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Bully Beat Down (MTV)

common sense media says

Bully-bashing show fights violence with ... violence.

parents & educators say
  • 57% say there are positive role models
  • 43% say there are positive messages
See all 9 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that half of this show is devoted to physical violence -- specifically, cage fighting -- and that the objective is to teach bullies not to pick on victims by having them go head to head with professional-level martial artists. There's also some salty language (think "hell" and "ass") and heavy use of provocative statements like this: "Yo, bring us your bully, and we'll beat him down."

Positive messages: In theory, the message of the show -- that bullying is bad -- is positive. But the way that the bullies are taught a lesson -- using violence (albeit structured and supervised violence) -- is much less so.
Positive role models: The way that the participants choose to deal with their bullies isn't something that you'd want real-life kids imitating. There's also plenty of confrontation, trash talk, and the like.
Violence: About half of the show is devoted to training and fighting. Opponents punch, kick, push, and put choke holds on each other, although a referee (and trained medical staff) is available at all times during the match, and fighters can "tap out" when they need a break. Viewers might see small amounts of blood.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Frequent use of the word "ass" and other colorful terms like "douche bag," "man boobs," and "fat boy." For example, the host says of one bully: "Ryan has the body of a meat head and the personality of a douche bag. If you connected him into links, he'd be douche sausage."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Bully Beat Down

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about bullying and whether it's a problem they can relate to at home or at school. Teens: Do you know anyone that you'd classify as a bully? Have they ever hurt you or someone you know -- either physically or emotionally? Why do you think they act the way they do? 
  • Do you think a show like this one could actually change a bully's behavior in the long term? Or is it merely exploiting both the bully and the victim?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In BULLY BEATDOWN, fed-up victims nominate their real-life enemies for the ultimate revenge: going head to head with a professionally trained mixed martial artist in a no-holds-barred cage fight. In case the show's title isn't a dead giveaway, the bully gets a sobering beatdown -- and some serious taunting from host Jason "Mayhem" Miller (who's also a mixed martial artist). But there's also some cash involved: In the first round, the bully is given $5,000 ... but his victim gains $1,000 of it every time the bully has to "tap out" of the fight. In the second round, the bully starts with another $5,000 but loses it all to his victim if he's knocked out or decides to forfeit.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Fans of mixed martial arts action, especially those who know what it's like to be picked on by a bully, will dig this trumped-up revenge scenario that puts up to $10,000 cash in the pockets of the bully's victim. Others might be midly entertained at best.

But the show is at its most satisfying when the bully and victim can actually resolve their differences outside the ring, as in the episode in which a victim and his battered and bruised bully -- who just so happens to be his much bigger younger brother -- ultimately embraced and said "I love you." The reconciliation not only seemed genuine, but it also gave this reality-based game show a much-needed dose of humanity.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: MTV
Cast: Hans Olsen, Jason Miller, John Mccarthy
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: MTV
This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 57% say there are positive role models
  • 43% say there are positive messages
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say language is an issue
  • 29% say they noticed product placement
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

iPunk
teen, 14 years old
12
 
'Violence solves everything' Yeah. Right.
Bullying, and how there are comedies about it like the unforgettable Mean Girls. But now it's gotten so bad that even television and movie writers take it seriously. But they take the wrong way out in this show. This has some negative messages about revenge. And it goes against the line 'violence doesn't solve anything'. They show some bad ways to solve your problems with your 'enemies'.
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JokerMarine
parent
10
 
getting even & getting paid 4 it!
there is to much of this bullying going on in american schools and other places that todays' kids hang. kids' are killing themselves because of this "crap ". this is a good way to get even & let the bully find out how it feels. i'm a "Former Marine & Viet Nam Vet, & a grandfather, this is better than guns!
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Pastelito28
adult
13
 
role model
i think the show is great to teach the kids about not bullying and if they are getting bullied they should tell and adult for help. i think that the fighting is okay because is organized. is not like they get beaten down and they just leave the guy there. they do help them.
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bob56789
adult
14
 
Not worth your time, even detrimental
While the show does a decent job of delivering 'just desserts' I feel like it only feeds into a bully's ego. Though the bully is emasculated, this show rewards the bully through air time on national television. Furthermore, physical bullying is not the only kind there is. Many other forms of bullying exist that more often than not cannot and will not be solved through physical violence. This show does not address deep roots that precipitate bullying or show its far reaching effects. Overall not worth anyone's time unless you just want to see some chump bully smacked down by a professional.
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cyris
adult
17
 
i think that they fake the bully's to make money, and i don't believe that those bully's stop bullying them, if it is even for real, they will only stop bullying them if the kid himself beats him up
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Bleu
adult
17
 
Wrong for anyone!
In a country where violence, bullying and depression among children are at their all time high, who in their right mind would think bullying a bullying is appropriate? Isn't that a bit contradictory? I think it's despicable and sad MTV allows this garbage on TV.
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Robotjj
teen, 15 years old
10
 
This is the show for me
I'm 12 years old but can't get enough of this. I get bullies ALL THE TIME. And I hope when I'm old enough I get to put them in the ring.
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Plague
parent
13
 
Bully Beatdown
Though the concept oh fighting violence with violence wouldn't be the "right path" for many people. But I believe from past experiences, and other people dealing with the same issue that sometimes you need violence to solve a problem. Bullies are stubborn, and vocal intimidations wont do 99.9% fo the time. So I think this show sends a very possitive message to stand up to bullies by using physical violence (yes I said it), to get the message through their thick egoistic skulls.
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rosawinsea
parent of and 11 , 15 , 23 , 26 , 27 year old
13
 
i really injoyed watching them look like a fool
i would like you to put my nephew and son in a ring to show them there not as tough as the think, so they will stop bullying my son and grandkids.
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