Whacked Out Videos
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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 this compilation of real-life videos features extremely dangerous stunts that shouldn't be performed at home -- from setting off fireworks irresponsibly to motorbike bungee jumping. People get hurt and cry out in pain, though injuries aren't shown. Curse words like "s--t" are bleeped out, and there are some images of women in revealing outfits. Some of the commentary -- particularly that referencing people and customs from other cultures -- comes off sounding ignorant and even racist.
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What's the Story?
WHACKED OUT VIDEOS is a "reality" series that features both amateur and professional video footage of unique, silly, and frequently dangerous stunts performed by people around the world. Like its sister series Whacked Out Sports, each episode combines reality and comedy by pairing "funny" commentary with footage of the feats being performed.
Is It Any Good?
While most of the show is dedicated to showcasing dumb and dangerous tricks, some of the footage is actually of religious and social practices performed by cultures from other parts of the world. Unfortunately, the narrator's comments about these activities include some uninformed observations about the rituals. Worse, in the name of humor, they sometimes offer inherently racist comments about those who practice them. For example, in one segment, Columbian men are referred to as "Juan Valdez wannabes" and Columbian women were said to be competing for "the town's stretch pants."
Regardless of why the stunts are being performed, the fact is that the majority of these exploits pose a real danger to those who try them. Because they're being presented as a form of entertainment, it may be difficult for younger (or less-mature) viewers to appreciate the real risks associated with them. In other words, this one's not for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why people do these dangerous stunts. What's the appeal (if any) of trying things that could hurt or kill you? Does the media perpetuate this behavior by treating videos of these activities as entertainment? When is risk-taking a good idea, and when should you play it safe? Families can also discuss why some cultures perform rituals that cause pain or injury. What is the significance of these activities?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 2, 2008
- Cast: Leroy Patterson, Tom Gottlieb, Trizz
- Network: MyNetworkTV
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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America's Funniest Home Videos
One person's humiliation is another's chuckle.
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MXC
Madcap game show spoof can be fall-down funny.
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