 | 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. |
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Common Sense Media says
Science prevails in mature, long-running crime procedural.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this popular crime show features strong doses of graphic violence, as well as lots of blood, drug content, and sexual situations. Although the series' focus is on solving crimes and seeking justice, the violence is sometimes gratuitous, including a notable emphasis on murdered women. Character development is much less important than depicting the crimes; as a consequence, the show lacks a certain emotional resonance. Plots focusing on unusual lifestyles are treated with respect.
What's the story?
Set against the flashy backdrop of Las Vegas, CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION follows a smart, good-looking crime lab crew as they use science and technology to solve the city's most gruesome crimes. Most episodes begin shortly before a victim is found dead, giving viewers a hint of what happened before the crime lab gets involved. Then the steel-stomached investigators arrive: Brainy, bug-obsessed Gil Grissom (William Petersen) is the original head of the team; former exotic dancer and single mother Catherine Willows (Marg Helgenberger) began the series as a supervisor and took over as boss when Grissom retired; and Warrick Brown (Gary Dourdan), Nick Stokes (George Eads), and Sara Sidle (Jorja Fox), Greg Sanders (Eric Szmanda) round out the rest of the cast. Rubber gloves, cotton swabs, fingerprint lifters, and keen senses play key roles in the initial evidence collection. Back at the lab, the crew tries to reconstruct the crime scene, testing theories against the evidence until the truth is revealed.
Is it any good?
Regularly staking out the top spot in the Nielsen ratings, CSI has had a broader affect on the real world. Universities across the country have seen an increase in enrollment in forensic science programs, and lawyers are finding that jurors are more familiar with DNA evidence and other forensic processes. This documented phenomenon is called "the CSI effect." People love the show because of its voyeuristic appeal; plus, no matter how bizarre the crime, the CSI team can always solve it, offering a satisfying conclusion each week.
The show's success has resulted in two CBS offshoots to date (as well as numerous imitators on other networks): CSI: Miami and CSI: NY. While both of these shows have strong followings, neither rises to the level of the original in casting, characterization, or complexity.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why the show repeatedly focuses on abuse against vulnerable people. Is this a reflection of reality?
How do kids feel when they see gory images, even in the context of scientific discovery?
What fascinates kids about the methods the investigators use to solve the crimes? Do you think the show's use of technology is realistic?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Not for my child
Right but I don't want to let Jason watch it while he's eating bcuz there gross in there but I Will see it for eleven or up.
The 4 words unbleeped: P--s, Fart and Turd and also T-ts in some episodes
the 7 words bleep: S--t, F--k, C-n-, C--k S--ker, M---ther Fker and T-t, T--t
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
13+
I love this show, but for younger kids no.
Really is Crime scene investigation so theres going to
be drugs death ect.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Love!
I have watched it since I was 10. Let me know whats out there in the world today.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Not the best for tweens and young teens
I personaly love this show since I am very much into anything involving local law enforcment and forensic scientists. I personaly have never been effected by dead bodies or gory scenes. I started watching CSI when I was 11. Most kids and teens however might be frightened or become uncomfortable watching some of the scenes. There are also some issues with language that parents might not approve of. Over all a lot of older teens and adults might enjoy this show but much younger than that and it might not be the best pick.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great T.V show, but not For Kids!
This is my favorite T.V show. Although there is not much actual violence (there is still enough to make the show TV-14) , there are gruesome and realistic depictions of dead bodies. Sometimes the killer kills someone after sex so there are a couple episodes with couples kissing passionately. NOT for kids.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
A good show with goot characters and role models telling kids not to do drugs, murder, etc.
While not being overtly violent, the gratuitous blood and gore will definately make some uneasy.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great show
Great show. Gruesome in every episode, but unless you're absolutely squeamish, it should be ok. Like House, Grissom has some personality issues. He gets threatened to get kicked off of many cases and does get kicked off of several. But, hey, no one is perfect. There are frequent sex-orientated crimes and drug-orientated crimes, but flip on the news, and you'll be looking at a less interesting, more depressing version of how people die.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
great crime show, middle school and up
I love this show! this is definitely a top crime show. but every episode does have violence that maybe iffy for kids 11-. there can be some sexual content but is generally not that bad. this can definitely scare kids 9-. but the detectives are good role models showing crime doesnt pay.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| TV rating: | TV-14 |
| Network: | CBS |
| Cast: | Gary Dourdan, Marg Helgenberger, William L. Petersen |
| Genre: | Drama |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
