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Wanna Bet? (ABC)

common sense media says

Celebs wager on stupid human tricks for charity.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although overall this game show is age-appropriate for most tweens and up, there is a fair amount of double entendre. Both male and female performers/contestants are congratulated on their looks, and the betting celebrities occasionally wager on whether the contestants will succeed at their challenges based on their appearances. Since the contestants aren't competing directly with each other, there're are fewer snarky, judge-type comments than on other reality contests.

Positive messages: Some stereotypes are reinforced, albeit fairly lightly. For example, in a men-against-women competition, the men allow the women twice the time to complete the task ... but the women are amateurs, and the men are pros. A fair number of comments are made about how people look.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: A fair amount of double entendre -- for example, one contestant is described as having the most talented tongue in town (although viewers later find out that it's in regard to his talent for tasting things).
Language: Infrequent use of words like "damn."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Wanna Bet?

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how the performers accomplish their various challenges. How do you think they learned to do such out of the ordinary things? Why do you think the contestants want to perform? Is it just to help win money for charity, or could they have other motivations? Why do people want to be on television?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The premise of WANNA BET? is simple. Ordinary people who can perform some pretty odd stunts -- from hula-hooping a tractor tire to skiing over fresh eggs without breaking them -- get the opportunity to perform in front of the cameras, while minor celebrities like Corbin Bernsen bet on whether or not the contestants can pull it off. The celebs get $25,000 to work with; the winner gives their pot to charity.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The scary thing about this show is the way it sucks you in. On paper, the premise sounds like it would be dreadful -- and yet, by the end of the first stunt, you can't help but cheer along with the performer.

British hosts Ant and Dec are charming -- and smart enough to keep the action moving. But ultimately, it's not the celebrities and the periodic, mildly off-color quips that offer the most entertainment. It's the stunts -- like the team of women who pit-stop a car against a team of professional men -- who get you cheering and laughing. Bottom line? It's silly, frothy, and an oddly fun way to spend an evening.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: ABC
Genre: Game Shows
Where to watch: ABC
This review was written by Anne Louise Bannon
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

jill1234567890523
teen, 15 years old
 
Cool And For Charity
I just saw it. It's realy cool!
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gospurs57
adult
 
Fun game show for the whole family
ABC is trying to clean up primetime by airing more family-friendly shows like "Wanna Bet?". However, there is a fair amount of innuendo and double entendres which gave the series premiere episode its TV-PG D rating. "Wanna Bet?" has gotten poor reviews from critics calling it unoriginal and imitating YouTube, but this show is more family-safe than YouTube. There could be a G-rated video on YouTube, yet there could be links to PG-13 videos and potentially offensive comments. All in all, "Wanna Bet?" is safe for the whole family and a great alternative to YouTube. I hope it doesn't get canceled, though.
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