Ton of Cash

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Crass reality game show has no redeeming value.
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

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this hybrid reality/game show features extensive swearing (though the strongest words are bleeped), poor sportsmanship, sexually promiscuous behavior, frequent drinking, and absolutely terrible role models (the contestants are motivated by cash and don't seem to be capable of behaving kindly). While a few of the contestants appear to have a more keenly honed sense of ethics, the majority of the competing twentysomethings display a complete lack of ethical behavior. 

  • The show forces contestants to work together to complete challenges, but only one will actually win. This leads to backstabbing, poor sportsmanship, and general meanness. The contestants are motivated completely by money and will embarrass themselves and act cruelly or unfairly to get it.
  • The contestants engage in promiscuous behavior, binge drinking, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and poor sportsmanship at nearly every turn. Rational decision making, kindness to others, and cooperation are rarely seen. 
  • Many incidents of verbal confrontations and aggression, as well as actual physical fighting among contestants. 
  • A variety of sexual activity and innuendo. One male contestant pretends to give oral sex to a banana. Another says that a fellow contestant is a bitch, but he'd "still bang her." A female contestant uses a quarter apparently hidden in her vagina (calling it the "coochie quarter") to make an elimation decision. Contestants make out with each other on camera and have sex that's partially obscured (no sensitive body parts shown). 
  • Constant swearing, including "bitch," all possible iterations of "f--k" (bleeped), "ass," and more. Derogatory name calling, including "f-g," is also common.
  • The camera lingers on beer labels.
  • Frequent drinking and some smoking. Drinking includes sparkling wine out of a bottle, mixed drinks, and beer. Conversations about getting wasted.

What's the story?

In TON OF CASH, debt-ridden contestants compete for a literal ton of cash that they must transport from Los Angeles to Las Vegas via foot, boat, sled, and other primitive modes of transportation. Contestants are timed on each leg of the journey and lose any cash that doesn't make it over the finish line within the allotted timeline. 


Is it any good?

 

Ton of Cash and its cast of despicable contestants might serve as a good example of what not to say, do, or think. Other than that, it's best avoided. Every manifestation of possible bad behavior occurs on the show, from homophobic commentary to a well-endowed woman noting that she'll happily use what the plastic surgeon gave her to win the show. One contestant displays his sense of gameplay by noting, "When I was younger I learned to work smarter, not harder, and by smarter, I mean get other people to do it." This comment represents the general attitude of each of the contestants.

 

While viewers aren't likely looking to a VH1 reality game show as their personal moral compass, this show is completely lacking any kind of ethics. Some contestants are on the show to pay for their children and plastic surgery, while others have been beaten up for sleeping with someone's boyfriend and have extensive medical bills. While one contestant suggests, "Let's get wasted and have a good time," this show offers anything but a good time for viewers. 


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 nature of reality shows. Do you think that what's been filmed is the entire story? How do you think producers might manipulate footage to make contestants look better or worse? Why would they?

  • What do you think of the contestants' behavior? Do you think they're naturally this selfish, foul mouthed, and mean? If not, why would they act this way on camera?

  • What do you think of these contestants' decisions to try to solve their debt problems by participating in a game show? Are there better ways to fix their money problems?


This review was written by Elka Karl

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.


This review was written by Elka Karl
TV rating:TV-14
Network:VH1
Cast:Dhani Jones
Genre:Game Shows

This review was written by Elka Karl
 

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.

 

vote now

Will you see Ton of Cash?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it