Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby, based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 14+
Gymnastics series mixes competition and teen drama.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that one of the main characters in this tween/teen-targeted sports drama is a snobby, spoiled girl whose father condones her unsportsmanlike behavior by buying her way onto another team when she loses an important competition. She's rude to rivals and "friends" alike and is quick to pass judgment on people based on things like appearance. Also expect some intermittent strong language and sexual content (teens kiss and sleep together, though no sex is shown). That said, the series does explore the positive aspects of athletic competition and the traits that make for a successful athlete and a unified team.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Teens sleep together (no sex shown). Some kissing between teens. Teen boys comment on girls' appearances ("she's hot," for instance), and terms like "booty call" pop into casual conversation.
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Language
a little
A few instances each of words like "hell," "damn," and "bitch."
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Positive Messages
very little
The positive aspects of sports and competition are addressed, but they're frequently overshadowed by the soap opera-like goings on. Characters manipulate each other frequently, and there's lots of melodrama.
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Positive Role Models
very little
Characters sometimes behave in selfish ways to get ahead. A teen girl attempts to sabotage a competitor's chance at beating her in a gymnastics meet; when she fails, her wealthy father buys and blackmails her way onto another team. She's also rude to her peers, mocking them for things like worn clothing and her family's low socioeconomic status. On the flipside, an unlikely trio of teammates must draw on their inner strength -- and one another -- to overcome new challenges.
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents Say (25)
- Kids Say (65)
age 13+
Based on 25 parent reviews
Sarah R. Parent of 12 and 12-year-old
May 27, 2021
age 16+
littlepig1 Adult
January 12, 2017
age 12+
Love it
I love this show (I'm 14), I really do. I don't know why, it's just so good. However one of the girls get an eating disorder. But it's not because she thinks she's fat, she gets it because she wants to beat the best gymnast in the world. It's not an excuse but it's at least not because all the sick body ideals. She has to take the consequences of eating disorders and they tell us not to make fun of that because it's a serious issue. The girl doesn't get to continue practise for a while and gets to see what's happening if you don't eat. One of the girls has sex with her best friends boyfriend. It's not happening on screen. That's bad and that's why I don't think anyone under 12 should watch it. They don't have any sex scenes, just kissing. Some parties can occur, one time a girl gets drunk and have to take the consequences the day after (it shows us why you shouldn't drink). A girl gets pregnant but she's over 15 so she can have sex legally. I don't consider this to be explicit content at all and pretty much everyone could watch it. There's plenty of good role models and good messages. The girls (and boys) are very determinate and know what they want and how they're gonna get there. They never give up and keeps on fighting even though the circumstances. It's about never giving upp, follow your dreams, forgiving and friendship.
See all 25 parent reviews
What's the Story?
When gymnastics newcomer Emily (Chelsea Hobbs) is invited to train alongside some of the country's most promising athletes, she's greeted with a cold shoulder from her new team's three stars -- Payson (Ayla Kell), Kaylie (Josie Loren), and Lauren (Cassie Scerbo) -- who view her arrival as a threat to their club dominance. With a shot at the Olympics on the line, ultra-competitive Lauren will stop at nothing to end Emily's hopes. But when the underdog pulls through to claim Lauren's spot on the team, Lauren's wealthy father bribes and blackmails his daughter's way onto a rival squad, setting the stage for plenty of drama -- both in the gym and out of it.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (25):
Kids say (65):
MAKE IT OR BREAK IT is a true underdog tale with an appealing heroine in Emily, who struggles to fulfill her dream in the competitive -- and often elitist -- world of gymnastics while she balances her family's financial struggles. It's easy to cheer for her in her rivalry with snooty Lauren, and there are some positive messages about acceptance and respect to be found in her evolving relationship with less-judgmental teammates Kaylie and Payson.
Since there's some salty language (multiple uses of "hell," "damn," and "bitch") and mild sexual content (though physical exchanges are limited to kissing) -- including a forbidden romance between teens -- the show is best suited for older tweens and teens. Though most of the content is fairly mild, the teens' behavior (particularly Lauren's) could send negative messages to young tweens about competition, sportsmanship, and relating to peers. And even if your kids are older, it's a good idea to follow up with them about any similar behavior they encounter among their own friends and acquaintances.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about competition. What are the benefits of taking part in a contest? What types of contests have you participated in? How did you prepare for them? How did your skills improve as you trained?
Parents can also use the characters' behavior to learn about their kids' own peer relationships. Have you ever felt like an outsider among your peers? How did you overcome the situation? How might you help someone else who's feeling that way?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 22, 2009
- Cast : Ayla Kell, Cassie Scerbo, Chelsea Hobbs
- Network : Freeform
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating : TV-14
- Last updated : August 9, 2024
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