Parents' Guide to

Saddle Ranch

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Workplace reality show highlights alcohol, catfighting.

TV VH1 Reality TV 2011
Saddle Ranch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

SADDLE RANCH follows a group of bartenders and servers at the iconic Saddle Ranch Chop House in West Hollywood, Calif. The Sunset Strip eatery, which is known for employing young showbiz hopefuls looking for their big break, is shaken up when the top earners from the Chop House's Universal City location -- bartender and Survivor alum Robb Zbacnik, bartender Kameron Safford, and shot server Cassie McWilliams -- are sent to the Tinseltown location to help improve its overall service. The trio soon finds that working with the Sunset crew isn't easy, especially when staff members like bartender Rachel Lay go out of their way to make them feel unwelcome. Balancing big dreams, big personalities, and big parties with the demands of the restaurant's tough general manager Candy Potts and demanding owner Larry Pollack isn't always easy, but some hope that it's just a step toward something bigger.

Is It Any Good?

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

The series takes a look behind the scenes at some of what makes Saddle Ranch the popular eatery that it is, including its strict management rules, rock-n-roll edginess, and history of bartenders making it big (like American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson). But the show's real highlight is the conflict created by some of the staff's big personalities, which leads to catfights and other unprofessional behavior.

In between the arguing and serving drinks and steak dinners, the series does offer some storylines about folks' efforts to break into show business. But these narratives are secondary to the voyeuristic drama that takes place in this hip restaurant world. No doubt that reality fans who like this sort of thing will find it entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the employees on this show. Do you think working in this restaurant can improve the servers' chances of getting their big break? What about appearing on this reality show?

  • Hostile and competitive behavior is normalized on this show. What's appealing about seeing people argue and fight? What messages about friendship and professionalism does this show send? What kinds of stereotypes does it challenge or reinforce?

TV Details

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