Barely Famous
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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 Barely Famous is a scripted parody of reality shows such as Keeping Up with the Kardashians; it stars real-life LA sisters Erin and Sara Foster playing caricatures of themselves as they navigate Hollywood and their personal lives. It's pretty spot-on satire, and the many celebrity cameos make this mockumentary seem that much more real. The show features strong language (including bleeped cursing), sexual innuendo, and some drinking, but if your teens have a love/hate relationship with reality culture, this will be a light, entertaining treat.
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What's the story?
BARELY FAMOUS is a comedy series about two sisters navigating the celebrity circles of Los Angeles. Sara and Erin Foster, the daughters of award-winning music producer David Foster, don't like reality shows. Instead, they're starring in what they argue is a "documentary of their lives." Cameras follow as Erin, an aspiring screenwriter, attempts to show the world how normal she is despite being raised in an elite Hollywood community, while Sarah uses the opportunity to jump-start her fledgling acting career. From failed dates to dealing with disinterested paparazzi, the two D-listers make their way through Hollywood surrounded by a film crew, all the while claiming they're just regular, average folks.
Is it any good?
This mockumentary-style parody pokes fun at the absurdity of celebrity culture, in which famous (and not-so-famous) people try to prove that they have normal lives while simultaneously clamoring for attention and making the most of their celebrity status. The two likable sisters make what could be a sour, bitter production into a savvy, light bit of satire that reality buffs will get a kick out of.
It's a fun show, thanks mostly to Sara and Erin's comedic style, which includes breaking the fourth wall by acknowledging the production staff who's filming them. Meanwhile, appearances by Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, and other celebrities at well-timed moments add to the fun. Teens who tire of watching reality shows that claim to be "real" will enjoy watching Sara and Erin try to live authentically (for the cameras, of course).
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about parodies; they're funny but often send a message. What do you think this show is trying to say?
Would you ever want to be on a reality show? What do you think about the people who choose to share their lives this way?
TV details
- Premiere date: March 18, 2015
- Cast: Sara Foster, Erin Foster
- Network: VH1
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: March 13, 2020
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For kids who love comedy
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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.
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