Miami Ink
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
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 this show is pro-body art and doesn't spend a lot of time talking about the risks of getting a tattoo. Also, a lot of the parlor's clients get tattoos to memorialize deceased loved ones. Some of their stories are bittersweet, and younger viewers might find them upsetting. In one episode, for example, a couple talks about their baby who died two hours after birth.
Wondering if Miami Ink is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Suprisingly good show
Enough of the body graffiti already, it's disgusting
.. Good
Entertaining
What's the story?
In MIAMI INK, viewers go behind the scenes with the owners and clients of a South Florida tattoo parlor. Each day the shop's artists -- Ami James, Chris Garver, Chris Nunez, Darren Brass, and Kat Von D -- welcome clients and help them craft a piece of body art that's aesthetically satisfying. Many of the clients' stories will tug at your emotions; others are downright tear-inducing.
Is it any good?
Viewers will likely find the shop's owners the most interesting part of the show. They work hard and play hard, often playing practical jokes on each other and ribbing one another the way fraternity brothers do. Lone female Kat sometimes gets in on the action, too, as does apprentice Yoji Harada.
Though the Miami Ink cameras capture the tattoo process, no blood is involved, and only those with the weakest stomachs will want to hide their eyes. The show's producers manage to show the softer side of an art form that's often maligned and misunderstood. That said, some parents may be uncomfortable with the subject matter, which does endorse body art and doesn't dwell on the risks and possible side effects.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about tattoos. What are parents' and kids' opinions on tattoos? If they differ, why? Do people's opinions about body art tend to change as they get older? Why? Why is getting a piece of body art a big decision? What are some of the risks of tattooing?
TV details
- Premiere date: July 19, 2005
- Cast: Ami James, Chris Garver, Chris Nunez
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Available on: DVD, Streaming
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
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.
Streaming options powered by JustWatch