Parents' Guide to

The Substitute

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

High school game show mixes education and entertainment.

TV MTV Game Shows 2011
The Substitute 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 4+

Based on 1 parent review

Poopoopeepee09
Poopoopeepee09 Adult
May 4, 2020
age 4+

Amazing for the kids

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE SUBSTITUTE is a unique reality game show in which high school students have a chance to win cash for college. Twenty unsuspecting students arrive for a normal class day, only to discover that their substitute teacher, host Jon Gabrus, is leading them in a trivia game that can earn them cash and prizes. The students face off in rounds with titles like, \"Things You Should Know,\" \"Things You Do Know,\" and \"Things You Can Do,\" which require them to answer educational and pop culture trivia questions. Extra-credit questions let them complete for prizes like TVs, computers, and free lunches. The student who successfully makes it through all three rounds must face another student chosen by the group for $5,000. If she wins the final round, she gets to keep the cash for college. If not, the class divides the cash.

Is It Any Good?

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

While the idea of answering trivia questions for cash and prizes is nothing new, what makes this show unique is the fact that it takes place in a real classroom. As such, the questions asked require knowledge of scholastic information as well as music, celebrities, and other things that most teens find interesting and/or exciting.

Aside from some occasional iffy words and mild sexual references, the show is pretty family friendly. It may also serve as a reminder to kids that paying attention in school can often pay off in ways that they least expect.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it would be like to have your class suddenly become a game show competition. Do you think the students on this show are really surprised? Or do you think that this show is designed to look more realistic than it actually is?

  • Why are game shows entertaining?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: September 12, 2011
  • Cast: Jon Gabrus
  • Network: MTV
  • Genre: Game Shows
  • TV rating: TV-PG
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

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