Total Drama Action
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Island sequel keeps laughs coming with reality spoof.

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 22 parent reviews
This should not be rated PG.
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Good season. Only the high age ranking to bring the parent rating to 12+
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What's the Story?
TOTAL DRAMA ACTION is the follow up to the popular reality cartoon Total Drama Island. The new iteration reunites 14 of the original campers at an abandoned movie set for six weeks of competition, with the eventual winner claiming a $1 million prize. The contestants -- or "castmates," as they're called -- take part in movie genre-themed challenges doled out by host Chris McClean (voiced by Christian Potenza). At the conclusion of most episodes, the castmates vote to send one of their peers home.
Is It Any Good?
Its unique TV genre may be an oxymoron, but this animated reality spoof is so good at what it does that it might just make a dent in "real" reality shows' grip on the viewer market. If you're even moderately familiar with competition shows like Survivor and Fear Factor (and who can avoid them these days?), you'll get a kick out of this cartoon's satirical view of the stereotypical contestant pool, peppy host, and outrageous challenges the castmates must endure.
As for your kids, it's a safe bet that if they're too young to watch live-action reality shows, there's really no need for them to tune into a cartoon that spoofs them, since they won't understand most of the humor and may get the wrong idea about the intentionally one-dimensional characters. On the other hand, tweens and teens who can put the characters' obvious flaws and mildly bad behavior into context and will see this show for what it truly is: a comical commentary on the state of current entertainment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about reality TV. Why are competition shows like American Idol, Survivor, and The Bachelor so popular?
Do you like watching these types of shows? How are they different from traditional game shows? Do you think the content is really "real"?
Do you think spoofs like this one could change how we view real reality shows?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 11, 2009
- Cast: Christian Potenza, Megan Fahlenbock, Stephanie Mills
- Network: Cartoon Network
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
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