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Murder, She Wrote

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Simple crime drama is tame by today's standards.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The main character is a strong, intelligent woman who's never afraid to ask tough questions and always speaks her mind. While there's plenty of lying, stealing, and allusions to sleeping around among suspects, the bad guys always get their due in the end.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Each episode revolves around a death, and often the act of murder is shown as well as a few shots of the dead body (though it's all very tame compared to modern forensic crime dramas). There are lots of verbal threats ("I'll kill you") and some fist fights and scuffles here and there, which lead to bruises and bloody lips.

  • Sex:

    Characters occasionally talk around the subject of sex with loaded comments like "I don't know what you're doing or who you're doing it with." Extramarital affairs often pop up in investigations. Female characters sometimes dress in skimpy clothing. There's occasional kissing and some light fondling (rubbing thighs or backs, for instance).

  • Language:

    "Damn" and "hell" are used infrequently.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults often drink wine or beer in social settings.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Murder, She Wrote

Parents need to know that although the violence in this fan-favorite crime drama is extremely tame compared to many of today's graphic series (almost to the point of being a bit cheesy), each episode does revolve around a murder investigation. The deadly confrontation is often shown on screen, as well as several scenes of the corpse and the crime scene (often blood-stained). The heroine is a successful, self-confident woman whose determined inquiries and attention to detail often outshine the work of professional detectives.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how this show is similar to and different from more recent crime dramas. Why do you think newer shows have upped the blood-and-guts level? Are there any shows on the air today that are like this one, or are they all a lot more serious and graphic? Families can also discuss the investigation process. Which clues help detectives find a starting point for their investigations? How do they narrow their searches for clues and suspects? In what ways do the roles of detectives and private investigators differ? Families can also discuss how the justice system works. What rights do all citizens have in the court process? How do those rights protect innocent people? How do they protect criminals?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Jon Lovitz
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I love this show!

    Most kids probably won't like it, but if they wanna watch it, it should be fine.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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