The Short List

TV review by Kari Croop, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 14+

Lame pop-culture recap has strong language, snarky bite.

VH1 Comedy 2010
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age 12+

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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 there's a good bit of swearing in this glorified Top 10 list of themed superlatives -- like "The Ten Craziest Reality TV Meltdowns" or "The Ten Cutest Celebrity Babies." The strongest words (including "f--k" and "s--t") are bleeped, but other terms -- like "d-bag" and "bitch" -- are audible. Since the show rounds up discussion topics from a variety of places, episodes could include sexual subject matter or highlight semi-violent clips from other television series. Expect some (comedic) references to drugs and drinking, too.

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What's the Story?

THE SHORT LIST combines two beloved American pasttimes -- gossiping about celebrities and making lists -- and rolls out a tongue-in-cheek roundup of the "greatest," "worst," etc., aspects of a particular pop-culture topic, such as "The Hottest Celebrity Beach Bods" or "The Ten Most Awkward Celebrity Moments." A rotating line-up of comedians and other commentators weigh in from week to week, offering opinions and making jokes about Lady Gaga, celebrity babies, and more.

Is It Any Good?

It's no secret that The Short List relies on a formula that a lot of people like, using comedians' unfiltered snark to poke fun at celebrity culture. But that doesn't mean it stacks up to the much funnier shows that came before it, including VH1's stand-out Best Week Ever and I Love the ... series.

Maybe it's the uninspiring topics (do we really care about celebrity babies or, even worse, the famous tools that might have spawned them?) or the show's roster of obscure (and largely unfunny) comics. Either way, if you're looking for quick-fix laughs, you might not get what you came for.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about pop culture and what makes people bona fide "celebrities." Why is it considered more socially acceptable to mock famous people or say mean things about them? How are celebrities different from "real" people?

  • What makes a comment humorous as opposed to hurtful? Do any of the people on this show go too far?

  • Why are shows like this so popular? What is it about Top 10 lists, especially, that everyone seems to love?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love celebs and pop culture

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