Ripley's Believe It or Not!

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Bizarre feats for those with strong stomachs.
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.

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

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the feats performed on this show can be bizarre and grotesque and sometimes involve pain. Such acts are presented in graphic detail using dramatic music and camera angles and can be very difficult for anyone to watch, including adults, which makes it a poor choice for younger or squeamish kids. That said, not all acts involve self-inflicted pain -- some are actually inspirational or funny, and many showcase the amount of hard work it takes to reach a goal. If young viewers are curious about the bizarre accomplishments featured here, be aware of what they're watching and emphasize that nothing they see should be replicated at home.

  • Striving to reach a goal -- or looking for 15 minutes of fame?
  • Some acts involve self-inflicted pain.
  • A few acts include partial nudity -- menus written on the backs of naked waiters/waitresses, bikini trading cards, etc.

What's the story?

RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT captures the undeniable, voyeuristic appeal of seeing otherwise-average individuals perform fantastic deeds that often veer into the realm of the grotesque and morbid. Each episode covers approximately 10 feats, each accompanied by interviews and an introduction by host Dean Cain. Segments have introduced viewers to the Gray Lady, who, as a child, took nose drops that turned her skin silver; a 6-year-old skateboarder who's the youngest competitor ever to participate in the Gravity Games; roosters with 40-foot-long tail feathers; and a cocktail that contains portions of a severed human toe (consumed as a rite of passage into the Yukon).


Is it any good?

 

Most teens will be able to recognize that the accomplishments showcased on this show are odd and shouldn't be replicated, but if something pops up that's particularly perverse, parents may want to be on hand to discuss it afterward. And, frankly, although the majority of the acts on Ripley's don't involve pain, the show isn't the best choice for anyone squeamish, regardless of age.

But every so often there's an act that can be extraordinarily difficult to watch -- like the minister who electrocutes himself to demonstrate the power of faith. It's these kinds of things that parents need to be particularly aware of; either turn the show off or be prepared to talk to your kids about what they've seen.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the amount of patience, commitment, and passion it can take to reach a goal. But what's the motivation for these participants? Are they internally driven to prove something to themselves, or are they looking for their 15 minutes of fame? How would you cope with external pressure when you're setting a personal goal?


This review was written by Pam Gelman
Teen, 15 years old
November 18, 2010
 
I Love it!
I used to love this show i was younger and i still do! It's great and it's somewhat educational and the message can tell kids it's ok to be different.

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent
April 6, 2010
 
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
This show is fabulous! Loved it as a kid, and still love it today.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Love it
This was one of my favorite shows.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Kid, 13 years old
January 7, 2012
 
AWESOME!!!!
AWESOME!!!!!! This show might have some graphic images for older kids, but it's still good. Parents: Explain this show to your kids, let them read the books or read it with them, and see if this show's right for them.

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This review was written by Pam Gelman
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Syfy
Cast:Dean Cain
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 

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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.

 

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