 | 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. |
The Superstars
- ABC
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Athletes, celebs team up for fun, tween-friendly challenges.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series' physical intensity, coupled with a few cast members' oversized egos, make for some tense exchanges -- but overall the contestants are good sports about the competition's outcome. Expect some intermittent strong language (multiple uses of "f--k" are bleeped) and plenty of spills, some of which result in injuries like bruises, cuts, and strained muscles. On the upside, the show lacks much of the backbiting and nastiness found in some reality competitions, and it's always fun to see celebrities of any sort step outside their comfort zones and try something new.
What's the story?
In THE SUPERSTARS, professional athletes and celebrities pair up to compete in a series of athletic events. Based on the same-named 1970s series, the show puts the 16 competitors -- among them tennis champions, Olympic gold medalists, actors, and supermodels -- through challenges in sports like archery, kayaking, biking, and climbing. The pairs accumulate points based on their performance in each event; the lowest-scoring duos face off each day on an obstacle course, with the losing team going home.
Is it any good?
This fun, fast-paced series is a breath of fresh air amid the oppressive redundancy of most reality competitions. On the whole, there's very little griping and backbiting among the contestants, who focus more on strategy, teamwork, and fun than on trash-talking their opponents. The wide variety of the events also ensures that no one group of contestants has a clear advantage over the others, keeping the games unpredictable and exciting.
In the end, though, it is a competition, and a few contestants do let their egos overshadow their best efforts on the field. When tempers flare, so does the unsportsmanlike conduct, and there's some strong language directed at themselves and their teammates. Those familiar with flashier reality series like Survivor and The Bachelor will notice the absence of add-ons like dramatic music and lighting effects, but families with tweens and teens looking for a back-to-basics contest of physical strength, intensity, and strategy will have fun with this no-frills competition.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about competition. What are some of the benefits of competition? What contests have you participated in? How did you prepare yourself for them? Were you inspired to improve your skills to compete again?
Families can also discuss sportsmanship. What does competition teach you about being a good sport? How do you think the contestants conducted themselves? Are they good role models for young athletes?
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Ali Landry, David Charvet |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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