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Close to Home

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring John Lynch, Kimberly Elise, Jennifer Finnigan, David James Elliott, Where to watch: CBS, Online)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Dull legal drama will bore teens, scare kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The main characters are upstanding citizens fighting on the side of the good guys. The lead character is a working mom.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Only some minor violence is shown, but plenty is discussed (including rape).

  • Sex:

    Adultery is discussed, but not shown.

  • Language:

    Not common, but "bitch" and other mild curse words do pop up.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    An occasional plotline is based on drug addiction or a drug-related crime.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Close to Home

Parents need to know that this dull legal drama deals with violent crimes like rape, torture, and robbery, though the action is rarely graphic. The premise of the show is that danger lurks even in the safest-looking places -- not the most reassuring message for youngsters. On the plus side, the lead characters are both strong women in powerful positions, and the cast is generally multicultural.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about appearance versus reality. Are the suburbs really safer than cities? What can make a place feel safe or dangerous? Parents can reassure kids that the show's criminal scenarios are written to be as dramatic as possible and are not necessarily realistic or common.
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