Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mom/daughter beauty contest gets pretty catty.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
CROWNED: THE MOTHER OF ALL PAGEANTS explores the complex relationship between mothers and their adult daughters by teaming them up to compete for a beauty-pageant title. Eleven mother-daughter teams from all over the country live together in a mansion under the watchful eye of pageant director Linnea Maloney as they undergo intensive pageant training (the teams have a range of past pageant experience). At the end of each week, they strut their stuff on stage for the show's trio of judges: Queer Eye star Carson Kressley, former Miss USA/Dancing with the Stars alum Shanna Moakler, and image consultant Cynthia Garrett. The pair that shines the least is desashed and sent home; the final team left standing will win sparkling tiaras -- and $100,000.
Is It Any Good?
The judges claim that they're looking for "modern beauty," which ostensibly includes heart, spirit, and brains as well as good looks. They also want to see moms actually act like parents rather than their adult daughter's friend or subordinate. But these ideals don't keep some of the competitors from engaging in catty behavior -- including openly sniping about other contestants' weight, talent, and socioeconomic background. The pressure also causes some troubled mother-daughter teams to turn against each other.
While Crowned may appeal to young pageant hopefuls, the sometimes-strong language and snide remarks make it iffy for tweens. But it's definitely a guilty pleasure for older viewers who enjoy watching the behind-the-scenes strife that always seems to emerge between reality-show competitors.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the messages that televised beauty pageants send to viewers. Do pageants ever really give as much weight to qualities like intelligence and talent as they do to physical beauty? And what issues come up when parents and kids compete together? Why do some parents seem to lose sight of their role as parents when they're competing? Do these competitions exploit parent-child relationship problems for entertainment?
TV Details
- Premiere date : December 12, 2007
- Cast : Carson Kressley , Cynthia Garrett , Shanna Moakler
- Network : CW
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 5, 2023
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