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Hole in the Wall (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Quirky game show is full of clumsy but funny moments.

parents & educators say
See all 12 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, as in the original Japanese series it's based on, this game show's entertainment value comes from watching contestants awkwardly contort their bodies to try to fit through holes cut out of a moving barrier -- only to get swept into a pool of water when they fail. Contestants often look clumsy, but unlike earlier versions of the show they look like they are genuinely having fun. Although the stunts seem pretty harmless, remind kids that trying them may lead to serious injury.

Positive messages: Teams look like they're having fun as they work together.
Positive role models: Participants are diverse in many ways and demonstrate teamwork.
Violence: Contestants get knocked, roughly, into a pool of water by a moving barrier. Occasionally they break the wall when it smashes against them (but no one gets hurt). They wear safety gear.
Sex: Young women are shown in one-piece bathing suits assisting people out of the pool.
Language: Teams sometimes engage in some lighthearted tough talking, but nothing really inappropriate.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Hole in the Wall

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about what drives people to participate in game shows -- particularly those that make them look silly and/or clumsy. Is it just for the prizes, or is it for the chance to be on television? Do you think these kinds of shows ever go too far?
  • Discuss why some Japanese game shows remain popular on television. What makes them different from American game shows? Are the U.S. versions of these shows different from the originals? How? Are any American game shows exported to Japan?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Based on a Japanese game show, HOLE IN THE WALL has a simple premise: Two teams of three people dressed in spandex and helmets try to contort their bodies to fit through shapes cut out in a large wall that's moving toward them. Teams gain or lose points based on their ability to clear the moving barrier; those who fail to clear a hole also get swept into a pool of water. The team that accumulates the most points after four rounds wins the coveted Hole in the Wall trophy. They also get a chance to play a final round for a chance to be immortalized on the show's wall of fame.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This stunt-based game show almost looks like a live-action version of the video game Tetris as the players attempt to fit into openings of various shapes and sizes. But unlike the electronic version, this game is more about watching people awkwardly shift their bodies and get shoved into water by the moving barrier.

Unlike earlier versions of the show, the series aims at being family friendly by featuring teams of parents and children. While there is some competitive behavior, everyone on the show seems to be genuinely having fun. The overall humor isn't intended to be insulting, either. It's not the most intelligent of shows, but viewers will probably find themselves laughing at some of the antics.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Teck Holmes
Genre: Game Shows
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members


kid, 12 years old
8
 
Great game show.
THIS SHOW ROCKS!!!!! WOO!!!! Even though the teams are good sports and look out for each other, they can be mean too.....BUT I DON'T CARE!! AND NIETHER DOES ANYBODY ELSE! But they say "butt" and "booty".
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teen, 14 years old
8
 
Great game show.
THIS SHOW ROCKS!!!!! WOO!!!! Even though the teams are good sports and look out for each other, they can be mean too.....BUT I DON'T CARE!! AND NIETHER DOES ANYBODY ELSE! But they say "butt" and "booty".
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kid, 11 years old
8
 
Great game show.
THIS SHOW ROCKS!!!!! WOO!!!! Even though the teams are good sports and look out for each other, they can be mean too.....BUT I DON'T CARE!! AND NIETHER DOES ANYBODY ELSE! But they say "butt" and "booty".
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jillianlovescats
adult
10
 
Kids 10 and Older Should Be Allowed To Watch This Gameshow!
Hole In The Wall rocks!
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starwars reviewer
kid, 13 years old
3
 
YES! The Nick Sports channel is coming back! Wait, what did you say? Oh. Never mind.
Ok, first off, Cartoonnetwork should have stuck to cartoons. Sports and sitcoms are clearly the work of Nick. When I saw the idea for this show, I honestly gagged. At first, I thought it was the old days with Nick's Double Dare and Temple shows. Then I saw the show. Ugh! How many puns and crazy people can one put into a show? We gave up Chowder, KND, Billy and Mandy and Foster's Home up for this? Clearly not worth it. I will say that a lot of people do love this. Mabye I need to give it another chance. *Actually goes to see the next episode* Forget everything I said. I really do not like this and I may never, EVER like it. Still, if you want to see something other than cartoons on this chanell, this is for you!
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ohhellllo
parent of 17 year old
10
 
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sergi
kid, 10 years old
6
 
It is the best show ever!Nothing really to worry about,really.
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Swit Swat
kid, 12 years old
6
 
A good, funny game show is ok for the whole family!
This was a really fun show. It was sort of like wipeout, but with only one thing coming at you... the wall. The only thing wrong with this show is that there is a woman that dresses in a bathing suit and may look inapropriate to young kids. She is sort of like the lifeguard.
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ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
10
 
Pointless.
The plot to this show is really.... Stupid. Contestants try fitting through holes. Really? Obviously, all the good game show ideas have been tooken. Or maybe the creators are just dumb. Either way, this show is boring. Also, I saw that this was rated TV-14 twice.
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Steffauri516
parent of 1 and 8 year old
4
 
Boring show, fails to entertain young ones :/
I'm not sure what's going on with CARTOON Network having all of these hackneyed "live action" shows all of a sudden, but by daughter really isn't pleased haha. I have an 8 year old daughter and a 1 year old son, and my daughter is entertained by and enjoys many of the old and new shows on CN, but when it gets to most all of their live programming she loses interest very quickly. Hole In The Wall is a family game show that does not exhibit any negative or inappropriate scenes, actions or language other than light trash-talking from team to team, but to put it bluntly, it's just plain stupid and uninteresting. The first time we found it on television I sat down with my daughter to watch and she asked to turn it about 10 minutes in. I'd rate it on for ages 4 and up, but I doubt your kids will hold interest...
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ashley brook
adult
17
 
ashamed
i think showing a young girl in a bathing suit is not a good message. no wonder theres so many young teen mothers ! why dont they have an average teen in a bathing suit? you dont see any plus size or even alittle thick. only tall slender girls. its pretty sick. dont you see the message being sent out. does society want people looking at teens in that kind of way. then society gets mad and wonders why young teen girls are taken and raped. its very sick the way society is... why dont you put them in appropriate shorts and t shirt and see how good the ratings do. haha i bet not good. cuz people are pervs
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blaze408
kid, 10 years old
3
 
Whee!
Awesome! Change the channel from Hannah Montana,let's see that HOLE IN THE WALL!
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