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My Family

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Robert Lindsay, Zoe Wanamaker, Daniela Denby-Ashe, Where to watch: BBC America, DVD)
  • 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?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Delightful British dysfunction for teens and up.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Ben and Susan obviously share an open, supportive relationship that continues to withstand the trials of family life. To the best of their abilities, they guide and support their kids, who can speak freely with them. One main, unmarried character got pregnant.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Innuendoes abound, including comments like "he showed me how to tenderize my loins." Partial nudity is also common -- one scene shows full views (from behind) of two naked men; in another, a naked man and woman sit on a couch with pillows and dishes obscuring the pertinent areas.
  • Language:

    Multiple instances of "hell." "F--k" is used inconsistently, but it's always bleeped.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Adults drink wine and beer in social settings.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About My Family

Parents need to know that strong language (though the worst of it is bleeped), obvious sexual innuendo, and partial nudity mean that this funny British sitcom about a lovingly dysfunctional family isn't for tweens and might be iffy for younger teens. That said, the show's hilarious take on the uncertainties of life with kids who are approaching independence is sure to give many empty-nesters (or those who sometimes wish they were empty-nesters ...) a lot of laughs.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about their own home life. How does your family compare to the Harpers? Teens, do you wish your parents were more or less like Ben and Susan? Are their parenting styles effective? How so? Do the characters seem believable? Why or why not? In general, how are TV families different from real-life ones? Do you think a more realistic family sitcom would be funny?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    My Family is funnier than The Office!

    I'm NOT joking. My Family is a lighthearted Britcom about, well, a dysfunctional family: a strange father, an eccentric mother, an idiot boy, a smart-aleck girl, and a smart-as-hell teen boy. As can be expected in a family comedy, there's a lot of innuendo between everyone. I put Violence as iffy because of revenge plots and slapstick, if you were wondering. There is also an abundant use of the words hell and damn, and a stronger curse (f*ck) is always bleeped. Overall, My Family is okay for teens who like British humor.

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