TV Review: Scott Baio Is ...
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this adult-targeted reality show
-- which tracks the emotional journey of actor Scott Baio -- is
better (and somewhat tamer) than many of its "celebreality"
siblings. Expect to see some scantily clad women and hear a
fair bit of language (though anything stronger than words like
"balls" and "crap" is bleeped). The show also raises plenty of
mature issues connected to sex, relationships, and
parenthood.
Families can talk about the characteristics of healthy relationships, the institution of marriage, and what it means to be fully committed to another person. Do you think the media portrays all of those things accurately? Why or why not? What about parenthood? Do you think TV shows and movies give people a fair idea of what having children entails? Why do you think Baio wanted to make this show? What's in it for him?
Common Sense Media Review
As the charismatic cutie on hit sitcoms like
Happy
Days and Charles in Charge,
Scott
Baio was undeniably hot in the 1970s and '80s, and he
always had his pick of beautiful women. That's why his long
list of romantic conquests includes some of the sexiest women
in the world -- from Nicolette Sheridan and Brooke Shields to
Denise
Richards and Pamela Anderson.
But in his own words, when it came to relationships, Baio always tended to "hit a wall" that kept him from truly committing to another person -- and in the past, he's been a serial philanderer. Now, in his 40s, he's finally found the right woman -- but is he ready to commit to both her ... and the baby she's expecting?
In the first season of the show, Baio hired no-nonsense life coach to help him figure out the source of his problems. He broke up with his girlfriend, pledged to stay celibate for two months, and looked up most of his ex-girlfriends (including Happy Days' Erin Moran, who famously played Joanie to his Chachi) to ask them what went wrong and why. Now, back with Renee and expecting their first child, Baio faces a whole new set of challenges.
Baio's televised emotional journey is both entertaining and engaging, but not necessarily for the reasons you might expect. Baio is immediately likeable, and you want him to succeed. But it's not because you adored him as Chachi or Charles -- it's because he's humbly putting it all on the line as Scott Baio, the person.
The refreshing thing is that, unlike a lot of other reality fare, SCOTT BAIO IS... doesn't have to rely on exploitation or extremes, and that's what makes it such a pleasure to watch. It's been a long time since Baio has starred in his own series, but playing himself is his best role yet.
If you live for shows about former child stars who are working to fix their adult-sized flaws, Breaking Bonaduce -- a VH1 reality series about the personal problems of The Partridge Family's Danny Bonaduce -- is another option. But for TV nostalgia the whole family can enjoy, Happy Days and Charles in Charge are better choices.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
