Denise Richards: It's Complicated

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Voyeuristic reality series isn't meant for kids.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while this reality series -- which follows actress Denise Richards as she attempts to rebuild her life after her mother's death and her own much-publicized divorce from Charlie Sheen -- includes some discussion of family and motherhood, it's more focused on Richards' attempts to revitalize her love life and rebuild her career. Conversations about men are frequently full of sexual innuendo (including crude references to male genitals), and Richards is sometimes seen in her underwear, modeling bikinis, and even completely naked (though no private parts are actually shown). There's also some social drinking and a fair amount of strong language, though curse words like "dick" and "f--k" are bleeped.

  • While the show has some positive messages about family and parenthood, much of the focus is on Richards' previous marriage, her dating life, and living a celebrity lifestyle.
  • Richards occasionally yells at tabloid photographers.
  • Some strong innuendo, including crude references to male genitals. Richards is seen in skimpy bikinis/underwear; she's also shown getting undressed and standing naked to get sprayed with sunless tanner (though no sensitive parts are shown). She goes on dates. Her pet pigs are shown mating; Richards refers to their genitals as "corkscrews."
  • Audible language includes words like "ass" and "hell." Stronger words, like "dick," "a-- hole," and "f--k," are bleeped.
  • The show is an obvious promotional vehicle for Richards.
  • Some visible wine drinking.

What's the story?

DENISE RICHARDS: IT'S COMPLICATED follows actress Denise Richards as she begins rebuilding her life after her mother's death and her own much-publicized divorce to actor Charlie Sheen. Helping her along in the process is her father, Irv, who moved in with Richards and her two young daughters after his wife's passing. Things are complicated by the pressure that Richards' sister Michelle and other well-intentioned friends place on her to jump into the L.A. dating scene. Oh, and she has to find a way to revive her acting career, too.


Is it any good?

 

Like most "celebreality" shows, It's Complicated has a handful of quirky moments thanks to Richards' circle of friends, her personal assistants, and her psychic. A menagerie of household pets -- including several pigs -- adds to the fray. But while these bits are lighthearted, they're overshadowed by Richards' comments about relationships and dating, which usually include subtle (and some not-so-subtle) references to her rocky relationships with Sheen and musician Richie Sambora. These conversations are particularly awkward when they take place on dates.

Ironically, while Richards claims that she wants to show the "real" her, it's painfully obvious that the series is mostly an attempt to keep her in the Hollywood spotlight. In between moments with her dad and kids are scenes of Richards taking off her clothes, posing in bikinis, and, in at least one instance, standing completely naked in front of the camera (though sensitive areas aren't shown). Meanwhile, conversations about her past and present love life are full of sexual innuendo and other strong language. As a result, while teens and adults may find this show mildly entertaining in a voyeuristic way, it's not an age-appropriate choice for kids.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about the popularity of celebrity-focused reality shows. What makes these celebs' lives entertaining? Why do you think some stars are willing to discuss very private issues -- like divorce or dating -- on television? Do you think reality TV is a good forum for discussing these topics? Families can also discuss stars using reality shows to jump-start their careers. Do you think it helps or hinders them in general? Do you think the celebs featured in these shows act the same way when the cameras aren't there?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 15 years old
September 1, 2009
 
not the best role model
denise tends to cuss a lot,shows her dinking acohol some, and shows some innapropriate sex stuff. not the best role model.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
TV hits new low
sad, sad, sad...especially for her daughters who will someday face the utter embarrassment that is their "mother", at least as portrayed here. self-absorbed, but even more sheen-absorbed! certainly wasn't her intention, but i'm sure she has generated a lot more sympathy for the man, and a lot less for herself. no doubt, in the midst of their ongoing battle, he is delighted to see how consumed she is by her resentment toward him, instead of the "best revenge" option, which would be to just SHADAP AND GET ON WITH HER LIFE. any devoted mother knows it's hard enough to give children all the care and attention they need without the distraction and disruption of an omnipresent camera crew. sheesh. absolutely a new low in TV. between this and "i know my kid's a star", is hollywood concerned at all about promoting what might be called psychological or developmental abuse of children? exploitation of children is just that...even if you're a famous, pretty mom.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Denise Richards - A Refreshing New Reality Show!!
The Denise Richard's reality show started plugging the show sometime in April, and it looked good and I knew I would probably watch it, b/c I like Denise as an actress. Not only did I like it, I f'ing loved it! Denise is really a sweet woman, single mom, good friend, good mother, as you can clearly see from the show. She does have a swearing problem, but I could think of worse vices to have! I really can see the side of her now, that she's been so desperately trying to get across to the public - she is not a sl**, nor did she have an affair with "Heather's husband." Why should we care anyway? But, what I liked most about the show was when Denise told the audience that she was going through a difficult time with her mother's death, being a single Mom, going through a divorce, etc.. She went on to say that if there were anyone that needed her to talk about any of these things, she would like to do that.. Denise, I would love to talk with you.. I just lost my son's father in 2006, and my remaining parent, my Dad, last July 2, 2007. My mom died in 1987. I've been through a lot, and would like to write to you Denise. Do you have a p.o. Box, or does anyone know? Thanks, Suzy

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
January 24, 2009
 
cheesy reality show
cheesy reality show that i watch

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
This is a pretty good show.. Hope she doesnt go south
There has been a lot of media hype about how bad this girl is.. She is after all a celebrity. If she can keep from proving the media right and stick to her grounds and clean that mouth up, I think this will be a really humorous show. They really bleep all the cuss words.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
it was ok to me
this show should not be for kids 12 and under some kids may not now what it means but they could find out some how.so dont lett young kids wach this movie

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:NR
Network:E!
Cast:Denise Richards, Irv Richards, Michelle Richards
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

vote now

Will you see Denise Richards: It's Complicated?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it