Parents' Guide to

Untold Stories of the ER

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Medical reality show's reenactments can be very bloody.

TV Discovery Health Channel, TLC Reality TV 2004
Untold Stories of the ER 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 15+

Based on 4 parent reviews

julesstj
julesstj Adult
January 31, 2016
age 11+

psuedo seizures not fake!

The untold ER show about Psuedo Seizures was not a good example of a true person who has a diagnosis of this disease. Now called non epileptic siezues. They are very real, and can NOT be controlled by the patient in any way. They are very painful, embarassing, violating, isolating, and terrifying. This show needs to become more educated before they put someone like this on, with a diagnosis like this. They are only furthering the ignorance of so many emergency room Drs. Who are in desperate need of education in this diagnosis. As well as compassion. Please be more conciderate of people who have this diagnosis and are treated deplorably due to non educated Drs and nurses in the medical field.
1 person found this helpful.
AsianKid69
AsianKid69 Adult
March 3, 2020
age 18+

DONT WATCH

This is not for kids. There is blood and guts in the epsoides.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much violence
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

UNTOLD STORIES OF THE ER showcases some of the most interesting, bizarre, and/or frightening stories from hospital emergency rooms around the country. To tell each tale, the show combines narrations by A.V. Kennedy with both first-hand accounts from doctors and re-enactments of key moments. Brief interviews with patients, various hospital staffers, and other witnesses are also included.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (8):

Although each story is based on actual events, Untold Stories of the ER borders on the sensational by featuring actual staff members, patients, and family members re-enacting their experiences in the emergency room. As a result, the performances range from being extremely realistic to badly over acted. Some of the real doctors' reactions to the incidents they're describing in their interviews seem a little extreme, too.

Younger and/or more sensitive viewers may have a tough time watching the dramatic scenes of bloody wounds and emergency surgeries featured on the show, while others may have a hard time with the stories about patients who die while in treatment. Bottom line? Some folks may find this sort of thing entertaining, but it's definitely not for the squeamish.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dramatizations and reality shows. Do you think that a show that mostly features reenactments is presenting "reality"? What makes it different from a drama?

  • Why would doctors, patients, and other people be willing to share their stories on television? Do you think that a doctor who tells a story about a patient is violating a patient's privacy? What are the benefits of sharing stories like these? Disadvantages?

TV Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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