then there was this twist and the girls started getting along with there partners. GREAT SHOW!
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AGE
favorite show
this show iznt innapropriate. it is a funny reality tv show. any parent should allow their children to watch it. it is totally fine.
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AGE
Get your Geek ON!
AUSOME show but Common sense media rated it WAY to high on age! I would say 10+ just because younger kids might not stay intrested. I fist started watching at 11 and I am 12 now.
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AGE
Beauty and the Geek is completely harmless.
Beauty and the Geek is okay for basically anybody. It's actually sort of educational. A series of really attractive girls who really don't have any smarts get a guy partner who is very smart but yet very unpopular. They have to go on challenges. For example, the girls have to learn about politics and comic books. The boys have to learn about celebrities and girls. One team (a boy and girl partnered together) will win a challenge and they get to pick two teams to up for elimination and they are asked a series of questions of what they have learned that week. The team with the least ammount of points is sent home. This show is a bit educational but very harmless. Parents shouldn't worry about it at all.
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AGE
The best show ever!
I love this show!!! Its not bad at all. Sure it makes fun of the geeks and how dumb the beauties are, but they learn from each other. This show is a must see.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Networks: | MTV, WB |
| Cast: | Mike Richards, Nadia Dajani, Sam Horrigan |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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