Parents' Guide to

The Gamekillers

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Dating show is one big ad for Axe Body Spray.

TV MTV, MTV2 Reality TV 2006
The Gamekillers 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?

THE GAMEKILLERS is a partially scripted reality game show that puts five unsuspecting guys to the test by setting them up in manhood-stealing dating situations. Each victim -- who thinks he's appearing on a regular dating show -- is sent on a day-long first date with a beautiful woman and a TV crew. What he doesn't know is that the woman, along with the other people he'll interact with throughout the day, is a "gamekiller": an actor who attempts to sabotage the date and destroy what the contestant believes are his chances with his companion. Characters like "The 11" (a towel-clad woman locked out of her hotel room) and "The Balladeer" (a love-stricken crooning ex-boyfriend) create extremely awkward moments from which the self-proclaimed Casanova must recover. The contestant's reactions -- which are re-created using animation and stuffed toys -- are scored according to how much "game" he still has. Viewers are also invited to text in their comments about the events and have them aired on the show.

Is It Any Good?

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

Gamekillers (and some of its cast) got its start as an extended Axe deodorant commercial, and it's as much a vehicle for promoting Axe Body Spray as it is a reality game show. The series is peppered with "Axe Tips" about dating and women. And if the featured contestant still has game at the end of the date, his name is engraved on the Axe Gamekiller Chalice alongside notable names like Hercules and King Henry VIII.

Specifically targeted to the Axe-wearing MTV crowd, the series is a little silly, and the constant product promotion wears thin. But while you can't help cringing at some of the uncomfortable moments, it's also hard not to chuckle at some of the others.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about TV shows that combine elements of entertainment and commercialism/product promotion. Which other shows can you think of that do this? Are they any different from early TV series that included ads for sponsor brands within the actual show? What's the difference between this and an infomercial?

TV Details

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