Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tattoo competition features edgy art, conflict, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
BEST INK is a reality series featuring 10 of America's top tattoo artists competing for cash and recognition in the professional tattoo community. Each episode, which is hosted by Kimberly Caldwell, features the inkers participating in a \"feature challenge\" designed to test their creative skills while offering them a potential advantage in the competition. They must then show their range of technical skills while tattooing people. The judges, veteran tattoo artist Joe Capobianco, model/entrepreneur Sabine Kelley, and guest tattoo professionals specializing in different aspects of the craft, choose the winner of each challenge. But it's the contestants who must vote for the inker to be eliminated. The tattoo artist who makes it to the end of the overall competition gets the title, a cover story in Tattoo magazine, and $100,000.
Is It Any Good?
The series highlights the unique nature of the art of tattooing as well as the various skills artists must master in order to be successful in the field. It also offers some insight into some of the challenges that come from wanting to be true to the art form while still trying to satisfy paying (and sometimes difficult) clients.
The main focus is on the challenges, but occasionally the personal stories behind people's tattoos are briefly shared. Contestants are often hypercritical of each other's work, which can lead to some interesting elimination choices, too. But overall, the tattoos these inkers produce are the most dramatic parts of the show.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about tattoos. What are some of the taboos and/or stereotypes surrounding body art? What are some of the risks associated with getting a tattoo?
What is the appeal of this kind of show? Why are there so many reality shows about tattooing?
What kind of training does someone have to have to be considered a professional tattoo artist? How do they develop their individual styles? Why are there more male than female tattoo artists? Is this changing?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 27, 2012
- Cast : Joe Capobianco , Kimberly Caldwell , Sabina Kelley
- Network : Oxygen
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 26, 2022
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