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The Cleveland Show

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Sanaa Lathan, Seth MacFarlane, Reagan Gomez-Preston, Where to watch: Fox)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Raunchy animated Family Guy spin-off isn't for kids.

Themes in this show include:   family relationships

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Despite its raunchy tone/content and frequent reliance on race-based humor and other stereotypes, the show does have a sweet undertone thanks to Cleveland and Donna's relationship. The show also demonstrates how people can sometimes be blind to the obvious faults of others -- but if they can learn to stand up for themselves and see these people for what they are, they can find happiness with someone else.
  • Role models:

    Cleveland is an unlikely role model. Even though his parenting is dubious and he’s often focused on having sex or drinking beer, he is also a strong advocate for persistently pursuing your dreams -- even in the face of adversity.
  • Violence:

    Little explicit violence, though some characters do have guns, which sometimes go off accidentally for comic effect.
  • Sex:

    Frequent references to sex and sexual activities. A boy in elementary school drops his pencil on purpose as an excuse to look up the skirts of his classmates. Cleveland says he hopes to “get in a bit of petting” on a date. Another character says he wants to “touch boobs.” There’s no animated sex or visible cartoon genitalia, but couples do kiss, and Cleveland appears naked in the bath.
  • Language:

    Pretty raunchy for primetime animated fare, though that likely won’t come as a surprise for fans of creator Seth MacFarlane. Though none of the most explicit swear words are used, expect plenty of others, including “boobs,” “douche" (used as a put-down), “damn,” “jive-ass turkey,” “what the hell,” and others. The show also features many comments about race and plenty of references to sex.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Several characters often hang out at a bar drinking beer, and Cleveland and Donna sometimes drink wine at home.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Cleveland Show

Parents need to know that The Cleveland Show -- an animated spin-off of Family Guy -- is too racy for young kids. Creator Seth MacFarlane’s brand of humor is heavy on shock value -- as in sequences that seem to condone sexual harassment among elementary school students or encourage teens to ignore their parents' instructions -- and includes lots of over-the-top references to sex and drinking. The series is also rife with racially-tinged comments and other salty language (including words like "douche" and "boobs"). All of the edgy content unfortunately overwhelms the genuinely sweet message about love and family at the core of the show.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about raunchy humor. Many of the show's jokes tread very close to the line between outrageous and offensive. Do you find shows like this funny, or do they go too far? Who decides what "too far" is?
  • The show features repeated references to race and often includes jokes based on racial stereotypes. Is that kind of humor ever OK?

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Our Members Say

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See all 7 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Boring jokes, no substance

    Not McFarlane's best work. Family Guy is more insightful, sarcastic, and overall a better show. Some edgy material. For example, Cleveland and his friends dare their anamorphic bear friend, Tim, to reveal his privates in order for them to purchase him a steak. Some crude terms for body parts and mild language (d*mn, h*ll, crap, a*s, n*ts, b**bs, d**che, and gay) A bit ribald. Overall bland, but the plots can be interesting and it has its moments. Some cartoon blood and gore are shown. Although the parents are good parents to their children, so the role models are decent.

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    People take this way too seriously

    And these reviews including the one from CS prove it. Honestly, fans of Seth Macfarlane would know that Seth has always had racial humor. There's a reason it's shown during prime time. Family Guy's more appropriate? Anyone who says that has clearly never watched Family Guy. Anyway, this show's okay, but certainly not Seth's best. At least unlike Family Guy in its 4th season and onward, it TRIES to be original and hasn't gone downhill yet. (Hasn't lasted long enough anyway) Still, I think American Dad stands as the only good comedy from Seth these days as it's not just lol funny most of the time, it has its own humor.

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Love It!

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    the most rasict show ive ever seen. family guy is probably more appropriate.....better too

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Pretty good but family guy is a lot better

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