Mad About You - TV-PG

Domestic humor fine for young teens and up.

TV Rating: TV-PG Network: Nickelodeon, Oxygen, Syndicated Cast: Helen Hunt, Paul Reiser, John Pankow Genre: Comedy
Available on: DVD

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this '90s sitcom about a married couple sometimes includes discussion about adult relationship issues like sex or parenting. But these topics are handled with light humor, and nothing ever gets graphic. When Paul and Jamie fight, things can be a little tense, but it never lasts long. A supporting character is gay, and occasional episodes include accepting-but-awkward discussion of same-sex relationships. One character struggles with psychological issues, including an eating disorder, but these subjects are mostly played for laughs.

Families can discuss relationships. What makes a healthy relationship? What kind of good and bad dynamics do teens and adults see in the main characters' relationship? Do any of these dynamics seem familiar? What creates chemistry between couples? Are the main characters people you would like to hang out with -- why or why not?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Sierra Filucci

MAD ABOUT YOU was a long-running 1990s sitcom that followed the lives of New York City marrieds Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt). Their affectionate banter and the show's overall light tone made it a favorite of fans of domestic humor. The series, now available on DVD and airing in syndication, was nominated for several Emmys and Golden Globes over the course of its run.

The Buchmans live a comfortable life in Manhattan. Paul is a documentary filmmaker, and Jamie works in public relations. The show is based around the pair having to work out trivial domestic disputes -- with the occasional bigger issue popping up.

For example, late in the series, after Paul and Jamie have a baby, one episode centers on their attempt to sleep-train their infant daughter by letting her cry for timed intervals. While they both sit outside the bedroom door, tortured by the sound of their baby crying, they alternately debate the pros and cons of their parenting methods and discuss the 500 pounds of rigatoni that Jamie won at the supermarket earlier that day. This combination of serious relationship subjects and silliness defines the series.

On the periphery of Paul and Jamie's lives are their quirky family members and friends. Jamie's sister Lisa (Anne Ramsay) is crabby and forever in therapy dealing with her eating disorder, her jealousy of Jamie, and other myriad issues related to her and Jamie's parents (their mother is played by Carol Burnett). Ira Buchman (John Pankow) is Paul's cousin from Brooklyn who keeps him connected to his roots and sometimes reminds him what single life was like, for better or worse.

While Mad About You is certainly aimed at adults, parents will find very little to worry about if teens choose to watch (though chances are most younger folks will be bored by the adult shenanigans). The Buchmans often model passive-aggressive communication, and Paul plays the childlike half of the couple to Jamie's tsk-tsking grown-up, but otherwise the series' humor is innocuous and charming.

Fans of Mad About You might also like Everybody Loves Raymond and Dharma and Greg.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Funny, vague references to sex within a committed relationship.
Violence
Language Occasional "hell" or "damn."
Message
	Social Behavior Generally straight-laced behavior. Some minor relationship/gender stereotyping. A peripheral character is gay. The cast is all-white.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Occasional social drinking.