Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
New Yorkers film their own lives in thoughtful docudrama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Connected
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CONNECTED is an AOL digital docudrama series that features six 30 and 40-something professionals living in New York recording themselves with camcorders for six months. It stars Jonathan Bricklin, a writer and club owner who's trying to deal with girlfriend Susan Sarandon's celebrity status, up-and-coming comedian Derek Gaines (cohost of MTV's Broke A$$ Game Show), interior designer and former HGTV Design Star contestant Nina Ferrer-Mannino, who's trying to get pregnant, and Lori Levine, whose high-powered job as a talent-booking CEO hasn't prepared her for becoming a stepmother. Rounding out the cast is Rosie Noesi, a local radio/TV personality facing an unexpected crossroads, and Ido and Eli Bendet-Taicher, married high-tech execs who are committed to their children. As they go through their personal highs and lows, their individual experiences create a picture that represents how the people of the city all are linked in some way.
Is It Any Good?
The reality show, which is based on the critically acclaimed Israeli series Mehubarim, is meant to show how the individual human experience forms part of a larger, unified social existence within a larger community. Each of the six narratives is presented in a way that highlights the universal experiences we all go through, including love, loss, fear, ambition, and frustration, regardless of whether we're single, married, wealthy, broke, or career-oriented.
As with most reality whos, it's pretty heavily edited, and the idea of keeping a daily video diary isn't completely original, either. Though appearances by Susan Sarandon and most of the cast's media entertainment-oriented goals make the show interesting, it also takes a bit away from the authenticity of the message. Nonetheless, the overall context in which these human stories is presented offers some food for thought.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the series' overall message. Do you think we're all connected in some way? How? Is this series successful in demonstrating this?
What is the difference between a docudrama and a reality show? Is there really a difference? Why?
Why is this program being offered as an online series rather than a TV show? Would the content be any different?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 31, 2015
- Cast : Jonathan Bricklin , Derek Gaines , Rosie Noesi
- Network : AOL
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
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