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Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment

(Rated TV-PG, Reality TV, Where to watch: Discovery Channel, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Real-life survival show is engrossing, intense TV.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The participants must work cooperatively to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness, though they frequently argue.

  • Role models:

    Some of the colonists are calm and resourceful, while others seem prone to drama and panic.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The participants must hunt for their food. A large part of the program shows them trying to kill wild animals, with varying degrees of success. The cameras also show them skinning and gutting dead animals.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    The participants swear frequently in these grueling conditions, but the expletives are all bleeped.

  • Consumerism:

    Some logos are visible on the participants' gear.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional drinking, when the colonists find some alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Out of the Wild: The Alaska Experiment

Parents need to know that this reality series pits people against nature in a struggle to survive -- and makes it clear that the fundamental tasks of succeeding in that struggle are very difficult. The participants sometimes go days without eating ... and when they aren't even able to catch food regularly, there's certainly no energy left for romance, sex, or partying. There is a fair bit of (bleeped) profanity, as well as some bickering. And when the participants do catch something to eat, be prepared for scenes of the animals being skinned and gutted.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about survival. Do you think you could survive in the circumstances shown here? Would you do anything differently from the participants? Do you think they make good decisions?
  • How does this show compare to fictional TV shows or movies about people stranded in the wilderness?
  • Would you volunteer to participate in a show like this? Overall, how realistic do you think "reality" television is?
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