Take It All

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Take It All Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 11+

Game show features pricey prizes, some tricky behavior.

NBC Game Shows 2012
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 2 reviews

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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 in the game show Take It All, contestants attempt to take valuable prizes from their competitors in order to win. It's pretty mild, but contestants will often lie in order to convince people to give up their prizes and/or to win the game. Prizes include product and service brands like Miller Lite, Molly Maids, and GE.

Community Reviews

Jared Galczynski
Jared Galczynski Adult
May 20, 2014
age 2+

Take It All Away (The Lies, Common Sense Media!)

I watched all 6 episodes of this show and I actually liked it. But maybe too much consumerism.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
mousecake
mousecake Adult
July 30, 2013
age 18+

Stay Far, FAR Away from this one!

Just...stay far far away. This show seems harmless and first but the last bit will leave most with bitterness in their mouths and sadness in their hearts. It saddens me that we are, as a country and a media, elevating that the end justifies the means. It's just not so! Lying and and deceiving people should NOT be encouraged! I only watched the first episode and I would not have expected the end portion of the show from MILES away. It just takes such a sudden and I dare say EVIL turn! I tried writing a review before but it was erased before I could post it, and now I feel emotionally spent after just have watched this...thinking about it brings my heart pain. If you want review from actual people, I read some thoughtful ones on the website IMDb. Just search this game show's tittle the IMDb website and scroll down to "user reviews" their insight may be more helpful than what I have here. I am no reviewer, but I didn't see any other "user" review this and wanted to warn people of what this show really is. Conclusion: Love Howie, but not here. Enjoy White Elephant, not this Feast of Deceit. This show is NOT okay.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Contestants on game show TAKE IT ALL -- which is hosted by Howie Mandel -- select and open prizes ranging from luxury cars and jewelry to dream vacations and VIP experiences. As each of the five players joins the game, they have the option of either stealing a prize already opened by a previous contestant or opening a new prize to see if it's more valuable.Those who want to keep a prize from being taken can lock it in, but they leave themselves open to having more expensive prizes taken from them later on. The person who has the lowest-valued prize at the end of each round is eliminated. The two players left in the final round must try to decide whether they're going to try to keep the individual prizes they have or take it all. If both players secretly decide to keep their own prizes, they each get to keep them. If only one of them decides to take it all, s/he who makes that decision gets to keep everything. But if both contestants decide to take it all, both of them go home empty-handed.

Is It Any Good?

Take It All is modeled after holiday gift/white elephant exchange games in which people choose gifts and trade them in an attempt to get something they really want. But unlike these party games, the idea of winning expensive gifts gives Take It All some edge and heightens some of the contestants' emotional responses.

Viewers may enjoy trying to pick and choose which prizes are worth more than others. The show's online interactive features may also be potentially appealing. But some may find a few of the final contestants' attempts to con people into trusting them by lying or telling emotional stories -- in order to get them to make the wrong choice -- a little disturbing. Still, if you're a game show fan, chances are that you'll enjoy the tension created by this high-stakes game.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why people compete on game shows. Is it really to win prizes? Or is it to be on TV?

  • Do you think it's OK to lie in order to win prizes and/or outsmart contestants?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: December 10, 2012
  • Cast: Howie Mandel
  • Network: NBC
  • Genre: Game Shows
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

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