Wedding Wars

Review

Common Sense Media says

Survivor-like wedding contest is far from romantic.
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.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality elimination series -- featuring couples exiled to a remote island to compete for a dream destination wedding -- includes lots of sneaky behavior, catty arguments, and sexual references. Cursing is frequent (the strongest words are bleeped) and wine and champagne drinking is visible. Turtle Bay Resort in Hawaii and additional wedding-related brands and products are also prominently featured.

  • Positive messages0
    The series focuses on the material aspects of a wedding rather than the importance of the relationship between the couples or what constitutes marriage. It also encourages the nastier side of competition.
  • Positive role models0
    While some couples work well with each other under difficult circumstances, many of the couples exhibit sneaky and unsportsman-like behavior.
  • Violence2
    The cast is constantly reminded that they're at war with each other, but despite some yelling, screaming, and cat fighting, the actual violence is rather minimal. Cast members occasionally get mildly injured during challenges.
  • Sex2
    Hugging and kissing are occasionally visible. Issues like abstaining before marriage are briefly discussed. Quick references to various sexual behaviors. 
  • Language3
    Words like “hell,” “ass,” and “bitch” are audible; curses like “bulls--t” and “f--k” are bleeped.
  • Consumerism3
    The Turtle Bay Resort in Oahu, Hawaii, is prominently featured. Show sponsors include Mori Lee and Jim’s Formal Wear. Cast members occasionally sport outfits with brand logos like Chanel.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Champagne drinking is occasionally visible. Camp supplies include red and white wine. Cast members’ romantic histories sometimes include drunken encounters.
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What's the story?

In WEDDING WARS, soon-to-be brides and grooms are pitted against each other for a dream destination wedding and a cash prize worth over $100,000. Twelve engaged couples are exiled to a remote Pacific island with little food, water, or shelter; there they participate in challenges for prizes designed to help them with their wedding preparations. They also compete for a coveted cake topper, which keeps them safe from elimination. Each week the weakest (or most disliked) couple gets voted off; the last couple remaining wins the grand prize.

Is it any good?

 

Wedding Wars combines the rugged competitiveness and scheming behavior of Survivor with all of the drama that comes along with wedding planning. But much of the show’s entertainment value comes from watching the couples’ relationships being tested as they cope with the pressures of the contest.

The show’s focus is on the materialism surrounding a wedding, rather than strengthening the marital relationship or thinking about the long-term commitment that the couples are planning to make. And, like most reality competitions, the series features plenty of arguing, cursing, and drinking. Viewers who like this sort of thing might find it entertaining, but it definitely lacks romance.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about weddings. What are the costs involved in throwing a wedding? Do they have to be expensive to be nice? What kinds of messages does the media send about what a wedding should look like and/or cost?

  • Do you think competing for things for a wedding makes it less romantic? Why or why not?

  • What do you think about competition? Is there a good and bad way to
    compete? What kind of competitors are on this show? How do TV shows like
    this influence people's ideas about how to compete well?

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Kid, 10 years old
March 17, 2011
AGE
14
 
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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:VH1
Cast:Michele Merkin
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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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.
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