The Office - TV-14

Droll take on office politics isn't for kids.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Seen the show?
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-14
  • Network: NBC
  • Cast: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski
  • Genre: Comedy
  • >Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the show's main character regularly makes insensitive remarks about employees' race and gender, and that he's treated like a buffoon as a result. The show also features a fair amount of sexual innuendo. Characters are known to get drunk at office parties.

Families can talk about rude and inappropriate behavior in comedic television shows. What is the most outrageous thing you've ever viewed? Do you think the line of what is considered acceptable changes? When would you say television writers have crossed the line into truly offensive? Is that line different for cable and network shows? Should it be?

Message

Social Behavior:

The main character is seriously flawed. He's portrayed as an idiot. Accordingly, his ignorant sexist, and somewhat racist comments about his subordinates are not meant to be taken seriously.

Consumerism:

One episode took place at Hooters, another at Chili's. Some product placement -- notably by Staples.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

One or two characters will often get drunk at office parties.

Violence

Sex

Some sexual innuendo, nothing too explicit.

Language

Inappropriate comments about race and gender that are either ignored or met with disbelief.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Marjorie Kase

THE OFFICE is a mockumentary series that covers the 9-5 workaday antics of a Scranton paper company's staff. Overseeing employees is Mike Scott, played by Steve Carell (The 40-Year-Old Virgin), a boorish, self-aggrandizing, inept regional manager who cracks jokes that weren't funny seven years ago ("Wassup?" is still in his arsenal). His underling, Dwight (Rainn Wilson), a wannabe assistant manager and weekend volunteer sheriff's deputy, is like the hall monitor from hell, on constant watch for employee infractions. Dwight's a natural target for the never-ending stream of practical jokes conceived by bored desk mate and everyman Jim (John Krasinski) who has a wicked crush on receptionist Pam (Jenna Fischer). Rounding out the cast is office temp Ryan (B.J. Novak), who is simply along for the ride.

Is it any good?

4
Inefficiency runs amok in this remake of Ricky Gervais' classic BBC show. But The Office has proven itself to be a stand-alone hit from its British predecessor. Using only the framework of the previous series with new storylines that are more reflective of American office culture ("Diversity Day" and "Yankee Swap" are good examples), the show has managed to garner a sizable following on this side of the pond. Steve Carell also does a laudable job in setting himself apart from Gervais' David Brent with a character that is both offensive and oddly endearing.

Viewers unfamiliar with the original series might find it hard to get used to the show's intentional awkwardness both with its dialogue and direction. It may take a couple of viewings to appreciate the unconventionality of the show's humor, but it's definitely worth it for mature audiences.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 38 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/09/08 by movieguy2013 Kid contributor, age 15

very funny. some objectionable material

This show is hysterical. So awkward to watch with parents sometimes. Some subjects include sex and marraige. but its funny.
5


Posted on 07/26/08 by Larrful Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 07/09/08 by thekid Kid contributor, age 17
5


Posted on 06/28/08 by <flyboy> Kid contributor, age 14

It IS better than the BBC version

The office is funny and lively. The show is my second favorite, next to Arrested Development. Can't wait until September when the Office comes back!
5


Posted on 06/21/08 by Rednaxela Kid contributor, age 13

halarious!!!!

This is my favorite show in TV to date! I love it!!! there is some inappropriate stuff in it. Micheal, the main character, is socially inept, and makes sex jokes a lot! like "that's what she said". one character gets drunk every 5 episodes or so, and there are several racial jokes about Stanly-who's black. But all in all, this show is on top! That's what she said.
5


Posted on 06/19/08 by jayhog77 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 06/04/08 by mrt123 Kid contributor, age 13

THE BEST SHOW YOU WILL EVER WATCH

why did csm rate this 15 and up??!!! its lik almost entirely appropiate. theres fairly clean language, no voilence,and sexual stuff is rare. The show is often criticized for beining slow and boring but its just really deep. you have to think about it to get it. its really funny and i think its approprite for 10 and up!
5


Posted on 05/31/08 by calichic Kid contributor, age 14

One of the best shows on television.

This is one of my favorite television shows to watch, and I have seen every episode. While there is a lot of adult material and humor, my eight-year-old brother finds the more appropriate episodes hilarious also. I would definitly reccomend The Office to anyone above the age of eleven, which is when I started watching it.
5


Posted on 05/30/08 by pitpens9091 Adult contributor
5

Posted on 02/17/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Great Show

There is a lot of iffy content on this show. THankfully, most sexual innuendos will fly over the heads of younger viewers. I didn't particularly like this show the first time I watched it, but it really grew on me. This show is acceptable for 13 and up.

See all 38 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 10 reviews.

