Parents' Guide to

Awake: The Million Dollar Game

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Amusing game exploits sleep-deprived contestants for cash.

TV Netflix Game Shows 2019
Awake: The Million Dollar Game Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Awake TV Show: Being meticulous while sleep deprived
  • Awake TV Show: A contestant works with monkeys
  • Awake TV Show: Scientific information is offered

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What's the Story?

Hosted by comedian James Davis, AWAKE: THE MILLION DOLLAR GAME features sleepy contestants vying for a million-dollar prize. Players stay awake for 24 hours before participating in rounds of challenges. The catch? Each one is designed to be more difficult for people who are sleep deprived. The person who finishes last after each round is eliminated, but not before all the contestants are offered a sum of money that they can walk away with before finding out who the actual loser is. As they compete, TV audiences are given brief scientific explanations about why the tasks are more difficult for someone who hasn't had any shut-eye. The last person remaining in the game can take a final buy out, or risk it all to play for the million-dollar prize.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

This exploitative but amusing series reveals how sleep deprivation impacts people's ability to function, especially when they're expected to make strategic decisions during a game show. Some of the fun comes from watching the contestants struggle through challenges that range from weird stunts to mundane everyday tasks. But the real entertainment comes from tension created by the buy-outs, which require contestants to make high stakes decisions while completely exhausted.

It's meant to be lighthearted reality fare. However, Awake: The Million Dollar Game also relies on the willingness of people to temporarily put their physical and mental well-being aside for the sake of winning some cash. Meanwhile, putting extremely sleep-deprived people who are barely functioning on a stage to under-perform feels a bit like a torture session. Some folks will enjoy it, but it also makes you wonder how far people will go to win a buck or two.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why people will subject themselves to physical and mental extremes to win money on television. What reasons do contestants on Awake: The Million Dollar Game offer for putting themselves through the experience?

  • What are the dangers associated with not sleeping? How does media consumption play a role in our ability to get enough sleep?

  • Hosted by a comedian, Awake is intended to fetch laughs. What other tone could the show take, depending on who the host is and what the competitions are like?

TV Details

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