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Party Monsters: Cabo (E!)

common sense media says

Party-planning competition isn't all fun and games.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like many shows of its kind, this reality series about a group of competing celebrity party planner hopefuls features lots of negative competitive behavior, including heated arguments and sabotage. Audible language includes words like "damn" and bitches," while stronger words (including "f--k") are bleeped. People on the show drink (wine, beer, hard liquor) very frequently, and women are sometimes shown dressed in string bikinis and skimpy outfits and are often invited to events to increase their appeal. The series is sponsored by LG Electronics, and the company's logo and products are clearly visible in every episode.

Positive messages: Participants compete for a high profile/highly paid event planner position, endlessly trying to tear down their competitors. There's some discussion of professionalism and a solid work ethic. But there's also a lot of focus on hedonism and the need to impress and maintain a celebrity's good/bad reputation. Women are often objectified and are treated as props at certain events. The cast is both male and female and from various walks of life.
Violence: Lots of arguing, fighting, and yelling between contestants. Frazzled planners sometimes yell at vendors.
Sex: Women are sometimes seen wearing scanty outfits and string bikinis on the beach and at party locations. Some of them dance provocatively at parties. Women are often invited to parties to increase an event's appeal.
Language: Words like "ass," "damn," and "bitch" are audible, while stronger curse words like "f--k" are bleeped out. Rude hand gestures are blurred.
Consumerism: The series is sponsored by LG Electronics, and the company's logo and products are clearly visible throughout each episode. Celebs like Sean "Diddy" Combs, Lil John, 50 Cent, and Carmen Electra are featured. There are occasional references to MySpace.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Frequent alcohol consumption (beer, wine, champagne, hard liquor). A lot of focus is placed on the need for large amounts of alcohol at events. At least one planner gets drunk on the job.
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More on Party Monsters: Cabo

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what drives people to participate in reality TV competitions. Can a show like this really jumpstart a person's career, or is this just their 15 minutes of fame? Will losing hurt their reputation? Families can also discuss what it takes to become a high-profile event planner. What skills does an event planner have to have to be successful? What are the challenges? Are planners who work with celebrities and other high-profile clients more successful than those who work for people who aren't in the limelight?

What's the story?

What's the story?
PARTY MONSTERS: CABO follows nine aspiring celebrity party planners as they compete for the chance to coordinate events for the rich and famous. Each week the contestants develop a party concept designed to impress celebrity clients like Sean "Diddy" Combs, 50 Cent, and Carmen Electra. The novice planner with the best pitch is responsible for pulling off the celeb's sizzling Hollywood-worthy fiesta in 24 hours. If the big blowout fizzles, the unlucky planner -- along with two others -- is at risk of getting kicked out of the gang's posh Cabo digs and being eliminated from the competition. The last contestant standing will receive a $100,000 dream job planning celebrity events for a year.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

The series showcases the hard work that goes into setting up over-the-top star-studded events. It doesn't hesitate to show how unglamorous event planning can really be, no matter how high profile your clients are -- just like anyone else, the rich and famous can turn on you quickly if your party fails to live up to their expectations and/or threatens their reputation.

But outside of watching contestants focus on the mundane details of putting a party together, this voyeuristic show offers little more than a chance to watch contestants argue and insult each other before, during, and after every event. (And when those scenes aren't front and center, shots of people drinking, "dirty" dancing, and engaging in other hedonistic pursuits are.) Older teens and adults may find it an entertaining guilty pleasure, but overall this show doesn't offer much to party about.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: E!
Cast: Brian Worley, Michelle Merkin
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: E!
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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