Even Stevens - TV-G

Funny-but-formulaic family comedy.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-G
  • Network: Disney Channel
  • Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Christy Carlson Romano, Nick Spano
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that it's important to take this series with a grain of salt: Real-life tweens are experiencing acne, hormones, and emotional breakdowns -- all issues that are rarely solved in 30 minutes. Tell your kids that there's nothing wrong with them just because their real problems are stubborn and long-lasting!

Families can talk about sibling relationships. Is the way Ren and Louis interact realistic? How is it the same as/different from the way kids interact with their own sibling(s)? Do the parents on the show seem like real parents? How could the show be changed so that it seemed more like real life?

Message

Social Behavior:

The cast is primarily white and middle class, but each episode ends with a moral. The kids on the show act in age-appropriate ways. Funny, but socially appropriate. Humor is occasionally at the expense of another character, but the characters tend to apologize in those cases.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

None, although the Stevens siblings deal with their own romantic entanglements.

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Ellie Gettinger

EVEN STEVENS follows the sibling rivalry between Ren and Louis Stevens. Ren (Christy Carlson Romano) works hard to be perfect, while Louis (Shia LaBeouf) is a class clown. Ren feels that her little brother undermines her shot at flawlessness, while Louis thinks that his older sister should lighten up. They're joined by their clueless jock older brother, Donnie (Nick Spano), who adds to the hi-jinks and occasionally provides the pearls of wisdom needed to defuse tangles between his sister and brother.

Is it any good?

3
All in all, Even Stevens is good, clean, family fun fit for late-afternoon viewing. Although formulaic, Even Stevens is a funny twist on the family comedy. Louis, as played by rising star LaBeouf (who also starred in Holes), is hilarious and natural in his role as a pesky younger brother. The interaction between Ren and Louis is realistic, and the two seem to have a genuine affection for each other despite their Odd Couple differences.

Like many sitcoms that examine the lives of kids, the parents in Even Stevens are more like set dressing than actual characters. Mom Eileen Stevens (Donna Pescow) is a California state senator (which is the only way to know that the show takes place in Sacramento). Her husband, Steve (Tom Virtue), is an important lawyer. Both of the parents are involved in their kids' lives, but this seems more like a requirement of the Disney family sitcom formula than a real interaction between parents and kids. Beyond the lack of character development, the scenes involving the parents are also the least funny and interesting part of the show.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 19 reviews.

Age 8+
4

Posted on 05/25/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

One of Disney's best

Before Shia LaBeouf became a huge movie star, he was Louis Stevens on "Even Stevens." "Even Stevens" was one of the best sitcoms on Disney Channel and on ABC's One Saturday Morning (now ABC Kids). "Even Stevens" always had good morals and was wholesome and funny. The thing about this show, unlike most kids shows these days, is that you can gather the family around to watch it and everyone will enjoy it, no one will be offended. If you haven't seen it yet, it currently airs on WGN weekend mornings.
3

Posted on 02/15/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

It is ok

It depends on what type of TV shows you like. It can be kind of stupid
4


Posted on 12/09/07 by chocoholic660 Kid contributor, age 13

4


Posted on 06/22/07 by Wiki Kid contributor, age 11

4


Posted on 04/20/07 by wii Kid contributor, age 13

funny

very very very funny great series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5

Posted on 07/05/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

I miss it!

I wish they would make new episodes of Even Stevens! This show cracks me up, especially the one where Louis sees Beans' head on Beans' cousin! It was hilarious and ridiculous! You can still catch it on Disney Channel!
5


Posted on 11/28/05 by SJgogirl Kid contributor, age 8

Age 11+
5

Posted on 09/04/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 13+
5

Posted on 08/02/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5


Posted on 06/11/05 by Chariot Kid contributor, age 14

Even Stevens is a great show! Very funny and great to watch wil the whole family!

See all 19 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

Age 8+
4

Posted on 05/25/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

One of Disney's best

Before Shia LaBeouf became a huge movie star, he was Louis Stevens on "Even Stevens." "Even Stevens" was one of the best sitcoms on Disney Channel and on ABC's One Saturday Morning (now ABC Kids). "Even Stevens" always had good morals and was wholesome and funny. The thing about this show, unlike most kids shows these days, is that you can gather the family around to watch it and everyone will enjoy it, no one will be offended. If you haven't seen it yet, it currently airs on WGN weekend mornings.
Age 11+
5

Posted on 09/04/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 13+
5

Posted on 08/02/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 8+
3


Posted on 04/29/05 by mictamali Adult contributor

Age 5+
5

Posted on 03/02/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 5+
4

Posted on 07/16/04 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I love this show!

I think Even Stevens is great! My daughter is 5 & she loves watching it. Usually we watch it together. Some kids might not understand,but all kids are different. Think it's great.
Age 11+
4


Posted on 04/23/04 by Panya Adult contributor

I like this

Because of the sibling rivalry and occasional put-downs, I'd only recommend this to tween-aged kids (who know better than to act that way). It's over-the-top in it's comedy, but still enjoyable.
See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 12 reviews.

3

Posted on 02/15/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

It is ok

It depends on what type of TV shows you like. It can be kind of stupid
4


Posted on 12/09/07 by chocoholic660 Kid contributor, age 13

4


Posted on 06/22/07 by Wiki Kid contributor, age 11

4


Posted on 04/20/07 by wii Kid contributor, age 13

funny

very very very funny great series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5

Posted on 07/05/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

I miss it!

I wish they would make new episodes of Even Stevens! This show cracks me up, especially the one where Louis sees Beans' head on Beans' cousin! It was hilarious and ridiculous! You can still catch it on Disney Channel!
5


Posted on 11/28/05 by SJgogirl Kid contributor, age 8

5


Posted on 06/11/05 by Chariot Kid contributor, age 14

Even Stevens is a great show! Very funny and great to watch wil the whole family!
5


Posted on 03/13/05 by Kenzie Kid contributor, age 12

Love This Show!!!

This showis one of my favorite shows now! It is sooooo funny! it is a great show for kids!!!
3


Posted on 08/14/04 by Queen2B87 Kid contributor, age 11

1


Posted on 07/21/04 by mikee990 Kid contributor, age 13

See all 12 kids reviews >
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132 votes