 | 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. |
Anger Management
Common Sense Media says
Sheen comedy has drinking, innuendo, stereotypes.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Anger Management is a comeback vehicle for actor Charlie Sheen -- whose inability to deal with his own anger issues made headlines -- and features decidedly adult humor, including strong (and sometimes crude) sexual references, drinking (hard liquor, beer, wine, etc.), and lighthearted discussions about violent acts, including murder. Stereotypes about inmates, homosexuals, and other people are frequent. It's not intended to be taken seriously, but it does offer a message about the importance of keeping one's anger in check, and the potential consequences not doing so can have. The Trojan brand is prominently visible.
What's the story?
The comedy series ANGER MANAGEMENT stars controversial actor Charlie Sheen as Charlie Goodson, a successful anger management therapist who works with patients to get their tempers under control. After derailing his baseball career thanks to his inability to control his anger, he now runs a private practice helping a colorful group of patients including Ed (Barry Corbin), Nolan (Derek Richardson), and Patrick (Michael Arden). He also does pro-bono work at the local prison, where he works with inmates like Cleo (James Black) and Donovan (Darius McCrary). It's sometimes hard to keep his own emotions at bay, especially when he is also raising his sensitive 15-year old daughter Sam (played by Daniela Bobadilla) with his ex-wife Jennifer (Shawnee Smith). Luckily for him, best friend and therapist Kate Wales (Selma Blair) is there to support him.
Is it any good?
The series offers a chance for viewers to watch Charlie Sheen try to make a comeback after his notorious end run in Two and a Half Men by featuring him as a flawed-but-sympathetic character who is trying to help people struggling with their own emotional problems. But the connection between Sheen's past acts and his character's goals are just too obvious, which makes the entire premise feel both predictable and forced.
Thanks to sitcom veterans like Grace Under Fire's Brett Butler and Spin City's Michael Boatman, as well as Sheen's own comic style, the show does invite a few chuckles here and there. But its reliance on gay stereotypes, crude sex jokes, and lots of inappropriate behaviors to make it funny lead to a lot of stale punch lines. No doubt that the curious will tune in, but chances are that after a while, they will probably tune out.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about using humor as a way of addressing serious issues. Much has been made of Charlie Sheen's anger problems and inappropriate behavior in the media. Do you think this show is touching on some of the mistakes he has made? Or is it just a chance for the actor to make a comeback by poking fun at what he did?
Is there a connection between watching violence in the media and one's ability to manage his/her anger? Can the media be used to help people cope better with their emotions?
Why are stereotypes frequently used to elicit laughs among TV audiences? Is it appropriate to use them? How can you make something funny without relying on a generalization to do so?
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Teen, 13 years old
July 20, 2012
AGE
Disappointing
Disappointing. When I heard Charlie sheen would be back, I was excited, but he wasn't at his best in this show. It's not that funny, and the plot is retarded. If you want a good, funny comedy, watch two and a half men. Sheen at his best, and way better than this
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Teen, 13 years old
July 7, 2012
AGE
just and excuse for charlie sheen to stay in the weekly tv show buisness after being canned from two and a half men
i had high expectations for this show but i was dissapointed buy the cheesy two and a half men humor. there is some stereotyping and some language (like a**,q*eer,d*ck,b*tch,d*mn, and h*ll and some close to cuss words like crap
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Kid, 12 years old
July 22, 2012
AGE
Bad
Sex (PG-13)- Characters are obsessed with sex.
Language (PG-13)-Language such as d--k, h--l, d--n, a-s and b---h are used frequently.
Drinking (PG-13)- A character is an old drunk.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 6, 2012
AGE
Dissapointment
I do wish Charlie Sheen was still on 2 and a half men but he made his choices. But anyway. This new show is OK, it dissapointed me.If you are going to let your kids watch these kinds of shows, that aren;t helpful to their education then you should let them watch the old seasons of 2 and a half men.
It's got sex in it, drinking it, and it's too quick to know about consumerisim.
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Educator and Parent
November 24, 2012
AGE
the critics sucks most, they just wants clicks and visitors!!!
reading comments here i feel like u stupid are doing bad publicity maybe wanner bros pays u for this... anyways that show is amazing i am happy seeing him back.. and also they way u are expressing ur anger i think u need to take his Therapy too :P ha ha ha ha
for the record i rate THIS IS REALLY GOOD WITH FIVE STAR TO THE SHOW NOT UR STUPID THOUGHTS ABT HIS SHOW!!!
and for the record 2 and a Half man was and still the same sexual and drug involed in it ! ok.. so don't come up with stupid critics!!
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| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | FX |
| Cast: | Charlie Sheen, Selma Blair, Shawnee Smith |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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