Television Reviews -
ER: Navigation

• CSM Reviews <--
• Adult Reviews
• Kid Reviews

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this show is not for young audiences. It's an intense medical drama with graphic situations (lots of blood and surgeries) and mature storylines. Death, disease, and physical injuries are a part of each episode. Rape, neglect, physical abuse, spousal abuse, teen pregnancy, abortion, and incest have all been plots involving young kids and teens. Some patients have serious psychological ailments. The sexual relationships between doctors are often at the center of the drama. Parents will want to watch with their teens and be prepared for a follow-up conversation. If you allow your teen to watch, make sure s/he is comfortable seeing gross visuals of blood and surgeries.

Families can talk about whether or not they think the situations presented on the show are realistic. How do the doctors cope with their highly stressful jobs, make tough decisions, and deal with life and death situations?

Rate It!

Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jill Hipps

ER is an excellent medical drama that has remained popular for good reason, but it's not appropriate for kids. With its emotionally wrenching scenes, images of graphic and bloody injuries, focus on death and disease, and heavy plots that range from domestic violence to abortion, the show is just too intense for tweens and many younger teens.

In addition to all the death and tragedy, episodes often focus on the ER doctors' personal lives, which involve love triangles within the ER. Partners tend to switch from season to season. The doctors have nearly as many problems as their patients. For example, Dr. Green (Anthony Edwards) dealt with a brain tumor, remission, a new baby, a new marriage, and a return of his illness in a matter of two seasons.

ER has turned out stars such as George Clooney, Juliana Margulies, and Noah Wylie, and guest stars have included Sally Field, who received an Emmy for her role. The impeccable writing and memorable characters have made the drama a mainstay on NBC for over ten years. Parents should know that the program repeats on TNT during the late morning hours, so be aware that kids who are home from school may be tuning in.

If tweens are interested in medical programs, rent the series Doogie Howser, MD (a late '80s/early '90s sitcom about a teenage genius who becomes a doctor). For older teens, try another NBC medical sitcom, Scrubs.

Rate It!

Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Occasionally doctors hook up or we see "the morning after."
Violence Graphic and bloody injuries. Patients are often outraged, psych patients throw temper tantrums, drug fits, doctors have been held at gunpoint and murdered in the ER.
Language Rarely, four-letter words are used -- often toward doctors from angry patients. Also words like "tits," "hell," "bitch," "a--hole," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior Doctors are often heroic but have been seen with multiple sex partners. Teen pregnancy, abortion, rape, incest, racism, sexism, mental illness, psychological issues, and domestic violence have all been part of episodes.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Drugs and alcohol addictions with doctors and patients; smoking.

Rate It Now

OR