Gold Rush

Review

Common Sense Media says

Gritty gold mining reality series has some salty vocab.
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.

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

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this series featuring a group of miners trying to find gold in Alaska contains some salty language (the strongest words bleeped), and arguments sometimes lead to pushing, shoving, and threats of more violence. Contracting equipment logos (Caterpillar, etc.) are visible. The men are driven by money, but the show also reveals positive messages about loyalty, staying positive, and working hard to realizing a dream.
 

  • Positive messages1
    Being willing to work hard for a dream, remaining loyal, and staying positive are all messages featured here. However, they are also driven by a desire to make a lot of money.
  • Positive role models2
    Todd Hoffman respects his crew; his crew is loyal to him. The men all seem like very hard workers. Dakota Fred Hurt is made out to appear devious.
  • Violence2
    Frustrated miners often argue with each other, which sometimes leads to pushing, shoving, and threats. Explosives are detonated at mining sites.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language3
    Words like "crap," "ass," and "pissed" are audible; occasionally curses like "f--k" are bleeped.
  • Consumerism2
    Equipment logos like Caterpillar, Pioneer, and Komat'su are visible. Ford trucks are visible, but the logos aren't prominently featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    One miner requires the use of morphine to deal with the pain from back injuries.
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What's the story?

GOLD RUSH (previously titled Gold Rush: Alaska) features a crew of down-on-their luck miners battling the Alaskan wilderness for gold. Headed up by Todd Hoffman and his father Jack, the six crewmen (including Greg Remsburg, Jim Thurber, James Harness, and Dave Turin) spend the summer months digging for gold in Porcupine Creek, Alaska using heavy equipment to seek their fortune, while exploring mining opportunities in the Klondike. Throughout it all, they must cope with seriously injured crewmen, licensing and financial woes, broken equipment, and competition created by veteran miner Dakota Fred Hurt. The stakes are high, but the Hoffmans are committed to finding enough gold to make it worthwhile.

Is it any good?

 

The story told here is reminiscent of the gold rush stories of the past, and includes a similar cast of characters: the cash-strapped family risking everything for fortune, the loyal team of miners that sticks with them, and the devious claim jumpers who want to cash in on their spoils. Also adding to the drama is the relentless power of the elements, which in Alaska translates to intolerably cold weather, hard, frozen soil, and precarious terrain.

Despite its connection to the past,  the series shows how truly backbreaking and dangerous gold mining is. It also shows, despite the help of computers, large machinery, and other modern-day equipment, that there are no guarantees when it comes to finding gold. As a result, you can't help but wonder why these men keep doing what they are doing, despite the many mishaps and failed mining attempts they experience along the way.
 

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why shows like this are appealing. What makes this show different from other "dirty jobs" shows? How do you think producers find folks entertaining enough to carry a show like this?

  • Talk about the history of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Did you know that miners who went to Alaska were called "stampeders"?  Or that women played a role in this movement? What has the overall impact been of the Gold Rush on the United States?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Parent of 17 year old
November 11, 2011
AGE
10
 
Gold rush
Great show, positive role models. some curse words but are bleeped out.
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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Discovery Channel
Cast:Dakota Fred Hurt, Jack Hoffman, Todd Hoffman
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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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.
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