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Parents' Guide to

Gold Rush

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Gritty gold mining reality series has some salty vocab.

TV Discovery Channel Reality TV 2010
Gold Rush 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 10+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Jorge U.
Jorge U. Parent of 15-year-old
December 1, 2023
age 14+

Disappointing Year

This year's (2023) show is not worth watching and I'm a fan of this show very disappointing no gold recovery just digging and moving equipment 👎👎
Keith H.
Keith H. Parent of 18+-year-old
September 16, 2023
age 7+

I got a premonition.

I got a premonition that's Parker is going to go back mining for Tony beets I got a strong feeling that's going to happen because Alaska's just not panning out literally if he doesn't want to lose his crew. Maybe he found something over the winter but I doubt it what is everybody else think?
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

GOLD RUSH (previously titled Gold Rush: Alaska) features a crew of down-on-their luck miners battling the Alaskan wilderness for gold. Headed up by Todd Hoffman and his father Jack, the six crewmen (including Greg Remsburg, Jim Thurber, James Harness, and Dave Turin) spend the summer months digging for gold in Porcupine Creek, Alaska using heavy equipment to seek their fortune, while exploring mining opportunities in the Klondike. Throughout it all, they must cope with seriously injured crewmen, licensing and financial woes, broken equipment, and competition created by veteran miner Dakota Fred Hurt. The stakes are high, but the Hoffmans are committed to finding enough gold to make it worthwhile.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (4 ):

The story told here is reminiscent of the gold rush stories of the past, and includes a similar cast of characters: the cash-strapped family risking everything for fortune, the loyal team of miners that sticks with them, and the devious claim jumpers who want to cash in on their spoils. Also adding to the drama is the relentless power of the elements, which in Alaska translates to intolerably cold weather, hard, frozen soil, and precarious terrain.

Despite its connection to the past, the series shows how truly backbreaking and dangerous gold mining is. It also shows, despite the help of computers, large machinery, and other modern-day equipment, that there are no guarantees when it comes to finding gold. As a result, you can't help but wonder why these men keep doing what they are doing, despite the many mishaps and failed mining attempts they experience along the way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why shows like this are appealing. What makes this show different from other "dirty jobs" shows? How do you think producers find folks entertaining enough to carry a show like this?

  • Talk about the history of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Did you know that miners who went to Alaska were called "stampeders"? Or that women played a role in this movement? What has the overall impact been of the Gold Rush on the United States?

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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