Living Lohan - NR

Stage-mom reality series sends mixed messages.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: NR
  • Network: E!
  • Cast: Dina Lohan, Ali Lohan, Cody Lohan
  • Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although Lindsay Lohan doesn't appear in this reality show about her family -- which instead focuses on matriarch/stage mother Dina Lohan -- much of the conversation revolves around her and how her fame impacts the family's life, and young fans may well be interested in watching. Dina's dual role as a loving mom and determined career manager results in some uncomfortable and sometimes troubling messages about what's most important in a child's life. Some of the tabloid references include strong sexual innuendo and touch on other mature topics; watch for references about Lindsay's battle with drugs and alcohol and the Lohan kids' tenuous relationship with their estranged father.

Families can talk about what it would be like to have a famous sibling or parent. What are some of the perks a family can enjoy as a result of one member's fame? Are there drawbacks? How much does media coverage of a famous person impact the rest of their family? Should the media ever target a famous person's relatives? Families can also discuss reality television. Why do families agree to appear on reality shows? Do you think they act the same way in front of the camera as they do when the crews aren't there?

Message

Social Behavior:

Dina Lohan is a single mother who cares for her kids, but she's also a stage mom. The show sends mixed messages about the boundaries between her role as a mother and her role as her kids' career manager.

Consumerism:

The show is a promotional vehicle for Lindsay Lohan and younger sister Ali. Pictures of Lindsay are visible everywhere.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Visible wine consumption visible; images of Dina holding champagne glasses in magazines. References to drug/alcohol abuse.

Violence

Kids are shown arguing, pushing, and shoving.

Sex

Some strong sexual innuendo, including references to tabloid stories about alleged sexual escapades. A tabloid image depicting oral sex is blurred. Dina Lohan sometimes dresses in extremely short, revealing dresses and very tight outfits.

Language

Mostly just mild words like "sucks" and "idiots."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

LIVING LOHAN follows the family of troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan, centering on her infamous mother/manager, Dina Lohan, as she raises two of her other children -- 14-year-old daughter Ali and 11-year-old son Cody -- while simultaneously managing her daughters' careers. From coping with relentless tabloids to dealing with the day-to-day challenges of raising a family as a single parent, Dina demonstrates how she offers her kids an ostensibly normal upbringing while also helping them determine what's best for their artistic development.

Is it any good?

3
Not surprisingly, while Lindsay Lohan doesn't appear in the series, she's still a major part of it. Pictures of her are prominently featured throughout the Lohans' home, and many conversations revolve around how her celebrity status affects the family. There's also plenty of discussion about how the tabloids exploit Lindsay and her allegedly problematic behavior. While other members of the Lohan clan feature in some of the show's "storylines" -- including the family's close relationship with grandmother Nana and Ali's burgeoning singing career -- almost everything seems to reflect back to some sort of Lindsay-related issue.

The series, which Dina Lohan also executive produces, provides a unique way of simultaneously promoting her daughters' careers and the idea that she's a caring, well-meaning parent. And while it's clear that she is a loving mother, the show sends some mixed messages about parenting by highlighting the time that Dina spends dealing with aggressive tabloid editors, music directors, and entertainment lawyers rather than focusing on addressing her children's personal and emotional well-being. This, combined with some strong sexual innuendo (including references to oral sex), mentions of drug and alcohol abuse (as the topics relate to Lindsay), and other mature issues, makes Living Lohan iffy for tweens and younger teens. But older viewers who enjoy this kind of voyeuristic entertainment may find it interesting.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 5 reviews.

