Secret Lives of Americans
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Life-altering revelations are full of emotion, surprises.
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Secret Lives of Americans
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What's the Story?
SECRET LIVES OF AMERICANS is a docuseries in which people reveal long-held secrets about themselves to family and friends. Each 30-minute episode tells the story of one such subject who's wrestling with when and how to open up about something very personal and life-altering. The series is filmed from their points of view and told entirely by them and their confidantes, and it lets viewers observe what happens when the cards fall and the truth comes out.
Is It Any Good?
If reality TV is any indicator, raw emotion is a powerful selling point in drama, which bodes well for this intense series. There's no telling going into an episode what will come of it, as the subjects' secrets can be anything from life-threatening illnesses to hidden religious beliefs, and their loved ones' reactions are similarly unpredictable. In cases where family and friends use the moment of honesty to rally around the person, though, the outcome is heartening and reveals the best of people.
Because of the surprise nature of the content of Secret Lives of Americans, this series might warrant a preview before your teens watch. Some matters might raise sensitive subjects or perhaps present topics in a manner that doesn't resonate with your beliefs. That said, it's always moving to see people turn fearful situations into positive building blocks in their relationships, and the subjects' plights do encourage compassion.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the subjects of Secret Lives of Americans would choose to reveal their secrets in such a public way. What do they get out of this experience? Does watching their emotional roller coaster change how you feel about their situation? Does this process facilitate communication, or might it hinder it?
What, if any, content would you say is too personal to share with the masses? Why do different people seem to have different thresholds for what they will share with others? Where do you fall on that scale? Are there things you keep to yourself, or are you an open book?
Why is reality TV so popular? What makes people want to witness others' emotions? Does doing so make us feel better about our own lives?
How does Secret Lives of Americans promote communication? Why is this an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 12, 2015
- Network: Pivot
- Genre: Reality TV
- Character Strengths: Communication
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: July 14, 2023
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