Serious
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this reality series features teams of eight teens living in an endangered ecosystem (the arctic, the rainforest, etc.) and working together for conservation. While members occasionally have personality conflicts or bicker about peers not sharing work equally, for the most part they form a strong team with good communication and ambitious goals. The teens must face and overcome their own fears and discomfort to succeed, and they support each other in their efforts. Some scenes filmed in jungle locales feature insects, reptiles, and other creatures that may be scary for the littlest viewers.
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What's the Story?
SERIOUS chronicles the journeys of British teens into endangered environments around the world, where they roll up their sleeves and delve into the inspirational -- but often dirty -- task of conservation. The teams of adventurers include girls and boys ages 13 to 15 who are interested in the outdoors and saving natural resources. Team leaders and outdoor adventurers Ben Major and Polly Murray select the teens based on their personalities, passion for conservation, and ability to withstand the challenges they'll encounter on site, including extreme weather, manual labor, and (depending on where they're headed) face-to-face encounters with creepy-crawly dwellers. During their three-week trek into the wild (locales have included the desert, the jungle, and the Arctic), team members focus on helping endangered species indigenous to the area that the team is visiting. The groups also spend time learning about the native people and cultures in the locales they visit.
Is It Any Good?
Not unexpectedly among teens -- especially those under such extreme conditions -- arguments and power struggles occasionally pop up between members, but the team members' ability to resolve differences and form a cohesive unit to carry out their work is commendable and provides a good example for viewers.
Kids will enjoy the personality, humor, and excitement the relatable cast members bring to the show, and they may very well be inspired to pitch in for the conservation cause after seeing the difference eight kids can make. Serious is a great choice for parents to enjoy with adventure-seeking kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about traveling to new places. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? What would you want to see and do there? Parents can also use this show to encourage conservation awareness in their kids. Why is it important to conserve our natural resources? What can we do at home to help? How do your kids think they'd do in a situation similar to the one on the show?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 19, 2003
- Cast: Ben Major, Polly Murray
- Network: Discovery Family Channel
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Adventures, Science and Nature
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: September 19, 2019
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