Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tough love mixes with competition and positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Cheer
What's the Story?
CHEER gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of competitive cheerleading as it plays out in the gym of renowned coach Patty Ann Romero. Under her direction, the Central Jersey All-Stars have their sights set on national fame, but getting there will take hours of blood, sweat, and tears on the practice floor. As if a demanding coach isn't enough, these 20 elite athletes battle injuries, self-doubt, and even each other on their way to perfecting their craft and performing it in the sport's biggest arenas. But when the curtain falls and the competition is over, there's a surprising sense of family that exists among these team members and their tough-as-nails coach.
Is It Any Good?
On the surface, this reality series bears strong resemblance to the explosive Lifetime show Dance Moms, and its similar format and outspoken, scene-stealing coach at first seem bound to follow suit. Fortunately, though, Cheer's Patty Ann is like Abby Lee lite, and she manages to show a fair amount of heart even while she's doling out criticism to her athletes. Yes, there are plenty of pressure moments when she calls out an athlete for a poor performance or loses her temper over the team's lack of fight, but there are also a lot of times that she shows a softer side that clearly endears her to her team.
Cheer is a good compromise for viewers who like reality TV but don't appreciate the consistently negative messages some of the genre's offerings resort to for high drama. There are worthy lessons in the show's presentation of competition, reminding viewers that both winning and losing are part of the process and that there's something to be learned from each experience. What's more, the show focuses on the teens working well together and less on the minor tiffs that arise among them. Bottom line? This is still a voyeuristic reality show that replays human drama for entertainment, but, compared to most, it's a gentler version that's better suited for tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the sport of cheerleading. Does Cheer change your impression of cheerleaders? Does competitive cheerleading seem like an appealing sport?
What do you expect from a coach or mentor? Is there anything you can learn from someone like Patty Ann? What do you think of her treatment of the cheerleaders when they disappoint her?
Why are reality series like this one so popular among viewers? Does this show seem very realistic to you? Why is human drama so enticing? What, if anything, can be learned from watching shows like this?
How do Patty Ann and her team members demonstrate courage, teamwork and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths in order to realize goals in life?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 7, 2012
- Cast : Patty Ann Romero
- Network : CMT
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
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.
See how we rate