 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Howie Do It
- NBC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Don't let kids copy not-so-nice hidden-camera pranks.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this prank show gets laughs from putting unsuspecting people in uncomfortable situations. While many of the gags are harmless (a waiter who can't keep his fingers out of people's food, for instance), some are designed to rile their victims, who respond with anger, strong language ("damn" and "hell" are audible, while "f--k" is edited), and obvious discomfort. Dialogue often has sexual undertones -- referencing topics like masturbation and intercourse with a stranger -- and some scenes show couples kissing and fondling. In other words, this isn't a show for young kids or tweens -- but teens might get some laughs (albeit at the participants' expense).
What's the story?
In HOWIE DO IT, Howie Mandel puts his unique spin on the traditional prank show. In each gag, the "marks" (a.k.a. victims) are led to believe that they're being filmed for movie auditions, reality shows, or TV commercials -- what they don't know is that they're actually the brunt of elaborate practical jokes, some of which are designed by the subjects' own family members and friends. Howie himself plays an incognito role in most of the pranks, accompanied by multi-purpose "man on the street" Vic, Howie's son, Alex, and a rotating cast of poker-faced extras.
Is it any good?
Remember the chuckles you got at the expense of the poor souls thrust into the spotlight in the classic TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes? How you laughed at their misfortune with equal parts pity and relief that you weren't the gag's brunt? Add to that feeling the unpredictable factor of Howie Mandel, and you're left with comical reality TV that, by today's standards, actually feels new. (Guess what? There are no eligible bachelors, bickering judges, or larva-eating survivalists anywhere to be found!)
That said, the show's pranks are more involved -- and often more suggestive -- than old standbys like mall shoppers stumped by dual escalators going in identical directions, and the series isn't age-appropriate for kids and young tweens. This is no Punk'd, but many of the gags are designed to cause their subjects real emotional discomfort (forcing a man to watch his girlfriend make out with another guy, or telling a husband that his wife's surgical makeover left her bruised and battered, for instance), and dialogue often has sexual undertones. Most of the marks are good sports when the joke is revealed, but some respond in clear frustration with strong language like "damn," "hell," and bleeped versions of "f--k". So save this one for after your young viewers are in bed -- and even then be sure to remind your teens that any practical joke has the potential to hurt its subject if taken too far.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the difference between jokes and mean-spirited pranks. What are the effects of jokes set up at others' expense?
Have you ever been the victim of a prank? How did it make you feel? Does it change your
impression of a joke if the victim isn't a good sport about it? When
does teasing cross the line to bullying?How has the Internet changed the nature of
bullying? Do you know anyone who's been cyberbullied? Parents: Talk to your kids about Internet safety and your rules regarding sharing personal information on the Web.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
This show will be cancelled soon..
Not very funny at all. It is a "hidden camera" type prank show, but the skits are not funny and feels very "fake", like the people who the prank is on ARE ACTORS themselves. In the pilot a prank is pulled on a man's wife where a stranger kisses the wife passionately while the husband looks on. First and foremost, if this was "real", no husband will stand by and allow it and second of all, the skit is not suitable for young viewers.
Another obvious thing is Howie Mandel is in disguise, usually just a wig, and particpates in the skits, but even with his disguise, he looks like HOWIE MANDEL!!! So it is obvious everyone are actors including the victims.
Anyway, there are a billion prank hidden camera shows that have come and gone and this one is by far the worst. It will not be around long.
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AGE
Very Funny
Some of the jokes inapropriate but very funny. I do like to watch it!
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AGE
Don't listen to mrbuffman
I have to admit when Howie Mandel is in disguise but if you were doing something regular would you all of a sudden say "It's Howie Mandel!!!" It is kinda funny, but it is not horrible.
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AGE
Pretty edgy, but good to see on Friday night, in my opinion.
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AGE
ha-ha-ha-larious
i love howie - i think hes super funny and this show is amazing. im sad its not on anymore. some things are bad sexually but nothing HORRIBLE that older kids cant handle
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AGE
Now-canceled show is not that funny
Most of these pranks on this now-canceled show were stupid, but not all of them were inappropriate. However, quite a few of the pranks were inappropriate for younger kids. For example: one prank involved a pole-dancing video with elderly ladies, another involved a gangster cooking show called "Eat That B*****s", and one recurring inappropriate prank was "Desperate Housewives"-lite (the one MovieBuffman talked about). If you're looking for a family-friendly hidden camera show, skip "Howie" and try "Just for Laughs" on ABC.
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AGE
its ok
it is a mean show but its ok.i would not show it to kids under 9 because it has some bad stuff in it.
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AGE
Could Be A Little Cleaner...
Okay, could be a lot cleaner. Why is it that in every episode, Howie Do It has to say something dirty or even, in an episode I saw recently, make someone else say something dirty? I know that, in a way, it's not the show's fault when "the mark" says a dirty word but I've even heard one of the actors say, "beeeeep!" The incessant bleeping this show has to do can be... disturbing? Unsettling? Annoying? Torture? Disturbing, unsettling, annoying torture? I think I'm on the right track. Do these people just have dirty words in the script? Probably. It's not a rare thing in this day and age. Okay, I'll admit it. I've seen this show on more than one occasion. Mom has to watch it with me because I'm not allowed to watch it on my own and, well, Daddy just doesn't like it. Believe me, you don't want to hear it when he goes on one of his prank-shows-are-evil rambles. You know what? Daddy's right, as usual. One of the cruelest pranks they've had on this show, which I'm about to spoil the ending of, is when they call up one of those companies that send birthday party clowns and such. They tell them to send a singing man in a rabbit suit, an embarrasing thing anyway, to... somewhere. Guess where the address leads. A funeral home! He nervously walks up to the coffin as the widow (actor) is mourning (it's fake). "It was his last wish. Sing to him!" "Uh, for he's a jolly good fellow..." The dead man sits up and says, "Thank you!" "AH!" One man was more concerned about the fact that he was in a bunny suit and going on TV. Told ya. I felt bad for all twenty of the suckers that went through this routine. The sad thing is that there were only sixteen episodes. Hmm. Well, it's funny when they're not pulling garbage like that. I just wish these people would stop cursing. You might be on national TV, you know. If you are, you get what you deserve. I just hope the reason this show was cancelled is that people are starting to realize DIRTY STUFF IS STUPID!! I know I'm wrong, but I can always dream. And pray. I'm doing a lot of praying. I'll leave you alone so you can pray, too.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | NBC |
| Cast: | Howie Mandel |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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