Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Messy, comical verbal contest spells F-U-N for families.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
In SPELL-MAGEDDON, seven contestants face off in a spelling challenge like no other, enduring a series of physical distractions as they attempt to spell words to advance through the rounds and have a chance to win the $10,000 grand prize. As the game progresses, the words -– and the distractions -– get more difficult, from slippery floors to repeated dunks in a tub of ice water and showers of slime. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro, this one-of-a-kind spelling bee calls for nerves of steel and a flair for phonetics.
Is It Any Good?
Move over, Scripps; there's a new contest in town, and its commingling of spelling bee drama and Double Dare-style mess and mayhem makes for plenty of laughs. The mild forms of torture to which these contestants are subjected are enough to give anyone brain freeze, so it's pretty impressive that they pull off the spelling feats that they do. What's more, there are times when the sights and sounds of the chaotic distractions actually hinder the integrity of the spelling portion of the contest, since it's hard to hear a word or speak the names of letters when water is being sprayed in your face. Of course, the show isn't out to amaze you with the players' word prowess alone; instead, Spell-Mageddon spells success "f-u-n," and ultimately that's what you'll have watching it.
The downside is that every laugh comes at the expense of the poor souls being slimed, dunked, or pummeled as they attempt to keep their wits about them and spell words, and the show makes a sport of replaying their discomfort for the audience. This is fine for tweens who understand that the players signed on for this kind of comical abuse, but younger kids may need to be reminded about the difference between sharing a laugh and putting someone on the hot seat without their say-so.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about playing games and being competitive. Is it fun to test our skills against someone else's in contests? Why or why not? How does it feel when you win? When you lose?
Kids: Why do the contestants agree to take part in this show? Did you think any of the challenges were dangerous? What would you put yourself through for $10,000?
Parents can talk to their kids about what bullying is and isn't. Did the fact that the players seemed to be having a good time make it easier to laugh at their predicaments? Would the show have been as funny or enjoyable if they were unwilling participants in it? What should you do if you witness someone being bullied for another person's enjoyment?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 24, 2013
- Cast : Alfonso Ribeiro
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Game Shows
- Topics : Numbers and Letters
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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