Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Junky cars get dissed, then fixed. Iffy for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
PIMP MY RIDE is an MTV reality show that focuses on beautifying cars. In each episode host Xzibit arrives at a car owner's house to \"confiscate\" their car and head back to his detail shop for a makeover. Though many of these participants seem to only be just scraping by financially, Xzibit and his crew trick out their cars to help improve the driver's self-confidence and image around town.
Is It Any Good?
The show focuses on the materialism that our car-centric culture has created. But it does so in an entertaining manner -- in no small way as a result of host Xzibit's keen sense of humor. Pimp My Ride doesn't attempt to be more than it is. It's a reality show about beautifying cars, and that is what it's all about here --California style. Overall, while it's not the worst offender in reality world, there are much better things your kids could be doing with their time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's underlying messages. Does a good-looking car make a person more valuable? Does the series aim to help people who are in dire need? What about the use of the word "pimp" as a positive description? Does this change the meaning or connotation of the term?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 4, 2004
- Network : MTV
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 17, 2020
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