 | 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. |
Nitro Circus
- MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Crazy reality-show stunts could prompt copycat antics.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, while this extreme stunt series isn't as crude as Jackass and its ilk, many of the tricks look so easy and fun that kids might be inspired to follow suit, which could lead to injuries. The show offers little explanation or commentary -- just shot after shot of young men (and they're almost all men) flying over ramps, shooting down precarious water slides, flipping their motorcycles, and doing any other crazy tricks they can come up with. Some are truly death-defying (leaping from a plane with no parachute), while others are just silly (rolling off a ramp on a wheeled office chair) -- but most end in spills and crashes. The group's surprisingly low injury rate is a testament to their skills, not a sign that kids will be fine if they follow suit.
What's the story?
For Travis Pastrana, being a professional freestyle motocross rider is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. He makes his living performing incredible flips, jumps, and other tricks on his motorcycle -- and, as NITRO CIRCUS shows, he and his friends spend most of their downtime at his compound practicing more of the same. The series wastes little time on the petty bickering and introspective discussions that are so common on other reality shows; it's all action, lots and lots of amazing/outrageous/dangerous action.
Is it any good?
The show stars with a standard disclaimer: The performers are trained athletes, and viewers shouldn't try to imitate them. Pastrana and his friends crash more often than they succeed, but for all the painful-looking spills, there are surprisingly few injuries, and there's plenty of laughter all around. The result is that Nitro Circus makes practicing difficult, dangerous stunts look like a Saturday afternoon party at Pastrana's house ... which seems like exactly the mood that could make young people want to spend their own free time copying them, with potentially disastrous results.
Plus, with little narration or discussion, Nitro Circus seems less
like a program and more like a highlight reel. Sure, some of these
feats are truly impressive, but they'd have more impact if there was
some explanation about why they're so difficult. And many of the tricks
are just plain goofy -- rolling off a huge ramp in a wheeled office
chair, for example, or doing flips on tricycles. Pastrana and his posse
are clearly having plenty of fun filming themselves, but watching Nitro Circus isn't nearly as entertaining as creating it seems to be.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about different kinds of TV stunts. Stunts are a longtime staple of action dramas, but they're generally carefully planned and executed with plenty of safety gear. But shows like this highlight stunts that seen to involve neither planning nor safety. Which looks more exciting? Why? Which seem more "real" or more dangerous?
Are stunts more fun to watch if have more potential danger? Why?
Does
watching this show make you want to try some of the tricks? Do you
think that's partly the point, despite the show's disclaimer?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Nitro Circus should be viewed with a friend who is into stunts. The show should not be viewed by kids under the age of 12 due to language. Nitro Circus is about a bunch of adrenaline junkies doing dangerous and or stupid stunts. I recommend watching Nitro Circus if you like edge of the seat action. The crew does one awesome stunt after another. It is possibly the best T.V. show ever created.
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AGE
perfect for 11 to 100
i love it parents should make the chioce to let thier kids watch i personaly i think kids should be able to watch it no bad language all it is is dangerous stunt riders
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AGE
Nitro Circus.
I think this site's rating for this show is pretty inaccurate. Sure they do risky stunts, but they do warn you before the show even starts to not imitate any stunts you are about to see. Sure its not going to stop veiwers from actually imitating the stunts but what do you expect? You cant stop anyone from doing anything, and im not just saying things people see on TV. And unlike the Jackass TV shows, these people actually are professionals. Not to offend Jackass, because I am a fan of those shows as well.
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AGE
great show!
This show is great. a gang of PROFFENSIONALS do amazing stunt and its really cool!! there is some cussing but its very minor compared to jackass. there are no innapropriate things about this show and i recommend it highly!
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AGE
Two thins why this is awesome: johnny noxville and bam margera are in this. they are both in jackass
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AGE
Perfect for any age.
Forget the ratings this site gives it. It is a fun exciting show that encourages me to go outside and ride my bike or dirtbikes and have some fun. The ratings are very strange and you shouldn't listen to them at all. Watch this show and you'll be hooked.
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AGE
it is ok for miture tweens and exelint for older kids
it was one of the best shows i have ever seen it is a little inappropriate but amazing
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AGE
sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet show
nitro circus is my favrote show because of its high packed action comedy and extremly crazy stunts
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AGE
LOVE IT!
love it. this is my favorite show :) stop being so uptight and let your kids watch it.
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Kid, 12 years old
February 20, 2012
AGE
the title is fine
really funny but still dont preform any stunts seen in this show
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | MTV |
| Cast: | Andy Bell, Jolene Van Vugt, Travis Pastrana |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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