Parents' Guide to

Taking on Tyson

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Pigeon care paints gentler picture of notorious boxer.

TV Animal Planet Reality TV 2011
Taking on Tyson Poster Image

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What's the Story?

TAKING ON TYSON follows retired boxer Mike Tyson as he reconnects with his roots and enters the competitive arena of pigeon racing. Tyson, who has raised birds since childhood, returns to his childhood state of New Jersey to train homing pigeons and prepare them for competition. With the support of best friend and promoter Mario Costa, pigeon caretakers Junie and Ricky Roman, and expert pigeon trainer Vinnie Torre, he works hard to train the birds to return to their coops at top speed and beat out their more experienced opponents. Throughout it all, he shares intimate details about his childhood, his fight training, and how his birds have helped him throughout his tumultuous life.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1):

The series is as much about the boxer's efforts to redeem himself as it is about his entry into the pigeon racing community. Facts about homing pigeons, their care, and the specialized training they require to be race-worthy, are interspersed with biographical narratives about Tyson's life. Conversations about his desire to lead a healthy and productive lifestyle with the help of his birds results in a program that successfully reveals a vulnerability and gentleness in a man that is notorious for being tough and mean.



The premise is interesting, but one can't help feeling that Taking on Tyson was created (at least in part) to improve the athlete's public image. Meanwhile, some animal lovers may cringe at the thought of training pigeons for sport. But overall, the show's messages are mostly positive. It isn't for everyone, but boxing fans will find something worth watching here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about celebrities using television to improve their image. Do you think Tyson appeared in this series to improve his troubled reputation? Is appearing on a reality show the best way to achieve this? What other reasons might public figures have to appear in these kinds of series?

  • Talk about pigeon racing. Did you know that pigeon racing originates from the ancient practice of using pigeons to deliver mail? What exactly are the rules? Do you think that the sport, as it is played today, is cruel to animals? Why or why not?

TV Details

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