Family TV Handpicked by Our Editors

Planet Earth
Age 6+
5

Planet Earth

Why We Recommend It

This stunning high-def series spotlights world wonders and opens kids' eyes to the wilds of nature.

Read our full review
Baffled by TV ratings? Don't give up!

Industry TV ratings aren't much help when it comes to finding good family TV. It's hard to translate television ratings that look like a string of letters into good choices, and the TV ratings themselves aren't so reliable when you realize that the people who make the shows provide the ratings. So whatever your concern -- sex, violence, or all the ads -- our TV ratings help you find age-appropriate shows and manage the messages that our kids get from them.

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Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (ABC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this series, which is hosted by British chef/TV personality Jamie Oliver, promotes good eating habits and better food education at home and in school cafeterias. While his overall mission is a positive one, some viewers might find ... read more

Age 10+
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
4
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Ugly Americans (Comedy Central)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult-oriented cartoon relies on shock value and sexual humor for laughs, making it an iffy choice for older teens who might glean some questionable messages from its admittedly ridiculous premise. Expect lots of crude language ... read more

Age 15+
Ugly Americans
2
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Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too (Oxygen)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult-oriented dating competition is only slightly less horrible than The Bad Girls Club, the reality trainwreck that spawned it and includes confusing messages about relationships and love. Prepare for physical violence between ... read more

Age 16+
Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too
2
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TRANSform Me (VH1)
Parents Need to Know...

that this makeover series -- in which a trio of transgendered fashionistas transform a woman's look -- involves a fair amount of discussion of the trangender experience, including some brief, though frequent, conversations about the ... read more

Age 13+
TRANSform Me
3
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The Celebrity Apprentice (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this version of Donald Trump's famous reality show -- which features celebrities competing for cash to donate to their favorite charitable organizations -- contains more iffy content than its predecessor. While it sends positive ... read more

Age 14+
The Celebrity Apprentice
3
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Sons of Tucson (Fox)
Parents Need to Know...

that there are some iffy messages here for a show that seems to be targeting kids and their parents, including the central premise that kids can largely take care of themselves without any adults around. The brothers' desire to stay ... read more

Age 13+
Sons of Tucson
2
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Minute to Win It (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show focuses on individual competition, simple games with everyday objects, and good, clean fun. In other words, it’s tailor-made for families and manages to entertain viewers of all ages. The host encourages viewers to ... read more

Age 8+
Minute to Win It
4
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The Pacific (HBO)
Parents Need to Know...

that this powerful World War II drama, which follows a group of soldiers through the island-hopping campaign in the Pacific theater, includes realistic battle scenes that are quite intense, and show the confusion and terror of combat, as ... read more

Age 16+
The Pacific
4
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Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty (VH1)
Parents Need to Know...

that this reality series, which is hosted by singer/actress Jessica Simpson, looks at the different ways women around the world think about and pursue outer beauty. The show occasionally features women who have been physically hurt by ... read more

Age 12+
Jessica Simpson's The Price of Beauty
3
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The Guard (ION)
Parents Need to Know...

that this drama about members of the Canadian Coast Guard follows all the standard formulas for high-stakes rescue dramas. There’s plenty of life-or-death action when the characters are on duty, and plenty of personal drama when they ... read more

Age 14+
The Guard
3
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Pay It Off (BET)
Parents Need to Know...

that this game show -- which is geared towards the African-American community and features contestants trying to win money to pay off their debts -- includes contestants' life stories, which sometimes involve divorce or other hardships. ... read more

Age 10+
Pay It Off
3
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Pretty Wild! (E!)
Parents Need to Know...

that this voyeuristic reality series, which centers on a former Playboy model and her three uninhibited teenage daughters, is drawing a lot of attention thanks to the unexpected criminal charges filed against one of the young women. It ... read more

Age 14+
Pretty Wild!
1
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High Society (CW)
Parents Need to Know...

that they'll be hard-pressed to find any positive role models -- or messages, for that matter -- in this label-heavy reality series that celebrates the empty lives of selfish socialites. And if that isn't enough to give you pause, there's ... read more

Age 15+
High Society
2
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Pink Panther and Pals (Cartoon Network)
Parents Need to Know...

that this updated version of the 1960s classic cartoon The Pink Panther is a fun choice for kids. The show has its fair share of cartoon-style violence (explosions, crashes, knocks to the head, for instance), but the tone is light and ... read more

Age 5+
Pink Panther and Pals
4
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Who Do You Think You Are? (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this fascinating series celebrates family ties, the indominatable human spirit, and the inherent similarities within the human race. In other words, it’s a great choice for families of tweens and teens and might just inspire you ... read more

Age 10+
Who Do You Think You Are?
4
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Life (Discovery Channel)
Parents Need to Know...

that this stunning high-def series narrated by Oprah Winfrey is an excellent educational choice for families. The breathtaking tour of the world’s diverse animal populations is a fascinating journey for all ages, and it inspires a deep ... read more

Age 6+
Life
5
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The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice (ABC Family)
Parents Need to Know...

that the developing relationship between Alex and James in this TV movie makes for plenty of innuendo and some sexual content. One scene shows the young couple engaged in a game of strip poker, which (predictably) ends with both of them ... read more

Age 14+
The Cutting Edge: Fire & Ice
3
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The Marriage Ref (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that some of the disagreements up for debate in this game show aren't kid-friendly, such as an ongoing argument between a husband who wants to install a stripper pole for a little fun in the bedroom and his wife, who adamantly refuses. ... read more

Age 13+
The Marriage Ref
2
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Madman of the Sea (Animal Planet)
Parents Need to Know...

that this ocean adventure reality series features extreme fishermen engaging in some dangerous stunts. Viewers are warned (and rightly so) that they should never try these stunts themselves, but the show sends some problematic messages ... read more

Age 13+
Madman of the Sea
2
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Parenthood (NBC)
Parents Need to Know...

that this show concerns a large extended family -- including grandparents and some young children -- but the focus is squarely on the problems of adult characters in their 30s. Kids are central to the plot, but that doesn't mean it's ... read more

Age 13+
Parenthood
4
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If I Can Dream
Parents Need to Know...

that this earnest online reality series -- which features five twentysomethings trying to break into the entertainment industry -- connects viewers with the show's website that streams nonstop footage of cast members at home. Sometimes ... read more

Age 13+
If I Can Dream
3

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Common Sense Media's tv reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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