Parents' Guide to

The Jacksons: Next Generation

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Second-generation siblings balance family, career, legacy.

TV Lifetime Reality TV 2015
The Jacksons: Next Generation Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 7+

Based on 1 parent review

stephanie.straughter193
stephanie.straughter193 Adult
January 3, 2016
age 7+

Cool Guys

I think TJ is absolutely gorgeous, sexy and a beautiful soul. He has charisma like his uncle Micheal and beautifully dispositioned. Prince is Awesome. Love his out going personality. The oldest brother is really honest and heartfelt. He should get a distance between him and his partner. He attitude stinks. He can do much better.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE JACKSONS: NEXT GENERATION is an unscripted series that follows musician Tito Jackson's three adult sons. After growing up in the shadow of fame and controversy, youngest brother TJ, middle child Taryll, and oldest brother Taj allow cameras to follow them and show what their lives are like today. The trio, who released a popular album as the R&B group 3T 35 years ago, are struggling to launch another album thanks to their chaotic personal lives as husbands, partners, and parents and their other priorities. TJ also shares custodial guardianship of their late Uncle Michael's three children with their grandmother. While the brothers struggle to balance their personal lives with their music careers, they are still coping with the loss of their mother and uncle and the media's constant negative portrayal of their family. It isn't always easy, but the Jacksons are determined to show the world that their lives are pretty normal.

Is It Any Good?

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

This somewhat bland "celebreality" series is designed to prove to the world that the next generation of Jacksons is living average lives despite the family's legacy. However, the constant discussions about the trio's music career, as well as appearances by various other well-known Jacksons such as Tito, Prince, grandmother Katherine, and even a few Kardashians, serve as constant reminders that they their world is often everything but.

It offers very positive messages about the importance of family, even if this one isn't perfect. But outside of this, the show doesn't offer anything beyond its standard reality contemporaries. Nonetheless, Jackson fans will enjoy the glimpse into their world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it's like to grow up in a celebrity family. What are some of the challenges second and third generations of the Jacksons, the Kardashians, and others face as a result of being born into a famous family? Are there benefits? How would you cope in that kind of situation?

  • Families can talk about why people want to be on reality shows. Do you think you'd behave differently if you were filmed interacting with your own family?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended tv lists

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.

See how we rate