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Coach

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Shelley Fabares, Craig T. Nelson, Jerry Van Dyke, Where to watch: Syndicated, DVD)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    College football comedy scores. OK for tweens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Strong, caring relationships; Coach has a strong sense of right and wrong and will admit when he's made a mistake (albeit reluctantly). A little bit of gender stereotyping, but usually the men bear the brunt of the humor in that case.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    References to sport injuries and football roughness.
  • Sex:

    Rare, subtle innuendo. Unmarried adults in romantic relationships live together.
  • Language:

    Mild: "making an ass of himself," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Frequent mentions of college football programs and sponsorships by fictitious companies.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Coach

Parents need to know that this sitcom takes a look behind the scenes of a fictional competitive college football program. The head coach has an old-fashioned view of sports and competition. He's divorced, and he and his girlfriend live together. Neither of the two assistant coaches are very socially or intellectually astute, and these deficiencies are often mined for laughs. Not much football is shown, but wins and losses are discussed, along with football injuries, academic performance, recruiting, campus politics, and dealing with a difficult athletic director.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what it might be like to be a professional coach. What does the pressure of winning mean for both a coach's career and a school's reputation? Coach Fox is serious about sports and a kind man. How do his views about football and competition temper his relationships with the strong women in his life? How can team sports and the concept of sportsmanship provide perspective in the face of challenges and difficulties and help people make good decisions?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    Family Show

    I've only seen, like, one episode of this show, but it's appropriate and funny. Enjoyable for the whole family.

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