Parents' Guide to

SciJinks

By Mark Dolan, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Well-meaning science pranks aren't that sciencey or funny.

TV SCIENCE Comedy 2018
SciJinks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Scijinks TV Series: Scene #1
  • Scijinks TV Series: Scene #2
  • Scijinks TV Series: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Catherine23
Catherine23 Adult
August 18, 2018
age 9+
AgeOfReason
AgeOfReason Adult
June 1, 2018
age 18+

Drink Some SmartWater

Can people really be that gullible? Wow! We really have dumbed down over the past 40 years. Who wouldn’t get that they were being pranked after the first few minutes? And cutting edge science? The only cutting edge in this so called science, is the knife they should use to cut it out of the TV line up! I would not let my child watch this for fear they might lose all their reasoning/logical deduction skills. #ScienceOfGulibility
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Johnny Galecki hosts SCIJINKS, a hidden-camera prank show that seeks to differentiate itself by engaging in pranks that use specific science concepts. The setup is familiar: Actors in on the gag bring unsuspecting individuals in to situations that quickly escalate to seemingly dangerous or embarrassing ends, with the joke being revealed only at the last minute, much to the relief of victims. At the end of the prank, Galecki and his science-adept co-hosts explain some bit of science involved, such as which chemicals combined together to make a batch of beer explode with mountains of foam.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Well-intentioned but uninspired, this series wants to take one of the simplest entertainment formats -- the hidden-camera prank show -- and use it for good by trying to add a little, and I do mean little, educational value. The pranks are tepid and the actors who are in on it overplay their roles to such an exaggerated degree that it's hard to believe that anyone is actually fooled. Meanwhile, the science, which is supposed to be the hook here, is barely an element. The science explanations are barely a minute long and feel simply like an after-the-fact justification to air this show on the Science Channel. There are certainly worse things on TV, and SciJinks has its heart in the right place as it tries to educate while entertaining, but it could commit more strongly to its comedy and its science.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Are the pranks on SciJinks funny or mean? How do you feel about the people getting pranked? Do you think you'd like to be pranked? Why or why not?

  • Families can talk about STEM. Why is it important to learn these skills?

TV Details

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