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Teen Cribs
Common Sense says
- MTV
- Reality TV
- 2009
Parents say
Kids say
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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 the expansive estates featured in this spin-off of MTV's hit Cribs will probably make the average home -- no matter how nice it is -- look bland by comparison. (After all, it's kind of tough to compete with a private beach and an indoor soccer field. ... ) As a result, teen viewers could get the impression that their ordinary stuff just isn't good enough. They'll also be confronted with plenty of luxury brands and see teens talking about lavish parties, high-end cookouts, and international travel as if they were everyday occurrences.
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A show that is entertaining but may make teens who have less than these teens feel insecure or not great.
What's the story?
Taking its cues from MTV's celebrity-driven Cribs, TEEN CRIBS brings viewers inside the homes of ordinary teens -- well, "ordinary" in the sense that they aren't internationally famous ... their parents are "just" extremely rich. The teens themselves serve as the show's tour guides, leading camera crews through their parents' expansive estates and showing off some of their most prized possessions, from indoor bowling alleys and basketball courts to private salons and luxury cars.
Is it any good?
Shows like Teen Cribs appeal to the voyeur in all of us, and the chance to peek inside mega homes that most of us could only afford in our dreams is kind of fun. But what are we learning here about the cost of such luxurious accommodations and, in most cases, the hard work that went into paying for them? Unfortunately, not very much. (One notable exception: The home of one teen, whose father is an inventor and the owner of several unnamed tech companies, sends a strong message that being smart can pay off. Big time.)
Many of these privileged teens' parents admit on camera that they purposefully tried to make their homes "fun" so that their kids would want to spend all their time there with their friends instead of getting into trouble someplace else. Family togetherness is great. But does it really take a Rolls Royce, a recording studio, and an indoor rock climbing wall to keep kids happy and safe? If so, parents everywhere should be concerned.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the message this show sends in regards to consumerism, money, and happiness. Do these teens' lives seem better just because they have expensive things? Would you trade your life for theirs, or are you happy with what you have?
Teens: Does watching this show make you want to make a lot of money when you grow up? How hard do you think you'd have to work to pay for the things you're seeing on screen?
Why are shows about people who live the good life so popular? Do you look up to these teens, or are you jealous of them?
TV details
- Premiere date: June 1, 2009
- Cast: Meredith Anne Bull
- Network: MTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Available on: Streaming
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.