Family BrainSurge
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
High-energy game show puts kids' memories to the test.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Family Brain Kill
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?
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
- Premiere date: September 28, 2009
- Cast: Jeff Sutphen
- Network: Nickelodeon
- Genre: Game Shows
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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