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The Bill Engvall Show

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Bill Engvall, Nancy Travis, Jennifer Lawrence, Where to watch: TBS, DVD, Download)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Blue Collar star takes on family comedy.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The parents are devoted to each other and their kids. Typical family and marital issues -- like communicating with teens, balancing family and work, and handling family finances -- are addressed with humor. Gender roles are fairly old-fashioned, with Mom doing the cooking and cleaning and Dad bringing home the paycheck, but the father does play an active role in raising the kids. The family often prays before meals, and parents and kids express their love for each other.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Light sexual innuendo played for humor -- for instance, a teen walks in on her parents naked in their bedroom (upper body nudity only, with the woman shown from behind), and a father uses phallus-shaped vegetables (cucumber, zucchini, etc.) when telling his son about using protection during sex. Brothers vaguely discuss how pregnancy occurs (the older one corrects the younger's misconception that French kissing does the job). One supporting adult male character often obsesses about the opposite sex. Typical dating and relationship issues arise in a household with two teens.
  • Language:

    Infrequent use of words like "bitch," "hell," "B.S.," and "ass."
  • Consumerism:

    Teen characters are frequent users of the Internet, video games, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The father usually pops open a beer when he comes home from work.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Bill Engvall Show

Parents need to know that this fairly standard family sitcom revolves around issues that will resonate with many families -- especially those with teens. Marital strife, communication troubles with teens, and balancing family and work life are just some of the issues that are addressed (with humor, of course). Sexuality -- as it relates to teens dating and a middle-aged couple trying to keep the spark alive -- is often touched upon, the father likes his beer, and there's some relatively mild language. But overall, the family unit is an admirable one: The parents communicate honestly with their kids and maintain a loving relationship.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the show compares to their own life. Are the characters and storylines believable? Why or why not? Teens: How does the parents' way of talking to their kids compare to your parents'? Do you wish your parents were more like the Pearsons? If so, in what way? How does this sitcom compare to others you've seen? What makes it more or less funny (or relatable) than others? How does media portray American families? Is it possible to define a "typical" family in our society?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Not the best sitcom on TV, but it's family-friendly

    (This review applies to the two episodes aired on 11/15/08 at 8/7c.) I thought this show wasn't really funny, but it wasn't the worst thing ever. I can see how this show may be cheesy because it is, in a way. It's like watching an ABC sitcom from the '90s. With that said, this show isn't as inappropriate as it used to be. There was brief mild sexual innuendo and brief mild language. I think 8+ is okay for this show, this season.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Story of our life....

    I have been married for 22 years and have 2 teens and a 4 yr old. This show is funny (not as funny as I would have expected from the comedian). My family enjoys watching (although it is after the 4 yr old is in bed). We have dealt with almost every issue this show has dealt with so far and we handled it pretty much in the same manner. It reminds me of our life and when my teens are gone...I hope this show is still on so I can relive it and not feel so empty nested. I give it a TWO THUMS UP! I Tivo it so we can re-watch it throughout the week until the next episode comes on. Thanks for the great family comedy!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 2.0

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