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Side Order of Life

(Rated TV-PG, Drama, Starring Marisa Coughlan, Jason Priestley, Diana Maria Riva, Where to watch: Lifetime Television)

  • 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?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Inspirational Lifetime dramedy is sappy but sweet.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The show is about being true to yourself, following your dreams, and living life to the fullest. That said, some of the characters' decisions can have a hard and/or painful impact on others.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    And engaged couple wakes up in bed together. Couples occasionally kiss or embrace. Non-sexual scene of a woman in her underwear. Discussion of lovers, polygamy, dating, sex.

  • Language:

    Occasional "damn" or "hell."

  • Consumerism:

    The main character drives a Toyota.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Occasional social and celebratory drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Side Order of Life

Parents need to know that this comedic drama focuses on adult issues like marriage, career, and death. Couples occasionally kiss, hug, and wake up in bed next to each other. Discussion of polygamy, lovers, and -- at least once -- "getting laid" makes for mature but still relatively mild conversation (even the swearing is on the light side: "damn," "hell," etc.). Some scenes are emotionally intense, such as when the main character's best friend gets cancer.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about living life to its fullest. Parents and teens: Do you feel like you're living the best life you can? If not, what can you do differently? Does anything specific stand in the way of living your life to its fullest potential? Is it as easy to overhaul your life in the real world as it is on TV and in the movies? Why or why not? What advantages do TV and movie characters have?
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