Parents' Guide to

Boy Band

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Musical reality competition is frothy fun for families.

TV ABC Game Shows 2017
Boy Band Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 6+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Eric U.
Eric U. Adult
September 5, 2017
age 6+

Produced well and Entertaining

It's no "American Idol"or "The Voice", but for a fresh look at vocal competitions, Boyband is a well-rounded change of pace that offers a lot when it comes to creating the next big pop group. For fans of popular music, it's combines the song-along aspect with the visual appeal of the contestants for their respective audience-teen girls. The contestants aren't the most gifted performers, but the appeal comes with the week by week growth you can see in the boys as they dwindle down to the final five. It's intriguing to watch because as the viewer, you tend to become established as "fan" of one or more boys as the show progresses. The show packs a lot of star power and a bit of nostalgia for older viewers that like to see their former pop idols in judges Nick Carter and Emma Bunton. I doubt a second season could materialize as it seems as if pumping out more bands could cause a conflict of interest, but a girl-group theme could resurrect this show for a follow-up. Not bad for fans of pop music and boy bands as a whole, but can be cheesy for a viewer not as absorbed into the hype around the continuation of manufactured boy groups.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Patti V.
Patti V. Parent
August 3, 2017
age 6+

Terrible

There are maybe two guys that can sing, the rest pretty much suck. The whole show is terrible! Nick Carter, really??
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What's the Story?

BOY BAND is a reality series featuring young male vocalists competing for a chance to make boy band stardom. Hosted by Rita Ora, the series features 30 young men between the ages of 14 and 22 auditioning for a chance to make it to the next round. Judging them are former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, and Timbaland. The 18 young men who make the cut are organized into three groups that must work on their vocals, learn choreography, and develop the skills required to perform as a group. They must also work on their looks and the ability to connect with audiences. Each week a team performs on stage in front of a live audience, after which one of the members is eliminated. After a few weeks, at-home viewers take over the judging process and ultimately create America's newest boy band.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This entertaining series offers viewers a chance to see just what goes into developing a successful boy band. In addition to energetic singing performances, mentors and judges offer feedback that underscores the skills required to be a part of a pop singing group. This includes being able to transition from being a solo singer to the culture of working together with a band.

The suspense-filled eliminations are overdramatic, eliciting lots of screams from fans in the audience. But Boy Band highlights the hard work and drive that go into building a cohesive group whose work will (hopefully) translate into megastardom. Young singers may find it inspiring, but other tweens and teens will swoon at the ensemble of young, male, good-looking crooners featured here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the things the contestants must learn to be in a boy band. Is being a good singer all it takes? What else factors in?

  • How do the stars of this show exemplify perseverance? Why is it an important character strength?

TV Details

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