The Suite Life of Zack and Cody - TV-Y7-FV
TV Rating: TV-Y7-FV
Network: Disney Channel Cast: Ashley Tisdale, Brenda Song, Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse
Genre: Comedy
Available on: 
DVDDownloadCell phone
Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that most adults will probably find this very popular Disney program annoying and flashy, though kids love the fantasy aspect that comes with the notion that living in a hotel is the answer to all home-life problems. However, the twins' popularity among their peers seems to be for the wrong reasons at times, and adult characters' behavior leaves a lot to be desired.
Families can talk about the fact that this series is, indeed, a fantasy, and that money doesn't necessarily make life easy. Would your kids want to live in a hotel? What would be the advantages and disadvantages? Is there any part of Zack and Cody's life that real kids can relate to? Do your kids think it would be fun to have be a twin?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Joly Herman
Being raised by a single mother who's a hard-working performer could easily be a lonely or difficult situation for some kids. But it makes for THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK AND CODY (played by twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse).
When their mom lands a singing gig and they get the keys to a suite high in the sky, it's an invitation to party and run amuck around the swanky Tipton Hotel. The boys are occasionally chapperoned by cute candy counter girl Maddie (Ashley Tisdale), who also fills the role of babysitter.
Zany situations keep the boys busy; in one episode, for example, the preteen beauty pageant comes to town, giving the twins plenty of opportunities to cruise the pretty girls. "If I guess your name, do I win a kiss?" is an example of one pick-up line a twin lays on an unwitting contestant.
Meanwhile, the adults are busy parrying with one another, trading insults like they're greetings. And the hotel owner's daughter, London (Brenda Song), does her best to play a preteen Paris Hilton, swimming in vast material wealth and reveling in her ability to procure the goods.
The show's premise could allow for some soulful moments, but the series errs on the side of the boys' fun life. Cheesy lines and predicatable circumstances are plentiful, but kids love the video-game lifestyle the boys live -- jumping in elevators and hiding on a passing luggage cart to escape trouble, and so on.
While there are always more compelling programs for kids this age to enjoy, the popularity of the twins has proven that they'll be blaring on your TV screens well past their tween years.
Fans might also want to check out Drake and Josh or Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.
Rate It!
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentThe twins cruise girls like they're shopping for candy...but they're not really old enough to act on anything in an inappropriate way. |
 |
|
|
|
Violence |
|
|
|
|
Language |
|
|
|
|
Message |
 |
|
|
|
Social BehaviorSince they've been hooked up with a cool place to live in the Tipton Hotel, the twins have become suddenly popular. Also, adults are rude to each other, acting cartoonish most of the time. |
 |
|
|
|
CommercialismPlugs for other Disney products can be found. Material wealth is celebrated. |
|
|
 |
|
Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
|
|
|
|
