The Replacements - TV-G

Tweens' people-swapping powers are fun for kids.

TV Rating: TV-G Network: Disney Channel Cast: Nancy Cartwright, Kath Soucie, Grey DeLisle Genre: Children, Cartoons, & Animation

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that although the family at the center of this series is unconventional, kids will relate to many of the issues Riley and Todd face, including impressing a first crush and feeling misunderstood by adults. The siblings' relationship will also ring true with viewers -- they tease each other a lot, but they always support each other, too. Kids will enjoy seeing how Riley and Todd change the circumstances that frustrate them, and the absence of questionable content makes this entertaining, imaginative series a good choice for young viewers.

Families can talk about the changes Riley and Todd make around them. Would you make the same replacements that they do? What parts of your life would you change? What consequences (good and bad) do the kids encounter from their choices? Each episode also offers plot-based discussion starters for parents and kids.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

When orphans Riley (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and Todd (Nancy Cartwright) find a comic book ad offering "replacement people" of their choice, they gladly part with $1.98 for the chance at a new life with mail-order parents. But the kids soon find that the outcome wasn't quite what they had in mind.

The Fleemco Company sends the kids the quintessential odd couple. Mom is a British international spy named Agent K (Kath Soucie) whose expertise includes linguistics and martial arts but who has absolutely no experience in parenting. While her loyalty to the family goes without question, she has difficulty relating to them, and she battles paranoia about apparent evil plots in the most mundane situations of everyday life.

Egocentric stuntman Dick Daring (Daran Norris) isn't a model parent, either, but his caution-to-the-wind attitude helps him bond with his new son, who shares his passion for fearlessness and adventure. The new family is rounded out by Agent K's shape-changing, sarcastic talking car, CAR (David McCallum), who isn't at all happy about settling down in suburbia.

As Riley and Todd adjust to their new family life, they're given a Fleemco bonus -- cell phones to use for any future replacement orders. But like their new parents, the other made-to-order adults Riley and Todd choose may not be exactly what they're looking for.

Disney delivers another winner with this imaginative animated series. The characters in THE REPLACEMENTS are funny and lovable, and kids will enjoy watching Riley and Todd attempt to change situations that viewers will likely relate to. Lessons about self-esteem and accepting responsibility for your choices are prevalent throughout the show, giving substance to what was already a delightful cartoon.

Fans may also enjoy Shuriken School or Freaky Friday.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some female characters wear tight outfits that show some belly, and the mom dons a skin-tight bodysuit that enhances her ample curves. Mild flirting scenes among tweens.
Violence Infrequent scenes with punches and kicks that never cause lasting injury. One scene shows an adult being attacked by three raccoons, but he's no worse for the wear.
Language Playground talk like "kick your butt" is rare.
Message
	Social Behavior Riley and Todd both have best friends who are of different nationalities. Their mom, Agent K, is a strong, intelligent person whom both kids adore -- and despite her inexperience in parenting, she's loyal to her family (dad Dick Daring, on the other hand, is egocentric and seems more concerned with his appearance than anything going on with the kids). Each episode has lessons about accepting responsibility for your actions.
	Commercialism One female character dresses in the trendiest, hippest outfits, which are a little over the top. The kids use cell phones to order their replacement adults.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco