Mud, Sweat, and Gears
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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 Mud, Sweat, and Gears is a car-competition series that's meant to show more fun than competition. There's lots of fast cars, crashes, explosions, and safety gear. There also are some crude sexual references ("dong," "wet dream") and salty language. Fords, Pontiacs, Jaguars, and other car makes are prominently featured, as are other product brands. Drivers of all ages should be reminded never to attempt anything they see here.
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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?
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
- Premiere date: January 26, 2015
- Cast: Jonny Smith, Tom Ford
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Cars and Trucks
- TV rating: NR
For kids who love reality TV
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