Dr. Steve-O
By Kari Croop,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
"Self-help" stunt show is bad medicine for teens.
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What's the Story?
In his first solo TV gig, extreme stuntman Steve-O plays doctor with assistance from a scantily clad nurse (Trishelle Cannatella). In each episode, he takes on a roster of three new patients with a variety of strange phobias and attempts to solve their problems in 30 minutes or less. Scared to death of bees? Dr. Steve-O will start your treatment by inexplicably waxing off your eyebrow and then covering you in a suit of the very insects you fear. Squeamish when it comes to eating meat off the bone? Dr. Steve-O's prescription may include having you bite the head off a raw chicken before donning boxing gloves and a hat made out of poultry carcasses and sparring with his nurse.
Is It Any Good?
DR. STEVE-O is a lot like its eponymous host, an extreme stuntman who shot to fame as one of Johnny Knoxville's partners in crime on Jackass. The pacing is frantic, the editing is somewhat schizophrenic, and it doesn't always make a whole lot of sense. It's almost as if the show had ADD and were begging for a dose of Ritalin.
In one episode, one of Steve-O's hapless patients seemed to have the right idea. After being ushered into an ice skating rink and being told he'd have to put on a pair of tighty-whities -- all so he could be dragged around by a Zamboni and basically humiliated -- he walked off the show. Steve-O declared him uncommitted to the healing process. But we declare him refreshingly sane. If you're entertained by Steve-O's antics, you've probably already admired his work on Jackass or in any of the various Jackass movies. And those who can put it in the right context know it can be fun. But remember, kids ... don't try this stuff at home.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what drives people to do stunts and bizarre things like the ones on this show. Do you think the outlandish "treatments" really cure Steve-O's patients -- or have they merely become the butt of a televised joke? Would less-shocking methods have delivered better results? And do you think Steve-O really cares about his patients' long-term health? Parents can also encourage kids to talk about the things that scare them and suggest constructive ways to overcome their fears.
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 1, 2007
- Cast: Reggie Pace , Steve-O , Trishelle Cannatella
- Network: USA
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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