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Lincoln Heights

(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Where to watch: ABC Family, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Message-heavy drama about life in the 'hood.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    This is a very message-heavy show about helping communities improve, being honest and upstanding, finding positive solutions to problems, learning the importance of family, etc. The main characters are African American; good and bad characters are of all races. Lots of gang- and drug-related issues; some discussion of race relations and social problems.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Urban violence, including a teen getting shot by a semi-automatic weapon in a drive-by, a teen lying on the street after being stabbed, and a teen being shot by police officer (some blood).
  • Sex:

    Teenage dating, with some physical contact. Teenage girls compete for male attention. An adult married couple is shown in bed together with mild sexual innuendo.
  • Language:

    "Bitch," "hell," "damn," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some brief scenes with drug addicts (raiding a crack house); some discussion of drug-related crime. Some bad guys smoke, though it's rarely seen.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lincoln Heights

Parents need to know that this drama focuses on a wholesome family with strong positive values living in a dangerous neighborhood. Scenes include drive-by shootings, the aftermath of stabbings, tense stand-offs between police and criminals, and intense arguing between a husband and wife in front of their children. Some discussion of drug dealing and gangs, as well as brief scenes depicting drug users. Some discussion of race relations and social problems. The teenage girl character gets romantically involved with a guy in school. The middle school-aged boy gets bullied, but with his mother's help, finds a clever solution to his predicament.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about their own neighborhood. What's good about where you live? What's not so good? How could you and your other family members make your neighborhood better? Why are certain neighborhoods considered "better" than others? Do you think the show's take on what a "bad" neighborhood is reflects reality? How do violence, race, and crime interconnect on the show? In real life?

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Our Members Say

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See all 7 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    This show rocks

    I love this show, and i cant wait untill the next season. It was sooo sad when Jhonny Nightingale died in that drive by, I cried. Cassie and Charles look so cute together, i hope that they stick together. Any kid from 12-000 can watch this show. I started watching this show when i was 12,but i dont recoomend this for kids who dont know wat their taking about.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    good show!

    this show has some very good topics of discussion. i really hope that Cassie and Charles stick as a couple, cause they make a cute pair. i like how this family sticks together, they get through everything together as a family, always looking out for each other.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Delaware
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I love this show!!

    This show is great! It tells you what's really good in life. Cassie and Charles are soooo cute together! Charles's old girlfriend still thought they were still a couple(they still were.) They kissed 3 times in "Missing" and make out! I loved every minute of it! I knew Eddie's partner wasn't into drugs. All in all, this is one of the best shows on T.V today!

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