Arrested Development (Fox, Syndicated)
common sense media says
Brilliant, innovative comedy for mature viewers.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that despite its brilliance, this show isn't age appropriate for kids. The show features mature issues like lying, stealing, cheating, adultery, implied nudity, drinking, pill-popping, driving under the influence, prison breaks, kissing cousins, embezzling, illegitimate children, jokes at the expense of gay men, Christians, people of color, and the disabled, and all-around crooked behavior.
Positive role models:
Michael is presented as the Bluths' moral center, but even he can be dismissive of or hard on his family members in certain circumstances. Probably the most empathetic, likeable character is his son, George Michael. The other Bluths are by turns greedy, selfish, rude, criminal, oblivious, ignorant, or all of the above. They're not intended to be viewed as role models. Jokes are made at the expense of minority groups.
Violence:
Some comic pratfalls/slapstick (for instance, one character sports a hook after he loses his hand in a freak accident involving a seal).
Sex:
Plenty of innuendo, discussion of sexual activity, and subtly explicit jokes. One minor character repeatedly pulls up her shirt to reveal her chest, but it's all blurred out.
Language:
Casual use of words like "damn" and "hell," plus a fair number of bleeped words.
Consumerism:
Some intentional references to brands/products (including HBO and Showtime).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
One character is an alcoholic who also takes prescription drugs recreationally. Other characters drink/get drunk occasionally.
More on Arrested Development
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
docpainter
parent of 14 year old
parent of 14 year old
for the right tweener and older
My son, then 11, and I watched the whole series. Both of us really enjoyed it. I thought it was a bit dark but ok for him. It's very funny and well done.
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mooseman
adult
adult
Best comedy to ever grace network television with it's presence
This show is rife sarcasm, irony, wit, and character quarks. There are many references to sex and drugs, most of which will fly over most kids heads. This show is also full of terrible people who rarely take the opportunity redeem themselves. Even though the one genuinely good character is often morally conflicted, it's all in the name of humor. i would recommend this show for anyone 14 and up. By the way, canceling this show was Fox's biggest mistake.
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doryfloory
adult
adult
Not good for anyone.
It's just hairbrained and has no redemning qualities/
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greengray
parent of 18 year old
parent of 18 year old
Perfect for older teens.
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<flyboy>
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
BEST SHOW EVER
Hmm, interesting. I didn't even know it was TV-MA. I would have said TV-14. Anyways, every single episode of AD is hilarious, but if you don't watch it in sequence it might confuse you or not be funny to you. I can't wait for the AD movie. I heard all of the cast is coming back and the movie is currently in production and is expected to come out in 2009. Whats with TV-MA? COME ON!
Favorite Part:
(Takes off Disguise).
"I'm Gene Parmesan."
Lucille: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
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Arrested_fan99
adult
adult
Funnist Freakin show ever!!! (except maybe seinfeld)
This is a great show and why'll there is some sex and language the messege isnt that bad and it is not TV-MA it is actually Tv-PG(first season) and TV- 14 (second-third season) the cenccership is for commedic affect and they did not actually write a ton of bad words in it. so it is a great show for people 13+ and the jokes don't go over my head, and also on the dvd's the language is also censored for comedic affect
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cheesydude
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
BEST SHOW EVER!
BEST SHOW EVER! THIS IS MY FAVORITE SHOW BY FAR. IT'S REALLY FUNNY AND EVERYONE WOULD LOVE IT. BUT, IT GOT CANCELLED. BUT, THEY'RE MAKING A ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT MOVIE THAT I HAVE TO SEE
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Jesusrulz666
parent of 18 year old
parent of 18 year old
Arrested Greatness
This show is a dark comedy sitcom. Though it's very well done. The reason this isn't a family sitcom is because it shows all the characters, except George-Michael, deliberatly trying to ruin the lives of each other. I love it, it's funny, and very useful. 100,000,000 stars.
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calbearkid
adult
adult
Smart Comedy
I saw this show the first time it hit the air (03) and have loved it since. If your 13 year old can enjoy this hsow then congratulations: you've raised quite a culturally sophisticated kid. Some sexual humor but nothing to explicit. Swearing is bleeped for the most part. Great odd-ball characters.
