 | 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. |
Make It or Break It
- ABC Family
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Gymnastics series mixes competition and teen drama.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that one of the main characters in this tween/teen-targeted sports drama is a snobby, spoiled girl whose father condones her unsportsmanlike behavior by buying her way onto another team when she loses an important competition. She's rude to rivals and "friends" alike and is quick to pass judgment on people based on things like appearance. Also expect some intermittent strong language and sexual content (teens kiss and sleep together, though no sex is shown). That said, the series does explore the positive aspects of athletic competition and the traits that make for a successful athlete and a unified team.
What's the story?
When gymnastics newcomer Emily (Chelsea Hobbs) is invited to train alongside some of the country's most promising athletes, she's greeted with a cold shoulder from her new team's three stars -- Payson (Ayla Kell), Kaylie (Josie Loren), and Lauren (Cassie Scerbo) -- who view her arrival as a threat to their club dominance. With a shot at the Olympics on the line, ultra-competitive Lauren will stop at nothing to end Emily's hopes. But when the underdog pulls through to claim Lauren's spot on the team, Lauren's wealthy father bribes and blackmails his daughter's way onto a rival squad, setting the stage for plenty of drama -- both in the gym and out of it.
Is it any good?
MAKE IT OR BREAK IT is a true underdog tale with an appealing heroine in Emily, who struggles to fulfill her dream in the competitive -- and often elitist -- world of gymnastics while she balances her family's financial struggles. It's easy to cheer for her in her rivalry with snooty Lauren, and there are some positive messages about acceptance and respect to be found in her evolving relationship with less-judgmental teammates Kaylie and Payson.
Since there's some salty language (multiple uses of "hell," "damn," and "bitch") and mild sexual content (though physical exchanges are limited to kissing) -- including a forbidden romance between teens -- the show is best suited for older tweens and teens. Though most of the content is fairly mild, the teens' behavior (particularly Lauren's) could send negative messages to young tweens about competition, sportsmanship, and relating to peers. And even if your kids are older, it's a good idea to follow up with them about any similar behavior they encounter among their own friends and acquaintances.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about competition. What are the benefits of taking part in a contest? What types of contests have you participated in? How did you prepare for them? How did your skills improve as you trained?
Parents can also use the characters’ behavior to learn about their kids’ own peer relationships. Have you ever felt like an outsider among your peers? How did you overcome the situation? How might you help someone else who’s feeling that way?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Great for teens..enough gritt, but with morals...
All teen dramas these days seem to have more sex, drinking, drugs etc. than in the 80s and 90s. Yes, this show carries those same themes but I wouldn't place it in the category of Gossip Girl or 90210. Yes, teens have sex, but they seriously regret it, and a pseudo mom steps in to discuss her sexual indiscretions at a young age with the young girl- Candace Cameron. Her description brought me to tears and I can't imagine a teenage girl not getting the message.
Yes, teens drink. But one has a serious hangover, and they ALL get in serious trouble the next day by there coach.
I think one great thing about this show is that it shows teen girls 'into' something other than boys and parties. It shows them as strong young women who make mistakes, have flaws, and have low self esteem sometimes. Yet they all have drive to make something of themselves- something other than being prom queen. I give this teen show high marks because it has enough gritt to make it believable and create drama for teens but it also throws in good values.
I'm not sure if many of you know much about Candace Cameron these days but she takes her Christian faith seriously and wouldn't take part in a show that didn't ultimately teach good family values. It takes kids making mistakes to teach valuable life lessons and I think this makes the show great.
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AGE
Very questionable- even for teens.
We used to watch the show with our daughters, who are gymnasts. However, we have recently had to delete recorded episodes before they have a chance to see it. The teenage girls on the show are stealing, having sex, starving themselves, lying, and now one is pregnant! They have completely crossed the border with this show, it's become nothing more than a trashy teenage soap opera.
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AGE
ok for some 12 year olds... Def for 13!
Make it or break it is a wonderful show that is about Elite level gymnasts who are all trying to maake their way to the olympics.
Payson is my favorite. She is an exceltent role modle and is very dedicated to the sport. Kailee has an eating disorder and is recovering. Lauren is a snot and is inly good with boys, sex, and money. Emily is a great role modle. Her brother is disabled and sick. She is on probation as of right now because they could not afford the medication. She stole it becaause it was a life or death situation at the time. In the last episode Emily found out she was prenant. This is very shocking becuase Elite gymnasts have hardly started to go through puberty. They have bodies of 9,10, and 11 year olds. This is ok for many 12 year olds. Its no more than they will hear at a lunch table or a locker room, or even science class.
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AGE
For mature audience only!
It talks about young athletes drinking then having sex with their friends boyfriend. Is this appropriate. Coming from a college athlete I don’t think sports should be viewed in this light. It is not about gymnastics... it is catty and over-dramatic!!
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Kid, 10 years old
April 14, 2011
AGE
Love this show i watch it with my older sister and we LOVE it!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Fine show to watch and keeps you hooked in
My sister absolutely loves this show and I've seen it a few times. It's ok, with not much innapropiate things in it. It's one of those few shows that keeps you hooked in for the full hour, but doesn't completely succeed in how good it is.
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AGE
Mom-daughter bonding and dialogue. Excellent.
I think this would be a great show for mothers to watch with their teenage daughters. I believe that the show's strengths will be best brought out when conversations about the episodes follow watching each one. Sportsmanship, integrity, body image issues, peer pressure, inner strength, following dreams, self truth, discipline, decision making, friendship, family struggles, teen pregnancy...all play major roles in this show. The writing is strong, the characters well developed. I absolutely plan to watch this with my daughter when she is a little bit older.
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AGE
AWESOME
all i can say is i watch it every monday and it is AWESOME
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AGE
Older teens, strong sexual content
The show has continued to spiral downward as one competitor sleeps with another girl's boyfriend. The talk of sex is shallow and does not take into account all that the competitors give up with such casual sexual behavior. It is a shame, the show has such potential to be a winner.
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | ABC Family |
| Cast: | Ayla Kell, Cassie Scerbo, Chelsea Hobbs |
| Genre: | Drama |
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