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Gary Unmarried

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Ed Begley Jr., Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall, Where to watch: CBS, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Post-divorce sitcom is optimistic and funny.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Lots of discussion about divorce and relationships; highlights some of the challenges newly divorced men face. Shows a mostly positive relationship between Gary and his ex, Allison, though she's often presented as a stereotypically controlling ex-wife, while Gary is the more lenient "fun" dad who's less intuitive. The majority of the cast is Caucasian.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Some fairly strong sexual innuendo (some of which will go over the head of young viewers). Adult men and women are seen in bed together, but they're wearing pajamas. Some references to teens making out.
  • Language:

    Mostly mild; words like "slutty," "whore," "hell," and "ass" are used -- but only occasionally.
  • Consumerism:

    Tom is encouraged to meet girls in the online teen community Second Life.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Beer bottles are occasionally visible, and there are references to tequila and other alcoholic beverages; one joke references the kids being "enablers."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Gary Unmarried

Parents need to know that the main character in this sitcom is a recently divorced man; some of the show's situations and humor might be hard to watch for families dealing with similar issues of their own. Although Gary gets along with his ex-wife, they do exchange some tense quips. There are also some stereotypical references about ex-wives being controlling and divorced dads being out of touch with their kids' needs. While the language is mild, there's some sexual innuendo (some of which will go over younger viewers' head), at least one subtle reference to inappropriate online relationships, and references to beer and drinking.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media presents divorced parents. Do you think divorced mothers are portrayed differently than divorced dads? If so, why and how? Do you think TV series and movies that show ex-spouses getting along are realistic? Families can also discuss the impact that divorce can have on families. What are some of the challenges kids face when their parents can no longer stay married? What are some of the challenges moms and dads face when they have to separate?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    A Really Good Show

    This is a really good show that a lot of people can relate to. Gary Unmarried is about a man named Gary, his ex-wife Allison, and his two kids Tom and Louise. It's very funny with pretty approiate jokes for children 10 and over. Gary Unmarried is similar to The New Adventures of Old Christine, so fans of that show will probably like this one as well.

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