Young fans share love for gaming; references some violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
The premise of many games involves "killing" other characters. These include Among Us, where one player is encouraged to deceive other players while they kill them off one by one. As such, the kids on the podcast revel in the violence of these games. One even mentions at one point that "Just literally slaughtering everything is so much fun." Some games even include the use of weapons, such as a mini-gun, to mow down enemies. Often, these are fantastical creatures like zombies. But nevertheless, players are frequently rewarded for violent acts in the games discussed.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Although the podcast doesn't explicitly endorse the games it covers, it does work well as a promotional tool to spread awareness of and gauge listener interest in playing them.
Positive Messages
some
Gaming is a great pastime for developmental skills such as focus and fine motor skills, socialization, and relaxation. Celebrating your wins – even if they're in a video game – can be an invaluable habit to embrace. Video games can build a sense of community. Some games featured include violence (but not gore) with the premise that involves "killing" other characters. Some games encourage fostering mistrust among other players in order to win.
Positive Role Models
some
The children featured on the show are very passionate and enthusiastic about the video games they play. They have a vested interest in developing that skill set. This same commitment could easily apply to other areas of listeners' lives, such as sports, the arts, or academics. The kids featured find a common love for Minecraft, Pokemon and other video games, bringing youth together. Some kids on the podcast revel in the violence of some of the games. One even mentions at one point that "Just literally slaughtering everything is so much fun."
Educational Value
very little
Segments on the history of gaming might foster an appreciation for the technical skill involved in designing these games and the cultural impact they've made.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Totally Unauthorized Fan Show is a podcast that combines three different Pinna fan shows -- Video Games, Pokemon and Minecraft. The show takes a celebratory approach to kids and gaming, rather than the all-too-common negative narrative. Each episode explores a different kids' video game and the Pokemon and Minecraft episodes dive deeper into the characters and elements of these respective games. The kids featured on the show talk enthusiastically about how much they love their favorite games and bond over their love for gaming. A lot of the games featured have some level of violence, but nothing gory or graphic. The podcast highlights some of the history behind video games and featured franchises, and presents gaming as a positive pastime for developmental skills such as focus and fine motor skills, socialization, and relaxation. Parents may want to listen along to understand their child's love for gaming and learn more about the gaming world. While the podcast amplifies the positive aspects of gaming, it does also touch on some of the negatives, acknowledging that it can be "really hard to stop" playing a game once you get started." But overall, this podcast is pro-gaming and uplifts many popular kids video games.
It was a good podcast. I thoroughly enjoyed it and has games of many varied ages. Sadly, there is something that you have to pay £29.99 to listen to it and that is the only way to listen to it.
What’s It About?
THE TOTALLY UNAUTHORIZED FAN SHOW gives young gamers the chance to share their passion for their favorite video games and franchises. In every episode, a group of kids explains the premise of a popular video game – including Roblox, Minecraft, Super Mario, and Animal Crossing – and why they enjoy playing it so much. They also share tips and strategies they use to win and why they think the game is so popular. Other segments include a guessing game in which listeners need to identify a popular gaming character and another in which kids celebrate their gaming triumphs. The show is a combination of three different Pinna fan shows -- Video Games, Pokemon and Minecraft -- so some episodes focus solely on Pokemon and Minecraft.
The Totally Unauthorized Fan Show might give gamers a fun excuse to indulge in their favorite pastime a bit more. But for non-gamers, it's unlikely to spark much interest. The show wears its love for the medium on its sleeve, featuring enthusiastic young gamers who are wholeheartedly invested in the game or franchise they're discussing. This kind of passion is infectious and makes the podcast a joy to listen to.
The Totally Unauthorized Fan Show acknowledges the skill and strategy involved in gaming, yet it still, it downplays some of the more negative aspects, such as kids who become addicted to gaming, how stressful some games can be, and the prominence of violent games marketed specifically to kids. Adults should bear that in mind when deciding whether this podcast is right for their family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Totally Unauthorized Fan Show gives a space for kids to share common interests and form community. Why is it important to have a community that shares similar interests? How can gaming bring people together?
Talk about whether video games are a positive or negative influence on children. Do they have to be one or the other? What are some benefits or drawbacks adults might want to consider when governing what games their children play?
The podcast doesn't always focus on one specific game or series. But it does highlight why many popular titles resonate with fans. Does this make it a promotional tool? Why or why not?
Pricing structure:
Free to try, Paid (Most seasons require a subscription of $3.99/mo or $29.99/yr. The first season is free on Apple Podcasts.)
Last updated:
August 23, 2024
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Robert Yaniz Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
