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Sonny with a Chance

(Rated TV-G, Comedy, Starring Demi Lovato, Tiffany Thornton, Sterling Knight, Where to watch: Disney Channel, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Midwestern teen takes Hollywood by storm; fun for tweens.

Themes in this show include:   friendship, peer pressure

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    No specific educational content; just feel-good fun.
  • Messages:

    The show is focused more on entertaining viewers than on promoting specific positive messages, but kids can find a lot to admire in main character Sonny and the way she tackles problems.
  • Role models:

    There are no adults to be found to guide the teens' actions, but for the most part, Sonny shows good judgment, self-confidence, and strong character in her decisions, and her peers usually follow her lead. A rivalry results in plenty of pranks and mayhem between two groups of teens, but it's mostly good, clean fun -- though in ast least one episode, teens use the Internet to post embarrassing photos of their peers.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Slapstick pratfalls and the like.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some mild flirting between tweens, especially from a "hunky" young TV star.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Thanks to CDs and previous show/movie appearances, Disney has made sure that tweens know who star Demi Lovato is.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Sonny with a Chance

Parents need to know that, on the whole, this fun series is a refreshing addition to the competitive tween market. Tweens will enjoy the kids' antics, and parents can be happy that the exchange of practical jokes is about as iffy as the content gets (though at least one of the pranks involves posting mildly embarrassing pictures on the Internet, which is a form of cyberbullying). While there's not too much attempt to promote specific positive messages, Sonny's self-confidence and strong leadership skills make her a standout among her peers -- especially compared to the self-absorbed male heartthrob she's often at odds with.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about being a good leader. What qualities are important in leadership? Do you think people are born leaders, or do circumstances make them who they are? Are there any leaders you admire?
  • Families can also discuss celebrities. Why is society so star-struck? How do you think celebrities feel about their star status?
  • What does it say about people in general that we revere entertainers like we do but not other professionals, like doctors, teachers, and soldiers?

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Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Sonny with a Chance?
  •  I think this show is

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See all 25 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Laughing Each Minute

    Its so funny!! Im practicling laughing each minute I see it!!

  2. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Better than Hannah Montana

    It's an ok show, I like it it is way better than Hannah Montana...but you can't really understand some of the things the characters are up to.

  3. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for everyone

    it's a very good show i quess

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 3.0

    dissapointing

    I love Demi but am honestly dissapointed in this show. The writing is not very good, story lines aren't clear enough for even me to understand it, and the actors aren't too good either (except for Demi and Tiffany Thorton).I'm dissapointed, except it's cute and completely appropriate.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    The best disney show since Hannah Montana.

    This show is the best show since Hannah Montana!There is always a rivalry between the to shows( so random and mackenzie falls) it's always halarious!It also stars the super ultra Demi Lavato.

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