Parents' Guide to The Bussey Bunch

TV TLC Reality TV 2008
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Common Sense Media Review

Melissa Camacho By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 14+

Modern-day Brady Bunch wrestles to make it.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 14+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

THE BUSSEY BUNCH is a reality series about a rowdy but loving Texas family for whom wrestling isn't just a sport, but a way of life. It centers on Cheryl and Michael Bussey, owners of PCW Wrestling, who each brought three children to the family when they got married. But unlike The Brady Bunch, the Bussey clan is struggling to keep their tight-knit family together while also keeping their business afloat.

Is It Any Good?

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

While this show isn't the most exciting reality option out there, it does contain some positive messages about the love and commitment of family. But the immaturity exhibited by some of the Busseys' grown children makes the series more annoying than inspirational, especially when they seem oblivious to the fact that their family business is in financial jeopardy. It doesn't help that Cheryl, who isn't a wrestling fan, often feels "left out" by her husband and kids when they're at the gym or living their own lives.

The show has some strong language (words like "ass" and "crap" are frequent, while words like "s--t" are bleeped out) and lots of action-packed wrestling sequences. The latter will appeal to wrestling fans of all ages, while older viewers may also be interested in watching what goes into running a professional wrestling outfit.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the different ways that television has portrayed combined or "blended" families over the years. What's changed since the idealistic Brady Bunch days? What are some of the challenges blended families face when they come together? Families can also discuss professional wrestling. Why do viewers enjoy watching people getting smacked, hit, and thrown down? Did you know that televised wrestling is actually a way of telling a story?

TV Details

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