Can You Duet

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Contest plays up teamwork, but some iffy stuff.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this country music competition show -- in which hopeful twosomes compete for a major recording contract -- is a lot like American Idol . It highlights the hard work that goes into succeeding in the industry, and the judges offer lots of constructive criticism and actually work with the contestants to improve their performances. Overall, the content is on the milder side, but there's some infrequent strong language ("hell" and "ass"), a bit of sexual innuendo, and -- unlike -- on Idol occasional visible drinking and smoking. Watch out for tension-filled arguments in later episodes, too.

  • The competition demonstrates the hard work that goes into becoming a country music duo. Judges offer lots of constructive criticism and work with the contestants to improve their performances. Some friendships are tested when duos are split up. The contestants are primarily Caucasian.
  • Not applicable.
  • Some mild sexual innuendo. Lots of lyrics about love, heartbreak, and -- during one brief moment -- cheating and a messy divorce. The audition phase includes a "singles room" in which single artists can "mingle" to find someone to duet with in order to be eligible.
  • Occasional use of words like "ass" and "hell."
  • Lots of references to popular country songs and successful country duos, especially The Judds. The winners' recording contract is with Sony BMG Nashville. Briefly shows Hooters Restaurant and refers to "Hooter Girls."
  • Some references to and consumption of alcohol, including beer and hard liquor. Smoking is occasionally visible (mostly in the audition process).

What's the story?

In latest would-be American Idol CAN YOU DUET, aspiring country music pairs work hard to become a harmonious duo both on and off the stage so they can survive each phase of competition. Each performance is judged by country singer Naomi Judd (half of superstar country music duo The Judds), renowned voice coach Brett Manning, and award-winning songwriter Aimee Mayo. At stake is the chance to compete live on stage and win a major recording deal.


Is it any good?

 

Unlike Idol, Can You Duet's judges spend a lot of their energy actually assisting with the vocal development of each pair of contestants, as well as providing lyrical and performance advice. But while the competitors are spared from sharp, Simon Cowell-like insults, the real tension comes from learning how to grow creatively and perform as a twosome rather than just focusing on individual talent. For some that means redefining their already established musical act. For others it means building a professional and personal rapport with another singer after splitting from their original musical partner to pursue their dream -- a decision that can potentially stir up feelings of guilt and disloyalty.

Hosted by Rossi Morreale, the show highlights some of the unique challenges that go into producing a winning duet, as well as the hard work that goes into creating a successful country music performance. While the series' content is fairly tame overall, there's some occasional strong language ("ass," "hell"), mild sexual innuendo, and occasional drinking and smoking. That makes it little iffy for young kids, but mature tweens and teen country fans will find it entertaining.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about what it takes to become a country music star. What additional challenges does a country music "duo" face (over a solo performer) when trying to break into the industry? How do judges (and audiences) know when two talented people shouldn't sing together? Is there a certain sound or look that they need to have? Families can also discuss their favorite country musicians. How did they get their big break? Would you ever want to try a competition like this? Why or why not? How does this show compare to American Idol? Which do you like better? Why?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 
Worst Show Ever...
This is the most downright AWFUL show ever!

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 10, 12, 15, 17, and 20 year old
February 18, 2009
 
Love the show!!
The show wasn't as "belittling" as AI. The judges actually gave advice instead of just tearing the contestants down. The contestants also weren't being judged on how "cute" they were! The voice was what mattered, not the look! Refreshing!!

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
April 9, 2008
 

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:CMT
Cast:Brett Manning, Naomi Judd, Rossi Morreale
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you see Can You Duet?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it