Shreducation
Tween-friendly reality show long on action, short on depth.
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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 kid-targeted reality series about a group of young (some are just 13) aspiring pro snowboarders is very tween friendly. There’s no swearing, drinking, sex, or other iffy behavior aside from a few potentially dangerous sports stunts and some good-natured trash talking among the teammates. Their abilities are extremely impressive (the bulk of each episode features them doing their thing on snowboards, skateboards, water skis, and anything else that gives them the chance to show off their jumps, spins, flips, and more), but the scenes that show them hanging out and just being kids also make them seem like real, relatable teens.
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What's the Story?
Jesse Fulton, once an acclaimed snowboarder, hopes to give back to the sport by taking under his wing a group of very young -- and very talented -- snowboarders and showing them what it takes to make it as a professional. SHREDUCATION follows Jesse and the kids, who range in age from 13 to 16, as they travel the world, hitting some of the biggest tournaments and the most exciting slopes in the world. Not only does Jesse help them improve their skills, he makes it clear that an important part of his tutelage is learning to make wise choices as the teens embark on a career path that's littered with potential pitfalls.
Is It Any Good?
As a reality series featuring teens and aimed at kids, Shreducation is, by definition, a bit limited. In other words, don’t expect any major drama between the participants, drunken misbehavior, or much romance. What it does have is lots and lots of action footage. These kids are truly amazing athletes, and the way they jump and spin and flip is exciting to watch.
The producers know this is the show's strength, and the bulk of each episode is simply footage of the gang in action. These sequences are much more entertaining than the interview portions, when Jesse and the team discuss everything from their long-term goals to the best part of their day. The kids are great on snowboards but not always especially articulate, and Jesse comes across as a man-child who often sees the youngsters as his playmates rather than his protégés. There’s plenty to watch on Shreducation, but not much worth listening to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about becoming a professional athlete. Do you have dreams of making a living in sports? Do you think this series offers an accurate representation of what that life is like? Or do you think certain elements might be glossed over to make the show more appropriate for kids?
Most reality programs star (and are aimed at) adults and feature plenty of interpersonal conflict. This show is all about -- and for -- kids. Do you think it would be appropriate for the producers to focus on similar types of conflict in that case? Would young viewers want to watch such a show?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 14, 2009
- Cast: Jesse Fulton
- Network: Disney XD
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Last updated: September 19, 2019
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