21 Again (2019– ) User Reviews

Vegan daughters teach their mothers not to suck eggs

[frukuk · 5/10 · 6 October 2019]

One of the better examples of programmes of this genre. Though it dragged a little towards the end, and I'm not convinced the "21 again" hook was at all necessary, this was a reasonably enjoyable bit of pop sociology.

Being a BBC Three commission, I'm assuming this is aimed at a late-teen/early-twenties audience, rather than at mothers/parents in their thirties/forties/fifties. So perhaps it was natural that the focus was on "educating" the mums to appreciate their daughters perspectives, rather than a more balance attempt to try to get each group to challenge their assumptions.

I suspect each generation faces at least some novel challenges (e.g. social media), while facing some that are persistent (e.g. peer pressure). So there will likely always be a need for programmes like this, aiming to help parents better understand the particular challenges their children are facing as they become adults.

Gen Z struggles with obesity

[neophiscom · 4/10 · 23 July 2020]

This moms look younger than their daughters without makeup. Teenage obesity adds at least 10 years to these girls. Not a topic addressed by the show though!

The horror!

[dalriada35 · 1/10 · 17 June 2019]

Twenty one year olds, if this programme is anything to by, are vapid, fake and boring. Spending all their time on social media trying to be 'influencers' or hooking up with dubious under developed male narcissists. The mums who have been dressed up to look like a car crash at the local Boots cosmetic counters, are nice enough, it's what is done to them that's horrific. Poor lovelies.

Dismal

[dilateyourmind · 2/10 · 22 July 2021]

I gave this show two stars for addressing the disabled girls struggle with confidence and acceptance. Most of the others seem to be desperately searching for uniqueness by incessantly labeling themselves while escaping any sort of responsibility.

Most of these mothers look young for their age but none of them look 21. I found it a little hard to believe that anyone bought them being in their early 20s. All of that aside it was boring. They could have condensed this show down to one episode.

A Brilliant Show About Modern Life

[martimusross · 10/10 · 25 August 2019]

21 Again

It was stated at the beginning that to share being 21 again would bring mother and daughter closer together. But even a casual glance this programme was about so much more, it was both powerful and balanced in looking at the issues of our age.

The programme was good and showed all the things that are wrong with the modern world that are far worse than before and also those things that are brilliant, it's a balance.

• this great need to be liked has got far worse
• needing approval of others to do anything
• mistaking aggression for assertion
• over sexualisation of just everything.
• over exposure to quite frankly things you don't need or want to know
• the total loss of childhood
• the pushing of liberal authoritarianism.
• a fixation on physical appearance as an end in itself.
• a total lack of resilience and a prolonged childhood

Programme 2 started towards meatier problems like employment and anxiety and things really hotted up this was great viewing.

Programme 3, well an emotional roller coaster that really laid bare disability and gender. Education and exposure are clearly the key things uncovered here.

Program 4 was a summation of the journey and I must say it was profound and vindicates the experiment.

I would say several aspects are encouraging and there was normalisation of issues between mothers and daughters that emerged as the programme progressed. I would say that the Mum's need to go out more and daughters need to lighten up and have fun.

The director and producer have done a fine job here behind the scenes and it is a riveting watch lol, I will look forward to series 2