 | 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. |
Repo Games
- Spike
- Genre: Game Shows
Common Sense Media says
Mean-spirited game show makes fun of folks behind on bills.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this mean-spirited reality show exploits the poor and unfortunate in search of laughs. Language can be strong ("ass" "hell" and "Jesus" as an exclamation), although the strongest words ("f--k" and "s--t") are bleeped. The show's mocking tone and its central concept, which is designed to take advantage of the needy, sets a bad example for kids.
What's the story?
The recession has left many people jobless and short on funds for critical bills such as car payments. REPO GAMES follows two repo men, Tom De Tone and Josh Lewis, and their crews as they attempt to repossess cars from desperate owners. As you might expect, the car owners are never happy to see the repo men, and are often outright hostile bordering on violent. However, these repo men come with a twist: If the owner of the car can answer three of five trivia questions, the owners will win the car outright -- no more payments and no more threat of repossession.
Is it any good?
Repo Games preys on people who are behind on their bills during difficult economic times by first attempting to repossess their cars, and then offering them the chance to "win" their own vehicle if they can answer some trivia questions. It attempts to create entertainment out of mocking the less fortunate for their inability to make car payments and backing them into a corner to participate in the trivia contest with questions of insignificant educational value (sample question: "Name Hugh Hefner's current fiancee").
Is it possible the "contestants" have squandered money, instead of simply not having enough of it to make car payments? Who knows? There is no context provided. Even if there were, it's hard to imagine feeling good about the disdain with which Repo Games treats the participants. The tone is superior and mocking. It's rare that a television series not only lacks redeeming value, but actively promotes a disturbing outlook on our culture. Repo Games is such a show. If teens do watch, parents might want to step in and start a conversation about the show's messages.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the show perpetuates negative stereotypes. How does the show depict the poor?
Do you think the show's depiction of the car owners is fair to them? Why or why not? Does anyone "deserve" to be on a show like this?
Participants most likely signed consent forms in order to appear on the show. Why would people want to be on TV under these circumstances? How does editing and camera angles affect how the participants are depicted?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Adult
July 31, 2011
AGE
I disagree.
The show is not a comedy bit meant to make people look stupid, it is an opportunity for individuals to win the ability to not owe anymore on a vehicle. The point of the show is to give people a second chance to own a piece of property. I would let my kids watch this show, but I would force feed them knowledge according to the value of genuine ownership.
Seriously though, get off your podium and realize that your exploiting the worst of the show to hack out a more serious than necessary review it no different than the show's shameless depiction of their most "special" contestants. You're nothing but just another obnoxious blogger, there's you and sixth graders in the exact same category.
What other families should know:
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Parent
July 17, 2011
AGE
Lighten Up
The reviewer considering his uber-republican values is totally a tool to dog this fine show, like he would want these folks to live next to him. As wrong as this may seems these folks have to give their ok to be on TV, sometimes you should just consider the US one big ol' Wal Mart
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Parent
March 24, 2012
AGE
keep repo games
love the show because you have to learn to pay for what you buy. nothing in this world is free.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 13, 2012
AGE
for older audiences
Just a lot of arguments and swearing
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Spike |
| Cast: | Josh Lewis, Tom De Tone |
| Genre: | Game Shows |
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