 | 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. |
Total Drama Island
- Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
Common Sense Media says
Clever cartoon reality show spoof OK for older tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this animated series is meant for kids old enough to watch -- and appreciate -- a satire of reality shows like Survivor; those too young to get the joke likely won't find it very funny. There's some mild innuendo, characters can be rude to each other, and, of course, they're often made to suffer indignities and ridiculously difficult and dangerous "challenges." But there's little that's blatantly iffy beyond occasional fart jokes.
What's the story?
TOTAL DRAMA ISLAND is a cartoon satire of reality shows like Survivor. The intentionally one-dimensional teen characters are thrown together in a summer camp setting, then broken up into teams and presented with challenges by their host. At the end of most episodes, someone's voted out and sent home.
Is it any good?
The best thing about Total Drama Island is that its knowing wink encompasses everyone -- viewers and characters alike. Many characters know that they're there to play their stereotypical roles (geek, tough kid, big sassy African-American girl, etc.), and they do so with one eye on the camera. The joke isn't just on reality shows -- it's on reality shows as they've become now, populated with students of the genre who are all trying to game the system. The show's theme song, "I Wanna Be Famous," says it all.
For all its satiric qualities, Total Drama Island actually manages to pull viewers in. There's a contest at the core, and kids who tune in for the spoof may find themselves caught up in finding out which character will manage to survive to the end. Overall, it's an enjoyable, smart show for anyone old enough to watch "real" reality TV.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what parts of reality shows this series is making fun of. Is it just the shows themselves, or also they way they're cast and created?
The characters are purposely presented as one-dimensional stereotypes -- because that's what producers of real reality shows often do to people through judicious editing. If someone only filmed and showed certain moments in your day, could they make you look mean or whiny? Why would someone want to focus on those parts of your character for a reality show?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
fine for eight and up
this show is fine. i have no problem with it. do you people even know what kids say in school? even at age nine.
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AGE
I will never let my child watch this again
HORRIBLE SHOW NEEDS TO BE CANCELED. One female character wears a tank top that barely covers her very large breasts. Also often shows the male characters with nothing but a black box over his privates. Also uses language my kid is not allowed to use ie "crap" not ok
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AGE
Great show for 9+
Kids about the age of 9 already use the words "hell," and "crap," and generally, they know about kissing... in fact, they do it school and stuff. My 9 year old sister loves this show, and I used to like to when I was 12, too. The newest season, Total Drama World Tour recently ended, and it wasn't as good as this one. I suggest you let your kids watch it, because they already probably know what all of the stuff is.
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AGE
Yeah, okay.
A lot of people loved it when it first came out, but I wouldn't waste too much time on it. It's actually not that entertaining. It has mild cursing, blurrs and bleeps, and weird (in my opinion) comedy. The main reason I got into it was for the animation. The edges and designs on the characters are very sharp, which got me interested. I praise the creators for the wide spanned traits of the characters.
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AGE
Not Appropriate For the Early Morning Time Slot
My wife has a home daycare and she had the channel on Cartoon Network at 8:00 a.m. cst. As I was cleaning house, I happened to glance at the tv and saw one of the main male characters COMPLETELY nude except for a blurry patch on his pubic region!!!!! This show should be on late at night instead of 8:00 a.m.
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AGE
Awesome for Tweens, But Iffy for 9 and under
Its A wonderfull Show, I'm 12 right now, ive been watching it since i was about in the summer of when i was 9 and about to turn 10 in the winter. It was a great show! It has smart Humor,Funny Diolague,Interesting plots and many more exelent details put into each and every character! I say this is a wonderfull show for 10 and up even though i started watching it when i was in my late 9's i still agree that it should be for 10 and up!
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AGE
Fine for teens, not safe for kids.
I love this show so much! Because of bad sportsmanship, making out, and words like "crap", it's probably unsafe for kids around 8 but you know what? IT'S NOT A KIDS SHOW! Agreed with nduns.
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AGE
Perfect for no one
HATE IT! worst show to ever air, after cartoon network started this show they have gone way down hill.
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AGE
Awesome Show! Would be better if uncensored..
This is probably one of my favorite shows on TV! In my opinion, it would of been better if they left the american version uncensored.. but it is still good anyways!
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | Cartoon Network |
| Cast: | Christian Potenza, Drew Nelson, Megan Fahlenbock |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |
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