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Parents' Guide to

Hard Shine

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Wannabe car builders compete for hot-rod gig.

TV TLC Reality TV 2007
Hard Shine Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

HARD SHINE adds a competitive twist to the car-rehab reality show genre as five wannabe hot-rod builders strive for one position with SO-CAL Speed Shop. Mentor Jimmy Shine is himself a hot-rod builder who worked his way up from the bottom rung to become a renowned driver and manufacturer. Over the course of five months, Shine leads the trainees through the steps needed to complete work on five high-end vehicles. His rough-around-the-edges personality rubs some trainees the wrong way, but he's clearly a softy at heart.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Each trainee has something unique to offer, though their personalities aren't as big as some viewers may be used to from other reality shows. This can make the show feel a little underwhelming -- even though it's refreshing to see real folks on the job instead of wannabe actors. Automotive enthusiasts will find yet another car show to enjoy in Hard Shine, with the added element of excitement of a competition.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about car culture. Why are there so many vehicle-centric reality shows? How does the competition angle affect the dynamic among the folks at the shop? Families can also talk about the appeal of cars in general. Do you have a favorite car? Why do you think some people get so into niche cars like hot rods?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: July 12, 2007
  • Cast: Jimmy Shine
  • Network: TLC
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: March 1, 2022

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.

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.

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