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Dance Your Ass Off (Oxygen)

common sense media says

Dance contest pushes overweight contenders toward health.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while the central message of this weight loss-oriented reality competition is positive for all ages, the show is targeting adults and older teens, not kids. (Need a clue that it's not meant for young children? Note the word "ass" in the title.) Expect to hear some slang words for body parts -- including "junk" and "booty" -- and see a few brand-name food and drink items. Costumes tend toward the revealing, too, occasionally baring midriffs or buttocks.

Positive messages: Although the show's emphasis is on weight loss, it encourages the dancers to get healthy rather than super skinny. To drive the point home, the contestants are teamed up with a doctor, a nutritionist, and a physical trainer in addition to their dance partner. On the downside, some of the producers' choices seem designed to elicit viewer laughs -- like dressing some of the contestants in unflattering costumes.
Positive role models: Contestants include both men and women, both single and married, ranging in age from their 20s to their 40s. Many have serious health problems, but most want to get healthy and do something about it.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Occasional references to body parts (particularly buttocks and breasts) in relationship to sexual attractiveness. Somewhat revealing costumes.
Language: The title of the show contains the word "ass," but other curse words are rare. Some refer to having "junk in the trunk," "thunder thighs," a sizable "booty," etc.
Consumerism: The dancers' "cheat" pantry includes a few brand-name snacks like Doritos.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Dance Your Ass Off

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the importance of staying healthy through proper nutrition and regular exercise. Overall, do you think you do a good job of choosing healthy foods and staying active? What are some things you could do as a family to make better choices when it comes to your health?
  • Families can also discuss the intent of a show like this one. Is it meant to motivate and inspire viewers to get healthy, or was it designed to exploit its contestants for entertainment purposes? Could it be a little bit of both?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A pack of plus-sized men and women are trying to lose weight and get healthy in DANCE YOUR ASS OFF, an elimination-style reality dance competition. Over the course of 10 episodes, the 12 contenders meet regularly with a physician, a nutritionist, a personal trainer, and a dance instructor -- the latter of whom then joins them on the dance floor as their partner. Ultimately, they're judged both on how much weight they lose each week and how well they perform their choreography.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

A blend of The Biggest Loser and Dancing with the Stars (minus the stars), this dance contest tries hard to entertain. And while some viewers will watch because they find the dancers' stories inspiring, others might be tuning in to have a laugh at their expense. After all, the show goes out of its way to dress the contenders in flashy costumes that are typically unflattering (including fishnet body stockings and ultra-short shorts), so you have to wonder whether producers are milking what could be a 100% postive process for extra comedic potential.

The show also loses points for iffy renditions of popular songs like Cher's "Believe." But at least it's making an effort to help contestants (and, hopefully, viewers) get healthy in a fun, upbeat way.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Oxygen
Cast: Marissa Jaret Winokur, Mel B.
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Oxygen
This review was written by Kari Croop
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

mz_independent
teen, 16 years old
14
 
the show that is for all of us
i thinkthis show is ok for young kids but
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worldwidewebqueen8
kid, 13 years old
9
 
awsome role models make kids confedence!!
i like the show.the role models are very good sometimes.they even encoreged me to lose some wieght!
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xword8
parent of and 9 , 15 , 17 year old
17
 
Bad judgment
I know I'm making comments before this show has even aired, but I have no intention of allowing it to be watched in my home. I have gone out of my way to set parental controls on my TV, in the hope that I can filter out offensive material. Then my child tells me about a new show called "Dance Your A** Off". She saw an add on a "family friendly" channel and quoted it to me. What kind of fools use such crude language in the title of a show? Any program produced by people with such poor judgment will not be viewed in my home.
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NoParentEmail
kid, 12 years old
7
 
The A or B Word?
well, it's better than we say "butt", not @ss
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hmph11
kid, 13 years old
17
 
no
Not good that they put a cuss word in the title.
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Mommyconcerned
parent of 12 year old
11
 
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lillyk
kid, 12 years old
10
 
ok 4 tweens
its ok they put a cuss word in the title. some of the outfits are a little to much for little kids.... it might encourage people to drop pounds.....
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jalexis boo
kid, 13 years old
10
 
it is not right
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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