The FBI Files (Discovery Channel)

The show's interviewees are always serious, but sometimes their solemnity inches too closely to dull. And though the re-enactments are sometimes believable, for the most part they're poorly portrayed. Those with a more twisted sense of humor might enjoy imagining how different the real scenes would be from those acted out onscreen -- the actors' portrayal often seems much milder than what the narrator describes. For instance, participants are often described as drinking alcohol for long periods of time, but the actors never appear drunk. And because cases handled by the FBI are often high profile and frequently involve very dangerous criminals, the cases featured on the show are often grisly and involve scary scenarios. Re-enactments sometimes show blood, bones, and teeth, as well as scenes of mild violence.

Fans of crime shows both real and fictional may enjoy The FBI Files' detailed descriptions of criminal investigations. Teens who can handle the gory elements and graphic descriptions might find the process fascinating, and the show does a good job keeping sensationalism in check.