Parents' Guide to America's Funniest Home Videos

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Common Sense Media Review

By Pam Gelman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

One person's humiliation is another's chuckle.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 11+

Based on 33 parent reviews

Parents say the show often trivializes serious issues like bullying, child abuse, and animal mistreatment, leading to concerns about the message it sends to children. While some viewers still find it entertaining and nostalgic, many criticize the current content for depicting violence and injury as humor, and express a desire for a return to a more wholesome format.

  • inappropriate content
  • negative role models
  • trivializes violence
  • nostalgic appeal
  • good family show
Summarized with AI

age 8+

Based on 60 kid 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?

Our review:
Parents say ( 33 ):
Kids say ( 60 ):

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

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

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What to Watch Next

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