Sunset Tan

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Catty reality show burns brain cells to a crisp.
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.

Find out more

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

Find out more

Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this brainless reality series shows a lot of skin -- though key body parts are blurred -- and is generally very body- and image-focused. The salon employees will do just about anything to make a sale, plus they drink a lot, get into angry confrontations, and swear up a storm (the worst is bleeped, but a lot gets by).

  • The series emphasizes mainstream ideals of physical beauty and raises body-image issues. Some of the featured folks behave unprofessionally, including flirting intensely in order to make a sale. In one episode, a mom pushes a tan on her young daughter, encouraging her to look like Lindsay Lohan.
  • Some angry verbal encounters.
  • Lots of nudity, though it's mostly non-sexual, and key bits are blurred. Skimpy clothing on men and women, with lots of attention paid to bodies (breasts, chests, butts, etc.). Heavy flirting, and some discussion of sex and relationships.
  • Plenty, with words like "ass" and "bitch" unbleeped.
  • Promotes the central business -- Sunset Tan -- and, subtly, its products.
  • Some heavy partying, including plentiful drinking.

What's the story?

Reality show SUNSET TAN revolves around the titular California-based tanning salon chain. Staffers' and clients' often-ridiculous, sometimes over-the-top dramas take center stage, drawing viewers into the personal and professional lives of these catty, flirty, and ambitious young people. From the bronzed businessmen bosses to the giggly blonde-girl duo of Molly and Holly (dubbed "The Ollies"), the cast clearly loves the spotlight. Episodes focus on who will get promotions, how many sales each employee makes, and interesting clients -- including Britney Spears and a corpse in need of a tan.


Is it any good?

 

Cameras zoom in on poolside streaking sessions and jiggling bosoms, and neither staffers nor clients seem to have any qualms about stripping down to nothing with the cameras rolling (key bits are blurred). With its unquestioned focus on physical looks, as well as displays of dysfunctional professional behavior, Sunset Tan is clearly intended to be a guilty pleasure for adults. But parents may well want older teens to steer clear, since the show is so caught up in sexism, consumerism, and unbridled greed.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about the show's messages. What is it saying about body image and beauty? What standards of beauty does it adhere to? Who sets those standards? Do you think the show's producers are trying to objectively document what goes on behind the scenes of a tanning salon, or is it meant to be a guilty pleasure? Also, how can salespeople keep their integrity while trying to make a sale? Is there a line that can't be crossed when it comes to promoting or selling a product?


This review was written by Sierra Filucci
Kid, 12 years old
May 4, 2010
 
Not for Infants, Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Tweens, Preteens or Young Adults and just for Mature Adults in private/school
but seniors or 100s unless you are in safe rooms. Sunset Tan is rated TV-PG-DLS for crude humor language, slang humors, term slangs, adult content and adult talking on Syndication, TV-14 for on E!/Style/MTV/Independent, and TV-MA on HBO or a pay channel, so no minors allowed, it's denied. If you let your children between 2-17 year olds all the time, we should say "This is rated R like jasons" and you will say "Do Not Let Your Kids Watch Jason Haddad" so no one under 18, NOT FOR KIDS oops Not Age Appropriate for kids under 18, Age Appropriate for kids over 19, suggested age 17

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 25 and 27 year old
December 31, 2008
 
Fun Show
My kids make me watch this. I have a 23 and a 26 year-old. It truly is a fun show. Its all fun! I recommend it for kids over 15 years of age. A fun corky reality show.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Nudity and Implied sexual risque behaviour
The show was entertaining, however I felt like I lost brain cells after watching it. It seemed to be very fake, and not at all what REAL Hollywood is like. Do People really want to waste their time with this show? You can change bad lightbulbs or re-grout the bathtub instead, and actually get something out of it when you are done!! Stupid Show, but it COULD be cute with better story lines!!

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
TV rating:TV-14
Network:E!
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
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.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you see Sunset Tan?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it