Are You Normal, America?
Trivia guessing game has lots of low-brow humor.
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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 the game show Are You Normal, America? features discussions about behaviors that people engage in privately or that have caused embarrassing situations. There's some strong sexual innuendo and discussion (including references to having sex and behaviors that occur during sex), as well as a fair share of bathroom humor and brief conversations about inappropriate activities. It also characterizes the notion of being "normal" as something that more than 50 percent of surveyed people admit to doing.
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What's the Story?
ARE YOU NORMAL AMERICA? is a game show that asks contestants to decide whether certain behaviors in intimate, provocative, and often embarrassing situations are normal. Hosted by Barry Poznick and Kim Coles, the series teams together two strangers who together must decide whether the majority of people surveyed across America have engaged (or continue to engage in) weird and/or embarrassing acts, like urinating in the shower or stealing toiletries from a hotel. Footage of people around the U.S. admitting whether or not they behave this way is also included. Follow-up questions require contestants to identify people who have engaged in these activities from a group of studio panelists. Each correct answer brings them closer to a $100,000 prize.
Is It Any Good?
The series is basic trivia guessing game that relies on bathroom humor, sex jokes, and conversations about things that most people are too uncomfortable or embarrassed to talk about publicly in order to make it funny. It also oversimplifies the idea of what is normal behavior by categorizing it as a statistical majority.
Some viewers may find the questions (and the answers to them) humorous or surprising. However, because there's no real strategy needed to play the game, it gets a little tiresome. It isn't for everyone, but folks looking for some lighthearted entertainment will find it here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about game shows. What makes a game show entertaining? Is it the strategy needed to play the game? The questions? The reactions of the players? What about the hosts? Do you find yourself rooting for contestants, even if you don't know them? Why?
What do you think about the idea of "normal" as presented on this show? Who decides what's normal? What kinds of reactions do people have to behavior they don't consider normal?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 3, 2012
- Cast: Barry Poznick, Kim Coles
- Network: OWN
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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