Greatest Hits
Zesty hits-of-the-past show is fun whole-family fare.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Greatest Hits
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
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Greatest Hits is a TV show in which chart-toppers from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s are spotlighted. It's very-family friendly; occasionally double entendres appear in lyrics relating to sex. Musicians featured are generally the same, although controversial figures may be spotlighted -- Michael Jackson's death by overdose is mentioned briefly, though the spotlight is on his music, not his foibles. This show is good for all-age watching, if your kids won't roll their eyes at "old people's music."
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
The music of the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s lives again on GREATEST HITS, a six-episodes series of hour-long specials focusing on chart-topping music from past eras. Each episode focuses on a different five-year period -- say, 1980–1985. Musicians who had hits during that period, such as REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield, appear to sing their original hits while hosts Arsenio Hall and Kelsea Ballerini keep things moving along. Sometimes the rock, hip-hop, Latin, and country stars perform with their original bands, sometimes with session musicians, and sometimes the show goes for crossover appeal by having an artist from a different era or genre cover the original hit, as when Jason Derulo covers Michael Jackson's "Human Nature." Short segments dig into the past of popular videos.
Is It Any Good?
With great energy and interesting pairings, this parade of musical stars and songs from the past scores -- which is not a surprise, since showrunner Ken Ehrlich has made this kind of crossover an art form on the Emmys. Siccing Pitbull on REO Speedwagon's "Take It on the Run" is appealing to the middle-aged-and-older and 20-something viewers -- pretty smart. Performers like Kim Carne, Ray Parker, Jr., and Kenny Loggins look and sound great as they reminisce about their past hits before performing them. Heaven knows Kenny Loggins must be sick of performing "Footloose," but even he can't resist the enthusiastically dancing crowd watching his live performance. The show is a lot of fun, particularly for a summer fill-in, just the sort of thing you can flip on after dinner for a multi-age crowd to watch and talk about.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why this show features hits from the past rather than current hits. Why do past hits have wider appeal? What types of people listen to current Top 40 hits? What kinds of people might know Top 40 hits from 20 to 30 years ago?
How would this show change if another art form were featured? Like, say, dance crazes from the past? Noted paintings? Scenes from plays or films?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 30, 2016
- Cast: Arsenio Hall, Kelsea Ballerini
- Network: ABC
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: July 30, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
America's Got Talent
Fun-filled, family-friendly reality show.
-
So You Think You Can Dance
Dance version of Idol struts its stuff.
-
Dance Revolution
Kids get their groove on in hip-hop dance contest.
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