'Til Death - TV-PG

Tart-tongued take on the institution of marriage.

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About Our Ratings

Common Sense rates it

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details

TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Fox
Cast: Joely Fisher, Brad Garrett, Eddie Kaye Thomas
Genre: Comedy
>Available On: DVD,Download

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sitcom puts a humorous spin on the daily struggles of married couples. It presents various attitudes about marriage, including a fair amount of cynicism from main character (and veteran husband) Eddie Stark, who frequently bickers with his wife. But the show also sends positive messages about the strength of marriage and demonstrates that even though married people have problems, they can stick together and make it work. Parents also need to know that the show includes references to sexual behavior and some dubious vocabulary that's not appropriate for younger viewers.

Families can talk about what it means to be married and the challenges that married people face. What are some of the positive things associated with being married? Negative things? Families can talk about why married people stay together, even when they have problems.

Message
Violence
Sex
Language

Message

Social Behavior:

Highlights the strength of marriage despite its trials and tribulations. Some fighting among spouses, including yelling and insults, but these arguments demonstrate that married couples can have arguments, be angry at each other, and still love each other enough to stay married. Some pettiness/rivalry between the two central couples.

Consumerism:

References to other television shows, including Ellen.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Minimal adult consumption of wine.

Violence

Sex

Some sexual innuendo, as well as specific references to lovemaking and genitalia.

Language

Relatively mild: phrases like "douche bag" and "bitch slap." Lots of jokes made by both adults and kids in reference to the last name "Woodcock."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Melissa Camacho

History teacher Eddie Stark (Brad Garrett) views his 20-plus years of marriage to Joy (Joely Fisher) as a power struggle between spouses. But his cynical outlook is put to the test when romantic young newlyweds Jeff (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Steph (Kat Foster) Woodcock move in next door. Soon Eddie and Joy find themselves competing with their neighbors to reinvent aspects of themselves and their relationship. Meanwhile, Jeff's idealistic view of marriage leads to some unforeseen problems when he begins to discover that his relationship with Steph isn't as perfect as he thought.

Is it any good?

'TIL DEATH is a sitcom designed to remind viewers that even when the honeymoon period is long over, marriage can still offer couples the opportunity to find love, strength, and humor in each other. It has its share of sexual innuendo and sarcastic insults (primarily between Eddie and Joy, who do a lot of bickering), as well as some other questionable language. But in between the arguments, it's clear that Eddie and Joy love each other as much as Jeff and Steph do, albeit differently.

At a time when divorce has become commonplace, 'Til Death reminds viewers that strong marriages still exist. They aren't always perfect or pretty, but they still represent two people's commitment to support each another through the highs and the lows ... 'til death do they part.