Growing Up Gotti (2004–2005) User Reviews

Very Stressful Show

[mistyboogieboo · 2/10 · 21 September 2021]

There is so much yelling in this show it's stressful. The boys are very spoiled. Victoria I don't believe is spoiled. She grew up knowing what it's like being poor but loved. Her boys are just flat out spoiled and believe they should have what they want when they want it. Victoria seems very anti drugs, alcohol and smoking. She is responsible with the fact she won't allow her boys to be out or on trips without supervision. But overall the show is just very stressful with the way the boys well and she yells at everyone.

ughhh

[minnieweathernatalie · 3/10 · 11 June 2020]

Every episode you get to see how useless her kids are. They are such brats and she allows it.

As the mob would say, "What a scumbag!"

[darin-wissbaum · 1/10 · 18 November 2009]

Reality TV hit a new low with this offensive crap of a show. Why anyone thought the Gotti family should be treated like stars is beyond me. They are nothing but a bunch of scumbags who came from an even bigger scumbag John Gotti. John Gotti got what he deserved and should have gotten the gallows but at least he was taken off the streets and put in a cage like the wild animal he was. So to make this show is not about Victoria Gotti and her 3 punk kids but rather its a form of a celebration of John Gotti's life. I mean hey look at the nice home Victoria has. That all came from blood money on the hands of her scumbag of a father. Is she willing to give that up after knowing this? I don't think so because she is in a sense a gangster herself. The producers of this show should offer an apology.

Truly Grotesque (in the worst possible sense)

[belisanda · 1/10 · 3 July 2009]

I admit that some notorious criminals may hold a certain fascination to viewers of reality shows. I am even sufficiently endowed with a huge circle of friends of many 'preferences in entertainment' to grant you that even minor criminals (still murderous but less stylish, say) can grab your attention for a few episodes. I am far more dubious about people whose only claim to notoriety is being the wife / daughter / grandson of some petty hit-man. It's not their ignorance, cursing, rudeness or immense self-indulgence that puts me off. I can endure that if the people in question display ANY kind of talent, interesting quirkiness or even clinical schizophrenia. I cannot endure it for more than the 15 minutes I was exposed to by a not-all-that-well-meaning friend when it's a case of "Watch us! See how brainless AND rich we are. Look how it's possible to live on Blood Money and no talent whatsoever in modern America". It is idiotic but not in a funny way. And creepy but in a way that diminishes the humanity of the God knows how many victims these people founded their money, vulgarity and tastelessness upon. As a half-Italian good old fashioned communist girl I took particular offense at the implied witless remarks suggesting Italy is still ruled by the Mafia. That is only the South, so kudos for getting Naples right and Tuscany wrong. And general shame on you as to the cable A&E or "Bio." channel I saw this on. You used to be better. Not by any means good (except when borrowing British whodunits) but so much better than this purposeless, offensive yet somewhat strangely impossible-to-make-compelling farce.

Growing up Goofy and Greedy.

[rockherkitty · 11 September 2005]

I really don't like this show at all. Mainly because promoting it as a reality show is false advertising, in my opinion. The only thing real about it is the fact that everything is really staged. Of course, I realize that other reality shows do this.. Shows like.. 'Surreal Life'.. 'Big Brother'.. 'Survivor'.. 'Tommy Lee Goes to College'.. 'Celebrity Fit Club' and many more.. But shows like these are based on the premise of putting people and celebrities in a created environment.. Then watching what happens. 'Growing up Gotti' is supposed to be a look at this family.. In their own environment.. A peek inside their daily lives.. But it isn't. New characters have been thrown in, and others taken away for entertainment's sake. Situations are clearly set up. And it is still boring and irritating. Victoria's narration is badly written. Clearly this is a desperate attempt to pull each episode together..somehow. Still, my biggest problem with this show.. The absolute deal-breaker is the fact that.. I don't find anyone on it the least bit likable or interesting. Ms. Gotti's 'job' can't be taken seriously. She comes and goes as she pleases..I can't remember seeing her do any work at all. I want that job. And those boys.. Spoiled, rude brats..and they just don't seem very bright at all. The show was funny because of the stupidity..at first. Now..its just an embarrassment. Please..someone..Make it stop.

