The Toy Box (2017) User Reviews

Who thought this was a good idea?

[dailydoseofnopes · 3/10 · 7 April 2017]

Okay we get it ABC, you struck gold Shark Tank and was a run away success but did you really have to repackage it and use kids as judges? Eric Stonestreet doesn't really add anything to the show and is just there to make sure the kids don't go off script or something.

This is almost as bad as when Viacom hit paydirt with Ink Master on Spike TV and now every station they own has a tattoo show but at least it's spread out where as this show is literally a lead in show for Shark Tank. I don't recommend this not because it's a self parody of a better show but because it has no structure and the kids arguing is really awful television.

The good and the bad

[bumevr · 3/10 · 17 April 2017]

The Good: Mattel making the winners toy available nationwide Using kids as judges The idea of the show

The Bad: The Host The Host's interaction with the kids The Host's interaction with the contestants (terrible) Noah (annoying as humanly possible)

My advice: The way the host greets contestants makes it feel that the show is geared toward 6 year old's - stop the obviously scripted jokes, they are NOT funny in the least.

Find a different host and get rid of Noah, he does not come off as funny or cute, but as very immature for his age.

Run the show more like Shark Tank and less like Romper Room and adults might just enjoy the show.

I wanted this to be good.

[paulym-84406 · 3/10 · 9 May 2017]

This show is trying to be the next "Shark Tank", it even airs right before "Shark Tank". The premise is that these amateur toy makers want to get their toy published by Mattel. So they first have to get past three adult judges. If they are successful, they move on to "The Toy Box", a room with four OBNOXIOUS kids asking no questions and vacuously determining if they like their toy. If they do that, then they get to present their toy to Mattel. I rated it 3/10 because no one else could've hosted it better than Eric Stonestreet (Cam on Modern Family). But each episode usually starts out with the kids yelling, and it all goes downhill from there.

Guppie Tank?

[LiquidPoetry1921 · 2/10 · 7 April 2017]

This show is a very lame take on the show 'Shark Tank'. Hosted by 'Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet, a bunch of inventors try to get the toys they've created accepted into 'The Toy Box', hoping to eventually get it developed by Mattel.

There are two rounds ~ the first consists of three adults who determine if the toy is worthy enough to make it on to the second round, where four annoying children will make their determination if it will move on to the finals.

Quite frankly, I'm just wondering why the talented Stonestreet ever agreed to be a part of this drivel. As well, I'm ASTOUNDED to find out this show was just renewed for a second season. Just awful.

Obnoxious Noah. . Not cute

[hera-56079 · 2/10 · 20 April 2017]

I'm sorry. . I wanted to like this show. ,but Noah just is annoying. He just comes off as a precocious brat. If my son acted like that. . He'd be in a big time out. The other kids were fine. I did enjoy seeing the new toy ideas and I like to see innovative people succeed. But unfortunately this show ended up being too painful to watch.

Lame attempt at shark tank for kids

[kekremer-74083 · 1/10 · 9 April 2017]

Disappointed at this show. It's basically a shark tank for toys, using kids as judges. The toy ideas weren't that innovative (other than the candy cannon they had been done before). The kid judges were just annoying and sounded rehearsed, especially Noah. Worse, it seems like a blatant ploy to sell Mattel products. Thanks, but I'll skip this in the future.

Can't stand Noah (sorry Noah, I do like kids, but you're annoying)

[tygursden · 2/10 · 7 April 2017]

I can't stand Noah. He is soooo annoying, and whoever's feeding him lines needs to stop. The other kids are fine, but their words seem rehearsed, not genuine. Eric Stonestreet is nothing more than a familiar face and name. He does nothing to contribute to the show except drop his name. It's a shame he got this lousy gig. He's wasting his talents on this train wreck. The only good thing about this show are the actual products. If they would focus on the products instead of the kids, this show might work. I am definitely not going to invest anymore time in this show.

Rating this show a 1 is a discredit to the number one

[IMTazz · 1/10 · 15 April 2017]

I watched this show two weeks in a row (on purpose) and just cannot past just how horrible it is. Since there are some people out there who might not have watched this weeks episode, I won't give it away, but should you decide to watch it, do it at your own risk...and with a bottle of your favorite adult beverage. Unfortunately, the rating vote will not allow me to give it a negative number. I'm not sure how many episodes this show was green lighted for, but anything over zero is to many. In the great words of The Critic.... "it stinks "!!!!!

Great show awful host

[thioriginalbilly · 7/10 · 6 May 2017]

So this show is awesome yet has some obvious flaws. The first round is pretty easy to get by as long as the toy isn't terrible or has already been done before. The kid judges are fine but the 2 boys hate every girly toy like doll and its kind of a waste cause then you only get to see 2 reactions instead of 4. The host is HORRIBLE with children. Every time Noah speaks he looks extremely annoyed and basically scolds him. The host is incredibly awkward and looks like he hates his job. The end to see who goes to the finals is very boring as it is extremely scripted. I don't believe the children are actually the judges because what they say about the toys and what toy gets picked never line up. Honestly i think that's a good thing because they all have extremely biased opinions based on the kind of toy they like. The best toy always wins. Overall its really fun to see all the amazing toys but the execution of the kids with the host is really awkward.

Worst thing I've seen in years

[jogliore-267-117475 · 1/10 · 9 April 2017]

This show is an embarrassment. One of the kids, Noah, is horrible. This show can't last more than four episodes. What were they thinking? Eric Stonestreet is funny in "Modern Family" but a complete dud here. He looks embarrassed to be hosting this disaster. Whoever chose Noah should be fired. Please cancel this show as soon as possible.

Fun Show!

[matasst-12867 · 10/10 · 8 April 2017]

I really enjoyed this show and thought it was a fun spin on Shark Tank! The kid judges were hilarious, Eric Stonestreet was great (as always) and it was great to find something the whole family could enjoy. It's a fun new way to watch a competition game show and we will definitely be tuning in every week to see who the winner is!

Shark Tank Meets Kids Say The Darnedest Things

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 9 April 2017]

"The Toy Box" is a competition show in which the contestants have to successfully pass through two elimination rounds to qualify for the grand prize--a contract with Mattel to market their product.

The contestants come armed with their stories of hardship, hoping for their big break. The success of "Shark Tank" was destined to spawn spin-offs and rip-offs: "The Toy Box" offers some variations from the original blueprint.

The marketing talents of the contestants seems less a factor than on "Shark Tank". The products themselves are being judged.

The first elimination round requires approval by at least two of three "mentors" on a panel of experts. These experts offer advice and voice their concerns and endorsements. Concepts like safety and replay-ability are considered.

Those who pass the first round then pitch their products to a panel of four children, who might be considered precocious or overly dramatic (or both). One of the judges is Sophia Grace, who is fairly well known, thanks to Ellen DeGeneres. Another is Noah, a kid who riffs to his own beat. Some viewers will enjoy these walking memebots; others may just be annoyed.

At the end of each episode, the remaining contestants receive their verdicts from the children by way of a "Magic 8-ball" message. This part of the show feels rushed and sloppy.

The children, despite their non sequiturs and contradictions, seem to make reasonable decisions. And you have to love a 7-year-old who says, "Life is always about taking risks." Tell that to the adults.

The ultimate winner of each episode becomes eligible for the contract with Mattel. On the season finale, the bigger winner is announced and the chosen toy will become immediately available in stores.

Baby Shark Tank

[dlynnleavitt · 1/10 · 21 April 2017]

As another reviewer stated I wish I could give a negative number. I wish these kids could act like kids not as "scripted" caricatures. And I'm sorry to say I want Noah to lose his voice. JUST SHUT UP!!!! please. please. please. He was cute in his original video now he is just awkward. I pray this is a one and done season.

This show is a joke.

[MiloSuperSpesh · 2/10 · 19 April 2017]

It's a kids version of dragons den, shark tank.

But with a more questionable practices.

The kids are stereotyped, over dressed, clearly acting/coached with their responses for the most part when sitting down and interacting with potentials.

The host is merely a straight man following a script, anyone could do that job.

The judges/mentors might as well be talking heads, as they metaphorically rip the potentials a new ass hole. over several obvious issues that even a blind person can see.

The potentials: Most have a sob story and are heavily invested in their toy designs. Some even took an existing idea and over engineered it / just added some colour or plastic to it and made some cheap packaging.

For example, the worm game in ep1 is basically a sack race but you lie down and hump the floor.

ep2 snap and roll is clearly a micromachines set.

In the end the winner is pretty easy to guess, once you see the obvious copy right infringement, safety issues, and the current state of the product is 99% done.

I'd like to find a reddit or something to properly vent on this but i'm unable to find one.

Great concept....but, show needs an overhaul!

[soozqu · 1/10 · 22 April 2017]

I watched this program "The Toy Box" for the first time April 21st, 2017 and I was not impressed. The whole process, in my opinion, is a joke and an embarrassment to the kids, parents, toy entrepreneurs on and off the show. The scripts articulated by the "kid judges" was abhorrent and extremely disrespectful and the parents of these kids should be ashamed of themselves to allow a large TV network to manipulate them. I thought the talents and abilities of the toy makers/inventors was greatly undermined....sad, since without them there would be no Toy Box! Come on ABC...get it together....we expect better. And you might want to pull in the reins on your script writers where little Noah is concerned.....no,little kid should get a bad rap for something he has no control over!!

Not even original toy ideas

[rjstamand · 1/10 · 23 April 2017]

Episode three, 2 blocks, tubelocks or whatever is introduced as a brand new toy idea, it's basically PVC pipe with connectors and wheels. This is an exact replica of a toy from Playskool called Pipeworks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playskool_Pipeworks

So now you know, this show is fake. And the kids are annoying.

The Most Scripted Show I Have Ever Seen

[danieleded · 1/10 · 6 January 2018]

I wish I could use a negative rating because out of a scale of negative ten to positive ten (worst to best) negative ten wouldn't even be a low enough rating.

The kids reactions are so scripted, it is nothing like a normal kid would act like (being a child myself). The host he just... just... just doesn't fit at all and looks really awkward and the only reason this show has a 3.8 rating is because of the fake reviews probably put out by the creators of the show.

The base idea of the show is kind of okay, but the execution is poor and if the show was to go on, the judge "Noah" needs to be taken of the show immediately because of how obnoxious his scripted caricature is. Also of course the judges aren't going to settle on a perfect result because of the ages: 8, 9, 10, 13 (I think it was) a 13 year old is not going to be interested in something an 8 year old would be.

I think this needs its own paragraph: WHO EDITED THE SHOW AND WHO DECIDED IT SHOULD AIR?????

Anyway this is by far the worst thing I have ever watch on tv and I have had to sit through hours of watching "Bravo" and "MTV". I would even rather watch them instead. I am disappointing this aired at all for longer than two episode let alone two seasons. This needs to be canceled ASAP... no... that acronym is to good of an acronym to be used... This needs to be canceled NOW!!!

As of things in our country aren't bad enough

[jcat56 · 1/10 · 19 November 2017]

The toy inventions are interesting, but the kids are a whole new level of obnoxious. It's probably not their fault that half the comments are scripted with wisecracks that give the kids an adult-like edge. What's intended to probably get laughs winds up looking like a prime example of how not to bring up your kid.

The kids talk down to the adult participants, but it's all about ratings, and a bit of shock value goes a long way I guess. Oh, and to top it off, Toys R Us was showing their new ad campaign, featuring a little female "spokeskid" screaming out the top of her lungs.. "Playtime is over, when WE say it's over" which brings on a cheer from the kiddie crowd. Fits the show just perfectly!

I feel for you Eric Stonestreet

Why all the hate

[gp_gill · 7/10 · 23 April 2017]

I think this is a pretty good show! As for Noah, I think he's adorable and his comments are entertaining. Yes it's a take off of other shows out there, but still worth watching. I'm going to keep on watching. Some interesting ideas for toys, I'm upset there can't be more than one winner. Everyone's entitled to there opinion, but several reviewers are overly critical.

All right, where do I begin?

[NotMoreMovies · 2/10 · 15 April 2017]

I think of myself as fair...but this show...wow just wow... First, who green-lit this thing? It's just awful. Second, who are the director and editor...it's like I'm watching Keeping Up the (how do you spell Khardashians?). Also the host is just awful...Donald Trump would make a better host. Once again, who green-lit this crap? People actually saw this and said, "Yes, let's put this on the air"...Are you kidding me, what were they on? I'm done, this needs to be cancelled ASAP.

Funny stuff

[coqueto45 · 9/10 · 24 April 2017]

I think Noah is HILARIOUS. I'm 34 years old and I've found myself rewinding and watching some of his comments a few times over and over. People may not understand this is the kid who went viral for the "apparently" video.

Overall, the show is pretty good. Those who are bashing it don't see this for what it is. Don't watch it if you don't like it - if you don't like it, it's not because of the cast, it would be because you don't like the idea.

I find myself more annoyed with some of the "interesting" contestants that come on the show...

Exciting idea!

[rburten · 6/10 · 9 May 2017]

I can see why lots of people are being critical. Any show rests on its host and this guy is not the one to make the show great and clever, as the show's concept is. What this show needs is a reincarnation of Robin Williams! Would that be great or what! It needs someone who is GENUINELY a big kid, someone who loves to get down on the floor and play! When the kids are being kids, playing with the inventions, the show is terrific and the smiles on the inventors' faces are real. And, the gutted feelings the losers must have are real, too.

I think the show is salvageable: the TV executives just need to go to a successful elementary school class or two and see how dynamic kids and creative teachers having fun can be an exhilarating experience. Then, incorporate the "action" they see into the show.

I've watched all the episodes and there seems to be slight improvements. Maybe, the directors and producers realized many of the mentioned flaws as filming proceeded and made adjustments.

Best of luck to ABC. RS

Big disappointment

[isabellabashir · 3/10 · 23 May 2017]

I really wanted to like this show. There's not much reality TV a parent and child can watch together that will stimulate conversation and creativity...yeah, I guess I'm asking too much from TV. This idea was good, create a toy and market it. The mentors offered good ideas and constructive feedback. My fault was with the judges and how the final results were delivered.

There was a 7, 8, 9, and 13 year old. 13 year old's have much different interest from nine year old's but I didn't feel this hampered the show. In fact, I thought she helped keep the younger kids on queue. Even if some of the questions the kids asked felt as if they were coached. Do kids really care how long someone worked on their idea?

My main fault was mostly with the youngest kid. He was annoying, closed minded, and too immature to judge something that would be marketed to the masses. Noah, more than 51% of the population are girls. Girls like dolls, get over it. He was rude, disrespectful, and couldn't come up with more thought provoking criticism other than I don't like it. I know he is only seven but we've all seen young children come up with thought provoking ideas.

Secondly, the results delivery method...seriously the magic 8- ball...took way too long.

Decent premise, abysmal show

[metalrage666 · 1/10 · 29 December 2019]

The Toy Box is basically a miniature Shark Tank, and as much as I hate that show, I hate this even more. Ultimately, we have an inventor who comes onto the show to pitch their idea for a new toy line. The toys can either be action figures, interactive toys, board games etc, however they have to be innovative and reinvented in order to make it past 2 sets of judges. Firstly they have to get past the host who's equally useless as he is irritating. Why he's even there is anyone's guess. What's most annoying about this is that the 2nd set of judges turn out to be 4 precocious brats all pretending to be experts on what makes a new toy worth playing with or spending any money on. The idea itself is fine, but kids being kids, they generally don't have a filter on what they say and having tact is not usually a strong suit, so asking an adult who may have spent thousands of dollars and years of their life in developing a toy " Did you put any thought into this?" doesn't come across as funny or cute, it's downright insulting. I get that it's kids who are the target audience for these new products but their method of critiquing is unnecessary. The show could be more successful if it was overhauled and focused more on the inventions and less on kids trying to be adults.

research done?

[branton-58640 · 3/10 · 12 May 2017]

Tonite show was not great... the candy crusher in my opinion is a duplicate of the 1968 toot sweet by Mattel that I actually owned as a kid. I loved it and made whistles our of tootsie rolls.....doesn't Mattel still own it?it came with numerous plastic disc to put in the pump machine to make different things. This was in the timespan of the vacuform and the bug maker with the rubber goop. Goggle it on line and you can see the video...