TV Details
Starring
Genre
More details
See more TV reviews

Unan1mous (Fox)

common sense media says

Mind games, isolation, lies -- not for kids.

parents & educators say
See 1 review | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series is about manipulation and mind games. Participants regularly lie, confront each other, and critique individual differences. Some are labeled and treated as outcasts after their dark secrets are revealed. Tweens, like adults, may have a voyeuristic fascination with this bizarre experience, but seeing participants fall to pieces and express extreme anger with others will be hard for younger viewers to watch.

Positive messages: Lying and trickery prevent the group from cooperating as a team.
Violence: Participants yell at and confront each other often. "I want to reach through the camera and choke someone." "Give me a bottle of poison."
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Curse words are bleeped frequently.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Discussion of a participant having a drinking problem.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Unan1mous

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether it's ever OK to resort to the kind of manipulation showcased in this series. Since this is a game, is it OK to use lying as a strategy, or does that cross an ethical boundary? Families can also discuss the challenge of living in close quarters with others who share different views on life. Good communication skills are imperative to make this not only a successful experience, but a sane one. How can you keep the peace and keep your own viewpoints intact at the same time?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In reality show UNAN1MOUS, nine strangers are locked in a bunker, cut off from the outside world until they can unanimously decide which one of them should win $1.5 million. If they can't agree, not only does the money start ticking away, but a dark secret is revealed about one contestant. That person -- who can no longer win but is still able to participate in the voting -- is branded an outcast and must don a dark jumpsuit emblazoned with a symbolic "X." The bunker space is cold, high-tech, and sterile, and a woman's voice comes on the loudspeaker telling contestants when to get up, eat, and attend meetings, and the show's host makes appearances via a video screen. Participants vote using an orb-like device and then roll down a hole.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Like many other reality shows, Unan1mous is about strategy. Participants say that they'll vote for a certain deserving person -- such as the 42-year-old truck driver who has worked hard since the age of 20 to provide a decent life for his wife and kids -- but then someone will secretly change his or her vote, and hopes are dashed before our eyes. Other contestants lie about their personal circumstances in an attempt to influence the vote (for example, one participant tells the others that he has cancer). Most of the participants just want out of the bunker -- but if anyone leaves, the money will automatically be cut in half, thus changing the outcome for the others.

Contestants need communication, perception, and flexibility to get along with their fellow bunkermates. These are important qualities for tweens (and teens) to learn about, but watching participants cry into the camera saying that they miss their families is too sad for younger viewers to bear.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Fox
Cast: J.D. Roth
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: Fox
This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Unan1mous

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

Most useful reviews by all members

Ash20
teen, 16 years old
 
just okay
Well this show was, well I thought was very good, but there are some issues. Most of the language is bleeped out, usually you can hear part of the word like mostly [ s--t, f-word,and b---h ] But overall it has a good message, of people decided who would be the best w/ all the money. I also like how they have to agree on one person, it shows people that people can choose one person w/o arguing, but in this show it seems hard. I would recommend this to 12 or older.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (6)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Unan1mous?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines