Adrenaline Rush Hour
By Will Wade,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Real people in real danger; could be scary for real kids.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Some of the people featured on ADRENALINE RUSH HOUR make really bad decisions, and others are just very unlucky -- but all of them should be grateful to be alive. The series collects real-life video footage of car accidents, boat crashes, plane crashes, fires, explosions, violent crimes, poorly planned stunts, and many other harrowing events. There are race car drivers who take a turn too fast, motorcycle tricks gone awry, speedboats that go too fast and disintegrate, and much more. Anything that looks like it could involve serious bodily harm -- and happens to be caught on film -- could appear on this show.
Is It Any Good?
Adrenaline Rush Hour serves up thrills, spills, and chills with detailed commentary -- but little analysis. The narrator explains what's happening moment-by-moment and sometimes can spot the instant when something goes terribly wrong. The show usually provides some medical follow-up as well, explaining the extent of the resulting injuries; given the dramatic nature of the footage, there are surprisingly few serious injuries. Some sequences even include interviews with the participants, providing more details about the traumatic incidents.
What's often missing is the why. The show might explain that a particular intersection is the site of frequent accidents, but it doesn't address whether authorities have tried to deal with the issue. And though the clips are exciting, it's not clear whether they're meant to function as pure entertainment for viewers craving action, primers on avoiding common stunt mistakes, or cautionary tales.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about dangerous choices. Though many of the clips feature people involved in total accidents, many more show folks who are willingly participating in risky activities or simply making bad decisions. Why do you think they make these choices? In a similar situation, would you act differently? Or, would you make different choices so you could avoid such a situation in the first place? What parts of your life require you to make careful decisions on a daily basis? Do you always think them through?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 30, 2009
- Cast: Max Raphael
- Network: Discovery Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: May 2, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate