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Reaper

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Bret Harrison, Ray Wise, Tyler Labine, Where to watch: CW, 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?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Devilish supernatural comedy isn't for young kids.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The show tweaks social conventions by making the main character an agent of the Devil but giving him the ostensibly noble job of tracking down evil souls. The Devil comes off as a decent sort, and even Sam's parents fare well despite selling the soul of their first-born child. Sam and his pals are typical slackers, who care little for authority and are more interested in partying than finding a decent job.

  • Violence:

    Some fight scenes featuring supernatural powers and magical weaponry, but little blood or gore. That said, some of the images (like a man filling up with fire and blasting a crater in the ground) could definitely be scary.

  • Sex:

    No sex, but some innuendo (a guy is teased about liking plastic girlfriends, a joke about batteries obviously references a vibrator, etc.) and plenty of flirting between Sam and his coworker Andi.

  • Language:

    Language includes "d--k," "crap," "bastard," "badass," and "asshat," as well as references to strippers and hookers (Sock makes a joke about going to Las Vegas to "kill a hooker").

  • Consumerism:

    Sam and his friends work at a Home Depot-like store that's stocked with all kinds of products; some specific brand-name items (a Dirt Devil vaccuum cleaner, for instance) pop up as the "vessels" that Sam uses to catch souls.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A fair bit of drinking, mostly in social settings (includes beer and shots of liquor). Mention of being drunk and alcohol poisoning. Sock makes a reference to smoking marijuana; in at least one episode, peyote and other "party enhancers" are discussed and shown briefly.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Reaper

Parents need to know that even though the central character of this dark supernatural comedy series is forced to work for Satan, adventure trumps discussions about the nature of good and evil, and the Devil is portrayed as a rather genial boss (rather than, say, the ultimate embodiment of malevolence). The main characters are typical "slackers" who goof off, go drinking after work (they're all of age), and pepper their language with words like "d--k" and "crap." There are some fairly intense scenes when the guys face down the baddies, but it's nothing that veterans of shows like Buffy and X-Files won't be able to handle.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about good and evil. Though he's working for the Devil, is Sam performing a good deed by returning the escaped souls of evil people to Hell? How does the Devil in this show compare to versions in other films and TV shows? What point -- if any -- is the show trying to make by having the Devil seem like a fairly decent guy? Do you think this show is likely to ruffle feathers among religious viewers? Why or why not?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    shadow_slayer15
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

    I laughed all the way, watching it now...

    I'm watching this right now and have seen every episode. I haven't seen one thing wrong with this, maybe some minor sex like a woman with clown paint saying, "Come on Socky, let's try again, but this time, with the clown nose." There's nothing horrible bad in this, iffy for 12 and under.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    J.C.
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    best show ever

    i know im 13 but i can still watch it. i dont care what everybody eles says.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I_Luv_My_Dog
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    good show

    Funny and exciting. I watch it every week.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Adult Reviewer
    KimmieSu
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    cool show

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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