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Charm School

(Rated NR, Reality TV, Starring Ricki Lake, Mo'Nique, Sharon Osbourne, Where to watch: VH1, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Reality spin-off is tasteless and confusing.

Why We Rated This off for Ages 14 and Under

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Confusing messages about behavior. Lessons designed to teach teamwork, sisterhood, and respect are marred by the large amount of attention paid to exactly the opposite behaviors. Some intense criticism from the judges. The women compete against each other and can get very nasty. They have some compassion for one another, but this is rarely acknowledged.
  • Violence:

    Catfights, threats of violence.
  • Sex:

    Women often dress provocatively. Flashback scenes include women making out and playing in bed with a man. Some sexy dancing/moving. Lots of cleavage and some blurred nudity. Some mention of sex.
  • Language:

    Constant stream of profanity, much of which gets bleeped -- though depending on the time of day the show is broadcast, even "f--k" makes it through uncensored. Regularly unbleeped words include "ass" and the very popular "bitch."
  • Consumerism:

    Promotion of other Flavor of Love/Rock of Love-related shows. The women are eager for the cash prize.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some drinking, mention of hangovers; some discussion of drug use ("weed").
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Charm School

Parents need to know that this reality spin-off is just as cringe-worthy as the crude series that supply its contestants, Flavor of Love and Rock of Love. Most of the women dress in tight, revealing clothes, and some act in sexually suggestive ways (such as getting up on a table and dancing sexily while wearing a schoolgirl outfit). Flashbacks to the original shows include shots of the women making out and carousing. There's some discussion of drug use, and the women are sometimes seen drinking or talking about being hung over. They argue and threaten one another, and some scenes involve physical fights. Profanity is regular, though much is bleeped. Last but not least, the show sends confusing messages about "good" behavior, and the women get some intense criticism from each other and their judges.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why these women wanted to be on this show. What do you think their motivation is? What can you deduce about them from their behavior? Do you think they need or want to change the way they act? If they didn't act so wild, do you think they would be on the show in the first place? What purpose does a series like this serve? Is it just meant to be a guilty pleasure?

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Our Members Say

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See all 18 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Girls get in fights, one episode in which Larissa gets pulled away from a fight with Leilene by Becky, still yelling and using "B*tch. She uses F*ck several times. A*s is used by Saaphyri.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great Show

    I adored this show from the moment I saw it. It offers a chance for these hot mess girls to become better people, and from what I've seen, it works. It does a great job in distinguishing girls who are just there for money and TV time from girls who truly want change and are there for the right reasons. Aside from that, it's a hoot. Regardless of their reasons, all the girls on these seasons made me laugh.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great Show

    I adored this show from the moment I saw it. It offers a chance for these hot mess girls to become better people, and from what I've seen, it works. It does a great job in distinguishing girls who are just there for money and TV time from girls who truly want change and are there for the right reasons. Aside from that, it's a hoot. Regardless of their reasons, all the girls on these seasons made me laugh.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    lolol

    its a bad show...like, the storyline is...i just think its stupid to have a bunch of hoes running around trying to become ladies...but its funny to watch- i mean, its a good time waster

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    hi

    i really like this show but it can get really bad like some girls being rude to each other cussing drugs etc so i say 14 and up

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