Parents' Guide to

You're Cut Off!

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Lessons about strength and independence get lost in reality.

TV VH1 Reality TV 2010
You're Cut Off! 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 12+

Based on 1 parent review

gmonky
gmonky Parent of 12-year-old
June 30, 2010
age 12+
Its kind of fun to see upper class snobs have to deal with everyday problems like using a lawn mower and washing the dishes. Seems a little staged however.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

YOU'RE CUT OFF! is a reality show designed to teach a spoiled diva-like women the importance of being strong, independent, and less materialistic. The series features nine women whose lives consist of shopping, partying, and endless self-absorbed behavior thanks to their overindulgent parents and other wealthy benefactors. But their lives are turned upside down when, after being led to believe that they have been cast in a reality series designed to document their lavish lifestyles, they discover that the people who have been supporting them have cut them off financially. In addition, they must participate in an eight-week "Princess Program" where they must cook, clean, work, and learn to live like the average person. Life coach Laura Baron monitors their progress, and celebrity guests like Perez Hilton and The Apprentice's Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth occasionally pop in to offer their guidance. The women must earn privileges in order to complete the program. But their greater challenge is to prove to their benefactors that they have changed for the better, or risk being cut off forever.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

The series is intended to show how these women must take responsibility for their narcissistic and egotistical behavior in order to understand that there is more to life than material wealth. It also underscores how the overindulgence of loved ones, as well as deep-seated psychological issues, also contributes to their behavior.

It contains some good messages, but the show focuses more on the cast members' attitudes, which are so entertainingly over-the-top that it makes the women seem more like caricatures than real people. In between the catfights and salty language, it also offers a lot of stereotypes about what constitutes being middle class or "average" in America. Bottom line? Like overindulgent parents, the producers of this show may have had some good intentions, but eventually lost site of what is really important.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether reality shows can really help people improve their lives. Do you think these women will really be different when the series is over? Do you think reality shows that encourage positive values are as popular as those that promote negative ones? Why or why not?

  • How does the media contribute to people's attitudes about consumerism and material wealth?

TV Details

  • Premiere date: June 9, 2010
  • Cast: Laura Baron
  • Network: VH1
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: February 25, 2022

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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