Parents' Guide to

Mud, Sweat, and Gears

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Fun car competition has cursing, innuendo.

TV BBC America Reality TV 2015
Mud, Sweat, and Gears Poster Image

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

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What's the Story?

BBC America's MUD, SWEAT, AND GEARS is a reality series featuring self-professed car-ologists Tom "Wookie" Ford and Jonny Smith as they work with teams of car enthusiasts to convert average, worn cars into ultimate racing machines. Each episode features two teams of car nuts building things such as the ultimate cop car and the ultimate demolition vehicle out of average, weathered vehicles in 24 hours. Once built, the two teams go head to head in three escalating missions to determine which car is more awesome. The winning team gets bragging rights, while the losing team gets their car annihilated.

Is It Any Good?

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

The humorously competitive car show combines auto design with the excitement of endurance racing and motocross. However, much of the fun comes from the hosts, whose playful banter keeps everything lighthearted.

There's some rivalry, but the challenges featured here are really just excuses for tricking out and driving souped-up vehicles as fast as possible on crazy obstacle courses. If this is your idea of a good time, you'll definitely enjoy watching.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about car competitions. What makes them popular? Is it the designer cars? Watching people drive them fast? Or watching the cars fall apart or blow up?

  • Why are men mostly featured on car shows? Do you think this portrayal is accurate? Or is it based on stereotypes about men and women?

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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