 | 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. |
Shark Tank
- ABC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Money-driven reality show will intrigue the business minded.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this adaptation of the British show Dragons' Den -- in which contestants pitch business proposals to five extremely successful entrepreneurs in hopes of convincing them to invest -- is steeped in themes of capitalism, money, and greed. Although the language is relatively mild ("hell," "damn"), some of the business "Sharks" use insults like "pig" and "stupid" when offering their sound-but-sometimes-harsh business advice. Kids probably won't tune in, but if they do, make sure they understand the context of these exchanges.
What's the story?
In SHARK TANK (a U.S. remake of the overseas hit Dragons' Den) hopeful entrepreneurs get three minutes to convince “The Sharks” -- software publisher Kevin O’Leary, Internet mogul Robert Herjavic, infomercial expert Kevin Harrington, real estate investor Barbara Corcoran, and Fubu Sportswear founder Daymond John -- to help turn their idea into a lucrative business. After listening to the entrpreneurs' pitches, which range from starting a wholesale sweet potato pie business to selling surgically implanted wireless phone jacks, each Shark must decide whether they're going to opt-in, how much cash they're willing to invest, and the number of shares they'll hold. If the proposal is particularly desirable, the Sharks battle it out with each other to get the biggest bite of the new company.
Is it any good?
Money is the driving force behind this series, and the Sharks openly share their love for making lots of it. Meanwhile, many of the contestants come off as desperate as they look to the self-made millionaires for the cash to help them get their businesses off the ground. Any compassion the Sharks might feel for the person or their situation doesn’t keep them from offering some sharp -- albeit honest -- criticism. It also doesn’t seem to stop them from throwing some stinging insults the entrepreneurs' way.
The show doesn’t always send the best messages, but it does have some things to offer. While the Sharks aren’t always friendly, they give contestants sound advice on how to make their businesses successful -- and when it's time to walk away. And their reactions to some contestants’ half-baked ideas can lead to amusing moments. Meanwhile, the suspense builds as each side decides whether to accept or reject each other’s offer. Shark Tank may not be for everyone, but business-savvy viewers are likely to find it quite entertaining.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the work that goes into getting a business off the ground. Is it possible to succeed without having people invest in your service or product?
Do you have any business ideas of your own? What kind of research and planning would you have to do to get it off the ground? If you were to pitch your idea to the Sharks, what would you say? Could you handle the criticism?
How hard is it to regroup if your plans fail? How do people turn negative circumstances into
possibilities?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Fun to watch!
Cool show! I watch it every Tuesday.
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AGE
i watched it last night and i loved it!
come on, its only rated TV PG, i watched it last night, and i wished that there was more! i loved it!
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AGE
I have never seen anything bad on this show, I think it's an interesting show.
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AGE
Shark Tank has more in common with the audition phase of American Idol than you would think. Some contestants are introduced with an upbeat video package describing themselves and their product. They then enter the "tank" and pitch the product to the "sharks", whose snarky banter amongst themselves is similar to the Idol judges' banter except not as interesting. One by one, each shark decides if they will make a negotiation offer. Afterwards, the contestant is shown talking to the camera about what just happened (if there was an offer or not) and what they hope to do next. So if you like watching the American Idol auditions or are into business, you should like Shark Tank.
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AGE
For anyone
I don't think this show is bad at all! I actually think this is a family show! I love this show myself, it's very interesting.
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AGE
GOOD SHOW
if your thinking an actual shark tank and thinking too violent, your wrong. its just people trying to make biusnessess. good show.
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AGE
ROAAARR SHARK
man i luv this soo much. i like it becuz i like to see what people make. not to be racis but i like the guy who makes fubu.
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AGE
I enjoyed watching this. Unfortunately, the show does move rather slowly. A total of 5 people pitched their ideas on the episode.
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Kid, 11 years old
February 3, 2012
AGE
pretty decent!!!!!@@$#%&*$%*
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Kevin Harrington, Robert Herjavic |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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