Whats more painful, watching this or having the mob after you...?

[mail551877 · 1/10 · 17 January 2007]

I don't think I've ever seen a show suck so hard! She might be a single mother, but a mother with a lot of money thanks to her dead husband John Gotti who you can't say ever had an actual job... I mean when you're a mobster you really don't need a job at the local supermarket to put food on the table.

So we have this millionaire widow who's bank account is full of money they don't deserve and who can't keep her kids under control while spoon feeding them... and after all of that whacking it on TV so that the rest of the people on planet Earth know our lives will always be more meaningful...

Although I still don't know what's more painful.. watching this show or having the mob after you...

Stupidity at it's best.

[valstone52 · 1/10 · 15 March 2020]

I just talked watching the reruns, made it to three episodes. If my kids ever disrespected like those brats they'd have to remove my foot surgically.

Family Train Wreck

[Lobo305 · 10/10 · 28 November 2006]

This show was a lot of fun to watch and will most likely be released as a DVD set with tons of 'uncensored' and 'bonus scenes.' As my quick summary points out, this show was about a family train wreck with a notorious Godfather's daughter at the controls. It was funny and sad to watch her struggle between maternal instincts and mafia whore sensibilities. Think of Elvis in his great comeback show from Hawaii when he was basically performing as a parody of himself - now watch as Vicki walks a fine line between loving mother and pistol packing, bitch slapping mafia wife. This show is at its best when it's unintentionally funny. You need to see it to believe it.

Victoria seems to hate everyone

[TheMightyN · 5 October 2004]

I read the other user comment about this show being touching. When is that? All they ever do is yell and shout and fight with each other. She spends $100,000 on a graduation party for the boys and they look like

they hate her for it. Do they thank her? No. Do they give a nice speech about how we love our ma? No. When do they ever give a hug and kiss on the cheek? Thanks for all the great things ma? Never. She is always putting everyone down. Her assistant can't do anything right in her eyes. She goes on a couple of blind dates and she grills the poor guys and then calls her friends for help, "get me outta here!" This guys a loser. In Vikki's eyes EVERYONE is a loser, except her. I'm sick of it.

Growing up gotti

[ana_lucia_ragazza · 9/10 · 26 June 2006]

This is a great show because it's funny.I love watching it and i think that Victoria is amazing, because she's a great woman, and she speaks her mind. The boys do stupid things, and sometimes they scream at their own mother,but come on, they are teenagers! The people that don't like the show and spend their time writing bad comments are a bit stupid, because if they don't like it, why they waste their time writing about it? They speak bad to Victoria, but at the end they are really sweet for her. Off course they have arguments, i already said it and i repeat... they are teenagers!The boys are spoiled, i agree, but if i had as much money as they do i would be spoiled too. And they are not as stupid as some people want them to look like. They get great grades on school. They all are high honors students. They respect family traditions, and the family past doesn't matter, because they're not their grandfather! The boys are very funny, Victoria always have something interesting to say and Luigi...always makes people laugh! I agree with someone that said the only thing that's wrong on the show it's the fact that each episode it's too short... It should be one hour long.

Growing up gotti is...

[kipe5869 · 14 November 2005]

The dumbest show I have ever seen!!! These people are ignorant and have nothing to be proud of in the name Gotti! This is a waste of air/time for the networks, they should put something on its is place. Actually, I'd rather watch paid programming then this crap! I'd love to bump into Victoria Gotti on a street or in a mall and tell her just what I think of her with her knotted, dried out, straw-like hair that suffers from way to many chemicals! Her face is hideous and her eyes look like they are going to bulge right out of her head! The network is supporting criminals and their behavior bye keeping this show on the air. The only reason Victoria even has anything at all is because of her criminal husband and father. Furthermore, her show about her going on dates was all for show. She will NEVER be free from her husband. This was just staged for the FBI, as if they are that stupid! Grow up Victoria! As for the comment about the name "Gotti", who cares what it means???? That is just stupid. Victoria Gotti is ignorant and rude to everyone she comes into contact with and her ungrateful children are NO different! One day one of her boys will say the wrong thing to the wrong person and get just what he's got coming because there are a lot of people out there that could care less who the Gotti's are!

Gotti

[Lynde1980 · 10/10 · 1 February 2006]

This show is great. I have to admit I became addicted to this show. Victoria is a very educated woman who loves her children very much. I liked Luigi, he brought most of the comedy to the series. I was disappointed when A&E canceled it, but in reality, good things must come to an end.

I think it is horrible that people judge the Gotti family for honoring and loving their father & grandfather, John Gotti. Critics who claim this show is horrible and that they show off with so-called "blood money" are jealous who do not have the luxury and the lifestyle that Victoria and her sons have. Enough said.

Growing Up Gotti

[timdonna-1 · 22 February 2005]

I do not like Growing Up Gotti for the simple fact that Victoria and her three sons are very spoiled and rude. It is terrible that someone can pay people like this to air their lives over television. There are so many other people in this world who's lives would be so much more interesting to watch other than a bunch of ungrateful people such as the Gotti's. Why not have a reality show about a teacher or a police officer, those who are under-paid and over-worked. These are people who really affect the lives of people. What is happening to this world! I guess as a consumer, I am guilty of contributing to this nonsense by watching this stuff on television. It is just a shame how all the money goes to the wrong places.

Awful Show Awful Family

[ibewolfett · 23 March 2006]

Several of the readers were on point. Whatever idiot and I do mean idiot thought up this show should be fired. A&E should be ashamed for ever airing this horrible show, although since they do a lot of shows about criminals I guess in a warped twisted way it fit in, only it tried to make this family acceptable. Victoria is not a good mother and to LIE about having BREAST CANCER is inexcusable, but the whole family is a bunch of liars. Grandad was a murderous hood, Grandma says he got framed (ask the family of that poor John Favello), Junior is on trial (AGAIN), her boys run wild and have no respect for her, she treats anyone who works for her like crap,she is almost 50, cut your hair, dye it back to the natural color, lose the tan(because you might really get cancer that way) and GROW UP!!!!

How I Got Sucked In.

[slinkstersister · 3 October 2004]

I remember seeing ads for a new show called "Growing Up Gotti" on a couple of networks I watch. However, I only ever saw the end of the commercial and me living in a dark corner of the universe hadn't a clue who John Gotti was. It wasn't until after the first episode my friend felt it best to inform me.

"You have to watch this show, Victoria Gotti is my new role model. She's great, an older version of us and did I mention her sons are hot, hot, hot!"

Now, keep in mind my friend usually thinks anything that has two legs and is remotely cute is gorgeous, which is why I tuned into the show reluctantly. However the minute I saw "Mothers Day" I found a new favorite show.

Now, some people say the show uses sex appeal by the guys to keep viewers around which is somewhat true, I agree to an extent that they do, but that is not however, what makes them stay. No my friends, what makes you watch every week is how "real" this reality show really is.

Victoria and the boys are just being themselves. And when you might be outraged by the boys rude and crude behavior and think Victoria is to old for her antics you're secretly addicted. Come on, admit it, you know you want to. I swear it feels better once you get it out, trust me.

Did you not laugh when Victoria posed Luigi as a count? Did you not watch and wonder what Victoria had up under her sleeve as punishment for John and his tattoo? Are you not amazed at all the yelling and screaming over one little bottle of hair gel? We are a curious society and when we find something new and peculiar, we cling to it.

