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Disaster Date

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: MTV)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Lame dating show isn't a total disaster ... but it's close.

Themes in this show include:   dating/crushes, honesty, revenge

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Although the mood/tone is pretty light, the show reinforces the idea of revenge and promotes pranking as a problem-solving method, which could give kids the wrong idea.

  • Role models:

    Nobody here has truly terrible intensions, but the actors, producers, and participants, in general, engage in deceitful (and otherwise iffy) behavior to score laughs at victims' expense.

  • Violence:

    In some cases, actors get into shouting matches with their dates or other actors who are in on the joke.

  • Sex:

    Actors occasionally bring up sexually charged topics to get a rise out of their victims. In one episode, for example, a date asks the victim whether she has any STDs and uses the word "vagina."

  • Language:

    Some bleeped language ("f--k" and "s--t"), plus audible terms like "bitch," "ass," and "balls," but it isn't constant.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Most dates involve dinner and/or drinks, but the outings aren't long enough for anyone to get tipsy.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Disaster Date

Parents need to know that this hidden-camera show sends a subtle message that lying is OK when it's funny, which could be easily misinterpreted by younger children. There's also some bleeped language (including "s--t" and "f--k") and iffy audibles like "balls" and "vagina," in addition to characters who drink alcohol to break the ice in awkward social situations. The phrase "payback's a bitch!" is a common refrain.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about honesty and when it's OK to lie. Are there any negative consequences to lying on this show? Is the victim negatively affected by others' actions?
  • How is alcohol used to break the ice on these dates? Can too much alcohol take a date in the wrong direction?
  • Do you think people are really signing up for the show to get revenge on someone who set them up on a bad date? Or do they just want to be on television?
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