The Wil Wheaton Project
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sci-fi roundup series is funniest for host's fellow "geeks."
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The Wil Wheaton Project
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What's the Story?
Self-proclaimed "nerd enthusiast" Wil Wheaton sums up the highs and lows in sci-fi and fantasy entertainment in THE WIL WHEATON PROJECT. The show's rapid-fire segments run the gamut from creating '80s-style theme songs for modern-day horror shows to bidding a welcome adieu to canceled series, with Wheaton and drop-in guests such as Chris Hardwick taking shots at the programs, their casts, and their (lack of) production value.
Is It Any Good?
If the so-called "geek genre" is your thing, then THE WIL WHEATON PROJECT deserves a place on your watch list. The prolific actor takes comical pot shots at targets including X-Men, The Walking Dead, and Salem, always with lightning-quick commentary and a jovial delivery that reflects his obvious exuberance for the subject matter. Wheaton stops short of pushing any boundaries here, but if you're invested in the subject matter, you'll find plenty to chuckle over.
Make no mistake about it: This is mindless entertainment. It takes precious little mental effort to follow Wheaton's string of zingers, and the show's rapid pace between clips and sketches is no challenge for the attention span. The good news for The Wil Wheaton Project is that even if you don't get every genre reference, you're not likely to be bored because the zingers just keep coming. And, as a result, so will the fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the value of shows like this one. Can the act of mocking another person's work be considered an art form? Is any of this content meant to be harmful or offensive?
Fans of this genre proudly refer to themselves as "nerds" and/or "geeks." How does this use of these terms illustrate how words can mean different things in different contexts? What other current terms fit this bill? Who gets to decide when they're appropriate and when they're not?
Teens: Did any of these clips tempt you to tune into a new series or movie? Do you think this was an intentional move? To what degree are your habits swayed by what you see and hear in the media?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 27, 2014
- Cast: Wil Wheaton
- Network: Syfy
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires , Space and Aliens
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 26, 2022
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