Grace Under Fire - TV-PG

Comedy with serious themes for teens and up.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: Oxygen Cast: Brett Butler, Julie White, Dave Thomas Genre: Comedy
Available on: DVD

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this series deals with some very serious, mature themes, such as alcoholism and domestic violence. The show's humor, some of which is inappropriate for younger viewers (though much of that stuff will go over their head), focuses a lot on stereotypes of the Southern lower middle class.

Families can talk about the challenges families face after a divorce. How do you maintain a relationship with a parent who doesn't live at home? How can a family feel whole after a parent leaves? Families can also discuss some of the serious social issues that affect people, such as addiction and domestic violence.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho

Reminding us that some day we all have to face the consequences of our youth, GRACE UNDER FIRE tells a survivor's story through humor. The show, which is loosely based on the life of comedienne Brett Butler, is about the daily life of Grace Kelly (Butler), a divorced recovering alcoholic and domestic abuse survivor who's raising three children on her own.

With her tough Southern attitude and lots of sarcasm, Grace struggles to protect her children from the same mistakes she made in the past while simultaneously trying to provide them with a stable family life that includes a relationship with their troubled father, Jimmy (Geoff Pierson).

Grace finds herself working at an oil refinery, on construction sites, and in cocktail bars in order to earn enough money to support son Quentin (played by both Jon Paul Steuer and Sam Horrigan), daughter Libby (Kaitlin Cullum), and baby Patrick (played by twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody). Between balancing multiple jobs and raising her children, Grace faces other challenges, too, such as being reunited with a son she gave up for adoption when she was a young teen, getting a college education, and successfully coping with her addiction problems.

But Grace doesn't have to go it alone, getting willing help from friends such as wacky high school buddy and next door neighbor Nadine Swaboda (Julie White), her veteran husband Wade (Casey Sander), quirky local pharmacist Russell (Dave Thomas), older sister Faith (Valri Bromfield), and even her sharp-tongued ex-mother-in-law Jean Kelly (Peggy Rea). Occasional boyfriends like refinery manager Rick Bradshaw (Alan Autry) provide both support and additional pressure, as the fiercely independent Grace struggles to balance her personal life with her life as a working-class single mom.

It's not always easy to start your life over, especially in the best of circumstances. Grace Under Fire reminds us that not only is it possible to start from scratch despite difficult odds, but that you can laugh while you do it.

Grace Under Fire still airs in repeats and is available on DVD. Fans may also like Roseanne and Cybill.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some strong sexual innuendo at times.
Violence References to domestic violence.
Language MIld: "damn," "crap," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior The series has a positive message about surviving difficult situations. It shows how difficult it is to fight addiction, and how important it is to get out of an abusive relationship. The series also highlights the idea that if you work hard, you can build a better life for yourself and your family. Some stereotying, particularly of Southerners.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco References to alcohol and drugs related to substance abuse and the fight against addiction.