Insane or Inspired?
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Internet video countdown shows inventions, dangerous stunts.

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 1 parent review
interesting inventions ... stupid commentary
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What's the Story?
INSANE OR INSPIRED? is a reality show that counts down extreme and imaginative Internet videos. Viewers can see some of the interesting, inspirational, and crazy things that people attempt to create, from self-invented Wolverine-like metal claws to a wall-climbing machine made out of vacuum cleaners. Crazy stunts using some of this homemade equipment and other devices are also featured. Throughout each episode, TV personalities like Amber Benson, Brooke Hogan, comedian Adam Ray, and even Destination Truth's Josh Gates offer their thoughts about the inventions and the stunts being shown.
Is It Any Good?
The series attempts to showcase some of the clever, interesting, and sometimes downright weird contraptions people are building around the world to be able to do things that were once considered impossible. It also features some people's unique jobs and interesting hobbies.
While some of what is featured here highlights some real ingenuity, other videos simply showcase silly, irresponsible, and dangerous stunts that people attempt as a way of getting a laugh. Overall, it's a show that is less about inspiration and invention, and more about drawing attention to oneself on the Internet.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Internet videos. Why do people post videos of themselves doing crazy things on sites like YouTube? Is it simply to get attention? What are the precautions you should take when posting things online?
If you were to build a unique invention, what would it be like? What would it do? How would it help you? What kinds of skills would you need to build it? Once you built it, what precautions would you take before actually trying it?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 25, 2012
- Cast: Amber Benson, Brooke Hogan, Josh Gates
- Network: Syfy
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 23, 2022
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