Aliens in America - TV-PG
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: CW Cast: Dan Byrd, Adhir Kalyan, Amy Pietz
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this genuinely funny sitcom addresses issues related to prejudice against Muslims in a clever, sensitive way and ultimately delivers positive messages about tolerance and diversity. The main characters are both high school outsiders who encounter lots of teasing and occasional threats. Expect fairly frequent potty language, fairly mild profanity (mostly of the "crap" and "damn" variety), and made-up insults regarding racial and ethnic groups, as well as non-explicit references to sex, flirting, dating, birth control, and more.
Families can talk about what constitutes "normal" teenage behavior. Is there even such a thing? What messages does the show send about what's "normal" for teens? How does a person's culture affect their behavior? What do Raja and Justin have in common, and how are they different? What's behind those differences -- personality or upbringing? Are they similar to or different from other TV and movie teens? In what ways?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci
ALIENS IN AMERICA is a comedy about the difficult years of high school. They're even more difficult for sweet, sensitive 16-year-old Wisconsinite Justin Tolchuk (Dan Byrd), who only recently got his braces off and is still an easy target for taunts.
When Justin's social troubles reach a peak, his mother, Franny (Amy Pietz), decides to take in an exchange student, hoping the built-in companionship will increase Justin's confidence. But when the student turns out to be very different from the hunky, blond-haired athlete Franny had in mind, things get complicated.
Raja Musharaff (Adhir Kalyan), a Muslim Pakistani, arrives bright-eyed, eager, and naïve about the effect that his traditional clothing and constant references to Allah have on his Midwestern host family and his fellow high schoolers. But after breaking through Justin's parents' prejudices by proving himself a hard-working guest with a disarmingly sweet demeanor, Raja becomes part of the family.
Be that as it may, Justin certainly doesn't find himself in a better social position now that he's associated with Raja. Both boys are in for lots of eye-opening surprises, some ugly and some hilarious.
With great comic acting and writing, this genuinely funny take on one of the country's touchiest subjects is perfect for the times. Fears about terrorism and the realities of prejudice come under a comic lens -- and the resulting messages about diversity and tolerance are welcome.
Both teens and adults will enjoy the familiar high school issues the show addresses, especially those who can identify with the feeling of being an outsider. Plenty of references to sex pop up, but nothing too racy for most teens.
Fans might also enjoy Freaks and Geeks, My So-Called Life, and That '70s Show, which is also about Wisconsin high schoolers.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentLots of teenage talk about sex -- but with most of the juicy details skipped. Comments are made about a teenage girl's breasts (she's also nominated to a list of the most "bangable" girls at school) and a boy checks out cleavage on a Web site called "Rack Ranker"; a boy pretends to make out with a pillow; teen boys are mocked for their supposed homosexuality (a pair of bullies mimes gay sex as part of the taunting); a teen boy walks around naked in the locker room, though only his chest and legs are shown. |
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ViolenceRough-housing, teasing. |
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LanguageSome use of words like "hell," "crap," "damn," "bastard," "skanky," "douche," and "retard." Some prejudicial language, like "Fudge-Pakistani," is used in punchlines (but terms like that aren't endorsed/condoned). |
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Social BehaviorThe show's main message is about overcoming prejudice and respecting diversity. Specifically addresses prejudices against Muslims. Jason and Raja are both treated as outsiders at school and are teased and even threatened as a result. |
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