Making the Cut – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Making the Cut

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2020

71%

WISE Score

6.7

IMDb

Heidi and Tim's fashion competition where designers actually sell their work on Amazon—Project Runway meets capitalism.

6.7/10

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Making the Cut

show

TV-14, 2020

71%

WISE Score

6.7

IMDb

Heidi and Tim's fashion competition where designers actually sell their work on Amazon—Project Runway meets capitalism.

6.7

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Screenwise Verdict

Making the Cut is Project Runway's slightly more polished cousin with an Amazon shopping integration. If your teen is into fashion design, this offers genuine insight into the creative process and industry standards. Heidi and Tim bring credibility, and the fact that designs actually get sold adds real-world stakes.

That said, let's be honest: this is pretty niche. The 6.7 IMDb and 65 Metacritic scores suggest it's fine but not must-watch television. It's wholesome enough, creatively inspiring for the right audience, and safe for teens. But if your kid isn't already sketching outfits in their notebook, they'll probably scroll past this faster than last season's trends.

For fashion enthusiasts, it's enriching and entertaining. For everyone else? It's background noise while you fold laundry.

Age Fit

Best for fashion-interested teens 14+ and adults who enjoy design competitions. Younger kids will likely find this boring unless they're genuinely passionate about fashion. The 6.7 IMDb rating tells you this isn't appointment viewing for most people.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Fashion competition show hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn with generally positive mentor dynamics and professional tone. Some competitive tension is expected in the format but overall models professional collaboration in creative industries. Age 14+ rating suggests mature but not inappropriate content.

Imaginative

Fashion design competition showcasing creative process from concept to runway. Contestants demonstrate problem-solving, aesthetic choices, and original design work. Strong emphasis on creative expression and entrepreneurship in fashion industry. Invites viewers to think about design, style, and creative business.

Safe

Reality competition format with minimal content concerns. Age 14+ rating from Common Sense Media suggests some mature themes or language but nothing shocking. No violence, gore, or sexual content expected in fashion competition context. Standard reality TV emotional moments and competitive stress present.

Enriching

Offers insight into fashion industry, design process, and creative entrepreneurship. Contestants' work becomes available for purchase on Amazon, showing real-world business integration. Educational about garment construction, design principles, and industry standards. However, entertainment value may be limited for those without fashion interest.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Showcases real creative process and design skills from concept to finished garment
Features mentorship from fashion industry legends Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn
Winning designs become available for purchase, connecting creativity to real entrepreneurship
Higher production values than typical reality competition shows
Good for teens interested in fashion, design, or creative careers

⚠

What to Watch For

Niche appeal—if your teen isn't into fashion, this will be a hard pass
Reality TV competition stress and occasional interpersonal drama
Some mature themes and language appropriate for 14+
Can feel like a long Amazon commercial at times given the shopping integration

Conversation Starters

"What do you think makes good design? Is it just about looking cool or is there more to it?"
"If you could design one piece of clothing, what would it be and why?"
"Do you think the judges' feedback is fair, or are they too harsh/easy?"
"What's the difference between copying someone's style and being inspired by it?"

Stills

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