3


Posted on 07/21/08 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 15

Interesting

At first this show was really interesting. But when they got to Vegas to start recording Ali's album it got a bit boring and I lost interest. However, this is not a bad show at all. There is practically no language. Sometimes Ali will say sucks but that is really the extent of it. Sexual content is iffy but they never actually talk about it. This is what I would call a good attempt at a family show. It's really okay for anyone 11 and up.
5


Posted on 06/18/08 by treybunney Kid contributor, age 13

lol ali is a brat

I am addictid to this show. i dont like lindsey, but i love her familey. The show is an excuse to look into a different culture, see the rich folk.ok everyone in the familey is a brat. tht is my warning. they r bigggggg brats. But as an american im ganna call this show entertaining. great for 13 year olds.
Age 17+
4

Posted on 06/18/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Funny Stuff

Living Lohan is pretty than I anticipated, at first. Highly entertaining and the show helps viewers get an inside scoop of what really goes on in the lives of the Lohan's. The media plays a huge part of their lives, and you see how easily the family's words can get twisted. Younger daughter Ali is trying to get her foot in the door and away from the shadow of Lindsay. She wants a singer/acting career and the show takes a look at the beginning stages of her career. She's 14 and is determined to make it. By the end of the show, she will be debuting her album in Las Vegas.
4


Posted on 06/12/08 by iluvtwilight8 Kid contributor, age 13

I think thsi shows great but not the mom

This show seems a little planned out at times because sometimes their mouths are moving but there not talking. Overall I think this is a great show and I dont think this is a bad influence. In the episode mean girls they have a good message but there are bad words. Still i think a 12 year old could watch and understand it. I really like ali lohan but the mom is not good. She didnt come home from a party when she found out their was a fire, gas leak in the house! And that is not a postive message when her daughter has ashtma.
3


Posted on 05/31/08 by calichic Kid contributor, age 14

Surprising

On various interviews (like The View, or Letterman, Dina and Ali said Lindsay would not be in the show. Lindsay has a huge part in the show. While not appearing, the first episode is centered around her. This show is basically a commercial for her and her sister, but it is entertaining to watch what fools they can make out of themselves.

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

Age 17+
4

Posted on 06/18/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Funny Stuff

Living Lohan is pretty than I anticipated, at first. Highly entertaining and the show helps viewers get an inside scoop of what really goes on in the lives of the Lohan's. The media plays a huge part of their lives, and you see how easily the family's words can get twisted. Younger daughter Ali is trying to get her foot in the door and away from the shadow of Lindsay. She wants a singer/acting career and the show takes a look at the beginning stages of her career. She's 14 and is determined to make it. By the end of the show, she will be debuting her album in Las Vegas.

Kids Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

3


Posted on 07/21/08 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 15

Interesting

At first this show was really interesting. But when they got to Vegas to start recording Ali's album it got a bit boring and I lost interest. However, this is not a bad show at all. There is practically no language. Sometimes Ali will say sucks but that is really the extent of it. Sexual content is iffy but they never actually talk about it. This is what I would call a good attempt at a family show. It's really okay for anyone 11 and up.
5


Posted on 06/18/08 by treybunney Kid contributor, age 13

lol ali is a brat

I am addictid to this show. i dont like lindsey, but i love her familey. The show is an excuse to look into a different culture, see the rich folk.ok everyone in the familey is a brat. tht is my warning. they r bigggggg brats. But as an american im ganna call this show entertaining. great for 13 year olds.
4


Posted on 06/12/08 by iluvtwilight8 Kid contributor, age 13

I think thsi shows great but not the mom

This show seems a little planned out at times because sometimes their mouths are moving but there not talking. Overall I think this is a great show and I dont think this is a bad influence. In the episode mean girls they have a good message but there are bad words. Still i think a 12 year old could watch and understand it. I really like ali lohan but the mom is not good. She didnt come home from a party when she found out their was a fire, gas leak in the house! And that is not a postive message when her daughter has ashtma.
3


Posted on 05/31/08 by calichic Kid contributor, age 14

Surprising

On various interviews (like The View, or Letterman, Dina and Ali said Lindsay would not be in the show. Lindsay has a huge part in the show. While not appearing, the first episode is centered around her. This show is basically a commercial for her and her sister, but it is entertaining to watch what fools they can make out of themselves.
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