Sabrina, the Teenage Witch - TV-G
TV Rating: TV-G
Network: Syndicated, The N
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVD
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this series presents witchcraft and wizardry as an everyday part of life. Also, Sabrina's behavior is sometimes sneaky when she tries to do things without others knowing about them. The problems Sabrina faces are rather innocent in nature, but as she gets older they become more mature, even though they're still highly sanitized. Adolescent kissing is present but not prevalent.
Families can talk about how to resolve problems both in school and at a job, as well as the importance of accepting the consequences of your actions. What's the right way to approach a problem? What solutions are easy versus correct? Families can also discuss high school and college activities like dating and going parties. What tricky situations do tweens think might arise in those situations? How would they handle them?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho
At one time or another, most of us have secretly wished that we had magical powers that could help us out in tough situations. SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH reminds us that while magic can be helpful, life is about being mature enough to face the consequences of our actions, not waving a wand or reciting a spell.
Based on a character from Archie Comics (created by Nell Scovell), the Sabrina series began airing in 1996 following the success of the same-named TV movie. Both movie and show star Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, a teenage girl whose parents tell her on her 16th birthday that she's a half-witch (through her father's side), then send her to live with her magical aunts in Massachusetts to learn how to be a proper witch.
The show centers on Sabrina's life with Aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Aunt Zelda (Beth Broderick) as she learns to master spells in order to earn her witch's license from the Other Realm -- which she has to do while keeping her magical talents hidden from her friends, teen rivals, and teachers.
The series, which ran from 1996-2003, follows Sabrina as she graduates from Westbridge High and Adams College and enters the workforce as a journalist for Scorch, a cutting-edge music magazine. Over the years Sabrina not only learns how to perform spells, but also discovers that magic doesn't offer a "quick fix" for the problems she faces in daily life.
Sabrina's attempts to use magic to help resolve her troubles -- including trying to attend multiple parties at once, resolving squabbles with her high school rival Libby Chessler (Jenna Leigh Green), or deciding whether to marry Aaron Jacobs (Dylan Neal) or Harvey Kinkle (Nate Richert) -- usually land her in out-of-this-world situations that have rather negative consequences. With the help of her aunts and Salem, a former warlock turned black cat (voiced by Nick Bakay), each event provides a positive learning experience for Sabrina.
In the show's final season, Sabrina's aunts return to the Other Realm, but she continues to receive limited guidance from Salem as she continues to secretly use magic to muddle through the adult world. Living with friends Morgan (Elisa Donovan) and Roxie (Soleil Moon Frye), Sabrina must contend with being an adult witch and apply the lessons she learned to make the right decisions on her own.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch currently airs in syndication and is available on DVD. A soundtrack from the series is also available. Tween and teen fans might also enjoy the classic Bewitched series, as well as Lizzie McGuire and Boy Meets World.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentSimple kissing and boy/girl social dynamics. Later episodes contain some very light sexual innuendos about female body parts. |
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ViolenceSome limited mild slapstick violence, without negative results. |
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Social BehaviorPromotes positive behavior, respect toward adults, and taking responsibility for one's actions. Anti-social behavior has negative consequences. Some stereotypes are presented, such as the snobby popular cheerleader. |
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CommercialismNo product tie-ins or placements. Music featured in the show is compiled into a CD. |
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