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Viva La Bam (MTV)

common sense media says

Adolescent boy behavior at its worst.

parents & educators say
See all 34 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that they would not want their kids copying any of the pranks shown in this show (or treating their family the way Bam treats his).

Positive messages: Bam torments his family (and isn't that nice to his friends). You wouldn't want your kids emulating his pranks.
Violence: No one gets hurt, but there are plenty of dangerous pranks.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Lots of swearing -- the beeps keep coming.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Viva La Bam

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about why kids might find this show appealing. What do you think of Bam? Is he someone to be looked up to? He's nearly 30 -- why is he still acting this way? Why are pranks shows so popular right now? How do shows like this influence young boys?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Like Jackass, VIVA LA BAM, starring pro-skater Bam Margera, centers around naughty boy pranks. In one episode, he organizes a Civil War reenactment on his property, and on another, a demolition derby.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Bam's obviously got a pretty large MTV-sponsored allowance, but his pranks are not that funny or creative. Along the way, there's lots of swearing, rowdy laughter, and mistreatment of Bam's ineffectual parents and uncle (In the derby episode, Bam and his friends take apart his uncle's car piece by piece, then, while planning out the derby, leave piles of dirt in the house for his mother to clean).

His adolescent behavior is all-the-more pathetic because he's close to 30 years old. But: the show's been on the air since fall of 2003, so it's obviously found a following. Perhaps that's what's truly pathetic: An immature, unimaginative jerk like Bam is currently what's cool amongst many young men in our culture. Sigh.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: MTV
Cast: Bam Margera
Genre: Reality TV
Where to watch: MTV
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

kingdavecako
teen, 14 years old
8
 
ehhh, really immature, so you be the judge
Nothing really bad about it, just kinda stupid, unless your like an ocd protective parent, i think you could let your 8yr old kid watch it, just make sure you let em know that no one acts like that and he makes a living doin it.
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icefire22
teen, 18 years old
 
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way245
teen, 14 years old
11
 
Funny show, great for younger teens.
This show is one of my favorites, they do insane stuff. Almost all of the language is beeped out, there is one show where one oof bams friends moons bam and some other women (they are trying to make a mothers day card) Bam DOES NOT listen to his parents. There is beer. Don Vito is often the main target, he drinks alot.
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skater401
teen, 15 years old
13
 
i love the show and when vito gets drunk then bam makes vito look like a edit its just a realy funny show.
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airsoft511
teen, 16 years old
10
 
i wish i wish bams bro
hey wat is your e-mail? i want to know cuz i want to do what you do. it looks like fun and probably is. i am 12 and have probalems cuz my parents wont even let me go to publix with my frends. so i know that i will never do what you do:(
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Coolnone
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Not appropiate for 13+? Are you kidding me?
I just found this show on tv yesterday. If you don't like inmaturity, then don't watch it. This show is really stupid, but if there is nothing else on, I would watch it. I just don't get how it is not age appropiate for people 13+. They should of put iffy for 13+. This show is pretty much about guys being idiots. And as I said before. INMATURITY!!!! But parents, be warned, there is alot of bleeped words. It's mostly the f word.
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CSM Screen ...
adult
 
funny, but a lil violent
if u buy the dvd, (dont buy it 4 the kids its uncensored) but a must buy dvd choice. funny
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skyoate
teen, 15 years old
11
 
amazing.
this is the best show ever. as long as your kids are super unresponsible i see no reason why you wouldn't let them watch this.
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tamooch
teen, 15 years old
12
 
Very funny, with Don Vito being abused often, and Vito also drinks a lot.
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heartlessxsinner
teen, 16 years old
13
 
Awesome, but Dumb
I love this show, but oh my goodness, is it dumb. I really only watch it for the uncle. It's kinda fun to watch when you're down because it provides so many laughs, haha. I love watching it with my dad and my cousins.
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Filmfanatic64
adult
 
I laughed, I cried, then i launcued a cannonball through my PIRATE BAR!!!
this show is the only MTV show that really has a basis in entertainment. people can figure out whatever the f*&% he's saying even with the bleeps and blurps. i think it's hysterical and should replace shows like NEWLYWEDS and REAL WORLD. if REAL WORLD was ANYTHING like the real world, you wouldn't have a freaking show. but that's another review
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Letterbombed
adult
 
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misuspotts
adult
 
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missybobcat
adult
 
this rocks
this show is Awesome it is soo funny and i think that 13 year old and up should watch it. for 5 to 12 year old stay away from mtv for a couple of years.
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greendaylover1994
teen, 16 years old
 
this is a funny show
this is one of the most funniest shows ive ever seen even though there is violence it isnt that much of a deal i think this should be a yellow instead of a red
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blkcr
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Great
Awesome show but not adolescent he is over 20
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lalaland462
teen, 18 years old
13
 
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
I love this show and half the stuff that he does is so stupid its funny. In some episodes though, Bam's uncle, Don Vito, will curse like a sailor and ou may have beeps on your screen for up to 3 minutes, but your really can't understand a word he says so it don't matter. I love Bam and I think he's rrrreeeeeeeeely hot!!!! It comes on less now so if your up at 1:30 AM then i think your old enouf to watch it
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back2schoolboo
parent of 10 and 15 year old
12
 
Awesome
Although this may not be for the younger audience, it is great. It's a show for teens.
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JBar1004
teen, 16 years old
12
 
A more childish but, appropriate version of Jackass!
This is a funny show. Though childish at times it makes up for in Bam's imaginative stunts. This is a good show for kids who are not allowed to watch something as intense as Jackass.
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Chariot
 
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