Parents' Guide to

Back on Campus

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Funny concept, mildly successful -- teens and up.

TV Freeform Reality TV 2006
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A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

In BACK ON CAMPUS four college students who share a four-bedroom dormitory suite find themselves each sharing a room and attend classes with their parents for a semester. For the students, this arrangement presents some problems. For the parents, who have to follow in their kids' footsteps -- taking classes, getting part-time jobs, and attending keggers -- the challenge is to keep up with their offspring.

Is It Any Good?

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

Back on Campus begins with an interesting concept, for a reality show. One scene that really captures the essence of the series' concept occurs when the parents come home early from a party and complain about the lack of food at the event. The kids could care less about food as long as the booze doesn't run out, but the parents have learned from experience that it takes more than drinking to make a good party. Unfortunately, moments like that are rare, and but most of the show's characters aren't compelling enough to get viewers to watch what ends up being a rather dull experience focused primarily on partying.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the college experience. What was college like for parents? What do teens imagine their own experience will be like? Is this glimpse of the future exciting or scary? What do you think of the way the girl who chooses not to party is treated? Did you realize that peer pressure extended into college? How do you think you'd deal with it?

TV Details

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