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Courting Alex (CBS)

common sense media says

Not as funny as it could be, and not for kids.

parents & educators say
See 1 review | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this show has a strong, professional female role model, but also has this same person jumping into a sexual relationship rather quickly.

Positive messages: Mostly decent, but some quick-to-bed action.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some innuendo, adult situations.
Language: Some "bitch" and "ass"-type profanity.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The main character's love interest works in a tavern.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Courting Alex

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about premarital sex. Is it ever ok? If so, after how many dates? Does it complicate things? How?

What's the story?

What's the story?
COURTING ALEX is Jenna Elfman's highly anticipated return to TV following her success in Dharma and Greg, in which she played a free spirit married to a strait-laced lawyer. In Courting Alex, Elfman has switched roles, now playing the strait-laced lawyer herself. Addicted to her job and various communication devices, Alex works at a law firm run by her father, Bill (Dabney Coleman). In the first episode, Alex is asked to strike a deal with cute tavern owner Scott (Josh Randall) and, in the process, develops some chemistry with him. The next few episodes follow Scott's courtship of Alex -- including their first kiss, their first date, and their first weekend together, which, although the timeline isn't clear, seemed to happen pretty quickly.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

What's great about this show is the strong role model found in Alex's character. She's a hard-working, driven, professional female, but she's also human, and the show does a decent job of displaying her faults, such as her inability to juggle too many things at once.

However, with so many new and innovative sitcoms on network TV these days, an old-school show with a laugh track really needs something extra -- something that's more of a departure from what we've been seeing for years. And unfortunately, Courting Alex just doesn't have it. The dialogue seems very forced and the plot seems rather canned.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: CBS
Cast: Dabney Coleman, Hugh Bonneville, Jenna Elfman
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: CBS
This review was written by Elisabeth Chaney
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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