The Dukes of Hazzard - TV-PG

Yee haw! Original Dukes leap the generation gap.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: CMT
  • Cast: John Schneider, Tom Wopat, Catherine Bach
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that it's no accident that this longtime favorite has hung around long enough to entertain a whole new generation of fans. The show's lovably indomitable heroes prove time and again that, in Hazzard County, corrupt businessmen and inept cops are no match for them and their orange cohort, the General Lee. While the humor is silly (and sometimes is at the expense of exaggerated Southern stereotypes) and the plots are predictable (with all loose ends neatly tied up by the hour's end), ubiquitous car chase scenes help ensure that the show never gets boring. The only real eyebrow-raisers are some characters' use of guns -- although the shots are laughingly poor and never manage to hit anyone -- and Daisy Duke's skimpy attire, including the famous high-cut shorts that were named after her character. It's all pretty tame, though, which is why we're giving it an "on" rating.

Families can talk about respecting law enforcement officials. Why do police officials deserve our respect? Why don't the characters in the show respect Rosco, even though he's the sheriff? What rights do citizens have in the presence of police officers? Parents can also discuss how the media portrays negative stereotypes. Kids, what examples of stereotyping have you noticed in movies or TV shows? What about in the news? How are the characters in this show exaggerated for laughs?

Message

Social Behavior:

The show tends to stereotype small-town life in the rural South, but it's played for humor throughout. Personal disputes often lead to fistfights, which don't necessarily solve problems but often subdue the wrongdoers long enough for issues to be worked out. The Duke boys always try to do the right thing and expose injustice and corruption. They're often misjudged by others.

Consumerism:

Dukes merchandise is available on the toy shelves.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

The favorite hang-out is a bar, and overage characters drink beer when they're there (and occasionally when they're not).

Violence

Episodes almost always include a car crash or two, but no one's ever seriously hurt. Law enforcement officials carry handguns and often shoot out windows or tires of cars. Some characters also use bows and flaming arrows to ignite the occasional building. Fistfights are common, and the players sometimes use nearby items (chairs, beer bottles) during the scuffles. But aside from some bumps and bruises, no one suffers lasting injury.

Sex

The main female character wears skimpy tops and provocatively high-cut jean shorts that leave nothing to the imagination. Adults often engage in playful flirting, and occasionally there's some kissing.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, which originally ran on CBS from 1979 to 1985, follows the adventures of two "good ol' boy" cousins who live on their uncle's dilapidated farm in the outskirts of fictional Hazzard County, Georgia. On probation for running moonshine for Uncle Jesse (Denver Pyle), Bo (John Schneider) and Luke (Tom Wopat) are legally obliged to stay within the county lines. They spend their free time (which apparently is all of it, since neither one has a job) careening through dusty back roads in their orange, Confederate flag-clad '69 Charger, the General Lee. Though they've put their law-breaking days behind them, the Duke boys are often forced to avoid getting arrested on trumped-up charges by the county's bumbling sheriff, Rosco P. Coltrane (James Best), whose many failures at incarcerating the Dukes haven't dampened his hopes of putting them behind bars. The Dukes also have to deal with the antagonism of county commissioner/corrupt businessman Boss Hogg (Sorrell Booke), who owns or runs pretty much all of Hazzard. Cousin Daisy (Catherine Bach), who also lives with them, and local mechanic Cooter (Ben Jones) often pitch in to help Uncle Jesse rescue Bo and Luke from the inept lawmen.

Is it any good?

4

The Dukes of Hazzard is a down-home classic, having maintained a fervent fan base for more than 25 years (it even inspired a big-screen version in 2005). Its combination of silly comedy, lovable characters, and memorable car chases and jumps is just plain fun entertainment that spans the generational gap -- though parents may want to check it out before showing it to really young kids. Some characters carry and shoot guns, Daisy wears fairly provocative attire (including those famous high-cut jean shorts that were later dubbed "Daisy Dukes"), and some of the humor is based on some pretty broad stereotypes.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

2


Posted on 08/12/07 by guitarman Kid contributor, age 12

this show is ok but there is always car chases with fightitng but harkly ever get carried away

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2


Posted on 08/12/07 by guitarman Kid contributor, age 12

this show is ok but there is always car chases with fightitng but harkly ever get carried away
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