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Arrested Development

(Rated TV-MA, Comedy, Starring Jeffrey Tambor, Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Where to watch: Fox, Syndicated, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brilliant, innovative comedy for mature viewers.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Every character, aside from one, is out for his/her own gain.
  • Violence:

    A character is checked into rehab against her will. Another sports a hook after he lost his hand in a freak accident involving a seal.
  • Sex:

    Subtle explicit jokes, likely to go over kid's heads.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One character is an alcoholic who also takes prescription drugs recreationally. Other characters drink/get drunk occasionally.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Arrested Development

Parents need to know that despite its brilliance, this show is wholly inappropriate for kids. The show features mature issues that include lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, implied nudity, drinking, pill-popping, driving under the influence, prison breaks, kissing cousins, embezzling, illegitimate children, jokes at the expense of gay men, Christians, people of color, and the disabled, and all around crooked behavior.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about recent changes in primetime television content. Increasingly, critically acclaimed shows feature very adult themes and material. Why do you think it's difficult to find a family-friendly show as creative and funny as this one on network television? How does cable play a role in this trend?
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Our Members Say

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See all 21 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0

    The second funniest show I have ever seen!

    This is a very funny show, it has alot of whit and charm that you don't find in many sitcoms these days, it dose have some issues though: 1. Some comic violence, but nothing graphic or frightening. 2. Some sexual conntent, nudity is blured out, Gob has sex wth many wemon, but all of it is implied, some other sexual jokes and refrences. 3. Language can be strong including: sc--w, a-s, d--n, h--l, b--ch, F--k and S--t are bleeped though. 4. Some drug use and refrences. So overall this is a very funny show for teens!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    something i forgot to add in

    I noticed Common Sense gave it a TV-MA rating. This is completely false. The first season is TV-PG and the Second and Third are TV-14

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    Best comedy to ever grace network television with it's presence

    This show is rife sarcasm, irony, wit, and character quarks. There are many references to sex and drugs, most of which will fly over most kids heads. This show is also full of terrible people who rarely take the opportunity redeem themselves. Even though the one genuinely good character is often morally conflicted, it's all in the name of humor. i would recommend this show for anyone 14 and up. By the way, canceling this show was Fox's biggest mistake.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0

    An incredible show, but incredibly inappropriate!

    Well, for starters, it is a shame this show got cancelled. This show was just hilarious. However, wholly inappropriate for anyone under the age of fifteen. The themes are very mature, but for mature viewers this show is such a treat. I've got to say, commonsense hit the nail on the head for this one. Know your kid. The language is frequent. Although the f**k's are bleeped over, it is still ver obvious what they are saying. There is A TON of sexuality, much too much for anyone under the age of fifteen. I suggest this show is appropriate for mature teens 15 and up.

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    BEST SHOW EVER

    Hmm, interesting. I didn't even know it was TV-MA. I would have said TV-14. Anyways, every single episode of AD is hilarious, but if you don't watch it in sequence it might confuse you or not be funny to you. I can't wait for the AD movie. I heard all of the cast is coming back and the movie is currently in production and is expected to come out in 2009. Whats with TV-MA? COME ON! Favorite Part: (Takes off Disguise). "I'm Gene Parmesan." Lucille: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

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