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Absolutely Fabulous

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, Julia Sawalha, Where to watch: BBC America, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Bad behavior runs rampant in outrageous UK comedy.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    It's all played for humor, but Eddy and Patsy are unashamedly self-absorbed substance abusers who live unrealistically pampered lives. They lack emotion for family or friends, obsess over their appearance, and believe that the world revolves around them. The few more upstanding characters are often the brunt of jokes.

  • Violence:

    No violence, but physical comedy often includes pratfalls.

  • Sex:

    Patsy is obsessed with sex, so there's lots of talk about it, as well as slang references to body parts like "t-ts." Two main characters -- and a host of revolving players -- are homosexual, and there are plenty of quips at thier expense. Other sensitive topics like menstruation and menopause are treated with humor.

  • Language:

    Frequent, unbleeped use of "hell," "ass," "bitch," and "s--t."

  • Consumerism:

    The ladies are big fans of the finer things in life. Some products (mostly British) do appear.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Eddy and Patsy are smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs in nearly every scene. They wash down handfuls of unidentified pills with bottles of champagne and mixed drinks, they smoke like chimneys, and their perpetual drunken and/or stoned state is the main source of the show's humor.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Absolutely Fabulous

Parents need to know that the main characters of this popular '90s British sitcom never met a drink, cigarette, or drug they didn't like. From double-fisting mixed drinks to popping unidentified pills like candy, these women personify addiction, and their perpetual drunken/stoned state lays the foundation for the most of the show's laughs. Strong language is also fair game ("ass," "bitch," and "s--t" are common fare), as are sexual references and slang anatomical terms like "t-ts." The main characters are selfish, irresponsible, and judgmental toward strangers and family members alike. In other words, nothing about this show is age-appropriate for kids -- but adults and mature teens who can contextualize the ladies' bad behavior and grasp the humor in it will appreciate the series' racy comedy.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the messages kids receive about drugs and alcohol. Have you ever seen a show or movie that makes drinking, smoking, or drug use seem socially acceptable? How was the behavior addressed in the story? Did the character face any consequences for his or her actions? How realistic was the scenario? How are kids affected by what they see in the media, even if it's just in passing? How does the media (and other forms of peer pressure) affect your impression of what's right and wrong?
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