Up All Night

Review

Common Sense Media says

Parenting sitcom has relatable messages for families.
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 this sitcom has adult dialogue that references sexual topics like "doing it" and "making out," and couples are affectionate (kissing, embracing in bed) with each other on screen. Salty language ("ass," mostly) is occasional, although most of the rough stuff -- like "f--k" and "s--t" -- is bleeped. The show is best appreciated by adults who will identify with the characters' struggles with new parenthood, but its themes about open communication, respect, and healthy relationships are worthy of teens' time, too. Watch out for examples of drinking as a coping mechanism, and use the instances to talk with your teen about the real-life consequences of alcohol use.

  • Positive messages3
    The series paints a fairly realistic picture of the struggles of modern parents balancing the demands of work and family. The stay-at-home dad and working mom challenge stereotypical gender roles, although the issues that they face (division of labor in the home, self-doubt, and feeling lost in their new parental roles) transcend the change. Recurring themes include conflict resolution, communication, and the evolution of relationships.
  • Positive role models2
    Reagan and Chris aren't perfect as parents or partners, but they recognize their mistakes and work together to improve their situation. Their love for their daughter and commitment to family life take priority, even when that puts them in awkward situations with an employer or with friends. They do succumb to the pressures of parenthood, though, and are known to drink to cope.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex2
    Married couples are seen cuddling in bed, and men walk around shirtless. Sexy talk includes references to "doing it," "making out," and dressing "slutty" to appeal to a partner. Couples kiss, and brief same-sex kissing is played for humor.
  • Language3
    Most of the salty stuff is bleeped, including "f--k," "damn," and "s--t." "Ass" is audible, along with marginal language like "screw" and "pissed."
  • Consumerism1
    Clips from and references to other NBC shows like Today and Ellen are sometimes incorporated into the storyline.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    Adults often drink beer, wine, and mixed concoctions to unwind, and in some cases, overindulgence affects their behavior and causes hangovers the next day. A main character's habitual drinking is played for humor and has little consequence.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

UP ALL NIGHT stars Christina Applegate as Reagan Brinkley, a new mom who's trying to juggle the demands of parenthood, family life, and a successful career. Reagan and her husband, Chris (Will Arnett) -- who gave up his law career to stay home and raise their daughter -- are the poster parents for the modern family, and with no how-to manual to guide their way, they're just making it up as they go. Balancing their new roles as parents with their nostalgia for their pre-baby days makes for some rough patches, and the nagging demands of Reagan's eccentric boss, Ava (Maya Rudolph), further complicate the Brinkleys' life transition.

Is it any good?

 

Parenthood and comedy go together like peanut butter and jelly in the TV world, and many a sitcom has relied on the follies of child-rearing for staying power on the tube. Up All Night's talented cast helps viewers overlook its recycled premise, and modern families will appreciate that it shakes up the traditional family make-up by making Mom the breadwinner and Dad the homemaker. There's also an honesty to the content that reflects the issues that real families face, giving grown-ups a chance to chuckle over woes to which they likely can relate.

 

Teens might get a kick out of some of the scenes -- particularly those featuring Rudolph's outrageous portrayal of an Oprah-esque, co-dependent TV personality with larger-than-life dreams -- but it's really meant for those viewers who can identify with Chris and Reagan's predicament. If teens do watch, though, they'll come away with the sense that although life is never perfect, the journey is worthwhile when love and communication exist within the family structure.

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 struggles they face. Is it difficult to balance school, work, hobbies, and family time? How do you ensure you're giving proper attention to every aspect of your life? What routines in your household help keep you on track?

  • Teens: How is drinking portrayed in this show? Does it have a positive or negative connotation? Is it OK for such a serious issue to be a source of humor on TV?

  • What qualities are important in a healthy relationship? How can outside factors affect a relationship? How do you foster your own friendships or connections with loved ones?

This review was written by Emily Ashby
Adult
October 3, 2011
AGE
12
 
great
well me and two of my siblings love this show and think it is just so funny and it is not all that dirty either so you may could even watch as a family
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (10) | Read my mind (9)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
September 17, 2011
AGE
2
 
please read i wnt to make a difference for kids my age
ok i really want to get the message out about make a child smile please post everywhere the rating i made is for make a child smile im making flyers and posting here youtube even going to make a phone forward makeachildsmile.org is a great way to make very very sick kids smile with cards toys etc thanks for reading hope you get the word out and volunteer this is the first time i have ever seen anyone doing this for the website and i really want to get it out thanks=)
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (8) | Had useful details (8) | Read my mind (8)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Emily Ashby
TV rating:TV-14
Network:NBC
Cast:Christina Applegate, Maya Rudolph, Will Arnett
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by Emily Ashby
 

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.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More funny glimpses of family life
For kids who love comedy
Browse more TV
 

vote now

Will you see Up All Night?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it