Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tabloid-style missing persons series hosted by victim's mom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
VANISHED WITH BETH HOLLOWAY is a docuseries produced to help people find loved ones who have mysteriously disappeared, been abducted, and/or who are potential victims of violent crimes. Hosted by Beth Holloway, the mother of missing Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway, the show presents information about missing persons cases through the use of interviews, video footage, and reenactments. It also invites viewers to assist them with on-going investigations in hopes of bringing the missing home, and/or bringing someone to justice.
Is It Any Good?
Like America's Most Wanted, the series attempts to serve families who are being victimized by the disappearance and/or loss of their loved ones by using television as a way to generate information about cases to resolve and bring closure to the people involved. With the help of the show's website, it also offers tips and other information designed to help people keep safe from potential predators.
The show's focus on theories and speculation rather than concrete facts (which are often unavailable) makes it seem more sensational than informative. Holloway's continuous references to her own efforts to uncover the truth behind her daughter's 2005 disappearance, combined with her obvious inexperience as a television host and interviewer, also contributes to the show's tabloid-like nature. As a result, it's a little too easy to lose sight of the positive things the series' creators are trying to accomplish.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media can be used to serve the public. What are the different ways that television, radio, and the Internet can be used to help find the missing and/or help solve crimes? Can you think of other ways that the media can help people?
What is the difference between being informative and being sensational? Do you think Beth Holloway is expected to approach the stories presented here objectively? Why or why not?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 9, 2011
- Cast : Beth Holloway
- Network : Lifetime Television
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 24, 2022
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