Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen musicians' climb to the top is tween-friendly fun.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Big Time Rush
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 36 parent reviews
Based on 144 kid reviews
Kids say that the show evokes strong nostalgia and is entertaining, often appreciated for its humor and catchy music. Many reviewers highlight its positive messages about friendship and perseverance, while some express concerns regarding romantic themes and portrayals of disrespect towards authority figures.
- nostalgic feel
- positive messages
- entertaining humor
- concerns about themes
- suitable for tweens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BIG TIME RUSH, four teenage friends leave the snowy Midwest to follow their dream of becoming successful recording artists. After music executive Gustavo Rocque (Stephen Kramer Glickman) discovers Kendall (Kendall Schmidt) at an open casting call for a new band, he and his longtime pals James (James Maslow), Logan (Logan Henderson), and Carlos (Carlos Pena) head to Los Angeles with Kendall's mom (Challen Cates) and little sister (Ciara Bravo) in the hopes that they've got what it takes to become the hot new band. But once there, they discover that it will take more than big dreams and flashy smiles to break through the competition.
Is It Any Good?
At a time when reality series like American Idol promise to turn average Joes into overnight stars, the idea of a series based on the aftermath of a person's "discovery" is an enticing one -- even if it is fictitious. The show offers a lighthearted glimpse at the conflicting forces that exist between the guys' dreams of starting a career and their efforts to make the most of their fleeting teenage years.
Big Time Rush certainly doesn't try to incorporate much reality into its storylines, but for most tweens, separating this type of content from anything that might relate to their own lives is a no-brainer, so there's little concern in allowing them to tune in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about celebrities. How does our society view celebrities? Do we hold them to higher standards than the rest of the population because of their high profile? Is that fair? How does it affect us when they make mistakes?
Kids: Who are some of your favorite entertainers? Why do you admire them? Are you more likely to admire someone who's had to overcome the odds to get to where they are today?
Kids: What kind of career do you think you would like to have? What special skills or schooling will you need for it? How will you use your skills to improve people's lives?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 28, 2009
- Cast : James Maslow , Kendall Schmidt , Logan Henderson
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- TV rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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