Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Partner-swap reality drama has sex, cursing, bullying.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Ultimatum: South Africa
What's the Story?
Hosted by celebrity married duo Salamina and Tshepo "Howza" Mosese, THE ULTIMATUM: SOUTH AFRICA is an unscripted series in which folks in relationships agree to swap partners as a way of determining if they want to get married or move on. Six couples, each consisting of one person who wants to get married and one who's holding back from the commitment, agree to live together at a luxury resort in Randburg, South Africa as part of an eight-week social experiment. Each of the 12 participants get to select a new "potential partner" and move in together in a "trial marriage." During this time, they must determine if there's any attraction between them (or with other members of the group) and if they're willing to follow up on their feelings. After the three weeks are over, everyone returns to their original partners to live with them for 21 days in another "trial marriage" to determine if they really want to be together. When time is up, each person must decide if they want to marry the person they arrived with, choose another partner to leave with, or simply walk away alone.
Is It Any Good?
An international installment of The Ultimatum franchise, The Ultimatum: South Africa offers the same sensationalized drama that its sister series are known for. There's not much here to suggest that participants have any idea about thre reality of marriage as they flirt, become jealous, and create physical and emotional attachments with other people's partners. As expected, there are twists and turns as cast members cope with, and respond to, what's happening in different ways. With this comes a lot of yelling, and on more than one occasion bullying behavior. Some folks may find all of this all in good fun, but the messages it sends are problematic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the reasons why people agree to be on reality shows to discuss their private lives. Do they really expect to work things out in such a public forum? Or are they in it for money or fame?
Are there cultural differences between The Ultimatum: South Africa and the U.S. installments of the unscripted franchise? If so, what are they?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 10, 2024
- Cast : Salamina Mosese , Howzer Mosese
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : May 17, 2024
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