Nip/Tuck - TV-MA

Controversial plastic surgery drama; NOT for kids.

TV Rating: TV-MA Network: FX Cast: Joely Richardson, Dylan Walsh, Julian McMahon Genre: Drama
Available on: DVDDownload

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this addictive plastic surgery drama is absolutely not for kids (or anyone squeamish, for that matter). Because it's on cable, many of the usual primetime boundaries don't apply: It routinely deals with strong themes including rape, drugs, and incest and includes explicit depictions of sexual behavior and graphic portrayals of surgical procedures. An interesting subtext is the tension between doctors committed to helping people and the growing profit-based business of plastic surgery.

Families can talk about why people have plastic surgery. When is plastic surgery medically necessary? Why do so many people opt for surgery when they're dissatisfied with their looks? What are the benefits and drawbacks of having plastic surgery? Why do doctors specialize in plastic surgery? Families can also talk about the importance of having a positive self-image and going beyond superficial looks to appreciate someone's personality.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho

Combining dark humor with soap opera-like misfortune and heartbreak, NIP/TUCK highlights the flaws of a business dedicated to creating physically perfect people -- and the imperfections of those who run it.

This Golden-Globe winning cable drama centers on best friends Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) and Christian Troy (Julian McMahon), partners in a Miami-based plastic surgery practice. Amid coping with outrageous surgical requests, malpractice lawsuits, and sharp-witted anesthesiologist Liz Cruz (Roma Maffia), straight-laced Sean and womanizing Christian find themselves struggling to keep their operating suites filled with patients seeking fixes for their physical deficiencies.

But the dramas of the surgical suite don't outweigh the drama of the doctors' personal lives. Sean struggles to keep his family together and has a tempestuous relationship with wife Julia (Joely Richardson), and Troy's sexual addiction often leads him into adventurous sexual territory and failed relationships. Storylines that deal with issues like violence, serial rape, euthanasia, and drug trafficking are also prevalent throughout the show.

Nip/Tuck is well written and highly entertaining. It presents medical cases that are based on fact, and it exposes some of the interesting challenges faced by the medical community when trying to balance the practice of medicine with the profit-and-narcissism-based business that plastic surgery has become.

But the show is definitely not for kids -- even most teens. It's a purposely controversial series that presents strong themes with few boundaries, and it contains a fair amount of sexually explicit imagery. This, combined with the graphic depictions of surgical procedures that are more shocking than educational, makes the show's TV-MA rating well deserved.

Fans of Nip/Tuck may also like House and The Sopranos. Viewers interested in real-life plastic surgery stories should check out Extreme Makeover.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Very strong sexual content, including graphic sex scenes and partial nudity. Some characters are unsure of their sexuality. Discussions of sex, sexuality, and genitalia often take place within the context of plastic surgery, as well as within the context of personal relationships.
Violence Strong images of blood and severed limbs during surgical procedures. Ongoing storyline about a serial rapist who "carves" people's faces. Occasional fights between characters. Episodes have included harsh beatings, some of which were spurred by prejudice.
Language Contains some strong language, but not extreme swearing.
Message
	Social Behavior Shows the superficial, profiteering nature of plastic surgery. None of the flawed characters are positive role models, though some occasionally have moments of redemption. Features people of diverse backgrounds, including gay and transgendered characters. Extramarital affairs, euthanasia, and sexual promiscuity are also discussed, but these discussions contain little about the consequences of these actions. Both men and women are often sexually objectified. Also highlights the struggles of doctors wanting to help people while coping with the business-like aspects of the medical profession.
	Commercialism Although there isn't any obvious product placement, materialism is rampant.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Frequent adult consumption of alcohol, including wine and hard liquor. Drugs and drug trafficking are seen and discussed.