Accidentally on Purpose

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Sitcom's premise hangs on consequences of casual sex.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that casual sex is the catalyst that jump-starts this sitcom about an unmarried female character in her 30s who gets pregnant and admits that, on more than one occasion, she didn't use protection. The show's jokes are heavy on sexual innuendo and body part humor, but language is mostly curse-free (although you will hear words like "hooker," "porn," etc.). There's also some social drinking. and a secondary character uses marijuana (off screen). The main role models are flawed but generally positive as they try to step up and act responsibly.

  • Although the show's premise is based on casual sex, overall it's about making the best of a tricky situation and stepping up to responsibility.
  • The main characters make serious mistakes, but at heart they're good people who try to do the right thing. Some secondary characters are less than exemplary.
  • Not applicable.
  • The show's premise is based on the main character getting involved in a one-night stand that leads to pregnancy, but nothing too graphic shown. You can expect lots of innuendo, sexual banter, and jokes about everything from body parts to masturbation.
  • Some sexually charged terms like "robot porn," "nipples," and "hooker."
  • Some casual references to brand names, like Skittles.
  • Characters occasionally drink to the point of cloudy judgment. A secondary character is assumed to smoke marijuana, though he isn't shown doing it.

What's the story?

On the rebound from a breakup with her boss, James (Grant Show), unmarried Billie (Jenna Elfman) jumps into bed with Zack (Jon Foster), a cute younger man she met at a bar. But she's hardly prepared for the unplanned pregnancy that results from the careless encounter ... which could have been ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE. Billie resolves to keep the baby and invites Zack, who has no place to live, to move in with her as a platonic houseguest. Meanwhile, James expresses second thoughts about getting serious.


Is it any good?

 

As far as sitcoms go, Accidentally on Purpose is entertaining enough, with some generally funny writing and a strong cast (although Foster, like his character, seems a bit green compared to his co-stars). Elfman lays it on thick with offbeat charm to create a satisfyingly quirky protagonist, and it's great to see Ashley Jensen (Extras) in a supporting turn as her ballsy gal pal. Lines like "He smelled like a Skittle; I feel like I tasted the rainbow" and "I prefer the term 'linx' or 'ocelot' [to 'cougar']" definitely work.

That said, some aspects -- including the premise of having your baby daddy living in your apartment long-term -- seem less certain. And what happens when the baby comes along?


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the real-life consequences of casual sex  -- including
    pregnancy, parenthood, and a complete change of lifestyle. Are there different complications when it comes to teen pregnancy? Why do some movies and TV shows portray unplanned pregnancies as funny?

  • What do you make of Billie's choices? What do you think about Zack's commitment to be a part of the baby's life? Are either of them ready for parenthood? What makes someone a good parent?

  • Who's the show's target audience? How can you tell?


This review was written by Kari Croop
Parent of 10 and 12 year old
April 9, 2010
 
Not for kids at all
I personally like the show. However it is not appropriate for kids before High School. Very sex oriented.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 15 years old
April 23, 2011
 
Hilarious, if you are mature enough...
I loved the show. I bought the first season and still watch it. I was very sad to see it cancelled. I watched it at age 13 (7th Grade). Some scenarios and dialogue are racy, but its nothing you don't hear at school. It was a clever show with great casting.

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Kari Croop
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:CBS
Cast:Grant Show, Jenna Elfman, Jon Foster
Genre:Comedy

This review was written by Kari Croop
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you see Accidentally on Purpose?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it