Parents' Guide to

Family BrainSurge

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

High-energy game show puts kids' memories to the test.

TV Nickelodeon Game Shows 2009
Family BrainSurge Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 5 parent reviews

3 little pigs
3 little pigs Adult
September 23, 2011
age 6+

Family Brain Kill

I Love It Its Its The Best Mom Dad Connie Kenny Mummer Bob Kenzie Colton

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much consumerism
bxiara
bxiara Parent of 12-year-old
October 29, 2010
age 13+
i love this i'm gonna put my child in brain surge

This title has:

Too much consumerism
Educational value
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In the game show BRAINSURGE, kids compete in a series of brain-teasing challenges that test their ability to recall visual and auditory information. Each game starts with six contestants (dubbed the "Brainiacs") who answer a series of questions from host Jeff Sutphen about pictures they're shown. At the end of the round, the two lowest-scoring players are eliminated and sent home via the \"Brain Drain,\" an oversized slide in the shape of an ear canal that's greased up with a gooey ear wax substitute. Play continues through two more elimination rounds, after which the game's winner faces one more memory challenge to win a series of prizes -- and a dousing of green slime.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (41 ):

BrainSurge sticks to tradition when it comes to content -- its oversized set and use of slippery substances bring to mind the station's slime-covered classic Double Dare. Kids are sure to appreciate the messy nature of the entertainment, but parents will be most excited about the fact that the show's challenges actually do put kids' brain power to the test, and that it's easy for viewers at home to match wits with the contestants.

Despite some mild but recurring potty humor (in one level eliminated contestants are escorted away on a chair that makes farting noises), this fast-paced show is a fun, safe choice for grade-schoolers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about competition. What does competing teach you about yourself? What contests have you been a part of? How did you feel when you won? When you lost?

  • Kids: Do you have any role models who are athletes? Why do you respect and admire them? What do you think of athletes who demonstrate negative behavior?

  • What other game shows have you seen? How was the format different? Do you like that this show's contestants are all kids? Do you think there's some educational quality to its content?

TV Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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