Four Kings - TV-14
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: NBC Cast: Seth Green, Josh Cooke, Todd Grinnell
Genre: Comedy
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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know this comedy has some sexual references, drinking, and immature humor. The carefree "bachelor lifestyle" is celebrated. Buried way beneath the dumb jokes and clichés are some lessons about good judgment and loyalty to friends.
Families can talk about the friendships of these men. Does the show reinforce stereotypes about twenty-something men? Is the portrayal of young men avoiding commitment and responsibility realistic? How do male friendships differ from female friendships? What qualities do you admire in these characters?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jill Hipps
By the creators of Will & Grace, FOUR KINGS, starring Seth Green (Austin Powers), Josh Cooke, Shane McRae, and Todd Grinnell, features four childhood friends fighting to keep their young bachelor ways before real responsibility sets in.
In its premiere episode, Ben's grandma dies and leaves him her plush apartment in New York City. Torn between having his girlfriend, Jen, or his three buddies move in, he poses his dilemma to both parties. Ben's longtime friends tell him to choose Jen, admitting they might be mad for a few days, but they'll be there forever. Ben realizes his friends have his best interests at heart, and invites them to be his roommates. Needless to say, Jen will not be appearing in any future episodes.
Warm and fuzzy as this exchange in friendship and loyalty was meant to be, Four Kings loses any genuine emotion to poor writing and uninspired acting. The actors have taken too many notes from characters like Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) of That 70s Show and Chandler and Joey (Matthew Perry and Matt LeBlanc) of Friends. Recycling the quirks that made these characters unique leaves these Four Kings with no charm of their own. The premise had the potential to be family-friendly viewing for teens and parents, but ends up being cheesy and clichéd since it relies on tired stereotypes and dumb jokes.
Tweens and teens may enjoy shows that explore friendships that are more reflective of their own age group such as Everybody Hates Chris, Lizzie McGuire, and Gilmore Girls.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSome fooling around, Ben writes a newspaper column "Serial Monogomist," some talk of one-night stands. |
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Social BehaviorOne character throws tantrums, the "bachelor lifestyle" is glamorized. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoDrinking at bars. |
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