Parents' Guide to

The Pop Game

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Mild music competition has good advice for aspiring stars.

TV Lifetime Reality TV 2017
The Pop Game Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 5 parent reviews

pretty B.
pretty B. Adult
April 18, 2017
age 12+

good concept bad outcome

I don't understand why they casted a bunch of kids who couldn't sing then have the nerve to have bad attitudes. People pick on the black girl a lot though she MAY be a bit difficult but they are taking her work ethic and her seriousness to a whole 'nother level. what is disappointing is ive been following timberland career for many years and it makes him look very stupid. I don't like saying someone can or can not sing and there is one guy in there who is talented but it isn't enough there is a girl in there that cant sing at all named ashlund who doesn't even deserve to be there. The worst thing is it is obvious they only casted kids based on their look and not their talent which is a bad example because you can be a pop star no matter what you look like. someone mentioned that timbaland is a racist he is a racist but they are judging based on the first few episodes. he is actually racist against blacks there nothing but white people on this show and they make 2 out of the 3 black people on there look very bad. timbaland is biased so in that sense this show is educational but I doubt anyone besides me would notice that. the show is awful but you want to watch it because you think its going to be like a singer version of the rap game. the rap game is a much better show they put more effort into the talent jermain is more energetic and this show is very calm and boring. there doesn't need to be fighting to make it exciting this show is as perez Hilton says vanilla sells but its not memorable.

This title has:

Too much consumerism
Fatima R.
Fatima R. Adult
April 11, 2017
age 13+

About the parents

The show is a great opportunity for these young teens pursue their dreams. What is not cool about this show is the parents. Not all but miss "Cravetay" and her mother has a nasty disposition about themselves. Her daughter has a nasty attitude just like her mom. They both need to worry about themselves and not the others. She might be talented but in the music business doesn't anyone want to work with a brat or her bratty mom either. My opinion. She sounds nasally when she tries to sing. Just saying

This title has:

Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Executive produced by Queen Latifah, THE POP GAME is an unscripted series featuring a group of aspiring pop stars competing for the opportunity to sign with a major record label. Rapper, producer, and Mosely Music Group (MMG) label founder Timbaland searched on YouTube, Facebook, and other online outlets to find promising five young people who have musical talent and major star potential. He brings them to Los Angeles for 10 weeks, where they work hard to improve their vocals, style, and confidence. As they sing at nerve-wracking showcases, perform in music videos, and face other challenges, they must impress Timbaland and MMG execs Gary Morella and Marcuse Spence, as well as producer Larrance Dopson and MMG song writer Kenzie Lawson. Drama between the parents and managers sometimes add to the pressure. It's hard, unforgiving work, but they are giving it their all in hopes of being added to the label.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (5 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Rap Game spinoff is an honest unscripted series that showcases what it takes to become a successful pop artist. It's not as edgy as its sister series, but it still offers some important and difficult lessons about what the business is like, which includes being able to perform under pressure, coping with competition and criticism, and lots of rejection. It also highlights the fact that talent, and however popular you are on social media, doesn't automatically make you a good fit for the commercial music industry.

Thanks to contestant performances and guest appearances by popular singers like Jordin Sparks, Nelly Furtado, and Jojo,The Pop Game will easily appeal to aspiring young singers of all ages. But throughout it all, industry mentors are constantly noting that producing commercially successful pop music is a cutthroat game that requires endless amounts of work, effort, and sacrifice to win. Perhaps the most important lesson it offers is the fact that it takes much more than a dream and a good voice to make you a music star.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the challenges that young people face when entering the commercial music industry. Should kids be going into the industry, given all the challenges they will face? What are the benefits?

  • The Pop Game highlights some of the many things that people have to do in order to become a pop star. What things should people never do when trying to break into the business? Does this show do a good job of addressing these things?

TV Details

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