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Bored to Death

(Rated TV-MA, Comedy, Starring Ted Danson, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Schwartzman, Where to watch: HBO)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Lots of drinking and drug use in quirky cable comedy.

Themes in this show include:   friendship

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Jonathan is hoping to reinvent himself -- and perhaps cure his writer’s block -- by becoming a private detective. He gets credit for trying something unconventional and for stepping into potentially dangerous or embarrassing situations, but the circumstances are often cringe-worthy.
  • Role models:

    None of the main characters is much of a role model. Jonathan chooses liquor over his girlfriend when she gives him an ultimatum and then obsessively mopes about their breakup. His friend George seems to be interested in getting high and meeting women -- in that order. And his other friend, Ray, whines constantly about his sex life.
  • Violence:

    Some fistfights and arguments. The main character is anything but a bruiser, and the fight scenes typically involve few blows and end quickly, with him on the losing side.
  • Sex:

    Frequent references to sex, but no real on-screen action. One woman appears in a bra and bound to a bed, but not for any explicitly sexual reasons.
  • Language:

    A fair bit of swearing. It’s not excessive but does include unbleeped use of “s--t,” “a--hole,” and “f--k.”
  • Consumerism:

    Not too many references to specific products. The main exception is the online classified service Craigslist, which plays an important role in the series.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Plenty of drinking and drugs. The main character is a borderline alcoholic, and his beverage of choice is white wine, though he sometimes drinks other things. He also smokes pot regularly, and one of his friends is constantly asking him to come over and bring him a joint or three.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bored to Death

Parents need to know that this quirky HBO comedy about a nebbishy novelist who decides to moonlight as a private detective is aimed at adults but is likely to interest teens thanks to stars Zach Galifianakis and Jason Schwartzman. The cases are unexceptional, but the job frequently forces the meek writer into new (and often entertaining) situations. His two best friends are a comic book artist who complains constantly about his sex life and a magazine editor who craves pot. Expect plenty of drinking (the main character is a borderline alcoholic) and marijuana use, a good bit of unbleeped swearing (including "f--k" and "s--t)", and lots of talk about sex, though there's not much on-screen action.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about addiction. Do you think Jonathan is an alcoholic? How does he justify his need to drink? Does he seem like a “typical” alcoholic? Is there such a thing? Does George seem like a drug addict?
  • How does this show compare to other pay-cable comedies? What makes these series different from network sitcoms?
  • What does a real P.I. actually do? Movies have made it seem like a glamorous, exciting profession, but this show paints a different picture. Which do you think is closer to reality?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    awsome

    this show is funny as hell watch it love it

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