 | 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. |
The Addams Family (Live Action TV Series)
- Syndicated
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Kooky, spooky classic is still fun for tweens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this classic sitcom centers on a creepy but oddly charming nuclear family that enjoys the morbid side of life. Despite their ghoulishness, the Addamses are good, generous people who love and respect one another, and parents Morticia and Gomez demonstrate a true commitment to their children. Parents also need to know that this series reflects attitudes and behavior that were acceptable when it originally aired in the 1960s, including smoking, references to gun violence, and traditional gender roles. While some images may be scary for small children, overall the show is a good choice for tweens.
What's the story?
Based on the ghoulish characters first created by New Yorker magazine cartoonist Charles Addams, THE ADDAMS FAMILY is a classic 1960s TV sitcom that follows the Addamses, a tight-knit, fun-loving family whose idea of normal is all that's dark, bizarre, and grotesque. Heading up the family is playful, romantic Gomez (John Astin), a lawyer who enjoys cigars and blowing up model trains. He adores his beloved wife, Morticia (Carolyn Jones), whose pastimes are knitting and taking care of man-eating plants, and his children, morbid son Pugsley (Ken Weatherwax) and somber Wednesday (Lisa Loring). Rounding out the family are demented Uncle Fester (Jackie Coogan), hag-like Grandmama (Blossom Park), and loyal, Frankenstein-like butler Lurch (Ted Cassidy). The show's funny plot twists are often a result of misunderstandings between the kooky Addamses and those who aren't familiar with their freaky world.
Is it any good?
The Addams Family, which, at its foundation, is a macabre satire of the traditional American nuclear family, isn't so much scary as it is quirky, especially by today's standards. The characters are likeable and generous, and their behavior, albeit weird, isn't intended to cause harm. While some of the images may be a little strong for young children, the show is fine for tweens. (Just be sure to fill them in on why Gomez and Morticia smoke all the time without garnering a peep of protest from friends or family members.)
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the different kinds of families. Kids, do you know any families that are nice even though they're very different from you and your parents? What makes them different? Do those differences affect what you think of them? What other people think of them? Families can also discuss how values change over the years. What things do you notice characters in the show doing that aren't typically acceptable now? Why do you think that changed? What else has changed between now and 40 years ago (on TV and in general)?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Very Good
This is a very good show. I also like Munsters.
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Kid, 12 years old
March 21, 2011
AGE
Fun for everyone!
Seriously? 8 and up!? This is a family friendly classic for everyone no matter what age!
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AGE
This is a good family show for preschoolers (with parents watching) and up
Our kids age 4 and 6 really like this show. We have watched many episodes as children and now watch with our own kids. We have really found nothing objectionable except Gomez' smoking, but our boys know it is not safe to smoke and we have discussed it with them. They especially like the train wrecks.
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Kid, 12 years old
April 1, 2011
AGE
okay for mature tweens
there is too much sexy stuff gomez is always kissing mortica and trying to get closer to her other than that it is an amazing funny show
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Kid, 12 years old
November 16, 2011
AGE
eh
eh. its ok. I really think the humor is kinda bad
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| Topics: | monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Syndicated |
| Cast: | Carolyn Jones, Jackie Coogan, John Astin |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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