College Hill

TV review by Lucy Maher, Common Sense Media
College Hill Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Boundary-pushing reality TV for mature audiences.

BET Reality TV 2004
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Parents say

age 2+

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 17+

Based on 1 review

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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 in many episodes of this racy, college-set reality program, sexually explicit acts are described and simulated, curses are routinely bleeped out, and derogatory language is used. Like The Real World, this series focuses on conflict between young adults.

Community Reviews

linda ryder
linda ryder Adult
April 25, 2009
age 2+

College Hill Worse Show Ever

College Hill Makes me want to vomit every time I see It. This show is completely pathetic, I don't think it could get any more trifling than it already is. I hate to see my brothers and sisters acting like fools, real live fools, lick wipe cream off each other, that's just how they want us to act. Here's the kicker, it's on B.E.T, can you believe it. I bet Imus loves the show, but what would martin luther king think about it. Half the time it looks like a t-pain video, the least they could do is change the name this garbage is hiding behind because it has nothing to do with college. Were no better than bush or jim crow, the way we sold out our own kids who watch this crap, and we wonder why they can't even graduate high school. They should change the name to katrina hill, because it just a flood of Ignornace. www.r5.kickme.to
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

BET's popular reality show follows eight students as they navigate schoolwork and their personal lives while living in fancy digs reminiscent of the homes in MTV's The Real World. Like its relatives The Real World, Temptation Island, and The Surreal Life, College Hill takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of what ensues when eight strangers are picked to live together under the same roof. Along with the requisite temper tantrums, flirting, and jealousy, the producers also provide their audience with heated late-night arguments, spontaneous hook-ups, and secrets spilled while soaking in the hot tub.

Is It Any Good?

There's a reason why reality TV has become such a phenomenon: It's titillating and just raw enough to keep viewers coming back for more. College Hill is no exception. The characters' strong personalities make for an engrossing half-hour in which themes endemic to the African-American college experience are explored (that alone raises it above the pointless chaos of The Real World). Still, the subject matter and potty talk in each episode definitely isn't fare for younger teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what to expect in college. Do you think this series is an accurate picture of what college will be like? How can students balance relationships, friends, and their studies? How do you go about maintaining boundaries in a communal living situation?

TV Details

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