That is why my friends I was and still am sucked in and you probably are to.

The show I love to hate

[mpritzkur · 29 March 2005]

I am constantly amazed when I watch this show. Although I commend Victoria for voicing her opinion concerning the value of education and hard work, it is none-the-less hypocritical how she enjoys such a luxurious lifestyle afforded her by members of her family who clearly do not value these same characteristics.

I saw an interview with her several years ago and I was somewhat appalled at the fact that Victoria entertains no notion that her father could possibly have been anything other than just a legitimate businessman. I guess the family business is just the business of the family, never to be hinted at or acknowledged in any way. How would Victoria explain the evidence that the government piled up regarding her father's "legitimate business"? How does she explain the death of the neighbor who accidentally hit her brother Frank with his car? Much like the scene in Godfather II where the senator is speaking to Michael and he tells him how much disdain he has for people like him who put themselves out as legitimate hard working Americans, instead of what they really are. I agree, I hate their whole parade. Victoria's love for her father is fine, I don't fault her there, but her denial of what he was is ridiculous. I love all of the members of my family as well, that doesn't mean that I think all of them are without fault. Her ex-husband is whole nother story which I won't even touch.

Victoria also doesn't seem to acknowledge any connection between her success as a writer and her family name. Although I don't find her to be a stupid woman, she definitely doesn't exhibit the skill of countless other writers. She writes for a tabloid now, enough said. Also, am I the only one who notices how when she gives her little interviews on the show she constantly re-words her sentences as she speaks and interjects little sayings that are just slightly off? She definitely has some issues with wanting to project intelligence which, she doesn't seem to have. And while I'm at it, let's be honest, the only reason she has the show is because of who she is with regard to her family.

Her kids are interesting. I understand that they take their educations very seriously which is again commendable, but they're definitely spoiled. But hey, I know a lot of kids who are and I'm sure I am to a certain extent so I can't really throw stones. I just hope that they don't walk around with the same illusions that their mother has about what a "great" man their grandfather was.

I saw Victoria give somebody a diatribe about how people judge her and think they know who she is, and I think she's right, I guess we really don't know who she is. But in the end, I really don't care. I don't think Victoria knows who she is, much like John Rockefeller Jr. didn't know who he was other than his father's, John D. Rockefeller, son. She'll forever live in the shadow of her family's name, by no fault of her own.

Entertaining

[MissMarie · 8 January 2005]

I think 'Growing Up Gotti' is very entertaining. The episode titled "Loons over Miami" is one of my favs. I think when people heard that Victoria Gotti was doing a reality show, they thought "another sopranos", which is ridiculous. I mean come on, give her some credit, she is a best-selling author.

The boys, Carmine, John, and Frankie, act like normal teenagers. Pantsing people, trying to shave their heads, trying to find girls at the local mall. Anyone who says, 'oh no, we've never done that' or 'my kids definitely don't act like that', are lying. Your kids probably do a lot more, but you just don't know about it. You have to give the boys some credit also, they don't do drugs, and they all do very well in school. just because they were raised wealthy doesn't mean that they are any different from other teenage boys. I give it 9 out of 10, because each episode should be an hour.

GottI love it!

[lick_my_lightsaber · 17 March 2005]

K,so many ppl hate this show and cry bloody-murder..First of all,I am a young Sicilian & I LOVE this show because my family and I can relate soooo much to it! We have our world war 7 arguments all the time, because we LOVE each other ENOUGH TO! Unlike most families we can scream and yell--the whole bit because we never second guess the love we have for each other and that fighting can never be enough to break that bond. So many ppl I know who hate this show can never have as opened a conversation or subject as we or the Gottis do! They would never take up the topic of arguing with their parents...Why, afraid it's enough to destroy your relationship? Afrais it just might put you in a completely awkward situation where you could'nt even look at one another? I believe so, yes, and you do, too. We can yell, because as i just stated, we can. As Victoria says herself..." We love hard, we fight hard." Ain't no doubt about it. And what I don't understand is so many ppl who say Victoria is a bad mother and her kids are the worst children out there.

How can you disrespect the single mother of 3 teenage boys and then disrespect them for disrespecting the women YOUR DISRESPECTING?! Oh, the agita I get from the ignorance! Carmine or Frank said it best in InStyle magazine : " Everyone thinks we're bad children...But they're filming 24 hours a day....And you only get to see 30 minutes! Where's the rest of the 23 1/2 hours?! " Good boy! As shown on the Gottis, we say our own family saying : " There ain't no greater enemy than that who isn't family". Nuff said.

Growing Up Gotti

[OZFANGA · 17 January 2005]

I love this show!! I got my mom to watch last Monday and she loves it! She even asked me over the weekend "When is our show coming on?" I asked her which one.She said the one with all them boys that went to the Hamptons. I knew she was hooked!! So i recommend this show to everybody!I mean they really love each other. The boys really care about their mom. How many family's (these days) care about each other that way? I look forward every Monday until its time to watch the show! We saw a preview on Saturday and can't wait for the birthday party! It is one of the best shows. When i first saw the previews i thought how silly is this show going to be!

Fake Family Show

[Mr_Sensitive · 6 July 2005]

There is nothing to say about this show. This is the least interesting family I have ever seen. They are soooo fake, I got to say.

What kind of fake? - The life style is fake, the attitude is fake, everything is fake!!!!. Firstly, I don't think they're rich, and the lifestyle they're showing on the TV was just for the show. I don't think they really can afford anything, if not the money from the show.

Second, they all are actors, without any personality, they cursed each other and show disrespect to one another. And Bimboria act as if she really tired with her spoil children.

Third, there are no actual pictures of her father. Every picture in the house is the same picture that you can get from the net. All they do is print it out and frame it for the show.

Fourth, they used macho man and one old guy to attract another bimbo to watch the show. And what about the father of her children, they didn't mention him.

Fifth, they can't afford any maid.

Yep, they are so fake, and so rip-off from Ozzy. Unfortunately Ozzy have characters, he have money, and he have good family, which is why ; you should watch this show at all cost. I Really Meant IT!!!.

Recommendation: Better Watch Growing Up Camel on Aniaml Planet.

Rating: 0/10 (Grade: F- to Z)

Why "Growing up Gotti" needs closed captions.

[bradfiel · 7 February 2005]

I find the TV series "Growing up Gotti" very real and very interesting. There was an episode with Victoria and her brother going out to dinner, where her brother thought that the subtitles were out of line. Well Peter, for those of us who don't live in the boroughs of NYC...we at least need close captioning, it's not just the teenagers that are quite incomprehensible (this is a mother/son phenomenon, as my son is 38 and I still have trouble understanding him, and he does it on purpose...I guess they don't want us to know what they're saying?--my nephew does the same to my sister. Well OK?)however in this show the one's I understand best are Luigi,Peter and the latest assistant(the gay one.) Just about all the others are a real strain and I'm missing half of the dialog. So please replace the close captions that were is the Season I series so the rest of the country can join in.

Thanx in advance. Since writing this, I've seen the show in SW Florida where there was full closed captioning thru out the show. What gives? Is someone in Illinois getting cheap with what's supposed to be there?...At first I thought the show was to blame, now I think it's some kind of regional prejudice.

There's Something About Victoria

[DamienWasHere · 12 May 2005]

What is it about Victoria Gotti? She's got something doesn't she? I mean, she must have something, because she's become a household name long after all that Mafia and FBI stuff.

I remember her from, years ago, when she blurted out to a local newsman, "My father is the last of the Mohicans." Mind you, she said this as she was getting into her Cadillac and it was classic.

I knew then and there that she was not going to wind up making marinara sauce for the guys. She was an American original.

