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Making Over America with Trinny and Susannah

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Starring Trinny Woodall, Susannah Constantine, Where to watch: TLC)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Original What Not to Wear girls take on the U.S.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Yes, this is a makeover show, but the overall message is that anyone can look good and that looking your best can give you an emotional lift to be the best you can be. The two hostesses are very validating of a woman's size as she is, rather than promoting unhealthy or unrealistic body image.

  • Role models:

    The hostesss are firm but kind and supportive. They sometimes challenge a subject to the point of tears, but it's more because they're pushing her into uncomfortable territory than beacause they're being mean.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Some talk about makeover subjects feeling "sexy," in the sense of feeling attractive and good about themselves. Several shots of women in bras and panties, but it's more about finding a sense of comfort in one's own skin (as well as the right foundation garments) than about sexuality.

  • Language:

    The ladies curse a bit; words like "boobs" and "ass" are audible (often used as body part slang), while stronger choices, like "s--t," are bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Susannah does like a nip; in at least one scene she's shown looking for a drink and not finding one. But she's never drunk, nor is there much talking about drinking, and none about smoking or drugs.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Making Over America with Trinny and Susannah

Parent need to know that, for a makeover show, this series has an impressively positive message about being able to look and feel good no matter who you are (or what your size). While the hostesses are prone to a bit of salty language (the strongest words are bleeped), overall the content is pretty mild. Expect to see a good bit of undressing and underwear -- but it's not sexual in nature.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether shows like this one impact viewers' body image. Do you think makeover shows in general promote appearance over other values? How does this one do on that front?
  • How real are reality shows? How can producers use editing and re-enactments to change viewers' perception of what happened when? Why might they do that?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    jesuschrist
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    sorry, but the women cursed in front of the cheerleading little ones, and though bleeped for the tv viewers, what about the lil girls being there in person? o, btw, why draw the curtain when the women dress, they've already shown their bras and panties to all of america??

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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