Risking It All

:

Season 1
  • Network: TLC
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 18, 2014
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Nov 18, 2014
    80
    All three families seem fairly serious, not just like people who want to be on television. So the details of their new lives seem instructive, even if the lesson is “better them than us.”
  2. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Nov 18, 2014
    63
    Extreme, yes. But that's what makes it an experiment we might want to watch.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Nov 18, 2014
    40
    The fact all three have fairly large broods of kids turns the children into props, a tried-and-true TLC formula, which makes the show not much of a risk, development-wise, and still mostly a snooze, TV-viewing-wise.
  5. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Lori Rackl
    Nov 18, 2014
    37
    The water may not be running, but the risk of repetition sure is.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 1 out of 4
  1. CRussell
    May 7, 2015
    10
    This show is fantastic. While the show may not depict what some would describe as "off the grid" living, it accurately depicts the efforts ofThis show is fantastic. While the show may not depict what some would describe as "off the grid" living, it accurately depicts the efforts of three families who decide to make a drastic change is family lifestyles. Watching each of the families on their respective journey is inspiring. As they are faced with challenges, their ability to work together with deliberate and calculated action affects their ability to achieve success.

    Their reasons for living a more self-sustained life can be seen as the show progresses. This show is a must-watch for those who feel the call to find healing through nature.    … Full Review »
  2. CurttheWoodsman
    May 7, 2015
    10
    This show is fantastic. I have always wanted to start homesteading, and now that I'm on my way to doing it, this show has been such anThis show is fantastic. I have always wanted to start homesteading, and now that I'm on my way to doing it, this show has been such an inspiration for me. With the huge movement towards eco/self-sustainable living/tiny homes/etc... it is no wonder TLC is doing a show about "off the grid" living. I can tell it has been a learning process for each of the families. I'm sure they learned over the winter how hard living can be without the modern luxuries that most people enjoy. If they stick with it, I'm sure they'll shift move towards becoming more self-reliant. Pretty damned awesome.… Full Review »
  3. serena
    Dec 8, 2014
    6
    While the show is interesting, it isn't believable. If these families were serious they wouldn't come with 17 animals or live near mainWhile the show is interesting, it isn't believable. If these families were serious they wouldn't come with 17 animals or live near main roads. If all they want is to live without electricity--why don't they just shut it off at
    their homes? They can use propane for appliances.

    The gardens should be a lot bigger. I don't see any that could possibly keep a family alive over the winter. Where are they going to get the rest of the food they'll need for themselves and the animals? How are they going to pay for
    all the things they'll need ? I don't see anybody going to work. The father of the family with five kids hasn't had a job for months. I am sure the show pays pretty well, but not that well.

    The family in Oregon doesn't even have a building permit. Isn't this something that should have been
    done before they got there? They ought to be building outhouses and places to live over the winter. Not worrying about warm showers. Are you kidding me?

    I live in a normal home most of the year, but I do have an off the grid dwelling and I know what it would take to live like that for just two people who know what they are doing. These people can't be serious.

    And the family with the little boys told one that this was just for the summer, that they would go back
    when fall comes. That's too big a lie if the leaving really is supposed to be permanent.

    While all the families are in milder climates they do have winter in those places and I don't see any effort to get a supply of firewood. Not that they have any place to burn it other than for cooking. Or maybe they can just have trucks deliver a cord of wood whenever they need it.

    While I think washing clothes with a toilet style plunger seems novel I don't see why they don't take the clothes to the nearest laundromat when they go out to get gas and all the other supplies they need.

    There are so many things wrong with this show that I will probably keep watching it--just to see what ridiculous thing is next. I doubt TLC cares why people watch the show as long as they watch it. (If this doesn't show with paragraphs, I'm sorry. I wrote it with paragraphs.)    … Full Review »
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