Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Celebs reveal their teen selves and send some iffy messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
WHEN I WAS 17 is an MTV series that reveals what some of today's celebrities were like before they were famous. Each episode features interviews with three notable pop artists and/or icons who were born during the same year, and allows them to describe what they were like the year before becoming legal adults. Singers like Trey Songz, reality stars like Kim Kardashian, and tabloid bloggers like Perez Hilton share what they looked like, who their favorite celebs were, and in some cases, what their real names were. From planning their careers to breaking the rules, they describe some of the more notable moments that defined their 17th year. Childhood photographs and interviews with family members and friends confirm and/or expand on some of these memorable experiences.
Is It Any Good?
The upbeat series offers viewers a chance to learn more about the early personalities and interests of some of their favorite celebs. It also allows folks to see pictures of them when they were younger.
It's definitely entertaining, but not all the narratives contain positive messages. Celebs humorously talk about stealing, disobeying rules, and other sneaky behaviors that teens would do well to not imitate. This aside, fans may be surprised at some of the details about their favorite celeb's early years.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like to be 17. Parents: What were you like when you were 17? What did you look like? What were your favorite singers, actors, etc.? What were your goals? Kids: What do you think you will be like when you are 17?
What behaviors may not be appropriate to engage in, even if other 17-year olds are doing it? How will/do you deal with peer pressure? Parents: Check out some of CSM's tips and advice about how to talk to your kids about some of these issues.
Does hearing celebrities talk about behaving badly make it seem OK? Are celebrities role models? What evidence from this show or the news do you have that these celebs should or shouldn't be considered role models?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 1, 2010
- Network : MTV
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 25, 2022
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