America's Funniest Home Videos

TV review by Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media
America's Funniest Home Videos Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

One person's humiliation is another's chuckle.

ABC, Syndicated Reality TV 1989
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Parents say

age 12+

Based on 41 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 73 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that some home videos show people getting hurt. Many of the clips are practical jokes that are degrading and some cross the line when it comes to the ethical treatment of animals. Videos also poke fun at normal kid behavior.

Community Reviews

Pootsie
Pootsie Adult
January 15, 2022
age 18+

Not worth 1 star - Cruel

There are nasty videos that should never have aired (ie: big cat trying to get in his home through a tiny door. Poor thing hurts himself doing so. That’s extremely cruel, and drastically UN-evolved, grade 1 Neanderthal behaviour), and should never be aired. These pet owners are so cruel to their pets, like they own them just to torture them in nasty ways, yet AFV continues to show such cruel videos since day 1. I have also seen some upsetting videos with young children being hurt and ridiculed, and it’s allowed on the show?! What is wrong with these dumb parents, ABC and AFV?? Also should not be put on the air. Who chooses these nasty cruel videos, and who approves them? It’s sad. The people who send these videos in should be followed up on, charged and banned from owning animals period • for sure! Also the nasty parents should never get their videos on air. WOW It’s sickening to anyone with empathy and compassion (“real” human(e)s). I want to know where the ethics and morals are. Can’t find any, so I boycott the show with many of my friends : ). It sucks and is very primitive.

This title has:

Too much violence
LinLop
LinLop Adult
October 17, 2021
age 6+

Judge

Who judges the videos? The winners are not as funny as the honorable mention.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 41 parent reviews

What's the Story?

For 15 years, the producers of AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS have been searching for hilarious videos made by everyday people. Viewers tune in to see home improvement projects turned into slapstick comedy, men doing flips onto and breaking pool tables, the dresses of women flapping in the breeze to reveal their scanty underwear, and every possible way a man can get hit in the groin. It's taped with a studio audience that is frequently shown in the throes of belly laughs, and who then vote on that episode's funniest video. Host Alfonso Ribiero (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air) gives annoying one-liners as he introduces the genre of videos coming up, such as pets, home repairs, holiday antics, challenges at the altar, etc.

Is It Any Good?

Adolescents will no doubt find many of these videos to be humorous, but do you want your kid watching a blindfolded groom tricked into inappropriately touching a grandmotherly guest at his wedding or an overweight woman stuck in a pit with no one helping her to get out? Often the humor is at the expense of children and their innocent, developmentally normal behavior that has yet to be tainted by self-consciousness. This show teaches kids to laugh at others instead of finding their own creative ways to be funny.

Bottom line: Some families may find the show funny, and some won't -- you may want to tune in before you share with your kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about when a joke is funny and when it becomes inappropriate, unethical, or causes humiliation. Do we need to make fun of people to be funny?

TV Details

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