Deal with It
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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 Deal with It is a hidden-camera game show featuring contestants embarrassing their companions for cash. Pranks include some mild references to sex and/or inappropriate sexual advances, destroying property, and on occasion, hitting and throwing things across a room. Sometimes folks are shown drinking (wine, hard liquor), and are heard uttering some iffy vocab. It's meant to be in good fun, but unsuspecting victims often argue and/or yell out of frustration (or humiliation).
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What's the story?
Hosted by Theo Von, DEAL WITH IT is a game show that features celebrities convincing people to do mortifying things for a cash prize. Each contestant is chosen from a public setting and fitted with a hidden microphone and an earpiece. After rejoining his/her companion, guest celebrities like Howie Mandel and Yvette Nicole Brown instruct them to do things like talk gibberish, search through a stranger's bag, or hit a waitress in the back with a shoe, from a control room. Each round of escalating craziness earns the contestant a sum of money. Throughout the fray, they cannot let their companion know that they are being told how to behave, or that they are competing for a cash prize. If contestants can't deal with the stress their nutty behavior is causing, they end the challenge. But if they make it through five rounds, they win $5,000.
Is it any good?
Deal with It, which is produced by comedian Howie Mandel, showcases the improv skills of regular, every day folks as they do what they can to keep a prank going. Meanwhile, much of the fun comes from the reactions of each contestants' companion, who is usually mortified by what is happening.
There are some funny scenes, and the pranks are well-orchestrated. It isn't designed to be mean-spirited, but some moments are almost painful to watch thanks to contestants doing humiliating and/or mean things. Nonetheless, folks who like hidden-camera and/or prank shows will probably find it fun.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about pranks and practical jokes. What is the appeal? They can be fun, but when does a prank go from being funny to being humiliating and/or abusive? What kind of messages do shows like this one send about how far a prank should go?
Why do people agree to play pranks on their friends and/or loved ones? Is it for the money? What else do they gain (or lose) from doing it? Is there anything that you would do or not do for money? Is there anyone that you wouldn't dare play a prank on? Why?
TV details
- Premiere date: July 17, 2013
- Cast: Theo Von
- Network: TBS
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
For kids who love comedy
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