Joan of Arcadia - TV-PG

God talks to a surly teen.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-PG
  • Network: CBS
  • Cast: Joe Mantegna, Mary Steenburgen, Jason Ritter, Amber Tamblyn
  • Genre: Drama
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show features a surly teenager, a geeky younger brother, an angry older brother: All very familiar teen types and interactions. But Joan hears the voice of God coming from a "hottie" guy, a black cafeteria worker, etc. and it leads her -- against her desire -- to do something that ends up helping her brother. The grisly murder setups and the way God is portrayed may be upsetting or confusing for younger viewers.

Families can talk about what kids think of portraying God this way. Do you think it's important to try to help others? What do you think about fate, purpose and interconnection?

Message

Social Behavior:

Joan hears the voice of God in many different races and sexes -- also, her brother is disabled. Nothing funny/nothing cruel.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

None in the first episode.

Violence

No violence but a really grisly murder scene and body kicked off the show.

Sex

Language

Normal teenage angst dinner table conversation -- sassy at times.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Common Sense Media

In JOAN OF ARCADIA, a high school teen finds herself talking to God in everyday situations such as the halls of her high school. In so doing many questions of God and faith come up between her and her friends. Her geeky science-loving younger brother believes in God and says that science proves it's so; there's also a sassy sister and a brother in a wheelchair who is angry at losing his mobility due to a car accident. Joan's parents are played by Joe Mantegna and Mary Steenburgen.

Is it any good?

4

This show brings up the big questions -- who is God? What is our obligation to others? How do we know God's will? And it does all this in a surprisingly unpreachy and non-partisan way. But it might offend some who have concrete ideas of who God is and how God talks to us or irritate those who don't believe in God at all. These audiences probably should not watch.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 17 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/15/06 by JoAFreak Kid contributor, age 13

Love it...

Love JoA. It's obvious. Just absolutely love it. CBS was insane to cancel it. It brings a new perspective to the meaning of God. ~~JoAFreak
2


Posted on 11/11/05 by swim Kid contributor, age 8
5


Posted on 09/09/05 by Julie Brusaw Adult contributor
4


Posted on 07/17/05 by djb952 Adult contributor
5

Posted on 04/05/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

4


Posted on 03/18/05 by QueenOfNowhere34 Kid contributor, age 13
5

Posted on 02/23/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 02/10/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

3


Posted on 11/12/04 by honestjim Adult contributor

Once again, unsupervised children behaving badly.

This is another show that portrays young children behaving badly. The daughter is shown passionately kissing a young boy. Where are the parents?
5

Posted on 10/02/04 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Intelligent writing

This is a consistently well written series, with a solid and charming ensemble cast. The strength of this drama is that it entertains so well while encouraging some reflection. You don't have to be religious to like this show -- the values are those we want to pass on to our children, self respect, generosity, empathy, integrity. <p>In rebuttal to someone's comment about it being sexist, I strongly disagree. No one character is perfect, and the males and females alike have strengths that continually outshine their weaknesses. I'd like to think this show represents reality more than those that focus on self aggrandisement and winning at any cost. Bravo to the producers for swimming against the tide.

See all 17 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 12 reviews.

5


Posted on 09/09/05 by Julie Brusaw Adult contributor
4


Posted on 07/17/05 by djb952 Adult contributor
5

Posted on 04/05/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 02/23/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

5

Posted on 02/10/05 by Anonymous Adult contributor

3


Posted on 11/12/04 by honestjim Adult contributor

Once again, unsupervised children behaving badly.

This is another show that portrays young children behaving badly. The daughter is shown passionately kissing a young boy. Where are the parents?
5

Posted on 10/02/04 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Intelligent writing

This is a consistently well written series, with a solid and charming ensemble cast. The strength of this drama is that it entertains so well while encouraging some reflection. You don't have to be religious to like this show -- the values are those we want to pass on to our children, self respect, generosity, empathy, integrity. <p>In rebuttal to someone's comment about it being sexist, I strongly disagree. No one character is perfect, and the males and females alike have strengths that continually outshine their weaknesses. I'd like to think this show represents reality more than those that focus on self aggrandisement and winning at any cost. Bravo to the producers for swimming against the tide.
5


Posted on 02/11/04 by hope Adult contributor

Encouages you to "Think" about life situations

This is a good show that addresses every day issues for kids growing up in a light hearted yet mindful way. Great acting - very realistic and emphsizing right from wrong. Keeps kids(and adults) attention. TV put to good use.
1


Posted on 02/03/04 by niebel Adult contributor

Utterly sexist show

This is the most sexist show on TV. Every male character on the show is depicted as defective in some way, and most of every show consists of vignettes in which some female character disciplines or corrects a male character, sometimes with gentle persuasion, sometimes with power discipline, and occasionally with utter humiliation. Example: when the father, in his police job, tells a rape victim "I understand how you feel" she bristles "No, you don't. No man does. No man is ALLOWED to say that!" Does she have a monopoly on suffering due to violence? What about a man who is raped, or left in a wheelchair by a mugging. Does he suffer less than she? The choice of wording "allowed to say that" instead of "can say that" or "knows enough to say that" says a lot about the attitude of the (female) producer of the show.
5


Posted on 01/27/04 by Gregg Adult contributor
See all 12 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

5


Posted on 04/15/06 by JoAFreak Kid contributor, age 13

Love it...

Love JoA. It's obvious. Just absolutely love it. CBS was insane to cancel it. It brings a new perspective to the meaning of God. ~~JoAFreak
2


Posted on 11/11/05 by swim Kid contributor, age 8
4


Posted on 03/18/05 by QueenOfNowhere34 Kid contributor, age 13
4


Posted on 04/19/04 by digits2006 Kid contributor, age 16

I think it is a good show, it shows the reailty of school with the fantasy of god. I think it is a great show.
5


Posted on 11/08/03 by MattyWatty556 Kid contributor, age 12

JOAN OF ARCADIA

The show JOAN OF ARCADIA is my mom and my favorite tv show now. Every friday we sit down together and watch. I really love the theme of her seeing god and all. A great show.
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