Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Reality game show reinforces stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Hosted by Ben Stein (an actor, comedian, and former speech writer for President Richard Nixon) and Mary Alice Stephenson (an expert in the realm of celebrity fashion), AMERICA'S MOST SMARTEST MODEL tests the intelligence of 14 "himbos" and "bimbos" (seven men and seven women) who claim to be the perfect blend of beauty and brains. Challenges range from a old-fashioned spelling bee to a science fair supervised by Bill Nye (the Science Guy). There are also activities designed to test how well the contestants perform in actual modeling tasks -- like walking the runway and posing for photographs. The winner is declared "America's Most Smartest Model" and wins a prize package worth $100,000.
Is It Any Good?
If America's Next Top Model and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? had a child, it would probably look a lot like this reality/game show hybrid that pits models against each other in an elimination-style battle of wits. It's got guilty-pleasure potential for channel-surfers ... but only if there's nothing better on.
America's Most Smartest Model has some problems, including a ho-hum contestant pool that contributes to the sense that the show was somewhat slapped together. But Stein's ever-changing roster of dismissal lines is a definite highlight. A prime example? "Like the leg bones of a cetacean mammal, you are now vestigial." That's one of the best parting comments since "You are the weakest link. Good-bye."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the pitfalls of stereotyping others, especially when it comes to brains and beauty. Why do people tend to assume that models are stupid? Are female models slapped with the label more often than male models? Why? Would you rather be intelligent or attractive? Why or why not? Families could also have fun brainstorming a list of people they know who are both intelligent and good-looking.
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 7, 2007
- Cast : Ben Stein , Mary Alice Stephenson
- Network : VH1
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 11, 2020
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