i just love this show!!!!!!!!!!
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The Black Donnellys
(Rated TV-14, Drama, Starring Jonathan Tucker, Billy Lush, Tom Guiry, Where to watch: NBC, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Revenge and loyalty drive violent NYC crime drama.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Black Donnellys
Parents need to know that even though this is a network show, the violence -- both depicted and alluded to -- is extreme, including kidnapping, assault, and murder. An example: One scene involves disposing of a body by stuffing it into a barrel; when it doesn't fit, the body is smashed with a sledgehammer until it does (the person wielding the weapon is seen with blood spatter on his face after each blow). While loyalty and the importance of family are central themes, the Donnelly brothers are involved in everything from gambling and petty theft to cold-blooded executions. Many scenes occur in a bar, and drinking and smoking are common. Some scenes include passionate kissing.
Read our full review by Sierra Filucci
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about family loyalty. What would -- and wouldn't -- you do for your family members? Would you commit a crime? Cover up someone else's crime? How would you deal with a family member who had problems with drinking, gambling, or crime? Families can also talk about how this show is similar to and different from big-screen crime dramas like The Godfather and The Departed. What can they do in the movies that they still can't do on network TV? Does stronger content (more swearing, more sex, even more violence) make crime stories more convincing? Why or why not?
Our Members Say
See all 13 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
really good tv show
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
I LOVE THIS SHOW!
I watch every week and love it more each week. I hope that NBC keeps it on for a very long time. GREAT SHOW!
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
Blacklist the Black Donnellys.
Don't waste your time watching this show, which focuses on a family of four brothers. One of the four has to think for all of them because the others are lamentably brainless. Every week three predictably get into big trouble, and big brother has to save them, even if that means knocking some sense into them. The violence is appalling and senseless; for four adult men supposedly standing up for each other's honor, violence seems to be the only method they know how to use. It also comes in handy when they commit crimes, which don't seem to conflict with the issues of honor. Stereotypical characters abound; the plots develop like re-runs of old hackneyed scripts. Television has much better to offer than this program.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
Definitely 17+, but entertaining for adults.
This show most definitely deals with violence on the streets of Hell's Kitchen, and therefore should be strictly for adults. With that said, I felt that this show had a great and promising storyline, with excellent writing. Anyone could have predicted this since the script is written by the writers and creaters of the award-winning movie "Crash." Although most of the storyline deals with organized crime and violence, there are sub storylines dealing with love and family loyalty that can be examined. All in all I felt that this show could go one to be that next Grey's Anatomy or Sopranos if given the chance, but should be shown at a time when children are not normally watching TV and with the correct TV ratings.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
keeps me wanting more.
I love this show. It does have mature content, but it is about time. I honestly hope NBC keeps this one because I am so tired of cut and dry drama. This show keeps you on the edge of your seat and this might be the first time that I have ran to my computer to check the previews for next week. Bravo, NBC! Finally, good television.
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