 | 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. |
Burn Notice
- Syndicated, USA
- Genre: Drama
Common Sense Media says
Snide spy cracks jokes and shoots kneecaps.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while this spy drama includes plenty of adult material, its tone is positive overall, and the good guys tend to beat the bad guys. Guns are plentiful and used frequently, and although violence isn't constant, it can be strong -- the main character shoots a drug dealer in the knee (with bloody results), a car is crashed intentionally, a group of guys beat up the main character and break his ribs, a boy punches and kicks bullies, and so on. There's some sexual tension between central characters, but it doesn't go much further than making out and some sexually tinged discussions. One semi-likeable character is a self-professed drunk, and another smokes cigarettes. Mid-level cursing ("bulls--t," "ass") is frequent.
What's the story?
When spy Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) is inexplicably fired, he decides to find out why. But first he has to use his tactical training to raise enough money to fund his investigation. BURN NOTICE (the term for "pink slip" in spy language) follows Michael through the bikini-speckled world of Miami as he takes on odd spying jobs, collaborates with friends and an ex-girlfriend (Gabrielle Anwar) -- all of whom may not be reliable -- and avoids his hypochondriac mother (Sharon Gless).
Is it any good?
Burn Notice is a lighthearted spy drama that combines thrills with laughs -- Michael's snide sense of humor takes the edge off the occasional bullet to the knee. Part nerd, part soldier, Michael definitely has a soft side, and despite his skill at breaking elbows, he prefers cleverness to brute strength ("Guns are stupid. Better to fight your wars with duct tape. Duct tape makes you smart."). That softer side plays a key part in how Michael approaches the cases he takes on. For example, in one episode he reluctantly takes a low-paying gig because he's desperate for the cash, but once he solves the case -- a rich bad guy is framing a working single dad -- he gives the job all he's got, even teaching the man's 8-year-old son how to battle the bullies harassing him at school.
Overall, Burn Notice is a lot of fun. It's got action, a unique lead character, and fun, MacGyver-esque techno-tricks. Despite some of the adult elements, teens should be able to handle most of the material. And even though Westen is capable of doing violent things, his heart is in the right place.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the media's portrayal of spies and private investigators. What kinds of laws do these characters break in TV shows and movies? Do you think it's OK to break the law if you're fighting for the good guys? Who determines who the "good guys" are, anyway? How can you usually tell who's good and who's bad in shows and movies? Is that very realistic?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Better than a lot of what is on TV
...for adults and mature teens. Bimbos in bikinis, a few bed scenes, and occasional violence. BUT overall is not a bad choice, especially when you compare it to MANY others on mainstream TV.
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AGE
good for adults
good for adults, not so great for kids
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AGE
Best show you will ever see.
I am obsessed! I would (and do) recommended it to everyone. There are guns galore, but Michael always tries to avoid violence. There is a supporting actor that is very pro violence, but in a funny way. There may be some mild sexual jokes, but they will go over most kids heads. And there are a few light swears (da*n), but they are few and far between. The good guys always win, and Michael aways does the right thing, helping the little guys for little or no compensation.
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AGE
A good show for responsible teens and tweens.
There is a lot of drinking, smoking, bikini-clad women, and some violence and swearing. However, I think it's a good show over all.
The characters *do* break some laws (such as stealing cars and setting up explosions), but it's similar to Batman or Spiderman. Vigilantism is illegal, and the superheroes do some damage in the course of their fights. The team rarely ever kills the bad guys, generally preferring to put them in jail or lightly injure them. They often help people in trouble, not unlike Angel. The swearing, violence, and other negatives are pretty tame compared to the majority of spy shows. Fiona is a fun, strong female character with an affinity for explosives. It's just a fun series that I'd rate PG or PG-13 if it were a movie. Mature kids have probably seen worse in their video games or movies.
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AGE
Great for Adults - Too violent For Kids
Wouldn't allow my kids to watch it, but fine for adults as the positive message is so strong -- others over self. The main stars try to use violence as little as possible and never kills people themselves -- the bad guys kill ruthlessly. The humor (Michael Weston disguises as numerous characters) helps take away the suspense and makes it different than your normal spy movie.
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AGE
Good for 12+
I love this show. Sometimes this can get intense but has good role models.
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AGE
its an awesome show.
I love to watch this show. I'm only 1 year away but its close. my b-day in feb. so then i'll be able too. I LUV THIS SHOW! GO MICHAEL!!!
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AGE
Great show Lorts of action and good spy stuff. Weston helps people who need help like Robin Hood
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AGE
Awesome Show, but Not for Young Teens
My family started watching this show since the first episode and we were hooked instantly!! It is the best out there as far as action/drama is concerned. Michael Weston is a burned spy who has been taken to Miami, Florida where he can be watched. While he tries to figure out who burned him, he takes on small jobs for the locals who find themselves in situations that are over their heads. Michael is also joined by his two friends, mom, brother, and whoever decides to join the gang. The humor is so much fun and the stories are interesting and actioned packed. The only bad things are the fact that Michael's bomb-happy girlfriend is one of his friends and well....that says it all. There are some inappropriate scenes and language. No F words, but there are others as well as blasphemy. There is violence and blood, but Michael tries not to kill anyone. I would recommend this to anyone who is 17 and older. GOD bless<><
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| TV rating: | NR |
| Networks: | Syndicated, USA |
| Cast: | Bruce Campbell, Gabrielle Anwar, Jeffrey Donovan |
| Genre: | Drama |
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