Rat Busters N.Y.C.

Review

Common Sense Media says

Big ick factor in exterminator reality show, plus language.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series about New York City exterminators includes some disturbing images of dead animals, including dead rats in mouse traps. It contains words like "hell," "pissed," and some bleeped language ("s--t," "f--k"), some bathroom humor, and some occasional mild sexual innuendo. It is a promotional vehicle for Magic Exterminating Pest Management and The Bed Bug Book.

  • Positive messages2
    Hard work, honesty, and cooperation are all on display in this show.
  • Positive role models1
    Despite having very different personalities, Jimmy and Michael work well together. They appear are committed to helping their clients, but not wasting their time and their clients' money.
  • Violence1
    Lots of images of scurrying rats and crawling bugs, along with visual effects and ominous music to make it more dramatic. Dead rodents and other animals are frequently visible. Rodents are shown trapped in mousetraps of all kinds.
  • Sex1
    On rare occasions, mild sexual innuendo is audible.
  • Language3
    Words like "piss" are audible, while "s--t," "ass," and "f--k" are bleeped. Contains references to farting.
  • Consumerism2
    The series is a promotional vehicle for Magic Exterminating Pest Management; logos and telephone numbers are prominently featured. In at least one episode Ralph Maeste's book, The Bed Bug Book, is featured.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

RAT BUSTERS N.Y.C. is a reality series that features the day-to-day activities of two New York City exterminators. Jimmy Tallman and Michael Morales, of Magic Pest Control, investigate and remove bug and vermin infestations from private homes, stores, restaurants, and hotels in all five boroughs of New York. Occasionally offering them expert advice on specific jobs is entomologist and colleague Ralph H. Maeste. The jobs aren't easy, but together they help eliminate the pests that are making their clients' lives miserable.

Is it any good?

 

The series highlights how exterminators deal with pest problems that range from minor bug infestations to swarms of rats taking over a space. But the real highlight of the show is watching the outspoken Jimmy and the sociable Michael interact with some rather odd clients. It's entertaining, but some will find the consistent use of creepy sound effects and dark close ups of rodents and bugs a little over-dramatic. Those who are more squeamish or sensitive will be disturbed by the images of trapped and/or dead rodents and other animals, too. But chances are that even the toughest viewers will find themselves scratching a bit while watching.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the reasons people go on reality shows. What benefit do these exterminators receive by being on this show? How do you think reality show producers decide who to feature in TV shows like this? Is this show an extended advertisement for a business?

  • Reality series often incorporate specific sounds and images repeatedly to help create a sense of drama. Why? Do reality shows that have these elements become less real because of it?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Parent
August 22, 2011
AGE
12
 
Surprisingly Funny & Will teach you a thing or two...
Great show, doesn't reflect anything negative. It is a show about the daily problems of a business and residents of NYC. The characters can be funny.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (9) | Had useful details (11) | Read my mind (9)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:Animal Planet
Cast:Jimmy Tallman, Michael Morales, Ralphe H. Maeste
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other icky but entertaining reality shows
For kids who love reality television
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Rat Busters N.Y.C.?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it