Parents' Guide to

Paris Hilton's My New BFF

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Vapid reality contest reinforces shallow values.

TV MTV Reality TV 2008
Paris Hilton's My New BFF Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Movieluver101
Movieluver101 Adult
August 7, 2011
age 15+

Hate It

I started watching this show to see what it was like... well, I got the info. It's ridicoulous and teen girls are sure to get sucked in. I mean, what's the point of this show? To get a fake BFF for Paris? This is supposed to be like a game show but I would MUCH rather watch American Idol. There are lots of bad words, most frecuantly, b word and f word. Most contestants hate each other, lots of partying and lots of hot women, hot men and sex talk. One of the is a virgin. Never Watch

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
keilaniT
keilaniT Adult
September 1, 2010
age 17+

headline again

Well another news about the socialite Paris Hilton. She was arrested once again and making headline. The 29-year-old Hilton was arrested after officers detected what they suspected to be marijuana smoke wafting from the car Paris was in. When will she grow up and be mature?.

This title has:

Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PARIS HILTON'S MY NEW BFF, 18 hopefuls from across the country -- 16 girls and two guys -- compete to become hotel heiress Paris Hilton's new best friend. (As for the "forever part? That remains to be seen.) To whittle down the pool of prospective BFFs, Paris puts her acquaintances through a series of elimination-style challenges designed to show who's a keeper and who's a loser. Paris makes it clear that she's ultimately looking for someone who 1) can party, 2) has class, taste, and business savvy, 3) is real, and 4) is hot ... in that order.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (8):

Hilton has no problems being blunt, so here's hoping she doesn't hate us for saying that this inane, negative MTV reality series is utterly skippable. The only thing it has going for it is unintentional comedy. In fact, the premise is so ridiculous that a few of the contestants are actually smirking as they go through the elimination ceremony, which is supposed to be serious -- at least in theory. Paris is quick to call out "Desperate Debbies" -- attention-seeking girls who will do anything to soak up the limelight. But the real Desperate Debbie here is obvious.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Paris really needs to launch a televised search for a new best friend -- and whether she might have other motivations, too. After all, is it really possible to find someone you connect with on a "best friend" level through an overproduced reality show that doesn't provide time for any real intimacy? Teens: Do you admire Paris in general, and would you want to be her constant companion? Why or why not? Who are your best friends? What qualities do they have that make them so special to you?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: September 30, 2008
  • Cast: Paris Hilton
  • Network: MTV
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: October 13, 2022

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.

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.

See how we rate