Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 13+
Fun, geeky myth-busting show challenges beliefs with facts.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Language
some
"Crap," "hell," "ass"; bleeped curses.
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Violence & Scariness
a little
Gags include yelling, screaming, fake bloody wounds.
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
Innuendo; an episode dedicated to sex; references to STDs.
See AlsoWhy You Can't Trust Ratings to Tell You a Movie Is Appropriate for Your KidsAdam Ruins Everything: Season 1 - TV ReviewsAdam Ruins Everything: Season 1 | Rotten TomatoesAdam Ruins Everything at Criticker.comDid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Products & Purchases
a little
De Beers diamonds, Toms shoes, Listerine, and so on; all offered in context.
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
a little
Gags include cigarettes, alcohol.
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Positive Messages
very little
Adam debunks culture, behavior influenced by advertising and myths, and supports facts with research.
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Positive Role Models
very little
Conover can be (comically) abrasive.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Adam Ruins Everything is a comedy series that combines humor with investigative journalism to challenge people's beliefs about what we take for granted. It offers lots of facts based on expert research on things from advertising strategies to charitable giving organizations to icons such as (gulp!) Santa Claus. Gags include yelling and fake blood, and some episodes contain strong innuendo and references to STDs. There's some bleeped cursing, but words such as "crap," "hell," and "ass" are common. There's a lot to be learned from this quirky exploration, and it could be a good jumping-off point for conversations with teens about why we believe what we do.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Adam Ruins Everything
- Parents say (11)
- Kids say (19)
age 12+
Based on 11 parent reviews
knowledge_lover Adult
June 12, 2022
age 13+
Amazing fact-checked content. Maybe a bit heavy for those who are younger
WheeFreeling Parent of 12 and 13-year-old
April 17, 2022
age 12+
Rate TV show
See all 11 parent reviews
What's the Story?
ADAM RUINS EVERYTHING is a comedy series that combines humor with investigation to challenge our beliefs about what we take for granted in our everyday lives. With the help of cited research and appearances from experts, Adam Conover reveals the marketing ploys used to encourage people to believe they're purchasing and using products that are necessary, when in fact they may not be. He also highlights the problems behind social decisions and behaviors that, though well-intentioned, do more harm than good. From giving the actual reason why people desire diamond engagement rings to explaining why food drives can create more problems than good when trying to end hunger, Conover unravels urban myths and busts through bubbles of illusion to reveal true facts people really don't want to hear.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (19):
The well-informed, somewhat geeky series uses gags and witty banter to point out some of the painful truths behind the myths that guide common cultural habits. Much of the focus is on information that the average person may not know, including marketing-campaign strategies and early advertising that have normalized product-based choices and actions we make today. It also offers simplified explanations of political and historical phenomena that should (in theory) be common knowledge but that many people have not taken the time to learn, understand, or teach.
No doubt that some people will dispute the claims being made here. However, the show's commitment to highlighting the research behind them, including posting the source citations for each fact as it's revealed, makes it clear that they're not mere opinions. As a result, it's hard not to get cynical after learning troubling or ugly truths about things we may have spent a lifetime believing in and being inspired by. Nonetheless, it might also motivate viewers to be more proactive about educating themselves about what they do and why they do it and to get them to think more about the consequences of their actions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it's like to learn troubling facts about things we may like or believe in. Do you feel easily swayed by advertising or opinion? Why, or why not?
Are shows such as this one designed to educate, or are they meant to use facts as a way of entertaining people? Is there ever a time when having too much information about something is a bad thing?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 25, 2015
- Cast: Adam Conover
- Network: truTV
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
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.
Adam Ruins Everything
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