So NoTORIous - NR

Spelling finds her niche in slapstick -- teens OK.

TV Rating: NR Network: VH1 Cast: Tori Spelling, Zachary Quinto Genre: Comedy
Available on: DVD

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this series is loosely based on the personal and public life of Tori Spelling -- rumors included. The humor is mature and sarcastic, and the dialogue is sexually suggestive. Tori and her peers have typical bored-little-rich-kid syndrome (long lunches, lots of possessions) but bring it to life and poke fun at it with slapstick humor. Teens might be interested, but the material is adult.

Families can talk about the effects and consequences of fame. Is it fair to get work through a family member or friend of the family? Why or why not? Is Tori responsible? Does her character live up to her real-life reputation or dispel it? How much do you think TV Tori is like real-life Tori? How would/does your teen deal with popularity (fame)? Is it a struggle or a goal?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jill Hipps

SO NOTORIOUS stars Tori Spelling as -- who else? -- former teen actress Tori Spelling, star of Beverly Hills, 90210 and daughter of TV mogul Aaron Spelling (90210, Charmed, Melrose Place, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island).

Tori plays a fictitious version of herself, blending her personal life with the rumors spun by tabloid reporters -- a laundry list of hearsay that includes getting jobs because of her dad's status, reported breast enhancement surgery, and even more gossip about her dad opening doors for her.

Tori is surrounded by a bevy of sitcom-ready characters. Her roommate, Pete (James Carpinello), is supposedly only living in her apartment until he finishes med school -- but dating distracts him easily. Her best friends, Sasan (Zachary Quinto) and Janey (Brennan Hesser), are diligent about getting Tori some action, quick to assure her that she's a national icon, and even quicker to encourage her to use her family connections. But Tori is determined to do things on her own -- which includes winning roles based on her talent, not her pedigree. (She stars in an F Movie -- "like Lifetime, but worse" -- as a "plucky melanoma survivor who solves crimes while battling hypoglycemia and a sex addiction.")

When Tori visits her parents at their infamous mansion, we never see her dad. Instead, he's heard over a loudspeaker (a la Charlie's Angels) offering career advice. Tori's emotionally challenged mother, Kiki (Loni Anderson), and childhood caretaker, Nanny (Cleo King), are her visible family. Nanny constantly comments on Tori's figure, sighing, "Damn girl, look at those boobies. They get bigger every week -- that can't just be the bra." In flashbacks, we see that Nanny raised Tori, while Kiki dressed her up like a doll ("Where can you find high-heeled sling backs for a toddler?"). All of this is painfully humorous, yet done in a lighthearted tone.

Bottom line: Tori's character is fighting against a stereotype, and as co-executive producer of So NoTORIous, Ms. Spelling is having the last laugh. Teens interested in sarcastic humor might also enjoy Sons and Daughters and The Office.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Sexually charged humor; Tori's roommate pretends to be a gay man trying to "break free" by sleeping with a lot of women; commentary on Tori's breasts (and whether they're fake or not); one episode includes scenes set in a sex-toy shop.
Violence
Language "Damn," "hell," and the occasional "bitch."
Message
	Social Behavior Tori has flashbacks that pinpoint her mom as the root of her problems today; Tori is on the hunt for a man who won't use her for her fame; characters have casual sex; Tori's mother is rich and neurotic; the Spellings' African-American nanny/maid is treated like a second-class citizen by Tori's mom. All derogatory/negative social behavior is intended to be funny.
	Commercialism Brand names, including Prada and eBay, are mentioned. Tori's parents live in a vast mansion filled with possessions; Tori herself lives in a relatively fancy condo, wears designer clothes, and drives a nice car.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Some casual/social drinking.