5


Posted on 05/30/08 by pitpens9091 Adult contributor
5

Posted on 02/17/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Great Show

There is a lot of iffy content on this show. THankfully, most sexual innuendos will fly over the heads of younger viewers. I didn't particularly like this show the first time I watched it, but it really grew on me. This show is acceptable for 13 and up.
5

Posted on 12/17/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
5


Posted on 10/07/07 by DisneyFan Adult contributor

Best Show on TV

This is the one show that the whole family sits down and watches every week. My 11 year old LOVES the show and frequently asks to watch the series on DVD. I can see how a parent could find some of the show objectionable; however, because Michael Scott is about as mature as an 11 year old, I think they'll find most of the potty humour just funny--or they won't understand it. There have been occassions where our son has asked what something means, but we encourage him to be open with his questions, so it's not a problem.
3

Posted on 09/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Somewhat Troubled

The characters in this show seem at times to take things a little to far. I don't think that the sexually explicit comments and conversations are necessary for the show to be funny. I think that the humor of Michael and Dwight make it funny enough. Watch at your own risk!
4

Posted on 07/28/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Can you say, Tivo?

The show is hilarious, but not every episode is appropriate for kids. Definitely watch it before you let your kids watch it, especially if they're under 13 or you want to prepare them for what's in the episode. You can't rewind life once they've seen or heard something. You have to be responsible and do your homework ahead of time. You'll laugh while you're doing it! :) Some of the sexual content is way too inappropriate for my liking. There has been a show or two that I did not feel was "okay" and I just didn’t let them see it. I’m always by their side or in the room watching it with them the first run through so I can comment on what is funny, but not so smart to do in real life. You might think my kids hate my being in the room with them, but to the contrary, we're so close and they like being able to express their take on a scenario on the show. I don't push my beliefs or commentaries down their throats, but it's a great opportunity to open dialog without it being forced or out of context. Life's gonna happen and they're going to see things I can't control, but in my home at least I do have that option. Tivo!
4


Posted on 01/05/07 by heartXcore Adult contributor

Definitely not for kids and tweens.

The Office, even though it's random and usually hilarious, is quite crude and has lots of sexual innuendoes and can be very offensive. I don't watch it often because it can be that way. But when I do I usually get a good laugh out of it. Jim and Pam's romance relationship is cute, but a little flustered. Pam was engaged to marry someone else, and yet she made out with Jim. At least she broke off her old relationship with the other guy to go with Jim. That made it somewhat OK. Michael is the one you have to watch out for. He's crude, stupid, obnoxious (rude) and a womanizer. He can be funny, especially when he gets a joke played on him. But a lot of the time he's being his offensive, confused self. Dwight is the superstitious, geeky, and naive tattle-tail sort of character. I get a kick out of him, and he's usually just the dumb guy who's trying to rub shoulders with the cool people. There are a lot of parties, at which there is alcohol. Your kids need to get the message that a real office job would not be like that. Getting drunk and wild partying is not in their job description. Use caution, make sure your teens know the difference between real life and just acting. Apparently, a lot of them don't.
4


Posted on 12/09/06 by MelissaM Adult contributor

A show you can stand to watch with your mature teen.

The boss, Michael is the most sexist, immature, outright ignorant person maybe on all of television. The sad/funny thing is, he still has a good heart. If your teen knows what irony is, they will be able to watch this show. Even though the main character is so flawed, he is surrounded by people that are more than willing to bring light to these flaws. It's so funny, because it's so true.
3

Posted on 03/07/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor
4

Posted on 01/25/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor
See all 10 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 28 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/09/08 by movieguy2013 Kid contributor, age 15

very funny. some objectionable material

This show is hysterical. So awkward to watch with parents sometimes. Some subjects include sex and marraige. but its funny.
5


Posted on 07/26/08 by Larrful Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 07/09/08 by thekid Kid contributor, age 17
5


Posted on 06/28/08 by <flyboy> Kid contributor, age 14

It IS better than the BBC version

The office is funny and lively. The show is my second favorite, next to Arrested Development. Can't wait until September when the Office comes back!
5


Posted on 06/21/08 by Rednaxela Kid contributor, age 13

halarious!!!!

This is my favorite show in TV to date! I love it!!! there is some inappropriate stuff in it. Micheal, the main character, is socially inept, and makes sex jokes a lot! like "that's what she said". one character gets drunk every 5 episodes or so, and there are several racial jokes about Stanly-who's black. But all in all, this show is on top! That's what she said.
5


Posted on 06/19/08 by jayhog77 Kid contributor, age 13
5


Posted on 06/04/08 by mrt123 Kid contributor, age 13

THE BEST SHOW YOU WILL EVER WATCH

why did csm rate this 15 and up??!!! its lik almost entirely appropiate. theres fairly clean language, no voilence,and sexual stuff is rare. The show is often criticized for beining slow and boring but its just really deep. you have to think about it to get it. its really funny and i think its approprite for 10 and up!
5


Posted on 05/31/08 by calichic Kid contributor, age 14

One of the best shows on television.

This is one of my favorite television shows to watch, and I have seen every episode. While there is a lot of adult material and humor, my eight-year-old brother finds the more appropriate episodes hilarious also. I would definitly reccomend The Office to anyone above the age of eleven, which is when I started watching it.
5


Posted on 01/26/08 by bubbo Kid contributor, age 15

I'm not a big TV person, but I love The Office. It's hilarious, clever, and just flat-out awesome. My favorite television show ever.
5


Posted on 01/02/08 by moviegeek Kid contributor, age 16

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

Hilarious to the extreme. You have to watch at least two episodes to get into it. Otherwise, you just don't get it. The Dwight-Jim fights are the best parts.
See all 28 kids reviews >
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