Parents' Guide to

Taking the Stage

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Performing arts reality show could inspire kids.

TV MTV Reality TV 2009
Taking the Stage Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

In the documentary-inspired reality series TAKING THE STAGE, cameras follow five students at the Cincinnati-based School for Creative and Performing Arts on their long road to fame -- a path that's paved with plenty of hard work. There's Jasmine, an aspiring ballerina; Mia, an ambitious singer-songwriter; Malik, a well-rounded choreographer; Skaakira, a ballet dancer who seems to prefer hip-hop; and Tyler, a compelling new dancer who shakes things up on his first day at school. The series was conceptualized and executive produced by pop singer Nick Lachey (who enjoyed his own bit of reality-show fame with then-wife Jessica Simspon on MTV's Newlyweds).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

Given the minefield of inappropriate reality show choices for tweens and teens, it's a pleasant surprise to find a series that showcases talented students who are working hard toward achieving their dreams instead of having their dreams handed to them on a silver platter. (Laguna Beach, anyone?) But that doesn't mean that Taking the Stage comes off as 100 percent genuine -- or altogether entertaining.

Conversations between students sometimes seem stilted and staged, and the slow-moving "scenes" often feel like they were set up by an unseen producer. So while we love the concept of shooting a documentary-style reality series inside a performing arts high school -- in essence, creating a real-life Fame -- the results here are a little disappointing. If we're being real, we'd rather watch something else.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the differences between a regular high school and a school like the School for Creative and Performing Arts. How does devoting your energies to a craft like singing or dancing compare to studying subjects like math, science, or English? Which is "easier"?

  • Do you consider these students intelligent as well as talented? Why or why not? Are they good role models?

  • How does a show like this compare to other MTV reality series?

TV Details

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