Wipeout

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Obstacle courses are more silly than challenging.
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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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, as in the Japanese series it's loosely modeled after, much of this reality/game show's entertainment value comes from watching contestants "wipe out" during the competition in embarrassing ways. Expect some mild sexual innuendo and words like "hell" (iffier terms are fully bleeped out), as well as a healthy dose of typical game show greed. Remind kids that while many of the stunts seem silly or harmless, they can cause serious injury if tried at home.

  • While it's all meant in fun, the show does send a message that laughing at others' pain is OK. Be sure to remind kids that the stunts featured here are dangerous when not performed under supervision and using safety gear.
  • Contestants are driven by typical game show greed, competing in
    grueling challenges for money. They often appear silly rather than
    strong and/or courageous. Some minor egging on, but no real personal
    rivalries between contestants. Participants are both male and female
    and represent various racial/ethnic backgrounds.
  • Contestants ricochet off large balls, get shoved into mud, tumble off of giant trampolines, and more. They're sometimes heard briefly moaning and/or shouting out in pain, but most appear more tired than injured. All contestants wear safety gear; the stunts shouldn't be tried at home.
  • The hosts' comments sometimes include mild sexual innuendo that will go over kids' head. There are continual references to "big balls." Any partial nudity resulting from clothes slipping down during an event is completely blocked out. One contestant wears his underwear outside of his shorts.

What's the story?

On WIPEOUT, contestants race through a series of grueling obstacle courses for the chance to win $50,000. Each week, 24 thrill-seeking competitors are put to the test as they stumble over towers of mats sitting in mud, try to swing into walls, or triumph over any other hurdle producers put in their way before they qualify for the next round. Those who make it through face even tougher challenges, with the final four facing off in the larger-than-life Wipeout Zone. Whoever makes it through the Zone in the shortest amount of time wins the competition -- and the cash. The whole shebang is a loose adaptation of various contemporary Japanese game shows that focus on the embarrassing, sometimes hair-raising spills that competitors take while attempting to perform feats that seem more like punishments than tests of skill.


Is it any good?

 

Unlike the seemingly life-threatening/gross stunts featured on shows like Fear Factor, most of Wipeout's challenges are designed to make people look more silly than brave. Adding to this are the comments offered by comedians/hosts John Anderson and John Henson, who -- with the help of Jill Wagner -- poke fun at the contestants' clumsiness and applaud their Herculean efforts. As a result, while viewers may cringe as contestants awkwardly tumble into pools of mud or ricochet off of giant rubber balls, they might also find themselves stifling a laugh or two.

Wipeout highlights the extremes to which some people will go to win money, even if it means getting humiliated in the process. While some viewers may find this sort of thing entertaining to watch, it doesn't send a particularly positive message to kids. If yours do watch, be sure to remind them that no matter how silly some of these stunts look, many of them can cause serious injury if tried at home.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about game shows. Why do you think people compete in crazy, humiliating, or scary challenges? Is it just for the money, or is there something else that motivates them? Do you think any of the challenges go too far?

  • Are any of your favorite shows
    originally from another country? How do you think the American version
    differs from the original?

  • Do you think there are shows from other
    countries that wouldn't work in the United States, or vice versa? Why?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Kid, 12 years old
March 22, 2011
 
Great!
I watch it!

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Kid, 11 years old
July 11, 2010
 
Wipeout Rules
I just love WIPEOUT

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Parent of 9 year old
August 5, 2009
 
Fine for kids during family viewing
I think this show is ON for 6+ when watched with a parent. Kids find it very funny but you need to consider if the child understands not to try any of the stunts at home and also that in general it is not funny when someone gets hurt. We have let our child watch this show with us and have not had any issues. As mentioned the mention of "big balls" and such go over the childs head because there are actual big balls on the show.

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Kid, 13 years old
June 26, 2009
 
great show!
i love this show its so funny!

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Teen, 14 years old
June 7, 2009
 
I laughed a lot! Ben Henson is so funny
people in this do crazy thing's, for instance, in a new episode, there was a contenstant that was named Didi Wong and she was from Hong Kong, so Ben Henson made up a rymning thing with her that was "Didi Wong from hong Kong" any way, my fav reality show. I recomend it for 8+

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Teen, 14 years old
June 29, 2011
 
Good Show!
Good show to watch and will keep you entertained

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Kid, 13 years old
April 22, 2011
 
brrrrrrrrow! WIPEOUT!
the funniest show since MAD. people falling, with weird peanut gallery by henson and anderson. some plain random parts with creepy subtitles.

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Kid, 11 years old
April 18, 2011
 
It's a good show, but..............
This is a good game show, but it's pretty violent. It doesn't really send positive messages either. The challenges are thought up to mock the contestants. Occasional bad words may be heard from contestants. It's good for kids under 8. It's a good show.

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Kid, 11 years old
June 27, 2011
 
great for families and friends.
I LOVE wipeout its the best show ever.

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Teen, 14 years old
September 16, 2010
 
I love this show!
I love Wipeout! It always makes me laugh. The contestants are histarical and the obstacles are the best! I recomend this show for anyone ages 8 and up. It's not that they use bad language, it doesn't really send positive messages, but I still think its a funny show to watch!

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:ABC
Cast:Jill Wagner, John Anderson, John Henson
Genre:Game Shows

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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