 | 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. |
Austin & Ally
- Disney Channel
- Genre: Comedy
Common Sense Media says
Squeaky-clean musical series with platonic boy-girl friends.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series geared toward tweens centers on a positive relationship between a boy and a girl who bond over a shared love of music. Their friendship, which develops from an initial dislike of each other, is a good reminder that relationships with the opposite sex don't have to evolve into romantic intentions. The story itself is a bit far-fetched, thanks to the unlikely absence of adults to monitor the teens' unrestricted movements, and it does prompt thought about the role the Internet plays in assigning fame. On the whole, though, there's no reason to worry about the content, which often calls on silly sight gags and quirky characters for its laugh-a-minute comedy style.
What's the story?
AUSTIN & ALLY is a comedy series about polar-opposite teens who form an unlikely friendship through their mutual love of music. Fun-loving Austin (Ross Lynch) dreams of performing before adoring fans, but when it comes to writing songs, he lacks creativity. Serious and uptight Ally (Laura Marano) has a knack for expressing herself through the music she writes, but her shy nature keeps her from sharing her gift with anyone. When a chance encounter brings them together, they don't exactly hit it off, but then Austin strikes overnight Internet fame with a video of himself performing one of Ally's original songs, and they face off again. What begins as a contentious battle of wits softens into a friendship that just might help both of them follow their dreams.
Is it any good?
It's no secret that Disney favors fresh-faced young talents who can also carry a tune, and Austin & Ally's style is in perfect keeping with the likes of Hannah Montana, Lemonade Mouth, and Wizards of Waverly Place, all of which have spawned soundtracks and bolstered singing careers for their marketable stars. The star power is slightly diminished in this latest addition to the ranks, but Lynch and Marano do make a harmonic (if not exactly flashy) pair, which you can bet was Disney's intention. And while their friends are making beautiful music together, Austin and Ally's sparring sidekicks, Trish (Raini Rodriguez) and Dez (Calum Worthy), keep the mood light with their offbeat antics.
There's also merit to the story's statement about relationships, and kids will recognize how changing their perspective and giving each other a second chance led to the characters' successful partnership. Ultimately the story is rooted in a fantasy-filled and fairly sterile view of teen life, but it does present a healthy boy-girl friendship that encourages each partner to expand his or her horizons and isn't encumbered by the pressures of a developing romance.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about friendship. What character traits do you share with your friends? In what ways are you different from each other? Have you ever been surprised by a relationship you've developed with someone? How did it exceed your expectations?
Tweens: What are some of your life dreams? How do they relate to your hobbies or reflect your values? How likely is it that you could make a living doing something that you love? What would be the rewards of such work?
Have you ever felt that a TV show or movie was trying to sell you something? How does subliminal advertising work? Do you find yourself gravitating toward products that bear the names or faces of your favorite stars? Is there anything wrong with that?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Another Disney Show to Promote Music
This show is HORRIBLY predictable. It seems like Disney does not even try with the script anymore. I also don't like the premise of the show. Austin STOLE Ally's song, became famous from it and is now using her to be his songwriter. Admittedly, he did give her some credit on television while also causing her to have stage fright and embarrassing her. Finally, I hate how unrealistic the show is. It needs more adults, more purpose, and something realistic. Disney needs to quit focusing on promoting singers and music at the expense of the program.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 12, 2011
AGE
It should be Ally and Austin because Ally does all the work
When I saw the previews, I thought this was going to be one of those weird crazy and crudey dinsey shows. After I watched it, I decided that it wasn't that bad. The only thing that bugged me was that Austin STOLE Ally's song and TOOK ADVATAGE OF HER! He heard her song and claimed that he 'mistakenly' got the lyrics stuck in his head and then thought he wrote it! And then he posts a weird video of himself singing 'his song' and it went viral and he became really famous! Then he starts making Austin products to sell! Austin pressures Ally into becoming his songwriter! Then he makes her write songs for him each week, and she has to work and keep up with her own life and he starts getting mad when she doesn't have a song for him to perform! Austin is not a good role model.
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Kid, 10 years old
December 2, 2011
AGE
Austin And Ally
Austin And Ally is a okay show. Infact the only reason the show is okay is that I know it will be disappointing. The show includes the max crude humor that I think Disney Channel will have which why it will be a bad show. Sometime they will run out of story ideas and just keep crude humor and music basically with no big story. Overall Austin And Ally is a pretty fine show for now but won't turn out good later.
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AGE
Almost As Horrible As Shake It Up
This show just made me really disappointed. It's not inappropiate or anything like that, it just is horrible. Disney is nowadays all about ''I rock at music'', or ''I am the best dancer ever''!! What happened to the old Disney. You know, the good Disney?
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AGE
Seriously
Seriously seven whats wrong with it that a 5 year old cant see it and I agree they need a better script
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AGE
the show
this is a good show and this nothing like hanah :)
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Kid, 10 years old
December 16, 2011
AGE
AHHHHHHHHHHH! FELL IN LOVE WITH SHOW! BIGGEST FAN!
ok so this show is amazing. its very funny and its very cute with the relationship austin and ally have. its not bad in anyway.
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AGE
WORST SHOW EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the worst show EVER! I would have given it zero stars(if I could). Austin is a lazy insane kid,and Ally has to do all the work. If I were Ally I would slapped Austin in the face with a frying pan . THIS SHOW IS TEAHCHING KIDS TO BE LAZY AND IRRESPONSIBLE! This is stupid. Nickelodeon and disney don't care about how stupid thier shows are. As long as they get the $$$ their satisfied.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 9, 2011
AGE
good show
very funny
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| Topics: | friendship, music and sing-along |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Disney Channel |
| Cast: | Laura Marano, Raini Rodriguez, Ross Lynch |
| Genre: | Comedy |
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