Parents' Guide to

Generation Gap

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Upbeat multi-generational game has brands, mild innuendo.

TV ABC Game Shows 2022
Generation Gap TV show: poster

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Generation Gap TV show: Talking to an extended family.
  • Generation Gap TV show: During a competition.
  • Generation Gap TV show: Answering a question.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

Andy64
Andy64 Adult
July 14, 2022
age 5+

Almost entertaining

The questions are fun and it's entertaining to watch the generations struggle to answer the opposites' question. The show has some major problems though. Each is individually asked a question. If they get it wrong, the other generation buzzes in to answer. The problem is, as long as you buzz first they're no penalties for not knowing the answer. The strategy becomes one sided because if get the buzzed answer wrong, the other team does not get a chance to solve and you don't lose any money. So the way to win if it gets to the buzzer is always buzz first. Another issue is the insane amount of time given to answer after buzzing. There's no point to think about the answer first because they are given ample time to come up with something. Overall, the show ends up bland and boring because there's no suspense and even less competition.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Co-executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel, and hosted by Kelly Ripa, GENERATION GAP is a game show featuring kids and their family elders answering questions about each other's generation for a chance to win some cash. Each installment features two teams, each consisting of one preteen or teen, and one family senior, answering rounds of questions. The twist? The seniors are asked questions about things that the juniors would know, and vice versa. When someone answers a question correctly, money is put in the team's bank. But when a player gets it wrong, either player of the opposite generation can choose to answer it for half the amount. The family duo who banks the most cash after a series of rounds gets to keep it, and earns the opportunity for the youngest member of the extended family to choose a special grand prize.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

The upbeat family-themed game show, which is a reboot of the 1969 series of the same name, highlights the differences between today's elders and kids when it comes to pop culture. The fun comes from watching contestants struggle over, and incorrectly answer, questions about actors, movie and TV characters, and songs from each other's generation. Kelly Ripa's banter, and appearances by special celebrity guests like Ryan Seacrest and Anderson Cooper, are meant to add to the fray. But the problem with Generation Gap is that it offers little beyond rounds of questions being asked and answered, making the 60-minute episodes feel too long and repetitive. Meanwhile, the majority of the questions require a knowledge of White mainstream popular culture, which makes it harder for players who are not part of that experience to answer questions correctly. But if you can get past these things, it won't be hard to watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about game shows. Why are they so popular? Do you have a favorite? Is there one that your family enjoys watching and playing together?

  • Generation Gap shows how family elders and juniors experience and enjoy different things thanks to their age differences. But what things do they have in common? How does this help them play the game?

TV Details

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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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