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Rules of Engagement

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Patrick Warburton, David Spade, Oliver Hudson, 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 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    2.0

  • Common Sense says

    Spade's clichéd battle of the sexes bombs.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Relatively innocuous messages about relationships, though some stereotypes about men, women, and romance are prevalent.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Frank discussion of sex, including one-night stands. Some scenes in bed before and after sex, without any nudity. Some sexual innuendo.

  • Language:

    Occasional "hell" and "damn."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Frequent jokes about long-married husband's drinking -- the idea being that he drinks to endure his marriage. Frequent social drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Rules of Engagement

Parents need to know that this relationship-oriented sitcom includes discussions about sex (including one-night stands) and paints a somewhat confusing picture of married life. Lots of humor revolves around stereotypical male-female behavior like men fearing commitment and women "trapping" men. The bachelor character has frequent liaisons, and viewers see him in bed with different women in sanitized sexual scenarios.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about romantic relationships. What are some stereotypes about men and women in relationships? Have you seen these stereotypes play out in your own life? How have your experiences or those of your friends been different? Have you heard jokes about how women or men act in relationships? How do you respond to those kinds of jokes? What message do parents want kids to hear about the pros and cons of intimate relationships?
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