See more TV reviews

Cuts (UPN)

common sense media says

Sly, cutting humor lacks luster in adult comedy.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, on the upside, this series has black and white characters interacting regularly as friends and family, and characters are often ribbed across color lines. But characters are also (less-successfully) mocked across gender-role lines, with many jokes based on traditional stereotypes: Ridicule is heaped on men who are gentle or affectionate, women who are anything other than sexy, and anyone who doesn't fit neat models of "attractive" perfection.

Positive messages: Lots of comic put-downs, homophobia played for laughs, and male/female gender role stereotyping.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Innuendos fly freely and often play on stereotypes.
Language: Mild profanity, including "damn," "big-ass," and "slutty."
Consumerism: Verbal references to products as status symbols.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Frequent social drinking; references to partying and the fun of drunkenness.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Cuts

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why so few TV shows and movies have truly interracial casts. How accurate is Hollywood's reflection of real life, both in terms of race and gender roles? Also, when and how is it okay to make jokes about ethnicity, gender roles, and similar topics? What makes a joke offensive? How do you know you've gone too far? Why do you feel OK about making a joke around certain people, and not around others?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Spun off from UPN's successful One on One, CUTS is meant to be sharp in the conflict-ridden style of Moonlighting or Cheers. But Cuts puts a new spin on the formula: Kevin is black and Tiffany is white, which opens up a world of back-and-forth banter across racial lines. Mismatched in almost every way, former hairstylist-to-the rap stars Kevin Barnes (Marques Houston) and spoiled rich girl Tiffany Sherwood (Shannon Elizabeth) have to get along now that they're co-managing his family's former barber shop -- which her family now owns. In the shop -- which Tiffany is gradually turning into a hot urban day spa -- Kevin and Tiffany are surrounded by manicurist Candy (Shondrella Avery), womanizing hairstylist Walt (Rashaan Nall), chubby barber Ace (Edward "Grapevine" Fordham, Jr.), and eccentric stylist Faith (Beatrice Rosen).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Unfortunately, the leads lack the kind of chemistry required to make this premise work. Additionally, plot lines are often predictable. But status, usually determined by how sexually attractive or rich the characters are, is an ongoing theme. Wherever they go -- work, bars, business meetings -- women show plenty of cleavage, want men to have money, and make references that equate a man's visible body parts or height to less apparent aspects of his "size." Men who have brief bonding moments with each other are ridiculed by others as "such women." A well-groomed man is likely to gesture flamboyantly and have a high voice, while one on the edge of the law might be said to be "one court date away from being sold for a pack of cigarettes."

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: UPN
Cast: Marques Houston, Shannon Elizabeth, Shondrella Avery
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: UPN
This review was written by Brenda Kienan
 
 

Review It

 

Review Cuts

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see Cuts?

Won't miss it
We'll try
Change it

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more TV
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines