Family TV Handpicked by Our Editors

Wizards of Waverly Place
Age 7+
3

Wizards of Waverly Place

Why We Recommend It

Selena Gomez adds a little magic into this sitcom about three siblings learning to live with their magical powers.

Read our full review
Baffled by TV ratings? Don't give up!

Industry TV ratings aren't much help when it comes to finding good family TV. It's hard to translate television ratings that look like a string of letters into good choices, and the TV ratings themselves aren't so reliable when you realize that the people who make the shows provide the ratings. So whatever your concern -- sex, violence, or all the ads -- our TV ratings help you find age-appropriate shows and manage the messages that our kids get from them.

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Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this wedding-centric reality show plays into the bride-as-princess/"perfect day" wedding fantasy that the media frequently perpetuates. And, when it boils down to it, it's about buying a very expensive dress that will only ... read more

Age 10+
Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta
3
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Plain Jane (CW)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult-oriented makeover show will probably appeal to older teens, too. But it sends a very mixed message about what makes a woman "attractive" to the opposite sex (hint: Outward appearance is really important!) and ... read more

Age 14+
Plain Jane
2
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Breakthrough with Tony Robbins (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality show follows famed self-help guru Tony Robbins as he tries to teach people how to overcome catastrophe. He truly teaches them how to help themselves, which makes for an uplifting, inspiring show that's well-suited for ... read more

Age 12+
Breakthrough with Tony Robbins
4
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MasterChef (Fox)
Parents Need to Know...

that this cooking competition series hosted by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay -- in which novice chefs vie for a cash prize and a chance to publish a cookbook -- doesn't stray too far from Ramsay's other shows when it comes to hot tempers ... read more

Age 14+
MasterChef
3
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Growing Up Twisted (A&E)
Parents Need to Know...

that Twisted Sister star Dee Snider and his wife raised their kids to be strong-willed, independent, and, at times, a little outspoken -- which means they aren't afraid to speak up ... or to use curse words around Mom and Dad (think ... read more

Age 14+
Growing Up Twisted
3
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Fish Warrior (National Geographic Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that although its content is mostly family-friendly, this nature series is geared toward teens and adults whose attention spans can handle wading through many uneventful minutes of unsuccessful fishing before the expected exciting ... read more

Age 10+
Fish Warrior
3
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Your Chance to Dance (CMT)
Parents Need to Know...

that there's not too much here to be concerned about, aside from a little sexy dancing -- though even that pales in comparison to the sexually charged moves (and skimpy outfits) seen on other TV dance shows. The show also promotes ... read more

Age 9+
Your Chance to Dance
2
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Confessions: Animal Hoarding (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that some of these stories about negligent pet "hoarders" are accompanied by disturbing images of long-dead animals or stomach-turning shots of animal waste that could upset young children (or sensitive viewers of any age). The ... read more

Age 14+
Confessions: Animal Hoarding
3
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If You Really Knew Me (MTV)
Parents Need to Know...

that this unusually emotional reality series is aimed squarely at teens and the cliques that too often divide them. Students share deeply personal details about their lives with their peers, and the stories they tell are often painful: A ... read more

Age 13+
If You Really Knew Me
4
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Revenge of the Bridesmaids (ABC Family)
Parents Need to Know...

that this frothy comedy will be best appreciated by teens and adults who can put the characters’ sometimes-iffy behavior (robbery, breaking and entering, and destroying personal property, to start with) into perspective. There's also ... read more

Age 14+
Revenge of the Bridesmaids
4
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Monster Fish (National Geographic Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this environmentally themed show -- which follows naturalist Zeb Hogan as travels the world to seek out some of the world’s largest freshwater fish, some of which are endangered -- doesn't have much in the way of iffy content ... read more

Age 10+
Monster Fish
4
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My Ghost Story (Biography Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that real people discuss their real-life experiences with hauntings and other paranormal activity in this hourlong documentary series, which amps up the fear factor with creepy lighting, angled camera shots, and photographic and video ... read more

Age 12+
My Ghost Story
3
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The Jensen Project (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this made-for-TV movie -- which mixes action, adventure, drama, and lots of positive messages -- is an excellent choice for families. The Thompsons’ struggles with communication and emotional connection will be relatable to most ... read more

Age 8+
The Jensen Project
4
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DC Cupcakes (TLC)
Parents Need to Know...

that, unlike many reality shows, this bakery-centric series boasts positive messages and role models -- the two sisters at the center of the show are hardworking and generous, and they treat their employees (and each other) well. Because ... read more

Age 8+
DC Cupcakes
3
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Man, Woman, Wild (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that series stars Myke and Ruth Hawke use real teamwork to deal with real danger in this show about survival in the wild -- even though a camera crew is standing just a few feet away. That said, Myke never takes unnecessary risks, and he ... read more

Age 10+
Man, Woman, Wild
3
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Mary Knows Best (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series -- which follows the matriarch of a close-knit Long Island clan who also happens to be a psychic -- emphasizes the importance of family, even if they sometimes drive you crazy. Mary's quirky relatives are all loud ... read more

Age 14+
Mary Knows Best
3
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Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files (Syfy)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series -- in which a team of trained investigators examines well-known video clips of UFOs, ghosts, and other unexplained phenomena -- includes plenty of creepy video clips and dangerous reenactments. But the rest of the ... read more

Age 12+
Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files
2
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Chasing Mummies (History)
Parents Need to Know...

that this educational series about the work of respected Egyptologist Dr. Zahi Hawass is sure to capture the imagination of anyone who's interested in ancient Egypt. Most of the show's content is age-appropriate for tweens and up, though ... read more

Age 10+
Chasing Mummies
3
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Covert Affairs (USA)
Parents Need to Know...

that they won't be seeing constant violence in this action-packed spy series. But when they do, they'll get fast-paced scenes involving guns, blades, and hand-to-hand combat between male and female characters. There's also some sexual ... read more

Age 14+
Covert Affairs
4
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Chloe's Closet (Sprout)
Parents Need to Know...

that this British animated series for preschoolers celebrates the joy of make believe and inspires kids to explore their own imaginations. Chloe and her friends enjoy seeing new places and experiencing new adventures, and along the way ... read more

Age 3+
Chloe's Closet
4
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Rizzoli & Isles (TNT)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult-oriented crime drama packs some pretty grizzly scenes involving torture, rape (and other sexual crimes), and murder, with plenty of dead bodies and blood to go around. There's some sexual innuendo, too, and characters use ... read more

Age 15+
Rizzoli & Isles
2

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