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Crumbs (ABC)

common sense media says

Sarcastic humor isn't for everyone; know your kid.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Suzanne Crumb has been released from a psychiatric hospital for running over her cheating husband, who is having a baby with a much younger woman. She's dependent on her medication and makes outlandish threats about killing her ex-husband or adopting her own young child. One of her sons is a closeted homosexual and fears his family won't accept him, but he won't accept himself, either. The two brothers fight constantly and exchange insults regularly.

Positive messages: Nobody behaves in a particularly admirable way.
Violence: Mom pulls gun on Dad (it turns out to be fake), Mom runs Dad over with a car offscreen, some physical comedy.
Sex: Homosexual references/a closeted character, the father has a baby with a much younger woman and brags about it.
Language: Light use of "hell," "crap."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Psychiatric meds for the mother.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Crumbs

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the eccentricities of the Crumb family. Do your kids know any families that are this dysfunctional? When are family problems funny? What's the benefit of finding humor in life's hardships?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The Crumb family -- mother Suzanne (Jane Curtain), father Billy, and sons Jody and Mitch (Fred Savage) -- is in the middle of a major transition: After a messy separation between Suzanne and Billy Crumb, younger son Mitch, who has failed at becoming a writer in LA, comes home to assist in picking up the pieces. Jody has remained at home running the family business, and is full of resentment for his returning little brother. Like most adult siblings living in their parents' home, Jody and Mitch have retreated back to acting like children -- exchanging insults and even an occasional punch in the arm. Despite their bitter and strained relationship, Suzanne and Billy still care about each other, and often try to make each other jealous. When Billy finds out that Suzanne was dating the orderly from her psychiatric ward, Billy has him fired.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This show's quirky humor may appeal to older kids, but not every parent will appreciate this type of sarcastic and sometimes mean-spirited humor or find it appropriate for children. Is it funny that the mother hit the father with a car and ended up in a psychiatric hospital? Families will need to make that decision for themselves.

Regardless of how they feel about the edgy premise, viewers will agree that there are elements of the show that simply don't work -- the awkward laugh track comes to mind. Critics have written off the program as a knock-off of Arrested Development -- which is a fair assessment. Still, families who enjoy sarcastic family comedies may find some value in this show.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: ABC
Cast: Eddie McClintock, Fred Savage, Jane Curtin
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: ABC
This review was written by Jill Murphy
 
 

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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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