Parents' Guide to

America's Toughest Jobs

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Hardworking reality contest has real-life appeal.

TV NBC Reality TV 2008
America's Toughest Jobs Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

At first glance, this latest reality series seems like an attempt to cash in on the popularity of gritty shows like Ax Men and Ice Road Truckers. But, in fact, America's Toughest Jobs offers viewers a more substantial package than many other TV competitions do. In addition to testing contestants' endurance and will to succeed, these challenges offer the competitors hands-on experience in real-life skills like running a chainsaw, scaling a mountain, and driving an 18-wheeler. The focus here isn't on surviving on roasted bugs or catching the eye of a hunky star; it's about facing a challenge that's outside your comfort zone and adapting your talents to meet a job's requirements.

Even better, the show shines the spotlight on occupations whose employees rarely receive accolades. In a society that covets corner offices and big salaries, viewers are sure to develop a new sense of appreciation for what these hardworking men and women do day in and day out. And, speaking of women, don't be too quick to count them out of the running just because of the physicality of these jobs; the show's female contestants are hardly at a disadvantage when their determination is a factor. That said, tensions do often run high and can lead to heated verbal exchanges and some strong language ("ass" and "bitch" are popular; "f--k" is used a lot, too, but is bleeped).

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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