Sugar
By Jenny Nixon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Star musicians surprise fans with intimate performances.
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Sugar
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What's the Story?
In Maroon 5's video for their chart-topping song "SUGAR," the band travels across Los Angeles shocking and delighting unsuspecting couples by performing at their weddings -- and though the music video is only partly real (and majorly scripted), front man Adam Levine's new YouTube Premium series SUGAR takes the same feel-good concept but makes it real. The show brings in other performers -- an impressive array of stars like Kelly Clarkson, Fifth Harmony, Snoop Dogg, and Blake Shelton -- and shows them surprising their fans (who have been nominated by friends or family members) with intimate performances at schools, dive bars, workplaces, and even a subway station.
Is It Any Good?
Whether you're a fan of the artist featured of not, you're likely to come away with a new appreciation for them as you see the sheer joy they and their audiences feel during each surprise appearance. Rapper A$AP Ferg does a sneak-attack performance for a hardworking music teacher at what his middle school students think is going to be a regular recital, and he seems blown away by the young schoolkids and their energy. He happily notes that they knew every word to his song, even though they're too young to attend his concerts, and reflects on the joy and sense of responsibility that kind of influence brings. It's great fun to see performers stretch themselves in this way, in many cases working outside their usual comfort zone, and the inspiring group of folks producers chose to treat to these mini-shows are by and large a deserving bunch. Sugar is a win-win for artists and audiences alike.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they might react if they were surprised by their favorite performer. What would you want to say to them? How would you feel about being nominated?
Some of the stars who perform on Sugar talk about how the energy of the crowds they are playing to in these episodes is different than what they are used to. What do you think accounts for that difference?
Many of the people nominated for this show have displayed great strength and perseverance in the face of adversity. If you had an opportunity to nominate someone for Sugar, who would you choose and why? What character strengths does that person display?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 15, 2018
- Cast: Adam Levine, Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson, A$AP Ferg, Blake Shelton
- Network: YouTube Premium
- Genre: Reality TV
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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