 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
According to Jim
Common Sense Media says
Predictable family comedy, but better than some.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this comedy is about as tame a family sitcom as one will find on television today. There are references to sex, but they tend to be in the comedic context of the main married couple. Most characters are white.
What's the story?
ACCORDING TO JIM puts a twist on the traditional family. She's a stay-at-home mom with their three precocious children, and he's the family's breadwinner -- but there's no question who's more modern. Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith) is continually challenging Jim's (James Belushi) old-fashioned, traditional ways of doing just about everything. This may not be the first sitcom with this twist, but due to the great casting of Belushi as the construction business-owner dad and Thorne-Smith as the clever modern mom, it works. Don't expect According to Jim to tackle thought-provoking topics, but it's light, funny, and provides one show on television today that a family with teens can watch together without flinching.
Is it any good?
The supporting cast adds extra wackiness to the family dynamic. Cheryl's sister, Dana, played by Kimberly Williams-Paisley, is a high-strung Type A who is climbing the ladder in her career but will always throw in her two cents on what's going wrong in this family. Andy, Cheryl's brother, played by Larry Joe Campbell, is a partner in the design/building business and confidante in many of Jim's antics. Belushi and Campbell expertly use their physical comedic skills and timing to enhance their characters' boyish personalities and the show's slapstick, silly plot lines.
Despite Jim's antics and Cheryl's strong opinions, the bottom line is that their marriage is based on love and respect. This is a marriage that will last. If you're looking for a show to watch with adolescents that's relatively benign and at times gives you a chuckle, here it is. It's an opportunity to learn about a family made up of different personalities and ideas about life who live together, laugh together, get through the day together, and somehow or another make it through in one piece.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about whether or not the family dynamic presented here is realistic. Are situation comedies supposed to mirror real-life situations or merely serve as an escape? They could also talk about why family comedies like this show are so predictable.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
I was really disappointed not just by this show, but by the CSM review of it. All the main characters are white. Yes, the review mentions this in passing, but then disregards it. It certainly doesn't challenge any gender roles- the "man of the house" and his decisions generallly over-rule his wife's. In short, while there may be nothing inherently offensive about it to a mainstream audience, Life According to Jim only reinforces traditionally sexist, borderline racist views. I also found it predictable and unentertaining. Not worth watching.
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AGE
Funny, but inconsistent
I enjoy watching "According to Jim", but this show is inconsistent with content appropriate for family viewing. Some episodes are clean enough to give the impression that this show is family-friendly, while others (like the ABC finale "Cabin Boys") are iffy enough to make this show look like the next "Married with Children". If you plan on letting little ones watch "Jim", I would definitely preview the episode before letting them watch. If you're a "Jim" fan, look out for the remaining episodes of season 8 in syndication.
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AGE
Predictable, Which Is A Good Thing
The CSM review said the show was "predictable". In today's world of shock television, that's a good thing. According To Jim portrays a healthy family relationship and pokes fun at married life. While the show wouldn't interest younger viewers, you don't have to change the channel if they're in the room.
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AGE
Good, solid entertainment
good, positive, light-hearted family fun. Pre-teens can learn life lessons; adults can get decent ideas of respect and family affection.
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AGE
one of the best shows and sitcoms ever. Jim Belushi is hilarious.
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AGE
A perfect family show
Way better than Kings of Queens
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AGE
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!!!!!!
this is my favorite show and is one show that the whole family enjoys to watch and is definitely entertaining
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AGE
Pretty good show
I watch it and think it is pretty funny.
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AGE
HILARIOUS SHOW!
This show is HILARIOUS! But it's not for anyone under 9 because of language and sexual references. But it also shows how much the family loves each other and pokes fun at it.
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| TV rating: | TV-PG |
| Network: | ABC |
| Cast: | Courtney Thorne-Smith, James Belushi, Kimberly Williams-Paisley |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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