Parents' Guide to

Little Big Shots

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Amazing kids wow in funny, family-friendly talent display.

TV NBC Variety Show 2016
Little Big Shots 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 9+

Based on 9 parent reviews

teenandtweenmom
teenandtweenmom Parent of 10-year-old
May 15, 2020
age 10+

Appallingly Sexist and Heterosexist!

I can't get over how sexist and heterosexist this this show is. Steve Harvey constantly asks boy contestants (even six and seven year olds) if their talents or tricks get them lots of girlfriends (and vice versa). His schtick seems to be making inappropriate jokes that might go over young kids' heads but get a har-har laugh out of adults. It's gross. Our whole family watched the show for a while, but eventually both my daughter (at about age 10) and son (14) were so sick of Harvey's inappropriate and frankly offensive jokes, we couldn't take it anymore. I'm pretty shocked this gets a commonsense media selection award. What a misstep.
1 person found this helpful.
lisab17
lisab17 Adult
April 10, 2016
age 15+

Is This Show About The Kids Or Steve Harvey?

We love watching the kids and their amazing talent on this show, however we find a lot of what Mr. Harvey says on this program (and sometimes to the kids) is inappropriate for a "family show" and won't be watching it anymore. Also, this show seems to be all about Steve Harvey rather than the kids.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

LITTLE BIG SHOTS is a comedy-variety series in which child prodigies put their talents on display. Executive-produced by Ellen DeGeneres and hosted by Steve Harvey, the show features kids whose accomplishments in music, dance, academics, and downright amazing tricks far exceed their years. Before turning over the stage to them, Harvey sits down for one-on-one conversations about whatever's on their minds. In some cases, he also attempts to match his skills with theirs, which always turns out hilarious results.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (2):

Part America's Got Talent and part Kids Say the Darndest Things, this impressive display of pint-size accomplishments lacks the stresses of competitive shows and is a lot of fun to watch. With no judges or scoring to worry about, the focus stays right where it should be -- on young kids who will amaze you with their skills. Equally entertaining are the comical free-form interview sessions that start out with Harvey asking the questions but usually wind up with the kids in the driver's seat and him willing to go along for the ride.

Many of these little big shots rose to fame the viral way, so if you've watched the videos that circulate on YouTube especially (Harvey mentions them when applicable), you'll already know what some of them can do. Even so, it's still amazing to see what they can do, and with subjects close to their own ages, Little Big Shots beckons to kids and families.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the talents they see on display on Little Big Shots. How much of these kids' abilities come naturally to them, and how much is cultivated through practice, perseverance, and hard work? Which acts are the most impressive?

  • Do your kids watch Internet videos like the ones that made many of these kids famous? What rules do you have about Internet use? How much personal information is too much to share online, even with friends?

  • What are some of your kids' talents? Are they skills that they practice, or are they just hobbies? Do they like to share their abilities with others? Would they ever want to compete?

  • How do the kids on Little Big Shots demonstrate perseverance? Why is this an important character strength?

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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