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Making His Band

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Sean `Diddy` Combs, Where to watch: MTV, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Diddy makes his own band -- and heavily promotes it.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Professionalism is important, and Diddy's people put value on working hard and being excellent at what you do. No one gets by on looks alone; talent is essential.

  • Role models:

    If you're looking for positive role models in the music business, this is a good place to start. Everyone -- from guitarists to drummers to back-up singers -- is extremely talented and has passion for what they do. There's also considerable diversity among the contenders in terms of race, gender, and background.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    One of the prospective back-up singers is a pre-op transsexual, but her sexual orientation isn't really the focus.

  • Language:

    Some occasional trash-talking, but it's surprisingly clean.

  • Consumerism:

    The show entertains and educates ... but it also functions as a long-form commercial for Diddy and his new act.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Making His Band

Parents need to know that teens who watch this reality show will basically be tuning in to a weekly commercial for Diddy's latest project. But even though the promotional element is obvious, it comes along with a healthy dose of reality about the music business that shows kids how hard you have to work to succeed. Language is essentially a non-issue, though there's some adult-oriented discussion about the fact that one of the female back-up singers is actually a man (more specifically, a pre-op transsexual). Aside from that, it's an age-appropriate choice for teens and even some more mature tweens who have a passion for music.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether the show is designed solely to entertain or whether it's meant to function as a promotional vehicle. How does having a weekly show help Diddy promote his upcoming album? Would the album be as successful without the show?
  • Does the amount of hard work that goes into creating a band surprise you? How many hours of practice have these musicians and singers put in to get to this level? Does it discourage you or encourage you to learn to play an instrument?
  • Do you see Diddy as a positive role model? Does hearing more about the roots of his love for music change the way you feel about him as an artist?
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