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johnthemon
adult
adult
A fantastic show, for older teens.
Really hilarious show, but very subversive and edgy. Lots of sex jokes, and some very mature subject matter. Also, almost all of the characters are bad role models.
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laurlaurtothe4
adult
adult
Best tv show. very clever and and funny.
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mommygirl987654321
parent
parent
Positively Great in humor,not so much in content
This show is positively BRILLANT! My older kids love it as well as me. Even my 7 year old has seen and liked parts that were clean for her. However this show has several less-than appropriate and the olny "good" characters are Michael, George Michael, and(to an large extent)Maeby. Several bleeps, espicially from GOB.
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gbboone
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
OK For Teens and Older
I am 13 and I love this show! Some people may not understand some of it, but most teens will understand the main plot. And probably all adults will. Some messages are bad and I am concerned about getting drunk. There are some sex but it is mainly just references. Some messages may be inappropriate, but mainly from people besides the main character. Legal loopholes and getting around the law is an issue. But overall this is a good show for teens.
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Christc878
adult
adult
Satire at its best
This show is SATIRE, not real life, but really funny and creative. I am loving the DVDs of season 1 and 2. Too bad it was cancelled.
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KIdX13
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
The second funniest show I have ever seen!
This is a very funny show, it has alot of whit and charm that you don't find in many sitcoms these days, it dose have some issues though:
1. Some comic violence, but nothing graphic or frightening.
2. Some sexual conntent, nudity is blured out, Gob has sex wth many wemon, but all of it is implied, some other sexual jokes and refrences.
3. Language can be strong including:
sc--w, a-s, d--n, h--l, b--ch, F--k and S--t are bleeped though.
4. Some drug use and refrences.
So overall this is a very funny show for teens!
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cross_breed
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
I absolutely love this show! I'm borrowing the first season from my buddy right now. I'm about half way through and I'm positively addicted to it. When I watch it I can't stop laughing. This is the one show I think I would say is funnier than The Office. Content wise, it's really not bad. Like I said, I'm about halfway through the first season and I've only heard two f-bombs unbleeped, a couple bleeped words, and a few uses of words like d*mn and hell. There are some sexual themes: one character has romantic feelings for a relative, another for his brother's girlfriend, and several sleep around. The role models are really bad, as most are out for themselves and no one else. They lie, cheat, steal, many other bad things, however the overall theme, that family is very important, is a positive one. If you're over thirteen, this is a hilarious show.
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kid, 12 years old
An incredible show, but incredibly inappropriate!
Well, for starters, it is a shame this show got cancelled. This show was just hilarious. However, wholly inappropriate for anyone under the age of fifteen. The themes are very mature, but for mature viewers this show is such a treat. I've got to say, commonsense hit the nail on the head for this one. Know your kid. The language is frequent. Although the f**k's are bleeped over, it is still ver obvious what they are saying. There is A TON of sexuality, much too much for anyone under the age of fifteen. I suggest this show is appropriate for mature teens 15 and up.
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An incredible show, but incredibly inappropriate!
Well, for starters, it is a shame this show got cancelled. This show was just hilarious. However, wholly inappropriate for anyone under the age of fifteen. The themes are very mature, but for mature viewers this show is such a treat. I've got to say, commonsense hit the nail on the head for this one. Know your kid. The language is frequent. Although the f**k's are bleeped over, it is still ver obvious what they are saying. There is A TON of sexuality, much too much for anyone under the age of fifteen. I suggest this show is appropriate for mature teens 15 and up.
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kid, 11 years old
An incredible show, but incredibly inappropriate!
Well, for starters, it is a shame this show got cancelled. This show was just hilarious. However, wholly inappropriate for anyone under the age of fifteen. The themes are very mature, but for mature viewers this show is such a treat. I've got to say, commonsense hit the nail on the head for this one. Know your kid. The language is frequent. Although the f**k's are bleeped over, it is still ver obvious what they are saying. There is A TON of sexuality, much too much for anyone under the age of fifteen. I suggest this show is appropriate for mature teens 15 and up.
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