Twenty Good Years - TV-14

Positive comedy about starting life at 60.

TV Rating: TV-14 Network: NBC Cast: John Lithgow, Jeffrey Tambor, Heather Burns Genre: Comedy
Available on: Download

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this sitcom follows two men coping, with varying degrees of success, with the changes that come as they turn 60 -- including grandparenthood, widowhood, and retirement. The show's overall message is a positive one about living life to its fullest at any age. Parents also need to know that the series deals with some mature subject matter that may rule it out for younger viewers, including artificial insemination and single motherhood. The show also contains some innuendo and homosexual references, most of which is likely to go over kids' heads.

Families can talk about how society views and treats people over the age of 60. What are our expectations of people we view as "senior citizens"? How have those expectations changed over the decades as life expectancy and health have increased and 60 has become "the new 40"? Overall, does our society treat its elders with respect or neglect? Families can also talk about close friendship and family relationships. Do you have friends that you think you'll "grow old with"? Which of your family members have made interesting or different choices when deciding how to live their lives?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Melissa Camacho

It doesn't break any new ground in the world of sitcomdom, but TWENTY GOOD YEARS is still an amusing comedy about two best friends trying to restart their lives after turning 60.

The series, which is sort of a modern-day take on TV classic The Odd Couple, revolves around Dr. John Mason (John Lithgow) and Judge Jeffrey Pyne (Jeffrey Tambor), who have both spent the greater part of their lives becoming well-respected members of their community.

When John is forced into early retirement, he realizes that he needs to find a way to live an exciting, rewarding life during the 20 or so good years he figures he has left. Not wanting to begin this journey alone, the excitable, spontaneous John actively recruits the safe, reserved Jeffrey to help find new ways to live life to its fullest. Jeffrey, who's been mourning the death of his beloved wife for years, finds himself inspired by John's idea of doing something every day that scares them.

While trying to recapture their youth, the pair must also cope with the choices their children have made. John's level-headed daughter, Stella (Heather Burns), is a single mother, while Jeffrey's son, Hugh (Jake Sandvig), has left college to become a male model. The men also find themselves thinking about their past decisions, including John's three failed marriages and Jeffrey's decision to end a three-year relationship.

While John and Jeff's plans and projects are sometimes over the top, overall, Twenty Good Years presents a positive message about friendship, love, and living life to the fullest. What's more, it sheds light on issues not typically addressed by network TV -- namely, that plenty of "senior citizens" are vibrant and adventurous, even though society often fails to treat them as important, active members.

Fans might also like Frasier, The Golden Girls, and the movie City Slickers.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Some sexual innuendo, including homosexual references, many of which will go over the heads of young viewers. Both characters are briefly seen wearing only skimpy bathing suits (humorous rather than sexual). John is a womanizer (he's had three failed marriages).
Violence Some minor pushing and shoving between the feuding friends. Jeffrey's girlfriend slaps both John and Jeff across the face.
Language Mild: "Damn," etc.
Message
	Social Behavior Positive messages about living life after 60. Strong focus John and Jeff's close friendship. Both men have children whom they clearly love.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Adult consumption of wine and hard liquor.