From Cradle to Stage
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Heartwarming series has swearing, difficult discussions.
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From Cradle to Stage
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What's the Story?
Directed by Foo Fighters founder and singer David Grohl, FROM CRADLE TO STAGE is an unscripted series that explores and celebrates the relationships between contemporary music artists and the women who raised them. Grohl and mom Virginia Hanlon Grohl (on whose book From Cradle to Stage: Stories from the Mothers Who Rocked and Raised Rock Stars the series is based) go on the road to interview Pharrell Williams, Miranda Lambert, Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello, Imagine Dragon's Dan Reynolds, Rush's Geddy Lee, and Brandi Carlile and their moms. The duos discuss childhood, life challenges (including mental illness, suicide, and anti-LGTBQ+ bias), and how moms continue to support the musicians throughout their careers.
Is It Any Good?
The heartwarming, honest six-part documentary series succeeds in showing famous musicians in a new way -- through their personal and professional journeys and the role their mothers had in them. From their early childhood and family life, to what happened once they became successful, each musician discusses what it was like growing up and pursuing a career in music. Meanwhile, the mothers offer their perspectives about their now-adult child's life, and the decisions they've made along the way.
While David Grohl appears to spend more time with the artists, it's mom Virginia's interviews with the mothers that reveal a shared kinship among the women who raised children who are part of a difficult, pitfall-filled industry. Meanwhile, the Grohls share their life story together in bits and pieces throughout. For music fans, fans of musicians featured in this series, and fans of parent-child stories, From Cradle to Stage is a moving option to check out.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the life stories presented throughout the series. What were some of the challenges each artist faced while growing up and pursuing their individual careers? What kind of support did their mothers offer them throughout their journeys?
What are some of the shared fears the moms featured on From Cradle to Stage have had about their children becoming musicians and entering the music industry? Were these fears based on stereotypes about musicians or the industry? Or are they well-founded?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 6, 2021
- Cast: David Grohl , Virginia Hanlon Grohl
- Network: Paramount+
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Activism , Friendship , Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Communication , Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: May 11, 2023
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