Thicker Than Water
Common Sense says
- Bravo
- Reality TV
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
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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 Thicker Than Water features the day-to-day antics of a wealthy pastor's blended family. Many of the themes focus on the family's wealth -- both how good they have it and how much they deserve it -- and some difficult childhood issues are discussed, too. There are lots of logos (Mercedes-Benz, Hummer, Apple), and some episodes feature references to sex and sex-related activities, including having a child out of wedlock at a very young age. Words such as "damn" are used, and alcohol and drug use is sometimes discussed. Thicker Than Water is milder than some reality shows, but it's not geared toward kids.
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What's the story?
THICKER THAN WATER is a reality series starring the Tankard family, a Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based blended family that enjoys living the good life. It stars recording artist and pastor Ben Tankard and his wife, Jewel, who live in a mansion along with their adult children Brooklyn, Britney, Benjamin, and Cyrene. Also joining them is Benjamin's wife, Shanira, and Diamond, Brooklyn's tween daughter. From family prayer time to going jet-plane shopping, this family enjoys each other while proudly living a luxurious lifestyle.
Is it any good?
The Tankards refer to themselves as a modern-day Brady Bunch thanks to the merging of two families after Ben and Jewel's marriage 10 years ago. But, despite the show's focus on the family's dynamics, many of its themes center on how good the clan feels to be rich and how they believe that God himself has called on them to be wealthy.
Despite their commitment to ministry, the way the pastor and his wife flaunt their wealth makes it difficult to take them seriously. Meanwhile, outside of some edgy stories about some of the the Tankards' troubled childhoods and a few arguments, its pretty boring. It's definitely voyeuristic, but, overall, there's just not a whole lot going on here.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about why this family is being featured in a reality show. Is it only because they're wealthy? What are viewers expected to take away from TV shows like these? Do you think the way the people behave or what they talk about on-camera is the same as when the cameras are off?
What are this family's beliefs about money? How do these beliefs differ or align with yours?
TV details
- Premiere date: November 10, 2013
- Cast: Ben Tankard, Brooklyn Tankard, Jewel Tankard
- Network: Bravo
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- TV rating: NR
- Available on: Streaming
- Last updated: November 11, 2020
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