Falcon Beach - TV-PG

The O.C.'s poor country cousin; teens OK.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: ABC Family Cast: Steve Byers, Morgan Kelly, Allison Hossack Genre: Drama
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this beach drama shows lots of flesh and includes some sexual activity, minor violence, drug use, and drug dealing. The series deals primarily with relationship ups and downs, including a love triangle and a strained marriage. The show takes a generally moral attitude toward bad behavior, including showing negative consequences of drug use.

Families can discuss dating and relationships. What makes someone attractive? Why do people sometimes fall for those with unappealing characteristics -- snobs, drug addicts, ego maniacs, etc.? What does who you choose to date say about you? Also, how realistic is this scenario?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

This young-adult soap opera (a Canadian import) follows the summer exploits of vacationers and locals in the fictional New England town of FALCON BEACH.

While the show has moments of charm, it mostly comes off like The O.C.'s poor country cousin. The cast is a little less beautiful, the dialogue is painfully bad, and the storyline is predictable. Add in the corny music, and Falcon Beach becomes a complete waste of time.

The action centers on the love triangle between hunky local wakeboarder Jason Tanner (Steve Byers), his former girlfriend (Devon Weigel as Tanya Sheddon, a model recently returned from Europe with a nasty drug habit), and a snobby vacationer (Jennifer Kydd as Paige Bradshaw) with a vulnerable side. Jason's sidekick, Danny Ellis (Ephraim Ellis) is shorter, darker, and softer than Jason. He's perfectly cast as the sweet guy who's just too nice to date. Of course he has a crush on vacationing lifeguard Erin Haddad (Melissa Elias), who adds the only color to the cast (she's Lebanese).

When relationship drama isn't at the forefront, the characters play beach volleyball, drink beer at beach bonfires, argue with meddlesome parents, and sing karaoke. But the twentysomethings don't have all the fun. Paige's parents' marriage may be on the verge of collapse. And scandal bubbles beneath the surface as the mayor's 14-year-old son gets hurt while on drugs.

While the issue of class is clearly an undercurrent in the town of Falcon Beach, the show Falcon Beach rarely acknowledges the subject. Race also goes unmentioned. Unfortunately, everything on Falcon Beach is on the surface, and the surface -- as tanned and shiny as it is -- isn't that pretty.

Older teens and adults looking for soapy, superficial entertainment with a little more quality should check out The O.C. or Desperate Housewives.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Making out, sexual scenarios, groping, provocative clothing.
Violence Fist fighting, threat of violence.
Language Some adult language: "hell," "bitch."
Message
	Social Behavior One main character is attracted to another even though she's extremely rude and snobby. Characters discuss women's bodies occasionally. The cast is almost exclusively white.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Several main characters use and deal drugs, though usually with negative repurcussions. Social drinking by young people, but specific acknowledgement of underage drinking as bad.