SpacePOP

Name: SpacePOP
Item: SpacePOP
Rating: 2
Author: Jenny Nixon

TV review by

Jenny Nixon, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 7+

(i)

Rockin' princesses defend the galaxy in shallow web series.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Educational Value

Positive Messages

Girl power, friends as family, and standing up for what's right are all running themes -- but can be overshadowed by the glitter and glam.

Positive Role Models & Representations

The princesses stick together, aren't afraid to defend themselves, and are often the ones to come to their male counterparts' rescue (instead of the other way around). They aren't perfect, however -- one character is a bit of a hothead, while another is self-obsessed to the point of being annoying.

Violence & Scariness

There are some battles -- a princess karate-chops a bunch of evil robots, for instance -- but it's all very tame.

Sexy Stuff

Language

Consumerism

There are nonstop pop-ups as well ads that are built right into videos: plugs for Claire's jewelry stores, Dippin' Dots ice cream, Six Flags theme parks, and various apps. There is also a tie-in line of SpacePOP fashion dolls and merchandise (backpacks, makeup, clothing, and books).

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that SpacePOP is a web series about a pop band made up of space princesses who try to save the galaxy through the power of music. However, it's also an unrelenting cash grab, with constant ads and a full line of tie-in merchandise and dolls. There's a lot of style (primarily of the short skirted, hyper-girly variety) and not a lot of substance, with generic storylines and a regressive representation of female body types: thin, sexualized, and often in high heels.

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What's the story?

Five colorfully outfitted space princesses -- Athena, Luna, Rhea, Hera, and Juno -- along with their space butler (yes, really), Chamberlain, work to defend the Planets of the Pentangle from the nefarious Geela in SPACEPOP. As Geela lays waste to one planet after another in her quest for power, the girls form a band called SpacePOP, and use music to inspire their fans to stay strong and rebel against her dictatorial rule. They meet some new friends along the way, like rebel leader Captain Hansome, and as word spreads about the group's talents, they will come closer to finding out the truth about Geela and her true intentions.

Is it any good?

This isn't the first web series to have a tie-in line of fashion dolls and accessories, but it is certainly one of the least creative. It honestly seems as if the creators put Monster High and Ever After High in a blender, added a pinch of the Spice Girls for the musical angle, and decided on outer space as a backdrop at random (though the character Luna's hairdo is ripped straight out of the anime series Sailor Moon). Despite having their own flaws, all those shows had stronger concepts and better-developed characters.

The webisodes are all under five minutes, and the storyline is interrupted each time by a music video (with a limited number of songs at their disposal, there's a lot of repetition) or an "extras" segment, which could consist of quizzes about the show or clips of real-life SpacePOP fans lip-synching to their music at home, which is basically an ad for the musical.ly app. Kids may be drawn to the colorful graphics, the sassy princesses, and their goofy, beat-boxing pet sidekicks -- but between the one-dimensional storylines and blatantly commercialized content, parents may be less tolerant.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about the power of music. How does music make you feel? Why is it important?
Families can talk about why the female characters on shows like SpacePOP often look the same -- same faces and bodies, pretty and thin -- despite having different names and personalities. Is this true to life?