Common Sense Media Review
By Matt Springer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cool science lessons wrapped in reality survival show.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Chris Hackett is a multimedia artist who prides himself on his ability to assemble modern conveniences such as air conditioning from what he calls "obtainium," and what we would call "garbage." Each episode of STUCK WITH HACKETT features the host dropped without explanation into a barren location with only his wits and plenty of "obtainium" close at hand. The show chronicles his solo exploits in using found objects to construct amazing and frequently dangerous machines.
Is It Any Good?
As a clever way to illustrate the fundamentals of science and engineering, Stuck With Hackett is a real success. Watching host Chris Hackett assemble an air conditioning system in the Mojave Desert out of what amounts to trash is an amazing process. At each stage, Hackett takes time to explain what he is doing and why; clear animated illustrations provide further information.
As a half-hour spent watching one man ramble at the camera while he melts lead bullets and drinks stale soda pop, Stuck With Hackett is less successful. Hackett himself seems a bit too convinced of the ineffable coolness of everything he does, in spite of the fact that any reasonable person will find themselves confused by the way in which he seems perfectly at home wandering around a deserted location for no apparent reason. Also, why the black jeans, long-sleeve shirt, and combat boots in the desert? Would you need to build your own air conditioner if you were wearing shorts? If you can get past Hackett himself, his abilities are pretty cool to watch; when he manages the impossible, it's amazing, and when he doesn't, something usually blows up. Either way, that's entertainment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Hackett is a good role model to imitate. What did you learn from watching him take apart and rebuild the materials he used? What's your take on his personality?
Did you learn more about science from watching Hackett repurpose trash into treasure? How can you use these lessons in your daily life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 18, 2011
- Cast : Chris Hackett
- Network : SCIENCE
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : STEM
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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