So, after years of wiretaps and heavy-handed prosecution, the whole government thing was one-upped by Victoria's quick-witted and memorable sound bites. Her off-handed remarks are more or less the Rosetta Stone for anyone who might find themselves thrust into the national spotlight for infamous reasons.

She's so darn intelligent and savvy, yet she surrounds herself with such dopey people? Luigi? What's his purpose? I hate to think that he's some comic relief thrown in by the producers. The guys she gets to chaperone her sons are morons -- she gets rid of them but it's always after the fact. Her gay friend is on the ball -- why not a little more about him? Yes, I like Victoria -- she's a good mother and a good role model for women in general. Don't bother me with Mafia stuff or that Daughter-of-a-Mafia-Don baloney -- watch the show and see what it means to be a mother with ultra energetic sons. Smart women and good mothers can come from anywhere -- don't watch this show with prejudice.

Victoria never hijacked a truck, but she might hijack your heart. Damien

The Best Show You'll Ever See!

[una_bella_ragazza_italiana · 3 March 2005]

This is the best show there is! I love it, it's so exciting, interesting and Victoria's sons are really hot! I just can't wait until the season 1 DVD comes out in either May or June (that's what i heard anyway)! I suggest to everyone to at least watch this show once because you will for sure get hooked! I was the first one out of all my friends to "discover" this show and when I saw it for the first time I was like "That's Awesome!". I told my friends about the show and now their obsessed as much as I am with the show and whenever one of us misses a show, we fill each other in! It's great! Every show they have something exciting going on. Like Victoria's birthday, The Boy's grad, The visit to the Hamptons, Paintball and SO much more! Luigi is the funniest guy i've ever heard...and I thought my grandfather was bad! But It's OK, at least there's subtitles!

don't be judgmental

[dontletmedown0206 · 11 June 2005]

Okay i don't no who u people think u are making a comment about the Gotti's . you don't even no them. the hole reason that Victoria decided to do the show was so people like you can see that she has nothing to do with the mafia. what gives you the right to say anything about her dad . she had no control over her dads actions. what if that was your dad what would u do? yeah she spoiled her kids but i would too . you know that her first time getting pregnant she had a still born and the doctor said she couldn't have kids because she had cancer in her uterus. those three boy were miracles to her. yeah they fight a lot but me and my sisters do too. where teens. where changing in a lot of ways of course where gonna be down each others thoughts . Victoria works three jobs and is a single mother she can spend her money on what ever she wants. she works for it and she paid her dues .i think u guys should stop being so judgmental and grow up. i don't think u guys no how hard it is to be a single mother . i know because my mom went through it and its not easy!

Give It A Chance Before Writing it Off

[KGREENPV · 14 July 2005]

I think that this show is good. Why do people have so much against this family? Who do you people think you are? If you actually watch this show with an open mind before writing it off as a vain mother and her three spoiled sons, you'll see it's actually a sweet and funny show about a crazy family.

I once read someone on this website say that Victoria Gotti cares about no one but herself. Are you serious? She helps many people: that elderly woman who had burglars breaking into her house, her family member/friend with her divorce, and numerous other times. She's just a regular wealthy, American-Italian single working mother. The only difference is her father was well known and she has cameras following her around.

Her sons don't seem vain to me. Maybe I'm blinded by their good looks, or the funny things they say (and scream) to each other. But to me, her sons are just teenage boys, again, like any other American-Italian New York teenagers. Frank just wrote a diet book and he confides he's still self conscious about himself. How does this come off as vain? Sure, the family may be a little kooky. But, honestly, who's isn't? The only reason I can see you automatically turning this show off is because you can't stand New York accents. Otherwise, when you're flipping through the channels, don't say, "Oh, those people are so vain and annoying, I can't watch that." Instead say, "Maybe this will be a good laugh." I used to hate Growing Up Gotti until I watched the show and realized I laughed pretty hard through most of it. This goes with all shows: don't write them off before YOU yourself watch them.