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NCIS

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Mark Harmon, Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, Where to watch: CBS, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Upbeat but average crime show -- older teens OK.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    In general, the characters are positive, but each has quirks. One main character is a womanizer.
  • Violence:

    Crime scenes show blood, crimes themselves can be very violent (disemboweling, tongues cut out), and autopsies can be graphic. Some plots involve serial killers.
  • Sex:

    Plenty of sexual banter and innuendo. But not especially graphic, and always with humor.
  • Language:

    Mild swearing ("ass," "bitch," "damn") and some sexual language play: "pussy ... cat."
  • Consumerism:

    No real product placement, though fake Starbucks and Big Gulp cups are visible.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Main characters do not smoke, drink obviously, or use drugs. Use may appear in some subplots.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About NCIS

Parents need to know that this military investigative drama depicts graphic crime scenes that include blood, gunshot holes, and dead bodies (some of which have been mutilated). Autopsies can also be somewhat graphic, though certain body parts are blurred out. The main characters engage in adult humor, though the content is generally mild. The series reinforces some stereotypes, while others are made more complex.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about any stereotypes they witness while watching. Does the male and female characters' behavior on the show reinforce or combat stereotypes? What's the difference between male and female sexuality on the show? How does humor work on the show? Who makes the jokes, and who is the butt of the jokes? What does this mean?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this show is

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See all 39 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great drama with comedy for 13 and older

    I love this show! This one of the most original crime drama shows I've watched. There are interesting case but the comedy is what makes the show. It's the funny moments and interactions between the characters that makes it special and interesting to watch. You can count on the fact that there would never be an episode that you would get bored watching. And of course the murder, kidnapping, etc are well written too. And yeah there are violence, it's a crime drama, it has to have violence. And sexual contents? Well most of the time it's just flirting but sometimes there can be graphics that won't be appropriate for younger kids. And honestly the language aren't that bad because it has never said anything that I haven't already heard in school. The characters are original and there are good messages in this show. Here's what I think- it's a must see for older kids since it's a crime drama with lots of comedy and parents don't really need to make sure of anything because truthfully the younger kids can never sit through an episode of this. They will get bored. Those who can understand it and enjoy it are probably all old enough to be able to handle the violence and other contents. Except for one of the few episodes like Undercovers, I'd say anybody above 10 who likes it should be fine but because of those episodes I will say I will recommend this for 13 and above.So for those who haven't watched this yet, try it out.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Whole-hearted reccommed for tweens and up.

    To be honest, this show is a breath of fresh air in the land of TV crime drams. The plots are refreshing rather than repetetive, and don't depend on the headlines to make a story. The characters however, are what makes it. They're interesting and play off each other wonderfully, and kids are sure to pick out people in their own lives who "fit the mold" of leader or partner. It's not so much stereotyping as it is providing characters whose role is grounded more in a fictional world than trying to be "real". Some parents may be concerned about the sexual content and launguage used in the show, but often times, kids will hear much worse from their friends at school, so it's an oppurtunity to talk to them about why that kind of language or behavior isn't appropriate for them. The show regularly deals with recurring themes of family, loyalty, trust, and teamwork, and each of the characters have good values and morals and believe in their work. There are also "the rules" which is something like an informal moral code the agents follow. NCIS is also a very diverse show. The agency is portrayed as having a African-American director, one of the main characters is devoutly jewish, and another is Italian. The criminals come from different backgrounds and the reasons for their actions rarely fall back to race. Despite the sometimes sexsist attutudes on the show, it goes to lenghts to show that women can be smart, strong, powerful, and respectable people without being sex objects. In the current season, there has been a subplot dealing with one of the characters becoming a US citizen and what the process entails, both officially and emotionally. The respectful and honorable way that NCIS deals with the military and counterterrorism, especially in these times, is also commendable. Becasue of the show's "crime" theme and sometimes inaaproprate content, I'd reccomend this show for children ten years and over, though some episodes are okay for younger children, at parents' discretion.

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for most likely 10-11 +

    this does have some non-appropriate stuff yea i agree but im 10 turning 11 soon and ive watched it almost all my life .....i have never been affected by it yes it does have grousome things i know but i would think if you can handle watching CSI or LAW AND ORDER....or even Elmo today you could watch MOST eps. of NCIS now some i wouldnt recommened for someone under 10-11 but if you could handle the grousome features and language or the thing DinNozZo or Ziva or even "ducky",abby,jenny or McGee says then i think it would be OK if you have a parent watching it with u! but you must remember this tv show is based on a real agency and i could inspire you to do things you wouldnt imagine doing! and i even once thought of going to war because of ncis.....now i would NEVER approve how "abby" dresses for young adults but someone who likes crime/mystery shows MUST see NCIS....i would recommend that a child does NOT watch the ep. "undercovers" because of sexually graphic language and some of what how they act.....a quote like (ziva knees him) "now that was definatly NOT your knee" i would not recommened that ep. or some more rare eps which they RAREly show often but i do approve because it is a real agency and teachs some younger kids what the real world is like and what happens each day

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Prefer my teen doesn't watch but don't get hyper if she does

    Extremely well written and with fine acting, this is a good show for the adults in the household.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    e.g. great show for older kids.

    I think it's a an awesome show, but it's for older kids.

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