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My Wife and Kids

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Family dynamic creates few laughs for the family.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Parents are not very responsible, arguing and ridiculing the kids. The kids often seem hurt by their banter.
  • Violence:

    Slaps and hits and threats are common in the Kyle household. Not bloody, but questionable.
  • Sex:

    Dad and son admit to owning "pornos" without remorse. Parents allude to sexual frolicking in almost every episode. A major storyline involves teen pregnancy.
  • Language:

    "Shut up" is the most commonly repeated phrase on the show.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Issues about drugs are discussed and dealt with maturely.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of My Wife and Kids was written by Joly Herman

Parents need to know that this sitcom is based in contemporary upper-class suburbia and focuses on a "traditional" father in a non-traditional world. The parents are always making jokes about their sex life, and the father and son joke about owning porn. Some families will find the show funny, while others may find it offensive. Episodes often deal with heavy issues like teen pregnancy, drug use, and body image. The effect, however, is that of a show that doesn't take itself seriously.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the relationship between the kids and their parents. Is it over the top or realistic? The family members also tease each other a lot. You might want to ask your kids if casual violence is ever funny or appropriate, or if teasing or being teased by family members is OK.
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More on My Wife and Kids

What’s the Story?

Though it's a madcap comedy, MY WIFE AND KIDS' comic formula centers on one family's dynamic. Mom Janet (Tisha Campbell) is the breadwinner and sets the rules, dad Michael (Damon Wayans) is the caregiver and the loose screw, son Michael Jr. (George Gore II) is a dolt, elder daughter Claire (played by both Jazz Raycole and Jennifer Freeman) is a clumsy beauty, and youngest daughter Kady (Parker McKenna Posey) is smart and sassy. The family members constantly gang up on each other before sharing advice and love at the end of the show.

Is It Any Good?

What happens in between the teasing and the advice-giving is where the series goes awry. Serious issues like teen pregnancy, fears about social acceptance, drug use, body image, and placing value on a spouse's contribution to the household are mixed in with ridiculous behavior such as slaps, threats, and angry outbursts. The issues themselves are often glossed over, and the fact that they're addressed at all shouldn't overshadow the reality that the adults might handle them poorly. Janet and Michael admonish their kids' chaotic behavior at the same time that they exhibit very childish behavior themselves -- it might be difficult for tweens and young teens to understand what's meaningless banter and what's inappropriate behavior.

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 1.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Bad show, not for kids.

    I tried to watch this show once, but it was just sick. I came in on a scene where a guy was cheating on his wife by getting ready to have s** with a different woman.

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

    Good

    This show is really good. The one thing is not that good is that the son that is about 15 or 16 and he is having a kid (but there is a lot of shows like that now)but otherwise then that this show is awsome i try to watch it every night if i can.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    It's a funny show

    The show is very funny and good. They have very great stuff like a big house. I like when the family gets back together because they care about each other. I hope this show stays on and that those people on it find success because they work very hard to do this show. I just wanted to say that this show is very good. I learn that drinking is not good because it could make you crazy and dumb. The peolple are very cool and fun. I wish I could meet them or I could be in that show. I just want to be funny like them.

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