Parents' Guide to

Karaoke Battle USA

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

So-so Idol wannabe has some merit for tweens.

TV ABC Reality TV 2011
Karaoke Battle USA 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?

In KARAOKE BATTLE USA, America's most talented karaoke artists sing their way to stardom, a recording contract, and the chance to represent their country in the world championship vocal competition. Hosted by Joey Fatone, the show plucks male and female winners from regional contests throughout the country and has them face off in a winners-take-all sing-off to determine America's karaoke king and queen. The panel of judges includes singer Carnie Wilson, karaoke legend Brian "The Cowboy" Scott, and journalist Joe Levy, who score each performance based on vocal quality, tempo, and stage presence.

Is It Any Good?

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

If you're looking for a show that's got originality, star appeal, and top-notch special effects, well, this isn't it. Karaoke Battle USA plays out like a low-budget American Idol, even though it's obviously striving to mimic the other show's style, right down to the emotional confessionals and the guy-girl-guy judging trio. Ultimately the whole package comes off as more than a little cheesy, but in a strange way, that mood works for a show that never tries to take itself too seriously. After all, this is karaoke we're talking about.

On the upside, families who tune in are treated to a diverse contestant pool that not only reflects America's make-up but also celebrates the unifying nature of music itself. True, some of the participants play up their personality quirks for entertainment value, but when all is said and done, the judges seem unfazed by the drama and weigh in on the contestants' talents alone. With a little help from parents, tweens who watch will find some positive life lessons in the show's presentation of competition and its contestants' determination to rise to a challenge and follow their dreams. That said, occasional language and some innuendo make this show a better choice for tweens than for younger kids.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about competition. How does competing benefit you? What can be learned from winning? From losing? In what areas (sports, academics, the arts) do you like to compete?

  • Tweens: How does a group's diversity strengthen it?

  • How "real" is reality TV? Are any of the reality series you've seen more believable than others? If so, why? Which ones are the most worthwhile? If you could create a reality show, what would it be about?

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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